Page 19 of Sea Breezes at The Beach House Hotel

I kissed him before stealing another hug from Bailey and Ned.

In the car on the way to the hotel, I turned to Nell. “You can leave the hotel to greet Clint if you’d like to.”

Nell shook her head. “No, I don’t want to have any disagreements. It’ll be safer for both of us to meet at the hotel. Any arguments can be handled at home. I’m sure he’s going to be upset that Ned got hurt.”

“That doesn’t sound like Clint. Kids get hurt occasionally. It’s nothing serious.”

Ned gave me a worried look, and I let it go.

###

Rhonda and I were greeting guests in the lobby when my cell phone chimed. Vaughn. I picked up the call.

“Liana and I are busy cleaning up the kids after a finger painting session that Liana conducted with them. Clint called to say they were landing at the airport. Can you leave and pick him up?”

“Sure. I’m curious to see this private jet he’s flying in,” I said, knowing that wasn’t the only thing I was curious about.

Quietly, I told Rhonda what I was doing and left the hotel to go to the Sabal airport. As I drove the short distance, I couldn’t help but remember the first time I saw it when Liz and I flew to Sabal to spend Thanksgiving with Rhonda and Angela. A lot has happened since then. Most of them were good, some not wonderful.

I pulled into the parking lot as a sleek jet came down the runway. I hurried into the terminal and stood at the gate waiting for Clint to disembark. There was no crowd waiting for others with me. I got a clear look at a dark-haired woman descending the airstair before Clint appeared wearing a golf shirt and tan slacks. He was a tall, handsome man with butterscotch hair and sparkling hazel eyes behind his sunglasses.

They walked toward me, smiling and talking to one another in a way that disturbed me. My mothering instinct rose inside me, filling me with anxiety. They looked like a couple.

They entered the building. “Hi, Ann. Where’s Vaughn? Claudine is looking forward to meeting him.”

“Hi, Clint. Vaughn couldn’t make it. That’s why I’m here.” I turned my gaze to the woman beside him. Tall, thin, and with thick, glossy, black hair that fell in a straight line to her shoulders, she stared at me with brown eyes that were busy sizing me up.

“Ann Sanders, this is Claudine Everett, one of my business associates,” said Clint. “She and I have been heading up a big project for our company.”

“Hello,” I said, holding out my hand.

Claudine gripped my hand almost painfully. “Nice to meet you. I’m disappointed. When I pick up Clint Saturday morning, I hope Vaughn will be here.” It was a command.

Startled by such boldness, l blinked and stepped back. “That depends on my husband’s schedule.”

Claudine’s lips tightened. “Well, I’d better go. My family is waiting for me at our winter home in Miami.” Claudine turned and gave Clint a hug. “See you Saturday.”

“Okay,” said Clint. “Saturday at ten. But I still think we can work in Florida this weekend.”

Claudine shook her head. “No, the rest of the team is in D.C. They expect us there. And we need to work together without any interruptions. Goodbye, Mrs. Sanders.” She turned and walked away from us with a confident posture and sure steps.

Clint noticed the confusion on my face and said, “I’m sorry this project has ruined my usual Thanksgiving stay. As I keep trying to explain to Nell, it could mean a very big profit for the company and me, in particular.”

“Does it really matter that much?” I asked.

Clints cheeks flushed. “This is a chance to prove myself capable in a way I haven’t been able to before. It’s for Nell and the kids.”

“But mostly for you,” I said, unable to hold back.

Clint frowned and looked away before turning back to me. “Why is Nell working for you? I make enough money that she doesn’t have to do that,” he said with an edge to his voice.

“I’ll let you discuss that with her,” I said. “But I will say that we’re grateful for her help. As you may know, Arthur Smythe died recently and his wife, Lorraine, who heads our wedding service, will be out for some time.”

“Ah, yes. I was sorry to hear about that. I talked to Arthur a while ago after I got my new job. He was a great guy,” said Clint.

“We’re all sad about it,” I said. “Though he’d been ill, it was still unexpected.”

“I’ll call Reggie while I’m here,” said Clint, sounding more like the son-in-law I loved.