Page 22 of Sea Breezes at The Beach House Hotel

I gazed up at him, but he looked away.

Letting out a sigh of worry, I said nothing.

###

After the last group of guests had finished their meals, things happened quickly. The dining room was closed, and servers and other staff descended upon the food on the buffet table even as more food was brought in. We allowed them to drink beer or wine on the premises three times during the year. This was one of those times, along with our Christmas employee party and the New Year’s Eve event for those who had worked at the party. Now, this was a great way to thank those who had devoted themselves all day to making our Thanksgiving a success. Jean-Luc, Bernie, Annette, Consuela, and other department heads joined in, making it a boost for morale.

Rhonda and I circulated, thanking them for their help, too tired to think of staying and eating more than a snack. After sampling the food all day, I’d had enough. I noticed that Nell had already left.

###

At home, Bailey and Ned were already in bed, and Robbie was playing games in his room. Vaughn was sitting alone on the lanai.

“Hi. Where are Nell and Clint?” I asked him.

“They’ve gone for a walk. They had a disagreement about the kids’ bedtime, and they wanted to have some privacy.”

I sat beside him on the couch and wiggled my toes out of my shoes. “Ah, that feels delightful.”

“It looked like another success at The Beach House Hotel,” said Vaughn, drawing me into his arms.

I leaned gratefully against him. “Thanks. It was. The employees were celebrating when I left. They did a great job. How were Nell and Clint at dinner? I know she couldn’t stay at the table for very long, but were they all right?”

“I think so,” said Vaughn. “Then Clint got that phone call. But it seemed fine when he told Nell he was still staying until Saturday morning.”

“That phone call was from Claudine. I don’t trust her. Clint is an attractive man, and she seems to like having him at her beck and call. It seems strange that she insists on having him work with her over a holiday weekend.”

“I agree,” said Vaughn. “We’ll have to see what happens next. Clint has promised to head out on the water with me mid-morning. Before then, he’s going to meet Reggie for coffee to offer his condolences.”

“Yes, he told me he wants to do that,” I said, looking up when Nell and Clint walked into the room.

“Hi, Ann. Dinner was delicious. Another success for you,” said Clint.

“And for the staff,” I said. “But thank you. I’m elated you could make it.”

“He tells me he can’t stay the weekend,” Nell said tersely. “But at least he’s here now.”

Clint studied Nell and then sighed. “I’ll make it up to you at Christmas.”

“I’ve told Clint that I’m going to remain here in Sabal until after the Christmas holidays. I’ve talked to him about doing it for a while, and I’ve decided it will give him space to work on that special project of his.”

Looking uncertain, Clint shrugged. “The kids love it here. I get it.”

“We’d all better get to bed early,” I told them. “It’s a busy day tomorrow. Nell, you and I will leave by seven at the latest.”

“What’s going on?” Clint asked me.

“The hotel is transformed into Christmas first thing in the morning. Selected employees help our designer put up decorations, lights, and trees, so when guests come down to the dining room for breakfast, it seems like magic.”

“You remember how the kids and I would always come to the hotel to see the change,” said Nell. “To them, it’s always been magical.”

Clint put an arm around Nell. “See you tomorrow.”

Nell blew Vaughn and me little kisses and went with Clint to the guest wing of the house.

Vaughn and I looked at one another. It was obvious the walk had helped Nell and Clint.

“I’m ready for bed, too,” said Vaughn, getting to his feet.