Page 62 of Sea Breezes at The Beach House Hotel

“I love her,” I said as I pulled into the drop-off zone at the airport.

My stomach always clenched with pangs of unhappiness as I saw him off, but it also kept our marriage alive by having him leave home occasionally. The goings were sad, but the homecomings were … well, delicious.

Vaughn kissed me, grabbed his travel bag from the back seat, and headed into the airport wearing a baseball cap to keep people from recognizing him.

I left the airport and headed back to Sabal, thinking of the busy days ahead.

My cell phone rang. Clint.

“Hi, Ann. I’m going to take you up on your offer to help Nell and me. I need you to do two things for me. Are you at home?”

“Actually, I just dropped off Vaughn at the airport for a short business trip, and I’m on my way home.”

“When you get there, could you please scan some papers and email them to me? I’m fairly certain it’s what someone was looking for when they broke into the house. I’m still keeping the originals, which I hope you’ll store in a safe place. At the moment, I’ve placed them in a bureau drawer, but I’m not sure they’ll be okay there.”

“I’ll find a safe spot for them,” I said. “And I’ll get those copies to you.”

“One more thing. I’m turning in my rental car. I’ve arranged for the Audi dealer in Sabal to receive it. It was nothing but an ego trip, anyway. One I’m paying for now.”

Good for you, I thought. “No problem. Do you want me to keep all personal items from the car for you?”

“That would be great. The paperwork is in the glove compartment. I don’t believe you’ll need anything else. Nell brought both sets of openers when she drove it to Sabal.”

“How are you feeling?” I asked.

“Besides feeling stupid for getting into all this?” said Clint. “Okay, I guess. The pain level is significantly lower than it was. Nell has been terrific about helping me.”

“She’s a special woman,” I said with pride. “I’ll let you know when I’m about to send the papers to you. Text me the number where you want them sent.”

“Will do. And thanks,” said Clint.

We ended the call, and I let out a sigh of satisfaction. Clint was sounding more like himself. I understood his desire to provide for Nell, knowing she came from money, but neither Nell nor her father ever flaunted it or demanded expensive personal possessions. That’s what he should’ve known.

###

At home, I went through the bureau drawers in the guest room, where Nell and Clint were staying, and quickly found a file folder containing documents. Although I didn’t want to snoop, I read enough to know which papers Clint wanted, and then I went to Vaughn’s office to send them to Clint.

“Thanks,” said Clint when he called.

“I’ll take care of the car tomorrow,” I said. “I’ll get Rhonda to help me.”

“That would be great,” said Clint. “Talk to you then. Nell wants to say hi to you.”

“Hi, sweetie. It seems to be going well,” I said.

Yes, but it won't be easy for Clint to break away. I’ll talk to you tomorrow. I just wanted to thank you for your help. Can I speak to the kids?”

“Sure. I’ll get them,” I said, carrying my phone to the lanai where they were playing a game.

Watching the children’s faces light up at the news that Nell wanted to speak to them, I handed my phone to Bailey and went to talk to Liana, who’d moved into her room here at the house until further notice.