Page 63 of Sea Breezes at The Beach House Hotel

CHAPTER TWENTY

The next morning, before heading to the car dealership with Clint’s car, I vacuumed the interior and made sure that all the pockets and compartments were empty of personal papers and items.

As I was going through the glove compartment, I found a note to Clint from Claudine.

“Hey, partner! I thought we’d celebrate your joining the firm and my project with a special dinner. I hope you’re available because it’s going to be you and me going forward. Can’t wait! Xo Claudine.

I studied the note with dismay. From the very beginning, Clint had a beautiful woman enticing him to cheat. I could understand the attraction, especially if there was conflict at home. But Clint had told Claudine in front of me that there wasn’t any relationship and never had been.

I tucked that note in my pocket. Though there wasn’t a date on it, it might become important in any legal battle.

After everything had been removed from the car, I vacuumed and quickly spruced up the interior. I had no idea what financial arrangements had been made, but I wanted the car to look as nice as possible.

I called Rhonda, and she met me at the dealership.

After turning in the car, I climbed into Rhonda’s convertible.

“Let’s take a little drive,” said Rhonda. “I want to go to the Chamber of Commerce and see that email from Claudine. We might need it if we receive any more harassment from her. If we end up going to our lawyer, it could be useful.”

“Here. Take a look at this,” I said, pulling Claudine’s note out from my pocket.

Rhonda read it and shook her head. “This woman is batshit crazy. Let’s see, she wants a job working for the family, wants a man, and wants her father’s approval. It must have been hard never to measure up. Still, everyone knows you don’t go fishing off the company pier.”

“Apparently, she doesn’t. As upset as I was about the prospect of Clint cheating on Nell, I’m just as upset at how Claudine pursued him from the beginning.” I let out a long sigh. “It reminds me of how Kandie pursued Robert. With a lot of flattery and determination.”

“The difference is your Ex fell for it. Clint didn’t cross that line,” said Rhonda.

“You’re right. But it still bugs me when women go after married men.”

“Or married men become fools thinking they can entice younger women,” said Rhonda, and I knew she was remembering her ex-husband, Sal.

“A game as old as time,” I grumbled.

“Let’s see if we can catch this little witch at her game,” Rhonda said. “She should know better than to try to hurt us or our hotel.”

###

We drove to the Chamber, got out, and went inside to see the head of the organization. Alisa MacDonald, a charming, middle-aged woman and supporter of ours, greeted us with a smile.

“Hello to two of my favorite people,” she said. “What can I do for you today?”

“I want a copy of the email and any paperwork you recorded from Claudine Everett’s complaints about our hotel,” said Rhonda.

“No problem. I’ll forward it to you, so you can make a proper response. That’s our normal procedure,” Alisa said. “I wasn’t sure you wanted to deal with it.”

“We do,” I said. “We can’t let anything like that go.”

“I understand,” Alisa said. “We never get anything but praise for The Beach House Hotel. That’s why I called you, Rhonda.”

“Thanks. “Are there any other updates we should be aware of?” Rhonda asked.

“Nothing of any substance. Brock Goodwin was in here yesterday nosing around. Honestly, I find him detestable. He’s selling Valentine's decorations that he wants the city to buy. I told him we weren’t adding anything to our existing display.”

“We turned him down, too,” I said. “Let us know when you need anything from us. I see you still have our brochures on display.”

“Oh, yes,” said Alisa. “Excuse me. I have to take a phone call.”

She left, and Rhonda and I decided to leave. A walk on the beach sounded like a relaxing way to discuss Claudine.