Dinner at the Beach House Hotel

by Judith Keim

  “What do you think?” Vaughn said quietly, indicating the two of them horsing around.

  “I like him,” I said. “It’s the first time Liz has ever mentioned being in love. I think Clint is going to ask you for Nell’s hand. How are you going to feel about that?”

  “Old,” he said, chuckling. “Seriously, Nell is ready for something like this. They’ve been going together for almost a year now. It’s too bad I haven’t met him before, but I can tell he makes Nell happy. And that’s what matters to me.”

  I took hold of Vaughn’s hand. “Now that we’re bringing a little one into the family, it seems our other children are leaving us. Funny how this has all worked out.”

  “Yeah, but it feels right to me.”

  ###

  The next morning, the girls and I headed to the bridal shop. Rhonda and Angela agreed to join us there, and then we were all going out to lunch.

  Elise Talbot welcomed us and invited us to take seats on the assorted cream-colored couches and settees. “We’ll have Ann give us a fashion show out here,” she said. “Help yourself to coffee, tea, and water, or if you prefer, I have a nice white wine. It’s noon somewhere!”

  “Oh, let’s do it!” said Nell. “We have so much to celebrate!”

  “Absolutely,” said Rhonda. “My best friend is getting married to one of the two best men in the world!”

  While Rhonda poured wine for everyone, Elise and I went to the back of the store to look at dresses. I didn’t want a long, white, wedding gown, but I wanted something a little better than a normal dress. After discussing the pros and cons of a number of dresses, Elise and I selected three to show the others.

  She helped me into the first one—a simple A-line in pale pink; a number of cut-out flowers edged the hem.

  Careful not to show how I felt about the dress, I went into the sitting room and twirled around.

  “Very nice,” said Nell.

  “I don’t like it,” said Rhonda. “What’s next?”

  Smiling, I went back to change into dress number two.

  When I stepped into the room, all chatter stopped.

  “Don’t try on anything else,” said Rhonda. “This is the one.”

  “Yeah, Mom, it’s perfect!” Liz said.

  A sigh of relief left me. “Thank heaven, you like it. It’s my favorite too. I think Vaughn is going to love it.”

  “Me too,” said Nell. “But, Ann, he’s so in love with you, he wouldn’t really care what you wore.”

  I swooped down and gave her a kiss on the cheek. “Thank you, sweetheart. You’ve always supported the idea of Vaughn and me.”

  “What about me?” said Rhonda. “I’ve supported you too.”

  “And me,” added Angela.

  I smiled. “You all have.” I gazed around the room at each of them, loving each one.

  After changing back into my normal clothes, I joined the others in the sitting area and, relaxed on the couch now, took a sip of the wine. As the liquid slid down my throat, I thought how wonderful it was that we were all friends—mothers and daughters.

  “Shall we go on to the hotel?” said Rhonda. “Angela and I have arranged a nice luncheon for us. It’s kind of a bridal luncheon. I know it’s early for that, but I realize Nell and Liz will be leaving on Sunday, and I wanted to make this time count.”

  I left the store with Elise’s assurances that after a few tiny adjustments were made, the dress would be ready for the wedding.

  ###

  At the hotel, Bernie greeted us with a wide smile. “Ann, I’m honored that you are going to be our special guest today.” He turned to Rhonda. “We have the small dining room all set for you. And, Angela, I’m pleased to report that the flowers you ordered arrived in time.”

  Bernie led us to the dining room, where Sabine greeted us. “Come, enjoy yourselves.”

  We sat down at a table covered with green linen. A huge, low-rise arrangement of red anthuriums graced the center of the table.

  “Oh, Angela! The flowers are beautiful,” I said, pulling my chair up to the table. “I’m thinking of going with a tropical theme for the wedding. I thought I’d talk to Lorraine Grace at Wedding Perfection about it. Now that I’ve decided to go a little more formal, I’m getting more excited.” I turned to Nell beside me. “Your father and I had decided to keep everything informal until I promised the press some pictures of our day. I think they would like to see something a little more elegant. It’s a good way to promote the hotel.”

  “Besides, it’s good practice for Nell and me, when our time comes. Right, Nell?”

  “Liz, are you getting married?” asked Rhonda.

  Liz laughed. “Not for a while. I’ve got another year of school, and Chad wants to get his business up and running well, before thinking about it.”

  “Chad? The same hot IT guy we use at the hotel?” Rhonda blew Liz a kiss. “Honey, I had no idea it was so serious when I saw you last. The two of you are adorable together.” She elbowed Angela. “Did you know about this?”

  “Of course!” Angela said.

  Following a lunch of jellied consommé, cold lobster salad and a lemon tart, served with a chilled pinot grigio, I bid everyone in the dining room good-bye, excused myself, and went back to the kitchen to thank Jean-Luc for a wonderful meal.

  “You’re welcome, Ann,” Jean-Luc said, pleased. “We’re all looking forward to seeing Vaughn. We’re all happy to know he’s safe.”

  “Thank you. We’re very grateful he’s home. I’d like to talk to you about my wedding supper. The press has asked for details and I thought this would be a good way to feature your cuisine and the hotel.”

  “Good idea. Let me come up with a few suggestions for you, non?”

  “Wonderful. In the meantime, I’ll talk to Vaughn about it, though you know he’s not a fussy eater.”

  He chuckled. “Not fussy at all.”

  When I went into the office to check on a few things, I found Rhonda sitting at her desk.

  “Hi, partner! What’s up?”

  “The girls went over to Angela’s house, so I decided to come here. I miss the days of our running everything, but, when I think of going back to those long, hard days, I know I can’t do it all over again. Not like that.”

  “I know what you mean. It seems to be working out. Bernie’s doing a good job of running the place. Everything looks great, and our meal was spectacular.”

  Rhonda checked her watch. “I’d better get home to my little girl—the demanding little princess that she is.” A look of adoration crossed Rhonda’s face.

  “I’ve got to get back home too. I need to check on Vaughn and Robbie.”

  As I was leaving the hotel, I paused to look back at the structure that meant so much to me. It was a beautiful building in a lush setting. But what made it special to our guests was the upscale feel of the place, the superior service. A sense of pride filled me at all we’d accomplished. We’d beat all odds to come this far.

  ###

  When I arrived home, Elena was in the pool with Robbie. Vaughn was stretched out on a chaise lounge beside the pool, soaking up the sun. Seeing his bruised body, my heart stuttered. I went over to his chair and took a seat on the edge of it, needing to touch him, as if by the feel of his skin beneath mine, he was safe now and forever.

  As I took hold of his hand, he opened his eyes and smiled at me. “Have fun getting ready for the wedding?”

  “I think you’re going to like what I chose for a dress.”

  “Not too fancy, I hope,” he said.

  “Just right,” I answered, feeling like a new, young bride. Had I ever been this excited to wed Robert? I didn’t think so.

  ###

  Late that afternoon, Vaughn and I waited anxiously for Clint’s arrival. Liz and Chad had gone with Nell to the airport to pick him up. It had been interesting to see how well Liz and Chad got along, anticipating what each other was about to say. I loved seeing a connection like that.

  “You seem a lit
tle tense,” I teased, gently rubbing Vaughn’s back. “Is this going to be hard for you—meeting the man who’s about to steal your adoring daughter away?”

  He laughed. “That obvious, huh?”

  “I’m glad you’re protective of Nell, but she’s a smart girl. I’m sure she’s chosen well.”

  “I guess it’s hard for me to realize that both of my children and Liz will soon be completely independent with families of their own. It makes me feel so old. My fiftieth birthday is not that far away.”

  “Vaughn, you look terrific, well...maybe not so much at the moment...”

  Vaughn and I both laughed.

  “Seriously, Vaughn, don’t think of yourself as being old. After all, you’re about to become a father to a two-year-old.”

  Vaughn gave me a steady look. “What have we heard about that, anyway? I want to have Robbie’s adoption settled before the wedding.”

  I frowned. “I’ll call Syd Green and have him follow up on it for us. He was going to try to arrange a telephone interview in lieu of our going to court in Massachusetts. We should have heard something by now.”

  “Okay. Robbie’s been with us for almost five months. It’s time to make it permanent.”

  With the arrival of Clint and the others, our conversation ended, but I made a mental note to call Syd first thing Monday morning. Elena brought Robbie to me, and the four of us went outside to greet the man who had captured Nell’s heart.

  Clint Dawson’s appearance was a surprise to me. Tall and thin, Clint appeared to be the opposite of Vaughn, whose broad shoulders, solid body and vibrant personality filled every room.

  “We’re so glad to have you here,” I said, shaking hands with him and looking up into his bright green eyes.

  “Thanks. I’m happy to meet the family at last,” he said in a melodious voice. His handshake was firm, his self-confidence in place.

  Even as he shook hands with Vaughn, I remained aware of the intelligence and kindness I saw there.

  Nell smiled at me as if she knew what I was thinking.

  My attention turned to Vaughn and Clint, who were sizing each other up.

  “I thought maybe you’d like to take a look at my sailboat,” said Vaughn in an obvious attempt to get Clint alone.

  Nell rolled her eyes, and I hid my laughter.

  After Clint had been introduced to Robbie and Elena, he and Vaughn headed down to the dock.

  Liz sidled up to me and whispered, “Vaughn already showed Chad the boat.”

  I turned to her with surprise. “Really? All his paternal instincts must be in overdrive.”

  We smiled at each other, and I studied Chad. He, like Clint, seemed a great guy. I’d been impressed with him from the beginning.

  Nell came over to me. “Ann? I know you’ve made Elena’s room available to Clint but do you mind if he shares my room with me? Dad was a little funny about it earlier, but really...”

  “Oh, honey, it’s all right. Your father is fighting the idea that all of you kids are or soon will be totally on your own. It’s sweet, really.”

  “I think Clint is going to ask permission to marry me.” She chuckled. “It’s going to happen anyway, so I hope Dad says yes.”

  “He will,” I said. “Or we’ll both have to speak to him.”

  Nell impulsively threw her arms around me. “I’m so glad he found you.”

  “I’m the lucky one and I know it,” I said, hugging her back.

  When Vaughn and Clint returned to the house, both wore satisfied expressions. I winked at Nell.

  “Clint likes my little day sailer,” said Vaughn.

  “I used to sail on the Chesapeake,” he explained to me and turned to Nell. “Let’s take a sail around the inlet. Vaughn said we could take it out.”

  “Maybe Chad and I could go with you?” offered Liz.

  Chad nudged her.

  Liz’s face turned pink when she realized what was going on. “Maybe another day.”

  “Yeah, how about a swim in the pool?” said Chad, and they left us to get changed.

  “Guess we’ll go for a sail,” said Nell, beaming at Clint.

  Nell and Clint walked down to the dock, hand-in-hand.

  Watching them go, I smiled.

  “He seems like a great guy,” said Vaughn, placing his good arm around me. “His family sounds great too. His parents have been married for forty years and seem like ordinary folks. Coming from the business I’m in, that’s important to me.”

  “I like him,” I said, “and if I’m not mistaken, we’re about to gain another son.”

  He shook his head. “Probably should have bought a bigger house.”

  I laughed. “This one is just fine. If we’re lucky, we’ll have Liz right here in town with Chad.”

  “I’ve already warned Chad he’d better treat her well.”

  I liked this man who was acting like a protective father.

  CHAPTER THIRTY

  As Vaughn grilled some steaks with Chad and Clint, I fussed in the kitchen. Vaughn had requested my pan-fried potatoes seasoned with garlic and the zest of lemons. Liz was putting together a tossed green salad, and Nell was sitting at the kitchen table admiring the large diamond Clint had presented her on their sail.

  “It’s so beautiful,” Nell declared. “And it was so romantic being on the water with the wind softly blowing around us. It made for a slow sail, but a great opportunity for a kiss or three. I’ll never forget it.”

  I smiled and recalled Vaughn chartering a sailboat especially for his proposal to me. It had been such a sweet gesture.

  “Maybe Chad and I won’t wait,” Liz said. “I’m the only one who’s not engaged.”

  “Take your time, Liz. Chad’s a good guy, but you have your schooling to finish,” I said. “Besides, Christmas isn’t that far off.”

  “What’s this about Christmas?” said Nell.

  “Chad and I are talking about getting engaged then,” Liz explained.

  “Nice,” said Nell. “I haven’t had much of a chance to really talk it over with you, but I like him, Liz. You look perfect together. No wonder Dad is getting all protective. Robbie will be the only kid left around here.”

  “Have you signed the adoption papers?” Liz asked.

  “I’m calling Syd Green tomorrow to see what is holding up the adoption. Don’t worry, it’ll all work out. Vaughn is anxious to have it settled.”

  The guys came in with the steaks.

  We sat down to a late, family dinner while Elena read books to Robbie in his room. Looking around the table, I said, “I miss Ty and June. They should be here with us.”

  “They will be soon,” said Vaughn. He lifted his wine glass. “Here’s to weddings! All of them!”

  At the meaningful look that Chad gave Liz, my lips curved with satisfaction. Liz might think it was too hard to wait to be officially engaged, but I wasn’t worried about them. Chad’s love for her was obvious.

  After the main course was completed, I rose to check on Robbie. He was sitting in Elena’s lap, his head bobbing with sleep. I lifted him out of her arms and carried him back to the dining room.

  “Robbie is ready for bed. Everybody say good night to him.”

  “Night,” said Liz, rising from her chair to give him a hug and a kiss.

  I carried him over to Vaughn. “Give Daddy a kiss good night.”

  Robbie kissed his hand, then leaned over patted Vaughn’s cheek. “Night.”

  “Give the others kisses too,” I coached.

  Robbie blew kisses to the others and laid his head against my chest. Walking back to the room with him, I filled with tenderness. As a young girl, I’d always wanted a big family. Robbie, lucky boy, already had one.

  ###

  Sunday evening, with just the two of us plus Robbie and Trudy in the house, I lay on the couch exhausted. It had been a day of hellos and good-byes and laundry and getting the house back in order. To top it off, when he was told he wasn’t going to the airport with Nell, Clint, and Li
z, Robbie had put on a two-year-old’s temper tantrum equal to the finest on Vaughn’s soap opera.

  “It’s a good thing everybody is staying at the hotel for the wedding,” said Vaughn. “It’ll be easier on both of us.”

  “And how,” I quickly agreed. I propped myself up on my elbow and smiled at Vaughn. He was stretched out on the couch. Trudy lay beside him, snoring softly.

  “You ready for bed?” Vaughn wiggled his eyebrows suggestively, but he and I both knew playtime would be limited by his injuries.

  ###

  When Elena showed up the next morning, I happily turned mommy duties over to her. I had an important phone call to make.

  I was put right through to Syd Green. “Ann, great to hear from you? How is Vaughn doing? Pretty scary stuff.”

  “It was terrifying, but Vaughn is making a good recovery. He’s strong and healthy, which helps. It’s sad, though, that he was the only one who survived. That’s going to take a while longer for him to deal with.”

  “I can imagine,” said Syd. “What can I do for you?”

  I explained the situation with Robbie and that Vaughn and I basically had approval from the court but had no paperwork. “So we need to push that through.”

  “I’m sure it’s a matter of its being overlooked or someone’s dropping the ball. I’ll get right on it through one of my contacts.” He paused. “I must say I’m surprised by the turn of events, though I do believe Robert would be very happy you’re raising his son. Through all of the bitterness of the divorce and what followed, I never heard him say anything bad about you as a mother.”

  “Thank you.” I knew differently, but I wasn’t about to share those times with him. They’d been said in anger after Robert had taken up with Kandie.

  “On another note, how are things at The Beach House Hotel?” Syd asked.

  I smiled. “We’re doing well. Vaughn and I are going to be married there soon—a family-only celebration. But as part of the publicity following Vaughn’s rescue, I’ve agreed to have a photographer take pictures for his fans. It should be good publicity for both the soap opera and the hotel.”