by Judith Keim
I was still glowing with triumph that afternoon when the phone rang. I answered it eagerly, pen in hand, ready for some more good news.
“Hello, Ann? This is Jack Henderson,” said a familiar voice. “A friend sent Robert one of your brochures, and he’s asked me to give you a call. As his lawyer, I told him I would. It seems that Robert feels you’ve deceived him. He had no idea when he made the financial settlement with you that you were going to do something like set up a hotel. Do you know how risky that is?”
Astonishment was quickly replaced by anger that flowed through me like red-hot lava. Too furious to utter a word, I remained silent.
Jack coughed and continued. “Well, in any case, he claims that by giving you the money to do this, he feels somewhat responsible should anything go wrong. He’s reluctant to give you any more money, in other words, unless he can be assured that it’s not being wasted.”
I erupted. “How I spend the money which is rightfully mine should be of no concern to Robert.”
“Now, Ann, he’s concerned about Liz too,” Jack said.
Ice replaced heat. “Liz is well provided for and always will be. I’ve been very circumspect in my business dealings. I would suggest that any other conversations be conducted with Syd Green, who is representing me. As a matter of fact, Syd and his wife, Marian, are due here next week to inspect the property. He’ll be able to reassure you on this matter.”
“The fact remains, Ann,” Jack persisted, “that the hotel business is fraught with danger.”
“We are well advised, which is more than I can say for Robert at the moment. Goodbye, Jack.” I slammed down the phone. Tears of frustration blurred my vision. “Dammit! Why can’t he leave me alone?”
“Why can’t who leave you alone?” Rhonda asked, breezing into the office, loaded down with an armful of magazines and catalogs.
“That was Robert’s lawyer. Robert is upset over how I am spending my money! He thinks the hotel business is too risky, and he’s worried about Liz!”
“Liz, my ass!” Rhonda’s nostrils flared. “He’s worried you might succeed without him! That’s what this is all about!”
“Well, partner, we’re going to show him!” I’d die before I’d fail.
Rhonda sat down, facing me. “Look, hon, we’ve gone over the figures a hundred times. Will has looked at them. According to him, our financial projections seem reasonable and obtainable. It’ll take us a while, but I think we’ve got a good chance of making it, especially if we stick to our guns and keep the place a high-class one like we’ve been told.”
I let out a sigh. “You’re right. I shouldn’t let Robert rattle me so. Frankly, I have better business sense than he does.”
“Then, have faith in yourself. Come on. We’ve got catalogs to go through. There are all kinds of soaps, shampoos, and other things to choose from.”
Still seething inside, I accepted the few catalogs she handed me. Somehow I’d win at Robert’s nasty game.
CHAPTER NINE
Syd and Marian Green had requested an early visit to the hotel. They stood at the Sabal airport, blinking in the bright sunlight. My heart filled with joy to see them. Syd’s legal support guiding me through the arrangements with Robert meant a great deal to me. And I knew Marian from the community mental-health fundraiser we’d worked on together. She was a nice, capable person who loved her husband and their three sons.
As they entered the small airport building, I greeted them both with hugs. “It’s so good to see you!”
Syd grinned happily. “Marian was the one who suggested we come see ’Ann’s project’ as we call it.”
Marian smiled. “It sounds wonderful.”
I looped my arm through hers. “Rhonda and I are delighted to have you here. You can be our guinea pigs as we try out housekeeping routines and cook various meals for you.”
Marian smiled. “We’ll love it. Syd and I are ready for a break. Right, hon?”
He tugged at the collar of his shirt. “You bet. C’mon, let’s find our bags and get out of these clothes and into something cooler.”
As we waited for their luggage to appear on the conveyor belt, Marian asked softly, “Are you happy, Ann? You look wonderful.”
I smiled and nodded. Over the past several days I’d reached a milestone. No matter what head games Robert played, I’d remain strong. The life I was building was worth any financial worries I might have because deep down I believed we’d succeed. Not easily, but well worth the challenge. It still amazed me that I, who’d always been so conservative, had thrown caution to the wind and moved to Florida into a business I was still learning. If, by some magic she knew, what in the world would my grandmother say to that?
We loaded bags into Rhonda’s car, and I drove them to The Beach House.
“Oh, how lovely,” Marian gushed as we pulled to a stop in the front circle.
“Welcome!” Rhonda cried, standing at the bottom of the front steps. I introduced Syd and Marian and stood back as Rhonda wrapped her arms around Marian and greeted Syd with a smile. “Annie and I have been waiting for you to get here!”
The three of them murmured greetings as Manny took the suitcases up the front stairs.
I led Syd and Marian inside and showed them to their room. “After you get settled, Rhonda and I will give you the grand tour of the property. We want you to see everything, so there’s no doubt in your minds about the kind of hotel we’re talking about.” Marian was well-known in the higher social circles of Boston and would be able to send business our way.
Later, while Syd was trying out the new putting green in the front circle, Marian turned to Rhonda and me, her eyes shining. “Everything is gorgeous! I can already think of several couples who’d love to come for a stay. Be sure and give me more brochures before we leave.”
Rhonda grinned. “Are you kidding? I’ll get some now.”
Marian and I looked at each other and smiled as Rhonda hurried away.
“I like Rhonda,” said Marian. “She has a very distinctive personality but makes one feel at home here.”
“I think so too. It really is Rhonda’s home, you know. She bought the original hotel and fixed it up.”
“Ah, that’s why it’s so perfect for a small hotel,” said Marian. Syd called to her, and she applauded his hole-in-one on the putting green.
That evening, we sat outside by the pool with drinks. Syd cleared his throat and looked thoughtfully from Rhonda to me. “From what you’ve shown us and told us, I think the two of you might be very successful here. I don’t understand why Jack Henderson made such an issue of it the other day. I sent him a letter threatening to take them to court, but as you know, Ann, that kind of action does little for you and a lot for us lawyers. You might better sit tight.”
“He’s an asshole, and so is Robert,” Rhonda said bluntly.
Surprise showed on Syd’s face, but he nodded. “I think you’re right, Rhonda. Yes, indeed I do.”
I joined in the laughter that followed.
The doorbell rang, and Rhonda hurried to answer it. She returned a moment later with Will. After Rhonda introduced him, the five of us sat chatting comfortably as the sun went down.
Will told us stories of how Sabal used to be back in the ’70s when it was a comparatively quiet little town. “It’s amazing how it’s grown. It’s a tricky balance between the developers, the conservationists, and others who don’t want any changes at all.”
“But they’ll love The Beach House Hotel!” said Rhonda. “I just know it.”
“I’m sure they will.” As Will smiled at her, I could almost see the electricity between them.
We went into the small dining room for dinner. Small individual vases filled with fresh flowers sat at each place. Printed menus lay atop the serving plates.
“Very nice,” commented Marian, and I was glad we’d fussed.
After Consuela served the meal, the room grew quiet as we all dug in.
“Delicious,” said Marian, taking he
r last bite of the rolled chicken breast stuffed with a fresh herb and mushroom mixture, topped with a light, lemony sauce. “Is this the type of thing you’re planning to serve for hotel guests?”
Rhonda nodded. “I think so. We don’t know how wide our menu choices will be, to begin with. We want to start slow and build up to it. We’ll try to have chicken, fish, beef, and pasta available every night, but we’re working on more items.”
After dessert and a small cordial out on the lanai, Will announced he had to go home. Rhonda rose with him and gave Will a resounding smack on the lips before leading him away.
Marian caught my eye, and we smiled, pleased to see how happy they were together.
###
Syd and Marian left with promises to direct people to The Beach House Hotel. Though we wouldn’t officially open until sometime in August, it had been good to see what kinks we’d need to work out in the dining room.
Rhonda thought she’d like to do a lot of the cooking, but it soon became apparent she could not be expected to cook every meal. After cooking breakfast, lunch, and dinner for two days straight, it had almost done her in. And while Consuela was content to work in the kitchen, she didn’t want to handle service as well.
Progress continued on the cottage. It was just about complete. Outdoors, the kidney-shaped splash pool and spa were coated and tiled, awaiting the finish coating on the pool deck. The screening for the cage was stacked at the side of the house and would go up as soon as the pool contractors gave the word. The landscaping was underway, though the sod for the yard wouldn’t be put down until the pool was complete.
Inside, the sparkling off-white walls and pale-gold carpeting awaited the added color of furniture and accessories. The living room stood empty save an old, light-blue Oriental rug that I’d brought from home. I’d hunted the sales at every furniture store along the west coast of Florida, looking for bargains to supplement the few pieces of better furniture that I’d brought with me and stored. The rest of the furniture I’d either sold or given away, as neither Robert nor Liz laid claim to it.
I stood by myself in the growing dusk, looking out through the French doors to the pool area and the beach beyond it. The fading sky was lit by the setting sun and cast a warm golden glow to the interior walls. I stared in awe at the place I could now call home. The small house was as gorgeous as I’d imagined. Maybe, more so. I felt a peace and contentment here already.
“Annie?” Rhonda’s voice echoed in the empty house. “Where are you?”
“Right here! Come on in.” I took a look at her face and froze. “What’s the matter?”
Looking as if she was about to cry, Rhonda lowered herself down on the carpet and leaned against the wall. “I just got a call from Brock Goodwin. He returned from a trip to the Far East over the weekend. He wanted me to know that last night the Gold Coast Neighborhood Association voted against the chickee hut and now they’re going to fight us on the whole hotel concept. They don’t like the idea of a commercial enterprise in the middle of their high-class neighborhood. There’ll be a hearing in the next couple of weeks.”
My legs grew weak. I collapsed on the floor next to her.
Tears swam in Rhonda’s eyes. “Annie? What are we going to do? Brock sounded pleased about the whole thing. I bet the bastard is behind it, but I don’t know why.”
My mind spun. It didn’t make sense. Surely he wouldn’t do this because I didn’t want to date him. There had to be something more to it.
I patted Rhonda’s arm. “We’ll make it work out. I’m not sure how, but we will. In the meantime, the only thing we can do is move forward with all our plans. We already have most of the permits in place. That’s why I don’t understand Brock’s taking this approach.”
Rhonda remained silent. I’d never seen her so discouraged.
I took a look around at what was to be my beautiful new home and prayed I’d be able to move in, after all.
Later that week, Liz called to tell me she and Angela had signed up to be counselors at a summer camp for underprivileged children in New Hampshire. “You don’t mind my not spending the whole summer down there with you, do you?” she asked. “When school ends, we’ll come home for a few days to get ready for camp, and then we’ll have to leave. Angela especially wants to do the camp thing because she’s leaning toward social work.”
I hid my disappointment. “No, I don’t mind. It sounds like it might be fun.”
Liz let out an audible breath of relief. “Thanks, Mom. Dad was mad when I told him. I think he wanted me to spend the summer with them. Not that I would.”
I remained quiet, thankful she hadn’t chosen to stay with Robert and Kandie.
“You’re sure it’s okay, Mom?”
“Yes, I’ll be busy with the hotel so it’s nice to know you’ll be busy too. Send me the information so I can see what the camp is like.”
We chatted a while longer, and I hung up. My baby had grown up, and I was truly on my own. Having her become so independent was bitter-sweet.
###
The school year ended, and Liz arranged to come home. When I watched her descend the stairway from the plane, my heart squeezed with love for her. One year of college had given her a new air of confidence. It scared me to realize in many ways she wasn’t mine anymore.
She gave me a hug, more woman to woman than mother and child, and I marveled at how grown up she’d become.
“Angela couldn’t make it. She’s flying down tomorrow.”
“Rhonda was disappointed, but she understands.”
As I drove Liz to The Beach House, my excitement rose. She would finally see her new home. The house represented so many things to me—security, independence, even survival.
I pulled through the gates of the hotel and took a driveway off to the right to the cottage.
Liz looked over at me and grinned. Her eyes widened when I pulled into the two-car garage. “It’s ours? Truly ours?”
We got out of the car, and I took her hand. “I want you to see it as if you were a visitor.” I led her to the front door and swung it open. I held my breath as I waited for her response.
Liz let out a gasp that rose to a squeal. “It’s beautiful!” She darted through the living room and peered through the French doors leading to the lanai. “A pool! I didn’t know we were going to have a pool!”
The sound of water cascading from the spa into the small pool was musical as I opened the doors to show her. It had been a bit of an extravagance, but one I felt was warranted in such a lovely setting. In case, God forbid, I was ever forced to sell the house.
Liz turned in circles, taking in all the details with a huge grin on her face. “What does my room look like? Is it the way I wanted?”
“Let’s go see.”
We walked to her bedroom, and I opened the door with a flourish.
The pale-yellow walls and the blue floral quilt on the queen bed were exactly what she’d ordered. Liz clapped her hands with delight. “This is great! Mom, the whole place is beautiful! I’m so proud of you!”
I grinned. It was beautiful, and small was just fine with me. I’d be too busy with the hotel to worry about a larger house of my own. I was lucky, so lucky, to have this.
The time with Liz was precious. We selected a sleeping bag and other camping gear for her to take to New Hampshire, saw a movie, and spent as much time together as my schedule allowed. In too few days, she and Angie left for their summer adventure. It almost seemed as if they hadn’t been home at all.
I went back to dealing with the problems I’d held at bay during her short visit.
Syd Green had been forced to make another call to Robert’s lawyer. He phoned me with an update. This time, the excuse for Robert’s not paying was because he’d had to fund the pension plan for his company and was short on cash.
My hands knotted helplessly as Syd gave me a blow-by-blow description of his conversation with the lawyer. It seemed so wrong that Robert was holding me back from moving on with my li
fe while he was thriving in his new one.
I hung up the phone with a promise from Syd that he’d stay on top of it. He was as angry as I was about Robert’s constantly backing away from his promises. Though Robert was being fined for late payments, it didn’t help me. I needed the money now.
My situation wasn’t the only difficult one facing us. Rhonda and I agonized over the threat of the neighborhood group’s going against us and decided to proceed with our plans. As Will advised, with permits in place, their objections shouldn’t be allowed to derail us. And we had some time to think of a plan before their next meeting.
The reservations book was still embarrassingly empty. I racked my brain, trying to come up with ideas of how we could attract people. We wanted a “soft opening”—when people could come and quietly test the property before we officially opened—but the blank pages of reservation listings taunted me.
“What are we going to do, Annie?” Rhonda held up the blank print-outs of the reservations program. “We’ve got to pull more people in.”
“Why don’t we call Brenda and ask her for a list of other travel agents? We’ll invite them down for a free, one-night stay. We’ve got to get ‘heads in beds,’ as they say.”
Panic kept us busy. We called Brenda, and Rhonda met with a writer for the Sabal Daily News. He agreed to do a big spread on us. He also agreed to attend our first scheduled Breakfast at The Beach House Hotel in August. Well aware the short trip from the east coast of Florida to Sabal represented a big change in lifestyle, we placed ads in the Miami papers.
We soon discovered there is nothing like freebies to attract travel agents and corporate planners. Calls began to come in.
Will came to dinner one night and did a magnificent job of trying to boost our drooping spirits. I could see how much he cared and loved him for it. To give Rhonda and Will some time alone, as soon as dinner was over, I excused myself.
“Wait! Where are you going?” Rhonda asked me, waving me back into the room.
“It’s late, and I’m exhausted.” I was puzzled by the panicky tone in Rhonda’s voice. “I’ve been up since six o’clock this morning. I’m going home.”
