by Judith Keim
“Shit! They’ve even taken all the items from inside here!” Rhonda cried from the bathroom. “Those frickin’ thieves!”
Stunned, I looked around at the chaos. The stolen goods added up to quite a lot of money. We couldn’t let them get away with it.
“You know something? The robes and umbrellas with our name and logo on them are really attractive. Maybe we should offer them for sale. It would be good PR, and it might help avoid times like this.”
“You’re right, Annie.” A mischievous smile lit Rhonda’s face. “These people can be our first customers—whether they like it or not!”
I laughed. We might have to learn about the hotel business the hard way, but no matter what, the two of us would succeed or die trying.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Rhonda and I descended the steps together to greet Brenda Bolinder’s limousine. She exited the car and glanced around with a smile on her face. Tall, she carried herself with a regal grace as she strode toward us. Her luxuriant red hair was pulled back in a refined, braided twist. Huge, but tasteful emeralds sparkled at her ears and on her fingers, matching the green linen suit she wore.
I rushed forward to greet her. “Welcome! Rhonda and I are so happy you’re here. We hope you love our hotel.”
Rhonda shook her hand. “After you get settled in your room, we’ll give you a complete tour of the property. ”
Brenda nodded. “Thank you. I need to see all of it.”
While Rhonda answered a phone call, I showed Brenda to her room. “Take your time. When you’re ready, we’ll be downstairs.”
She smiled. “It won’t take me long to get into something more comfortable.”
Rhonda’s face was aglow when I met her in the office. “That Brenda! What a class act! I’m dying to know who her client is. They gotta be big. Did you check out those jewels of hers?”
I nodded. Brenda wasn’t your normal travel agent.
We walked Brenda through the downstairs rooms, showed her all the facilities, and described the services we could provide to her group.
“I love it so far,” she said. “I can’t believe this was all yours, Rhonda. It’s perfect for what you’re doing, and I think it might work for my client. The living room especially has a lot of features we could use. The woodworking, the trim, the high ceilings are all I imagined them to be from the pictures in the brochure. Can you show me the grounds?”
Like a proud child showing off a new toy, Rhonda took Brenda’s hand and tugged her outside. We showed her the pool area, took her to the tennis court, shuffleboard court, and the horseshoe pits by the garage. Then we walked her to the putting green in the front circle and finally led her to my house.
As we sat on my lanai, sipping cold drinks, we chatted comfortably. Brenda appeared to be well-traveled and knowledgeable about running a hotel.
“You have a lovely place here.” Brenda indicated the grounds with a wave of her hand. “I need to take a look around in the early morning light to be sure, but, so far, I think it might do nicely. Now, let me tell you a bit about my client. Are you familiar with the afternoon soap opera, The Sins of the Children?”
Rhonda’s eyes rounded. “Holy crap! You’ve got to be kidding!”
“I’ve never seen it,” I admitted.
“Well, it’s one of the hottest shows going,” said Brenda. “The producers planned a whole series of episodes to take place in a tropical setting. I was hired to find the right location, and this seems like the perfect place to me.”
Rhonda and I exchanged looks of awe.
I leaned forward. “How long will they want to stay?”
“I’d have to reconfirm it, but from what I’ve been told, it would be for about four weeks—from early to mid-August until sometime after Labor Day. The major stars would stay here. They’d need to use space inside the hotel for shots of some interior scenes, as well.”
My pulse raced. I was already adding numbers in my head. “How many people are we talking about?”
Brenda hesitated. “I imagine between the stars, the director, the producers, and others, they’d take up the whole hotel. Some of the crew can stay somewhere else, but the stars need to have a luxurious setting. They get tired of large, commercial hotels and want privacy, which is why I thought your property might work. We’d want to be sure no screaming fans would be hanging around. With the space around the house and the high walls surrounding the lawns, the property appears secure, I should think.”
“Oh, yes.” Rhonda bobbed her head eagerly. “That shouldn’t be a problem. It’s one of the reasons I originally bought the place.”
Brenda smiled and leaned back in her chair. “Tomorrow morning, I’ll go on the beach, and then I’ll check out other areas of the town.” She checked her watch. “As a matter of fact, a friend should be picking me up soon. I’d better go back to the hotel.”
“I’ll walk you over,” said Rhonda, rising.
Brenda waved her back to her seat. “Don’t bother. I know my way, and I’m sure the two of you have lots to talk about.”
She left, and Rhonda gazed at me, wide-eyed. “Oh my God, Annie! Do you realize what this means? A television show filmed right here?”
“It could be the beginning of something wonderful.” My voice shook with possibility.
Rhonda gave me a playful punch on the arm. “’Told ya. Everything is going to work out just fine. See? It’s all falling into place.”
A shiver crossed my shoulders. I hoped she was right. This was BIG.
###
I was placing a vase of fresh flowers on each of the tables in the pool area the next morning when Brenda rushed up to me.
“I’ve just come from the beach.” She frowned. “I had no idea that filming here could become such a problem. A neighbor of yours explained it to me. I’m awfully sorry, but if we can’t be assured of having adequate access to the beach, this whole project will have to move somewhere else.”
I almost dropped the vase from my hands. A terrible certainty filled me. “Are you by any chance talking about a man named Brock Goodwin?”
“Why yes! That was his name. He runs the Gold Coast Neighborhood Association. He told me he doesn’t think people in the neighborhood would like having the beach restricted. I must say, he wasn’t very nice after he found out what I was doing here. In fact, he came right out and told me I could just plain forget it!”
I set down the vase before I threw it. Forcing myself to remain calm, I said, “I believe there’s been a gross misunderstanding. There will be no problem with filming on the beach. We’ll take care of it.”
“I hope so,” said Brenda. “I was so pleased with everything else.”
She left me, and I raced into the office, as angry as I’d ever been, to give Rhonda the news.
Rhonda pounded her desk with a fist. “That jackass isn’t going to ruin this opportunity for us! Don’t worry, Annie, I’ll take care of him.” There was a dangerous edge to her voice.
I eyed her suspiciously. “What are you going to do?”
“I’m calling all the board members of the Gold Coast Neighborhood Association now before Brock can get to them. I’m going to ask them to impeach Brock. This whole thing of being president has gone to his head.”
Rhonda and I both set to work on the calls.
Before leaving, Brenda met with us in the office.
“I understand your situation,” she said, “but I can’t wait too long for your assurance that everything is all right. My client will insist on it. I’m sure you realize this is an opportunity of a lifetime for any hotel.”
“We’ll be back to you as soon as possible. Believe me; we want your client here. We promise to do an excellent job for them. ”
“Yes,” said Rhonda. “We want you here, not anywhere else.”
“We’ll see how it works out,” said Brenda. “I can’t make any promises.”
After seeing her off, Rhonda and I returned to our office. Slumping in her chair, Rhonda said, “What a
re we going to do, Annie?”
Determination hardened every bone of my body. “We’re going to get the issue resolved and go ahead with all our plans. No one is going to stop us!”
Rhonda grinned at me. “I like it when you get all fired up, Annie.”
I returned her smile, but I knew it would take more than being fired up, so to speak, to solve our problems.
That afternoon, we hurried to Rhonda’s private wing of the house to watch The Sins of the Children. An image of a tall, broad-shouldered man with strong, well-defined features appeared on the screen.
“Oooh. Vaughn Sanders,” gushed Rhonda.
I had to admit, with his dark, tumbling curls and snappy, intelligent, brown eyes, he was handsome. A real hottie, as Liz had once told me on our first plane ride to Sabal.
“Isn’t he gorgeous?” Rhonda’s voice turned breathy. “And just think, Annie! He might stay right here with us this summer!”
“He’s just an actor,” I said, even as my eyes focused on his sensuous, full lips.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Days flew by. We continued to maintain a low profile on summer bookings until we had the issue of the soap opera filming settled. Brock was on another of his overseas trips. I hoped he’d stay away so we could get the approval without more interference from him. And that wasn’t my only worry.
No matter how much I might wish otherwise, Robert and Kandie’s visit approached relentlessly. I dreaded it. He still owed me money. And it seemed like such a mean trick for him to come now, while we were still testing things out. It was meaner still for him to bring Kandie and the baby. But, then, Robert wouldn’t see it that way. He’d see his visit as a means of protecting his “investment” or some such bull. I was having none of it.
On schedule, Robert and Kandie’s rental car pulled up to the front of the house. Rhonda and I stood at the top of the stairs, waiting to greet them. Rhonda gave me an encouraging wink.
“You can do it, Annie.”
I drew a deep breath. Though a part of me was itching to slap a certain someone’s face, I’d do my best to act the cheerful hostess.
Kandie got out of the car, and I blinked with surprise. Her blue jeans looked as if the stretch in them was about to fray with a figure gone awry. Her hair streaked with red highlights that had turned orange was pulled into two ponytails that made her look twelve. A feeling of sweet revenge curled itself around me. What had Robert ever seen in her?
I didn’t look at the baby in her arms, but bypassed him and his mother, and walked over to where Robert stood on the driver’s side of the car, stretching lazily. Rhonda trotted at my heels.
“Hello, Robert,” I said coolly. “Welcome to The Beach House Hotel. I’d like you to meet my partner, Rhonda DelMonte.”
Rhonda and Robert eyed each other warily, and I prayed Rhonda would restrain herself. Her fingers were tightening into fists, and a fiery gleam had entered her eyes. She extended her hand to him.
Ignoring Rhonda’s gesture, he turned in a circle. “Looks like you two have got quite a place.”
Dots of red appeared on Rhonda’s cheeks, and I knew she was not only angry but hurt by Robert’s action. She laid a hand on my arm. “Here comes Manny. I’ll go see if he needs any help.”
Furious, I faced Robert. “If you’re going to be rude to my partner, you can leave right now, Robert. We don’t need your business.”
His eyes widened in surprise, and then he glared at me. “Don’t lecture me, Ann. You can’t imagine the hellish trip I’ve had to get here.”
The baby wailed, catching his attention.
The timing was perfect, I thought with satisfaction. Robert wanted another child; well, he had one. Maybe, two, I thought, as Kandie whined about being tired.
While Manny and Robert collected the luggage, Rhonda and I ushered Kandie and the baby inside.
“Oh, this is beautiful!” Kandie cooed. “From what Robert told me, I didn’t expect anything like this!”
“And just what did Robert tell you?” I asked, deceptively calm, though my jaw clenched and unclenched with anger.
Kandie shrugged her shoulders. “I don’t know. He just said that you were wasting his money ...”
“Now, sweetheart,” said Robert, joining us. “You know I didn’t say that.”
“Oh, yes, you did, Robert! I know what I heard!” Kandie retorted in a high, baby-like voice. Her lips formed a pout as she glared at him.
Fascinated, I watched their byplay. How could I ever have loved this jerk? I asked myself, feeling better by the moment.
“Ah, here’s Consuela,” said Rhonda. “She’ll show you to your room. We set up a crib for the baby.” She hesitated, and I knew the effort it was taking. “Welcome to The Beach House Hotel.”
“Yes,” I added, forcing a pleasant tone to my words. “We hope you have a pleasant stay!” If that didn’t merit an acting award, I’d be surprised. I was relieved when they left the living room. It was not going to be an easy time, but, somehow I’d get through it.
After they disappeared up the stairway, Rhonda shook her head. “What an asshole!”
My lips thinned. “Ya think?” I couldn’t agree more.
Even though two other rooms were booked for the weekend, we’d given the staff strict orders to dog Robert and Kandie, filling their every need with prompt, polite service. Formal, rather than familiar, was the way we’d decided to handle them. I’d warned Rhonda ahead of time that I intended to stay out of sight, either working in the office at the hotel or working in my small office at home. Now, having met Robert, she understood.
Robert came back downstairs. “We need to warm up this bottle of milk.” He thrust a baby bottle at Rhonda. “Here. You take care of it.”
Rhonda stared at him. “You really are as big an ass as Annie said.”
Robert’s eyes bulged. Before he could erupt, I signaled to Rosita. She came right over to us.
“Will you please help Mr. Rutherford warm this bottle?”
She nodded, and I turned to Robert. “You’d better go along with her to make sure it’s done exactly like Kandie wants.”
The look he gave me could have withered a tree.
###
I was working in my office at the cottage when I heard a knock at my front door. When I saw Robert peering through the side panel of glass, my heart fell.
He waved me outside. “I want to talk to you.”
I shook my head and turned away. I had no intention of speaking with him.
His voice rose. “You can keep avoiding me and keep me out of the house, Ann, but you can’t prevent me from looking around. I’ve already seen what a classy place it is. It must have cost a pretty penny.” His voice carried toward the main house.
I let out a disgusted sigh. I didn’t want the other guests to hear us, and the Robert I knew wouldn’t give up. He’d push, push, push, until he got his own way. Seething, I opened the door, feeling like a prisoner in my own home.
“What do you want to talk to me about, Robert? Surely, it isn’t about the house.”
“I want to set you straight on something. I’ve done a lot of consulting to businesses about personnel problems, as you very well know. So, I think it’s fair to tell you that I don’t like what I see.”
I studied his superior smile, realizing he was about to hurt me. Seeing him through different eyes, I gasped out loud. How often had I seen that look on his face during our years together? All the things I’d done and endured to make him happy paraded before me in my mind. I clenched my fists until my nails dug into my palms. At all costs, I wouldn’t allow him to get the better of me. Not this time, not ever again.
Oblivious to my feelings, Robert continued, sure of himself. “You’ve got a beautiful hotel. I admit it. We’ve had good service, so I have no problems there. But I do have a problem with your partner, Ann. She’s not right for you.” He let out a sound of disgust. “Look at her! All gold and glitz, entirely inappropriate for a classy operation like this. She loo
ks like she came in off the streets! Image is important, and she doesn’t fit it.”
I was so incensed I could hardly choke out a reply. “Are you aware the house and the property are hers? She’s the one who renovated it. Why, Rhonda DelMonte is one of the kindest, most loving, and generous people I’ve ever met.” I shook my head. “Ah, you wouldn’t understand...” What’s the use, I thought, there was no point in trying to talk to him.
I turned to go back inside the house.
“Hey! Wait a minute! I get it! You two are lovers.” He laughed spitefully.
I whipped around, facing the vicious glint in his eyes. “Sorry, Robert, you’re fishing in the wrong pond. Rhonda and I like men, Robert, real men. Something you wouldn’t know anything about!”
I went inside and slammed the door in his startled, angry face. Adrenaline continued to pump through me, then ebbed away, leaving my legs like rubber. I gritted my teeth, thinking of Robert’s maliciousness. Now I understand why people murder their spouses, I thought spitefully and then quickly corrected myself. Ex-spouses.
###
Only later, after Robert had left Sabal, did I begin to wonder about my role in the verbal exchange we’d shared. A nagging doubt ate at me. Why were Robert and Brock so eager to control me? Was there something wrong with me that I attracted men who wanted to abuse and hurt me like that? Would I ever meet a decent man? An awful thought occurred to me. Maybe that’s what life was all about—men and women tearing at each other. If that was the case, I’d never get involved again. I was independent now. I didn’t need a man. I could stand on my own two feet. And, God knew, I had a business to run.
I grabbed a cup of coffee from the hotel kitchen and was settling at my desk when Dorothy phoned us. “Ann? The Neighborhood Association has called an emergency meeting for this afternoon. They’re going to discuss your filming request. As usual, some people are opposed to it. I think you’d better come to it. Brock Goodwin is back in town.”
I let out a long sigh. “Thanks for letting us know, Dorothy.” I hung up the phone wondering why, no matter what we did, someone wanted to undermine us.
