Page 46 of Canapés at the Beach House Hotel
“Okay, okay.I get it,” said Rhonda.She clasped her hands and winked at me.“Oh, to be young again.Such challenges lie ahead for them.”
I flung my arm around Rhonda’s shoulder.“C’mon.Time to go.I’ll check in with Annette later to see how the meal is going, but I want to be home with Vaughn.I never know when his work will take him away again.”
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When I pulled into my driveway, I noticed Stephanie and Randolph Willis’s car parked to one side.I was happy for the chance to spend time with them.
One Christmas, when the hotel was too full to accommodate them, I’d invited them to stay at my home.They’d been Robbie’s adopted grandparents ever since and had easily become a part of my family.For someone who’d grown up with a cold, perfectionist grandmother, they, like Consuela and Manny, were like parents to me.
I got out of the car and eagerly headed inside.
Cindy greeted me and then raced away to Randolph who was sitting on the lanai.
“Hello,” I said, hugging Stephanie and then Randolph.“What a nice surprise.”
Vaughn kissed me and said, “We met at Robbie’s swim practice, and I invited them for dinner.I’m grilling some steaks.”
“A delightful suggestion,” I said.“I’ll change my clothes and join you.”
“I’ll help with dinner in any way I can,” said Stephanie.In her early seventies, she was healthy and active.
“Great.We can gab in the kitchen,” I said.“There’s so much to tell you.”
“If it’s about Jonny Arno, I have news for you too,” said Stephanie.
I checked in with Robbie, who was playing video games in his room and went to change.
A few moments later, I met with Stephanie in the kitchen.Vaughn had poured her a glass of red wine and left a glass of it for me.
I lifted my glass and clinked it against Stephanie’s.“I’m glad you’re here.How’s our boy doing with his swimming?”
Stephanie chuckled.“Robbie has a natural ability to do well.And his long arms help.”“Spoken like a true grandmother,” I teased.Stephanie had tried for children of her own and had had miscarriages.Robbie and his friends helped fill a previous empty part of her and Randolph’s lives.
I handed a head of lettuce to Stephanie, and she went about cleaning it for a salad while I quickly made my special garlic and blue cheese dressing.
“What did you want to tell me about Jonny Arno?I asked her.
“We were invited to a soft opening for a select group in the neighborhood.I’m certain Brock Goodwin is the one who provided him names because several of our friends in the same condo building were invited too.”
“How was it?Were many people there?Was the food good?”I asked, unable to stop myself.
Stephanie laughed.“Hang on.I’ll tell you about it.But first, who is the chef he’s claiming you stole from him.”
I filled Stephanie in on the details of hiring Chet Waring and how he came to Sabal.“He’s talented, hardworking, and flexible.We’re delighted to have him.Especially now that Jean-Luc has broken his ankle.”
“Oh, dear!”Stephanie exclaimed.“What are you going to do about that?”
“Chet and Ricardo are handling the kitchen staff.They’re a great team and are working together.They’ve come up with a special prix fixe meal which is serving as a test program for others.The only complication there is that the meal is Italian because of Chet’s experience with Italian food and the ability to have an actual Italian person to help with the meal.”
“Oh, but Jonny will be angry about that,” said Stephanie.“He’s a particularly unpleasant man.He wore his chef’s uniform for the opening, but I can’t see how he did much of the cooking.He spent his time drinking and talking to all of us.”
“He thinks of himself as a celebrity chef who deserves all the attention for work done by others.That’s how Chet explained it.How was the food?”
“Very good,” said Stephanie.“But a little fussy, if you know what I mean.All rich sauces and lots of seasoning.Jean-Luc’s meals are so much more … genuine.Does that make sense?”
“Yes, it does.Subtlety is important, giving one a tasty surprise.”
Stephanie gave me a steady look.“Don’t aggravate Jonny, sweetie.Promise?”
