Page 55 of Canapés at the Beach House Hotel
I turned and headed toward the hotel for another busy day.
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When I told Rhonda that Catarina was back at the hotel, she agreed with me that it was best for us to stay out of the way and carry on with our business.
Over the next days, we met with the hospitality department and made sure all knew what their roles were.A meeting with our daughters and Harper went well, and aside from listening to their ideas, Rhonda and I left it in their hands.
“Wow!Having our girls and now, Harper and Philippa, working on projects makes me realize how lovely it would be if we could semi-retire,” said Rhonda one afternoon.
“I don’t want to jinx anything, but I like the idea myself,” I said.“While it’s quiet, why don’t you and Will take that short getaway you wanted?”
“Really?I’d love it.Just a three-day weekend will be great,” Rhonda said, lifting her cellphone.“I’m going to call Will right now.”
I got up and left her to her discussion with Will.I wanted to see how Jean-Luc was doing directing his staff.He was wearing a soft cast and though he couldn’t walk on his foot yet, he was able to move around using a freedom leg brace, which took the weight off his injured ankle.
As happy as he was to be back at work, he was able to work for only a few hours in the afternoon and a few more in the evening.Rhonda and I had noticed that the more time Jean-Luc was able to spend with his staff, the happier they and he were.
“Hi,” I said, walking into his office.“How are things going?”
“Okay,” he said.“Chet and Ricardo are a great team for me.”
“I’m glad to hear it.I just wanted to warn you that with another wedding this weekend, we’ll be busy.And Rhonda might not be here, so I need to make sure you’re able to handle the wedding dinner and post-wedding breakfast along with everything else.”
“Oui,”he said so quickly I decided not to press the issue.Like all chefs, Jean-Luc had an ego, and I didn’t want to bruise it.
“Okay, thanks.That’s all I needed,” I said.
I returned to the office to find Rhonda on the phone with Angie.“Yes, we’ll be gone for three nights, four days,” she told her.“Thanks.Just wanted you to know.”She looked up at me and winked.“Ann will hold down the fort for us.”
After ending the call, Rhonda rose and did a little dance behind her chair.“This is exactly what I need.Are you sure you don’t mind?”
“Not at all.When Vaughn finishes an assignment, he likes to spend time at home.He says it grounds him.I’m just happy it’s working out for you and Will to get away.It’s been a while since you’ve been able to do it.”
“You’re telling me,” Rhonda joked.“Time for me to wear a sexy nightgown and get some action.”
I laughed.Theirs was a happy marriage, but I knew from experience that with kids in the house, there wasn’t always the opportunity for what she called ”action”.
“I just spoke to Jean-Luc.I’m comfortable that the kitchen is ready to handle the wedding.Now, I want to make sure Lorraine’s crew is ready, too.”
“I’ll go with you.I need to know there will be no trouble while I’m gone,” said Rhonda.She wrapped her arm around me for a quick hug.“You’re such a sweetheart to let me go.”
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In Lorraine’s office, her assistant, Lauren, was going over protocol for wedding arrivals with Philippa.
They looked up when we entered.
“I’m glad to see you working together for the upcoming wedding,” I said.“It’s a small one, so should be easier than some.But no matter the size, we want to give our wedding parties the best experience we can.”
“Who knows?You might be planning your own wedding here one day,” Rhonda said to them.
I rolled my eyes, and everyone laughed.
“Seriously,” said Rhonda.“We do an excellent wedding business because we show that we care.Every detail is important.”
“True,” said Lauren.“That’s why we’ve developed all these tracking sheets.”
“Where’s Lorraine?”I asked.
