Page 66 of Canapés at the Beach House Hotel
Catarina smiled but didn’t say anything.
I checked my watch and said, “I must head back.I can’t miss our executive meeting.”
Catarina beamed at me.“I’m so happy I happened to see you.”
“Me, too.”I rushed back to the hotel.Bernie didn’t like it if we were late to his meeting.
###
That afternoon, I checked the weekly calendar.Until an important dinner on Thursday, my schedule was lighter than usual, which made my idea of spending as much time as I could with Vaughn feasible.The only problem was the weather forecast.
A hurricane had formed off the African coast and might be heading to Florida.Though the track of the storm was unpredictable.I was concerned, but not overly worried.Fall months in Florida were often filled with uncertainty about the weather, and though we’d keep alert, we’d wait and see until the system moved closer.
As soon as I made sure everything was in order at the office, I left.
###
When I arrived home to surprise Vaughn, he wasn’t there.But Cindy greeted me with her usual enthusiasm.I decided to work in the kitchen.It had been awhile since I’d done some cooking, and I knew Vaughn and Robbie loved my chicken casserole.
A short time later, Vaughn arrived home with Robbie.
“Ah, a pleasant surprise to see you here,” said Vaughn kissing me.
“I’m making one of your favorite meals,” I said.“For both of you.How did school go today?”
“Fine,” said Robbie.“They’re having another fall dance this weekend, and Brett and I decided we’d go.”
“Sounds like fun.Do you have to invite a girl?”I asked, amused by the way Robbie’s cheeks had turned pink.
“No,” he said.“A group of us guys will go and hang out.”
“Okay.Tell Brett’s mother I’ll be glad to share driving,” I said as Robbie grabbed a snack from the cupboard and then left the room.
“Where does the time go?”Vaughn said.“Didn’t we just bring him in the family?And now he’s doing more and more on his own.”
“It’s fabulous for us to have so many grandchildren.They will keep us young,” I said, realizing Robbie would be driving in what would seem no time at all.
Vaughn drew me to him.“You’re the sexiest grandmother I know.Don’t forget it.”
I laughed as his lips met mine for a longer kiss than before, reminding me that as long as we thought of ourselves as young, the better we’d feel.
###
Later, just as Vaughn and I were heading to bed, I got a call from Rhonda.“Hi, Annie.We’re back in town.Thought you’d want to know.Did I miss out on anything?”
“Nothing I can’t tell you tomorrow.Did you have a delightful trip?”
“The best.Will, the old rooster, still has it,” said Rhonda, and I couldn’t help laughing.
We ended the call, and I laughed all over again telling Vaughn about it.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
The next morning, I was in the kitchen lingering over a cup of coffee when I received a phone call from Bernie.
Surprised he was calling so early, I said, “Hi.What’s up?”
“We’ve had some damage done to the sunset deck and building,” said Bernie.“I think you and Rhonda need to look at this before we try to clean it up.We want to get it done right away so our guests won’t see it.”
