Page 22 of Canapés at the Beach House Hotel
“I’m sorry,” the guard said.“We’ll be patrolling that area more frequently.”
“Yes, I think you should.Jonny Arno with the new Osteria Arno restaurant up the beach is not happy with us, and I’d hate to see any bad behavior escalate.Both Rhonda and I think he and his people had something to do with this.”
“I see,” said the guard.“I’ll make a note of it on the report.”
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After the guard left, I went into the kitchen to say hello to Consuela and grab a cup of coffee and a sweet roll.I needed both.
Consuela turned when I approached her.“Hi, Annie.I heard about your car.When Manny saw it out back with the tires slashed, he was upset.Are you okay?”
“I’m fine, but I worry this might be one in a string of retaliations for hiring Chet.I know it sounds crazy, but it happens.”
“Chet is a fine young man,” said Consuela firmly.“You and Rhonda should be able to hire anyone you want.”
“I know,” I said.“I hate conflict of any kind.”I felt the sting of tears.
She gave me a quick hug.“It’ll be all right, Ann.”She plated a sweet roll and handed it to me.“Sit.Have some coffee and something to eat.Things will seem better then.”
“Just talking to you makes me feel better,” I said, meaning it.
As I was sitting at the kitchen table outside the cooking area, Chet arrived.
“ ’Morning.I’m glad to see you here so early,” I said.
Chet bobbed his head at me.“I said I’d work the early shift to help prepare for the Ambassador’s luncheon, then take a break before the wedding dinner tonight.Jean-Luc said that will be a true test of my skill.Wedding dinner and a busy Saturday night at the hotel.”
“I’m happy you and Jean-Luc are getting along,” I said.“It’s a win-win for both of you.”
Chet gave me a long look.“Thank you.That means a lot to me.I noticed Jonny’s expression when he saw me at dinner last night.He’s not happy with either of us.”
“Rhonda and I can’t let someone like that try to derail our business over petty jealousy,” I said firmly.I decided not to tell him about the tires on my car.I didn’t want to start his day with bad news, though he’d probably find out about it on his own.”
I put my empty plate in the sink and took my coffee to my office.It was going to be a long day.
Later, as I was going over financial papers for the wedding, I thought about how important weddings were to our business.Not only did they usually put ’heads in beds’, but they produced a lot of income through meals and special events like afternoon teas or spa treatments.
I called Lorraine to see how this wedding was going and was surprised to have Annette answer the call.“Hi, Annette!What’s up?Where’s Lorraine?”
“She’s at the hospital with Arthur.He wasn’t feeling well, and she was worried he was having a stroke.”
“Oh, my!That sounds like more than a worry.Is there anything I can do to help?”
“Actually, there is.A breakfast buffet is laid out for the wedding guests in the library.Would you mind going there to greet the guests?I have to stay in the office to take care of some things for the ceremony, which is at four o’clock.”
“Not a problem.Anything else?”
“Would you make sure the flowers from the rehearsal dinner last night are on the buffet table?”
“Of course.Please let me know if you get any news about Arthur.Thanks.”
I left the office and went to the library, which was now a very versatile event room for us.This morning it was set up for a buffet with round tables spread comfortably throughout the space and would remain a hospitality room for wedding guests until tomorrow.
I noticed the floral centerpiece and saw a plentiful array of stainless steel serving pieces keeping a variety of dishes warm.
Standing, assessing the room, I heard someone came up beside me.I turned and smiled at the mother-of-the-bride who had already proven to be difficult.
“Hello,” I said cheerfully.“Beautiful day for a wedding.”
