Page 25 of Canapés at the Beach House Hotel
CHAPTER NINE
After Bernie left, I said to Rhonda, “Let’s take a break on the beach.I want to talk about Lorraine and Arthur.Lorraine needs more and more time away from the hotel to be with him.While it’s understandable, and I don’t have any problem with her doing so, it leaves the hotel needing more help.”
“I agree.I’m glad they got married when they did because Arthur’s health is beginning to fail,” said Rhonda.“Angie told me she and Reggie are concerned.”
We left the office and headed to the beach.Even though it was a bit windy, it felt freeing to be out in fresh air.
I kicked off my sandals and headed right to the water’s lacy edge.There was something about standing in the water, admiring the birds above me and those little ones skittering along the sand that anchored me.The scene gave me a moment to breathe and to let go of the tension in my shoulders.
Rhonda stood on the sand behind me looking back at the hotel.
I turned around and took it in.
The two-story, pink stucco building reminded me of a lazy Roseate Spoonbill nestled on the sand enjoying the sun.In truth, it was a stunning hotel offering an array of services to pampered guests.Rhonda and I often referred to it as our baby, and we shared a mother’s pride when we looked at what we’d created.
“What did you want to talk about regarding Lorraine?”asked Rhonda.“I think we need to give Annette a raise and the title of Wedding Planner to match Lorraine.Then we should move Lauren from assistant to Lorraine to Wedding Planning Office Manager.It gives both Annette and Lauren a little more authority without taking away anything from Lorraine.”
“Wow!You have been thinking of this for a while,” said Rhonda.“It sounds okay to me.But we still need to keep Annette as Special Events Coordinator.”
“I agree.It’s just with Lorraine gone, I’d like to be able to introduce Annette as one of our wedding planners.”
Rhonda gave me a thoughtful nod.“You’re right.It’ll make our wedding guests happy to be able to deal directly with a wedding planner, whether it’s Lorraine or Annette.”
I heard my name being called and turned to see Brock walking toward us.
“Oh, that bastard.Let’s hurry back to the hotel,” said Rhonda.“He’s nothing but bad news.”
“I want to hear what he obviously wants to tell us.Look at him waving his hand to us.”
“I wonder if he’s heard about your car tires,” Rhonda said.
“There’s no way for him to know anything about it.If he mentions it, we know he had something to do with it,” I said, growing angry as I talked.
I forced myself to remain calm as Brock walked up to us with a swagger I’d come to detest.
“Hello, ladies,” he said.“How are things going with your new chef?I heard he wants to come back and work for Jonny.”
“I don’t know where you heard such a thing.He’s happy at The Beach House Hotel,” I said.“How’s the new restaurant coming along?When will the renovations be done?”
“Not for a couple more weeks,” said Brock.“It’s going to be beautiful.A real showcase.”He cocked an eyebrow.“I heard you had a little trouble at the hotel last night.”
I frowned and shook my head.“Not that I know of.What are you talking about?”
“Oh, nothing.Just a rumor, I guess.A lot of them are floating around about how people are tired of The Beach House Hotel and can’t wait for Osteria Arno to open.Guess you’ll be working hard to try and compete.”
“That’s bullshit and you know it, Brock.Our guests love us just the way we are,” said Rhonda.
“We’ll see.Want to put money on it?”sneered Brock.
“Sure,” said Rhonda.“How much?”
“A couple thousand?”taunted Brock.
I kept quiet.A couple of thousand wasn’t much to Rhonda but it could mean quite a bit to Brock who was always struggling to keep up the image of a wealthy man.It worried me he was so confident.
Rhonda held out her hand.“Okay, five thousand dollars that your restaurant won’t ruin the business at our dining room.”
“Oh, well, I didn’t mean to make such a big wager.Let’s not go there,” said Brock, backpedaling as fast as he could.He liked people to think he had a lot of money, but we knew he didn’t.“Let’s just see what happens.The proof is in the pudding, as they say.Okay, I’d better go.I’m helping to furnish the restaurant with items from my import business.”
