Page 32 of Canapés at the Beach House Hotel
“I get it,” grumped Brock.“I’m just trying to be neighborly.”
Chet shook his head.“See you later,” he said to Philippa and me.
After he left, Brock headed off in a different direction.
“Who is that horrible man?”Philippa asked me.“At dinner the other night, he wanted me to have a drink with him.I thought I made it plain I wasn’t interested.He’s older than my father.”
“Brock’s ego knows no bounds,” I said with disgust.“He’s the bane of our existence and would try to do anything to harm Rhonda and me or our hotel.”
Philippa shuddered.“I’ll stay away from him.I’m going to try to persuade my mother I don’t need to look at houses with her today.I’d like a day to simply flop.”
“Is she having any luck?”I asked.
“The Luna brothers have promised to show her everything in the entire region.So, I think it’s going to take some time.The one thing she knows is that she can’t wait to be able to leave New York City and spend time here or at home in Italy.”
“Is that why she thinks you should marry someone from home?So you’ll be part of her life there?”I asked, aware I was being a bit too inquisitive.
“That’s something I need to talk to my mother about,” said Philippa.“The idea is about an old family promise.She’s caught between wanting to please my father’s family and having me close to them and knowing I need my freedom.It all started with an old-fashioned agreement between my grandfather and Luciano Bolino’s.”She checked her watch.“I’d better go.My mother will be getting up soon.”
As I walked back to the hotel, I knew Rhonda would be thrilled with the opportunity to play matchmaker at the hotel.But I worried about the complications and vowed not to mention it to her.
I went through the back of the hotel to my office to monitor things before going home and spending the day with Vaughn.I checked messages and was surprised to see one from Bernie.It simply said:Call me.
I dialed his extension and Bernie answered.“Hello, Ann.You got my message?”
“I did.What’s going on?”
“I didn’t want to disturb you and Rhonda on your days off, but in case you came in, I wanted to talk to you about an incident last night.”
“Oh.”My throat tightened with worry.
“The mother of the bride fell outside by the pool last night.She was drunk as a …what’s the word?”
“Skunk?Drunk as a skunk?”
“Yes, that’s it.She’s claiming she’s going to sue the hotel for negligence for not keeping the pool deck dry.This, after several in the wedding party decided to jump into the pool with their clothes on.”
“She doesn’t have a viable case,” I said.
“No,” said Bernie.“I have statements from several of the guests regarding the situation and wanted you to be aware if she tries to get in touch with you or Rhonda as she promised she would.”
“Thanks for the information,” I said.“I’ll wait to discuss this with Rhonda.It’s been a long week, and we both need a little time off.”
“Agreed,” said Bernie.“I’m just keeping you in the loop.”
“I appreciate that a lot,” I said.Bernie was a gem in the business and we were lucky to have him.
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At home, I placed the warm cinnamon buns I’d brought home from the hotel on the kitchen counter.Then I went to greet Vaughn who was swimming in the pool.
“Morning,” I said.“I brought home treats from the hotel.”
“Cinnamon rolls?”Vaughn asked, peering into the box with the hotel logo.
“Especially for you from Consuela.I went for a walk on the beach.You were snoring peacefully when I left.”
“I figured that’s where you were,” said Vaughn.“I know how much you like your early morning walks there.”
