Page 36 of Canapés at the Beach House Hotel
“I heard the mother-of-the bride is trying to sue us.I talked to Mike about it, and he said not to worry,” said Rhonda.Mike Torson was our lawyer and handled our legal business.
“With all the witness reports and other data, she’d only be embarrassing herself,” I said.“But I want to tell you about meeting Jonny yesterday.”
After filling Rhonda in on the incident at Ken’s, I told her we might be overreacting to Jonny.He was an obnoxious person who would have to work hard to compete with us.“His manner is very abrasive, and his ego knows no bounds, but we can’t afford to let him derail our daily business.”
“If Vaughn doesn’t trust him, neither do I,” said Rhonda.“But what else can we do except keep an eye on him?”
“We can do that and work on the new program the girls want to put together with Harper.Thanksgiving will be here in a couple of months, and then everything will go crazy with the holidays and high season.”
“Okay.I’m all for it.Are you ready to meet with Lorraine and Annette for a follow-up to the wedding?”said Rhonda.
“I’m all set.It makes such a difference to have Vaughn home.I have more energy.”
Rhonda’s eyebrows shot up and she gave me a suggestive wagging of her eyebrows.
I raised my hand to stop her from making a comment.“I know where you’re going with this and stop.”
Rhonda chuckled.“I can’t help it.Your voice gets all funny when you talk about Vaughn like that.You two lovebirds…”
I couldn’t help my smile.
“You’re not the only ones,” said Rhonda.“Will and I are planning a little vacation for just the two of us.Just a couple of days this fall.It’s the only way we have any time to ourselves.I’ve ordered a new sexy negligee.”
Rhonda and I gave one another a high five.We worked hard, but we knew it was important to play hard, too.
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After meeting with Lorraine, Lauren, and Annette to review the past wedding, Rhonda and I decided to go outside onto the beach for a quiet moment together.There was no doubt that weddings brought in a lot of money, especially if we put heads in beds.But the amount of work was considerable.Ever since Lorraine married, her availability had become more divided.It was time to do something different about it.There was no better place to discuss it than on the beach.
I took off my sandals and walked onto the sand, loving the soft feel of it between my toes and on the soles of my feet.I strolled to the water’s edge, feeling my body relax as I inhaled the salty, clean air and lifted my arms to the sun above.
At my side, Rhonda let out a groan of pleasure.“It always feels so relaxing to be here, huh?”
Above us, seagulls and terns were circling in the air, their white wings distinct against the deep blue sky.Below us, the waves wove lacy patterns on the sand, marred only by the tiny footprints left behind by the shore birds searching for food.
“Who’d a thunk we’d be so successful, Annie?”Rhonda said.“If we hadn’t met, I would never have been able to make this hotel happen.”
“I had to make it succeed to prove to Robert I could survive without him,” I said, remembering the difficulties I’d had getting my share of money to invest.
“We both had something to prove,” said Rhonda, walking along the sand beside me.“Now, what are we going to do about the wedding business?We’ve given Annette and Lauren new titles, and Lorraine will continue to be involved, but should we bring someone else on board?”
“I think we should,” I said.“Maybe start someone part-time to be on hand for the actual wedding party in house.Someone to follow through on the details that have already been worked out.”
“I was wondering if that’s something Harper might like to do in addition to bartending,” said Rhonda.“She’s very ambitious and a great people person.”
“That’s something to think about,” I agreed.“I like her.”
We turned around to head back to the hotel and stopped in surprise when we saw Chet and Philippa walking toward us hand in hand.
Rhonda snapped to attention.“Well, what do we have here?A chance for me to put my matchmaking skills to use?”
“Now, Rhonda,” I began, but I couldn’t stop the grin of excitement spreading across her face.
Rhonda waved and hurried forward to greet them.“Fancy seeing you here together.Beautiful day.”
“Yes, “ said Philippa.“It’s a lovely morning.My mother left earlier to return to New York for some social affairs with my father.She’ll return to the house we’re staying in as soon as she can.I hope that’s all right.”
“No worries,” said Rhonda.“Emergencies like that sometimes happen to our guests.So, I guess you two are getting reacquainted.”
