Page 59 of Canapés at the Beach House Hotel
“How are things going?”he asked me.
“Pretty well, but there’s something I need to talk to you about,” I said, and gave him the details of the problem with the flowers.“I can’t help wondering if someone from Jonny’s team did this on purpose as another way to cause us problems.”
“It could be,” said Bernie.“I discovered that the owner of one of the limousine companies we use has supplied information to Jonny’s people regarding guests who were coming here to the hotel to talk about wedding plans.That’s how the groom’s family for the Collington wedding was given their deal at Osteria Arno for the rehearsal dinner.”
“What are we going to do about that?”I asked.
“The only thing we can do is suggest that our guests use a different limousine company for their travel,” said Bernie.“I will also send a letter to the state hotel association to warn them of such activity.”
“Guess that’s all we can do,” I said, unable to hold back a sigh.“I wish we didn’t have to deal with issues like this.”
“There should be no reason to do so.In all my years of working, I’ve never had to deal with such petty stuff,” said Bernie.“But I think Jonny is a man under siege.He’s been warned that he must make the restaurant succeed.Apparently, he’s being backed by some unforgiving people.”
A look of understanding passed between us.
I left his office feeling discouraged and decided to take another walk on the beach.
Outside, I breathed in the fresh salty air and felt my body loosen.The hotel business wasn’t easy at its best, but I’d never felt so insecure about it.We couldn’t let someone’s jealousy ruin our business or make running the hotel more difficult than it was.
As I walked onto the sand, I heard someone call my name and turned to see Abby Bradbury, the mother of the groom, waving at me.
She came over to me.“Such a lovely morning for our wedding day.”
“How was the rehearsal dinner a Osteria Arno?”I asked.
Abby shook her head.“Not great.There was apparently a fight in the kitchen and our food arrived late and some of it was cold.The flavors and all were fine, but the service was terrible.My husband is an impatient man, but the rest of us were upset too.”
“I’m sorry that happened to you,” I said.“There are other excellent restaurants in the area who could’ve hosted your event.”
“I can’t wait to have dinner here at the hotel.I’ve heard nothing but nice things about your restaurant,” Abby said.
“I think you’ll be pleased,” I said.“Enjoy your stay.”
Abby left and I headed to the water to feel the soothing waves at my ankles.I was glad Rhonda was away, hopefully relaxing.My stress level was high.Hers would’ve been ready to explode if she knew what was happening.
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That afternoon, I arrived for the wedding just after four o’clock to make sure everything was ready for the ceremony which would be held at five in the library.
Philippa, Lauren, and Lorraine were in the library making last minute adjustments to the chairs which had been formed into a semi-circle around the altar where the minister, bride, and groom would stand.
“It looks lovely,” I said admiring the pink bows sitting atop each chair back covered in white cloth.Looking closer, I noticed that each bow held a tiny sprig of white stock flowers.
“The bride’s bouquet is stunning,” said Philippa.
“And you should see the floral arrangements Danielle made for the dining room,” Lauren said.“I love this part of planning a wedding and seeing how it all comes together.”
“It’s all in the details,” said Lorraine.“Now, you can go get ready to usher people from the lobby to here in the library.They will find their own seats except for the four designated for the bride and groom’s parents.”
The minister, Margaret Chase, arrived with a young guitar player.She was accustomed to overseeing weddings at the hotel and stood aside as the musician set up and started playing music.
“I think you’ll enjoy this group,” I said to her.“Everyone is very pleasant.”
“That makes my job easier,” said Margaret.“Facing a couple about to be married gives me insight into how long I think the union will last.”Margaret was a middle-aged woman who was a mother of five and knew when someone was not being truthful.
After checking the dining room, I went back to the site of the wedding.Rhonda and I tried to attend as many weddings at the hotel as we could.It was always interesting.
The music continued as people walked in and took their seats.The groom and his brother, the best man, stood in front of the group.
