by Unknown
Kate felt the laughter gurgling in her throat and finally gave way. “That’s my partner. C’mon, let’s get something cold and explain the plan.”
“At what point do we get too old to have to explain ourselves?” Chloe took a large bottle of water from behind the bar and wandered into Bella’s office.
Sam looked from Dylan to Simon. “You seem to be handling this whole thing well.”
Dylan stretched his legs out, his arm out to capture Kate’s shoulders and pull her against him. “I’m an engineer. Would I like it if she was a street cop on a full time basis…or in the military or a fireman…probably not, but it’s part of who she is, so I’d come to accept it. I’m smart enough to know this isn’t something that will be happening every month of our lives…I hope…did I know what the plan was? No. Did I know there would be a plan? C’mon…we’re talking about Chloe and Kate here.”
“Thank you, Dylan. I for one appreciate the confidence you show in our abilities,” Chloe said simply. “I was being watched the whole time, Simon. Griss was on the gates…”
Simon’s head swiveled to Griss. “You were in on this, too?”
“Boss…you’d be a nervous wreck. When they told me what they wanted to do, it made perfect sense…”
“When she starts making sense in her plans, you and me gotta talk.”
“Pffft…Bella was on the west with her gun out and Kate had the east. I went into the parking area…with my trusty little sticks…and hopefully where we wouldn’t damage any cars, and we didn’t,” she said quickly with a wry grin at Bella.
“You’re wearing a gun, too?” Sam closed one eye and ran his gaze from the hem of the tight skirt to her blouse, trying to figure out where it was hidden.
“I was and I have a holster just like Kate’s, which is now safely in the gun safe,” she nodded to the wall unit. “Geeze, guys…your stalker never stood a chance. Look at her. No one takes her seriously…as a threat, that is. We used it all the time when we worked together.”
“Yes, it’s true. I was their girl toy,” Chloe said with mock seriousness. “It was always…c’mon, Chloe, let’s go on another sting. Oh goodie, who do I get to dress up like now!”
“No wonder she’s confused about her identity,” Simon knew he was losing the anger and the shear surge of dread.
“I am not the least bit confused. I revel in my non-conformity!” She announced triumphantly.
Simon only groaned while the others laughed.
“I think Simon needs some rest,” Chloe stood up and tugged on his palm.
“We will discuss this…”
“Yes, dear.”
“So how long do you think the lecture will go on?” Sam asked after they left the room.
Kate laughed and winked at Bella. “Until she distracts him with the new sexy undies she bought.”
“Unfair…attacking a guy at his weak points,” Dylan laughed with them, rising and taking Kate’s hand, pulling her toward the door. “Good night, I think I’ll check and see what else is under that dress besides a holster.”
Bella shook her head. “An eventful evening. I have a lot to do before sleep. And it’ll be another long day tomorrow.”
“Not interested in an update?” Sam trailed at her side.
“With the exception of your past taste in females, I trust you,” she said simply, striding off to the kitchen, already mentally making her list of tasks.
Sam decided there really wasn’t a safe come back to that line, so he made sure things were secure before heading to his room.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Lying face down did not stop the sound that was wired throughout the lodge.
“Manager to the front desk, please. Manager to the front desk.”
He groaned into the pillow, one eye squinting at the clock. Barely seven. June sounded chipper and not stressed so he didn’t think it could be that bad. He stood beneath the stinging spray of the shower and made a note to find a laundry while he dressed. He was on his last clean shirt and slacks, not to mention other things.
He was folding the sleeves of his shirt to his elbows as he walked, the crisp fall morning filled with a light, misty fog that settled around the lodge. Two very large boxes sat in front of the desk. It was great having a competent personal assistant. He had June locate a trolley and someone to deliver the boxes to his room, handing the young man the key.
“Leave the key with June, Nick, thanks,” Sam headed to the dining area, the smell of fresh coffee like a lure to a bass. Half a cup later, he tipped his watch over to check the time, refilled his cup and headed for Bella’s office. He knew it was a place she seldom used and he had let the heads of the various areas know there was a brief staff meeting at eight.
He leaned back in the chair as they filtered in. Front desk, parking, housekeeping, dining and security. He promised it would be brief, but he wanted heads up on anything people saw as a potential problem. And he wanted them aware that preventing issues was much easier than fixing them. They were on their way out of the office when his cell phone chimed, the screen slid open with a friendly, “Good morning. This is Sam.”
Jerry checked his watch and glanced around for his wife. “Did you get your boxes, Sam?”
“First thing this morning, thanks.”
“So what’s the odds of this lodge having a pick up vehicle for incoming visitors?”
Sam arched an eyebrow. “Amy is interested in relocating?”
“Amy is insane for the idea. She says she knew there was a universe reason for why she just didn’t want to take classes this semester,” Jerry said with a chuckle.
“Smart universe,” Sam agreed. “Give me the flight information,” he wrote quickly, pulling the note paper free and heading to the front desk. “I’ll have someone there to pick you up and I’ll get a room for you here. See you in a few hours.”
June assured him they did have a contract and placed the request for him, watching as he booked in a room for the couple, using his personal credit card to secure things.
Sam went off to talk to housekeeping about a few temporary hires, something he would have to talk to Bella about. Then did a quick walk through the parking area, making sure things had been cleaned up from the night before and was finishing his general walk around when two large vans appeared and pulled around to the side where the luau was being set up.
A bevy of scents assaulted the senses as you neared the massive luau room Bella had set up. From fragrant flowers to food.
“Sam!” Bella caught sight of him, crossing the expanse and taking his hand. “Come over here and taste this!”
She wore simple black slacks today with a white chef’s tunic. Shoulder length blond hair was pulled to a tight bundle at the top of her head, curls teasing around the edges of her high cheeks and slender neck.
Sam was about to speak when she dropped his hand and held up a spoonful of meat and tangy looking red sauce. “Try this!”
Words remained inside as he tasted and then went back to the spoon she held up to him to finish off the sample. “That is amazing.”
“I created it when I first bought the lodge, kind of a signature thing. It does incredible things to pulled pork for sandwiches,” Bella scooped a little more and then nodded to the young man who seemed to know that meant wrap it and put it in the warm oven.
“I can see why you’ve gotten high ratings,” he praised, licking his lips. “The room is looking really good.”
“The regular dining area will be there for those who want it, and this is for the luau fundraiser. We have a very good ham with pineapple and BBQ apricot and pineapple chicken as well as cole sla
w and a special baked potato bits and lots of fruits and veggies. It’ll be great.”
“I’ve been going over your business plan and what you’ve already accomplished, it’s ambitious and incredible,” Sam walked with her back to the kitchen.
“At least you don’t sound doubtful,” she said with a glance at him. She’d admitted to herself that he was interesting. Okay, more than a little interesting, she amended. She liked the crew cut blond hair and blue eyes filled with intelligence and humor.
“I’m still digesting all the things you have going that work so well in sync with one another. A daycare for staff and guests; a singles dormitory type building for employees…”
“With stipulations. I’ve had people turn me down because of the no smoking indoors and no alcohol in the rooms,” Bella remembered the first couple of people she offered the dorm rooms to. “The standards we have go throughout the lodge, it’s not just for show.”
“You work very hard not to lay people off.”
“One of the prime stressers in life is a fear of losing your employment. If you find a niche…a corner in a job that you truly enjoy, I don’t want stress on my people.”
“You pay their basic healthcare through the local health center and hospital discounts.”
“Again…another stresser on people. The monthly fees for the health center are more than reasonable and I have a tie with St. Michaels that cut us should we have someone who needs it.”
“You offer positions to young people just out of various tech schools.”
“My cooks are here about six months before they move on for various reasons. But when they do, because I select the people carefully, they have an excellent recommendation on their resume. I also get great wait staff and others from the tech schools.”
“I think it’s fantastic. A unique business model,” Sam complimented honestly.
“Thank you,” Bella removed the chef shirt and walked with him to the arriving flowers. “We never discussed your salary when you…slipped into the position, Sam. I’m pretty sure I can’t afford the price you’ve commanded in the past.”
“Hey, I’ve got free room and board…I do need a laundry, though,” he remembered his list.
“You can use the laundry here, off hours. And I have a set in my quarters, you’re welcome to use them, too.”
“That takes care of my only issue then for the time being,” Sam ran his hand over his neck. “Ever consider a partner?”
“Partner. You want half my Lodge?” She looked at him carefully.
“I didn’t plan on it, Bella…but sure, why not? It would be a great investment and selling me half would make you extremely wealthy.”
An odd sadness entered her eyes, her head shaking slowly. “If you think wealth is what this is about, then you need to consider returning to Morocco or Vegas, Sam. Excuse me, I have work to do,” Bella lengthened her stride and disappeared into the arriving flowers, issuing orders and directions.
“Timing is seriously off,” he mumbled to himself, heading to the dining area and some food. “You never get them figured out. It’s impossible…”
“You’re talking to yourself, friend,” Simon clapped him on the shoulder, lifted a plate and went about filling it with breakfast.
“I’d make a healthy guess it’s the blonde in his life,” Dylan piped in, following Simon’s moves as he inhaled the fresh biscuits and ham. “I don’t think he realizes how dangerous it can be getting involved with Bella.”
“Chloe already warned me. All I did was offer her a partnership and told her she’d be wealthy with the trade off,” Sam filled a tall cup with coffee and joined them in a far corner.
“Ahhh…” Was all Simon offered between bites.
“You should have spent a little more time getting to know the breed,” Dylan offered. “Not that it necessarily helps…but I think it ends up being less of a headache.”
“I saw Kate and Chloe leaving early this morning. Nice power suit,” Sam commented.
“I think she carries one in the car, just in case. She wants to make sure strings don’t get untied, as she put it,” Dylan gestured to the wandering waitress with the steamy coffee pot. “Please.”
“Chloe tried the power suit look,” Simon shook his head. “Wasn’t a good match.”
Dylan chuckled. “I have it on very good authority that Chloe spends the whole year getting ready for September and October and the costume fundraisers.”
“I know…believe me, I know,” Simon looked at the two men. “What’s on the wear list for tonight.”
“Simple,” Dylan assured him. “Hawaiian shirt…shorts or slacks.”
“Huh…” Sam drained his coffee cup. “And which of you has said item already?” He laughed at their expressions. “Yeah, I thought that was the case. Banana Republic in the mall…opens in thirty minutes. You can do me a supreme favor and pick up one for me. I definitely did not come prepared for dress up.”
“Manager to the front desk, please.”
“June does not sound happy,” Sam stood up and headed toward registration. “Thanks and get with me later and I’ll pay you back.”
Coincidence, Bella saw the word spinning quickly past her mind’s eye when she heard the request for a manager and saw Sam moving quickly to the desk. She saw June try and slip a note to Sam, who crunched it in his palm. Bella growled through her greeting smile of the arriving guests and worked to weave her way to the front desk before Sam could speak. Coincidence was clearly against her.
“Of course we have a room, Mr. Wetherly,” Sam worked over the computer screen, input the credit card information and handed the slim bit of plastic back to the waiting man. “Nick, take Mr. Wetherly and his wife to four-eighteen.”
“Sam,” breathless Bella came to a skidding halt, letting June know with a slight nod that this wasn’t her fault.
“Just a minute, Miss Jeffries,” Sam handed over the key card.
“Thank you, Mr. Franklin. We’re here for the fund raiser and just didn’t feel like going home tonight. I understand you have a very fine buffet and pool.”
“I can attest to both, sir. Enjoy your stay,” Sam watched them walk off and frowned slightly. “Why was that a problem, June?”
She sighed heavily. “You should have read the note.”
Bella had two hands up on her face, not doing much to stifle the growl. She lowered her hands slowly, watching Sam open his palm and read the short note.
Do NOT register Stephen Wetherly. Call manager. Send him to a hotel in Bellevue.
It was Bella’s strong printing on the note.
Sam looked from one woman to the other. “Why? He’s a paying customer. Since when is that a problem?”
“Let’s go to my office,” Bella wanted to reach up and grab him by the lapels and haul him off, but she contained herself.
Sam decided he might be getting good at reading her. Her hands were clenched into small fists, her heels clicking loudly over the stone flooring. It was a new experience for him, he realized. He was used to being on the other end. Now he knew what people felt like when he was ready to rip them apart. Weird feelings in the stomach. Maybe breakfast just wasn’t sitting right.
“Should I clean out my locker?”
“Sam…this isn’t Vegas or Morocco,” Bella began slowly.
“You keep saying that like it’s a bad thing,” he ground out tonelessly.
“What I mean is that it is not always about profit.”
“The hell it isn’t.”
“Not here, it isn’t. Yes, he is a paying customer. But there is more,” Bella closed her eyes. “And I
should have gone back and adjusted the note to say call me…because you didn’t know.”
“Okay…so tell me. I can’t make things right if I don’t know the whole story,” he said flatly.
“Stephen Wetherly is Chloe’s father. There is a bad history there. He also owns Wetherly Systems, a company in the beginning of a hostile takeover. By Dylan’s company,” she watched the dawning lights go off.
“Ouch.”
“Yeah…ya think?” Bella paced the floor of her office. “Keeping Dylan and him apart wouldn’t have been so difficult, but…Chloe is doing a couple opening songs after the speakers. Which means…Wetherly will see Chloe…which means I have to tell her ahead of time…which means Dylan will know…which means things are damn complicated.”