* * *
“I need a drink,” Laine said as she slipped onto the sofa. She knew it was right in that refrigerator. She looked up at the ceiling. “These women are crazy. They would drive a sober man to become an alcoholic. I’m telling You, I’ve had characters in books less crazy.”
She hadn’t realized until that moment how strong the urge to drink had become. She glanced at the clock on the DVD player and decided to sidetrack herself by trying Mitchell again. He didn’t answer. She factored in the time difference and determined it was about 5 p.m. in California. He was always home by five o’clock. Maybe he was sending her straight to voice mail because he simply didn’t want to talk to her.
She was past desperate now. She had been patient to an extreme that had shocked even her. She clicked the text icon on her phone. Call me, she typed. Then added, Please.
17
Thursday morning . . .
Laine’s iPhone sat by her head, staring at her with mock indignation. She must have fallen asleep with it there. She pushed a button and the screen burst to life. No missed calls. No missed texts. That said pretty much everything. Apparently her push on Saturday had been the final one. Right before she let the words come out of her mouth, she knew she could be sealing her fate. Yet her shame—no, her downright arrogance—had let them fly anyway. Jesus might have raised Lazarus, but she was pretty certain there would be no graveclothes flying today.
She sat up in bed. After her breakthrough the other day, she had finally bid adieu to the sofa. She pushed a button beside the bed, and the wall of draperies began to slowly open, letting in the morning. The sun had yet to make its official break, though her heart might. She grabbed a pillow beside her and pulled it tight against her chest, wrapping her arms around it in a symbolic act of need. She loved Mitchell more than she knew she was capable of loving anyone. And she had hurt Mitchell more than she knew she was capable of hurting anyone.
But in the midst of this horrific reality, she couldn’t deny a strange peace. A strange sense that everything was going to be okay. She let her cheek fall against the soft, expensive pillowcase. She knew now that Mitchell would never hold her again. But she had a sense she was being held even now. She lifted her hand and rubbed her eyes. They burned from too little sleep. She climbed out of bed, slipped on some workout clothes, and headed out to begin her day. It was sad to think that the remainder of her days would be spent without Mitchell by her side, but it was the only option she had.
* * *
Winnie woke up and rolled over in her bed to take in the sun rising above the ocean. The view was breathtaking, except for the large mass of ominous-looking clouds that seemed to be approaching. She had a feeling that at this rate the sun would be gone before long. Her sleep had been peaceful. Even though she knew her eyes were as swollen as Laine’s ego.
One more thing. The soft whisper fluttered through her soul.
She clutched the pillow next to her. “No, no more. I’m taking the day off.”
Get up. One more thing.
She knew what it was. She didn’t even have to ask. And she didn’t want to do it. Not one part of her wanted to do it.
Trust Me. I have something to show you.
She pushed herself off the bed and slipped into a lime green jogging suit with rhinestone-accented sleeves. In ten minutes she was standing at the edge of the beach entrance to the Beach Towers, the wind brushing past her and the sound of crashing waves providing background music. The very towers she had successfully avoided for almost a week were about to come into view. She would have been perfectly content to avoid them for the last two days of her visit too.
Trust Me.
She could hear a jogger behind her but didn’t turn around. Instead, she walked slowly around the corner. But what she saw was not what she had expected. The once-pristine pool with rocky caves, billowing boulders, prestigious waterfalls, and an inviting lazy river was now all dried up. The only things left were water stains and cracked concrete. The once-towering white gazebo stood with far less pride, its white weathered and its wood rotting. The restaurant looking out over the pool, which fifteen years ago had afforded her and Sam some of the best food they had ever eaten, was boarded up. Boarded up. Every window was boarded up.
Old memories closed, heaven whispered. Time to make some new ones.
The magnitude of the moment brought old Winnie to her knees much the way last night’s encounter had done, though this time was different. This moment was a gift. She had a vision in her mind, a memory she didn’t want to let go of. And it would always be there. But it was time to cease the perpetual revisiting and reenter the land of the living. She would never have had this closure if she had stayed away. Seeing the state of this place, here, now, had released the final piece of her heart to live. To heal.
* * *
Laine had come up quietly on Winnie. She watched her walk slowly over to the old, boarded-up hotel. She felt like she was intruding in some way and had turned to go when Winnie fell to her knees in a heap of tears. Laine knew there was no way she could leave her there by herself. Not like that.
She walked over, knelt beside her, and wrapped her arms around her as best she could. She might have fed her a little too much this week. “It’s okay, Winnie. It’s okay.”
“I know,” she whispered. “I know.”
Laine had not let a woman cry in her arms in a whole lot of years. Shoot, she had done things this week she wasn’t sure she had ever done. She laid her head on Winnie’s back and patted her hands softly. “I’m sorry you lost him, Winnie. I’m really sorry.”
“But I got to love him. That was worth the losing,” Winnie said. “I’ve got to start living now, honey. No more living in the past. I’ve got to let Sam go and start living my life.”
Laine raised her eyebrows but didn’t lift her head. She had been right. Winnie had needed last night to herself. “I’m proud of you.”
Winnie chuckled. “If someone sees us, I don’t even want to know what they are going to think.”
Laine laughed too. She was from Los Angeles. She knew exactly what they would think. “Well, you’re a little old for me.”
Winnie elbowed her. “I’m not too old to beat your tail, which is what you need.”
Laine stood and helped Winnie to her feet. “You’d better go see Tamyra. She was pretty traumatized by what happened last night.”
“Bless her heart. I’ll go see her.” She looped her arm through Laine’s and pulled her sleeve up to wipe her face.
“Why do you all say that?” Laine asked as they walked.
“Say what?”
“‘Bless her heart.’ I heard that means, ‘Ain’t she stupid.’ If that is what it means, I don’t want you ever blessing my heart.”
Winnie laughed. Laine could tell it came from her toes. And Winnie didn’t stop. And Laine didn’t want her to.
* * *
Riley stared at the sky before she walked back into her office. The day was beautiful, making it hard to believe that a hurricane could be blowing through here by Saturday. The wind was so calm. She had noticed this morning that the waves had grown a little higher, but other than that it seemed like another picture-perfect day in paradise. There had been a mass exodus of guests last night, and today would prove just as crazy. On top of that, Max’s VIPs were heading in, along with Harry Connick Jr., but all were flying out tonight as well since the latest indicator was that the storm was picking up speed. Good, in that it wouldn’t be over the island very long; bad, in that it might not impress vacationing VIPs. Each one Riley’s responsibility. She had hit the ground running at 5 a.m. Had checked and rechecked rooms, concert tickets, table arrangements, and it didn’t look like she had missed a thing. By eight o’clock she had already consumed a blueberry bagel with cream cheese and three Dr Peppers. She had so much sugar running through her veins, she would probably register positive on a drug test.
As soon as her butt hit the chair, Mia tapped on her door. “Did you h
ave a good evening?”
Riley could not control the smile that took over her face. She had thought about the experience at church until she finally drifted off to sleep. When she woke up, she was thinking about it all over again. “It was wonderful. Magical, almost.”
“My, my . . . Christian must be quite the ladies’ man.”
Riley felt her face flush. “I wasn’t talking about—”
“You’ll have to tell me details at lunch. I’ve got to take care of some guests who are heading out early. And some more guests who want to snag their concert tickets. But I want to hear all about it. Not one juicy detail do I want you to leave out.” With that, she was gone.
Christian was wonderful, but the evening had been about so much more than Christian. Riley shrugged it off and knew she’d have the opportunity to tell Mia later. Her cell phone buzzed. She retrieved it from her hip.
“Hey, Max.”
“Hey, Riley. Everything good?”
“It’s all ready to go. I’ve checked and rechecked and checked again. We’ve got every detail prepared for them. The gift baskets are absolutely extraordinary. Mr. Connick arrives at ten this morning and we’re expecting your guests at one.
“Yes, I’m meeting them at the private airstrip at twelve. We will be back here by twelve thirty; then I’ll take them to Mosaic for lunch at one.”
“I have dinner arrangements at six thirty at Nobu. The show starts at eight. It should be a great evening.”
“Well, it sounds like you’ve taken care of everything. Their flight leaves at midnight, so we’ll show them a fabulous day and then they will get home in time to be safe from the storm.”
Riley scribbled on the pad in front of her. “Anything else you can think of?”
“No, sounds great.”
“Okay, then I’ll see you at one.”
Riley hung up the phone and lifted her head to see Christian’s face at her door. “Busy day?” he asked.
“Crazy day.”
“We’re pretty quiet next door. Most of our nesters have flown the coop. Don’t want to risk a hurricane. So if you need any extra help, I’ve got some extra hands.”
“Thank you.” She stood from her desk. “I’ll let you know if I do. Right now I think we’re good, though. Just waiting on Mr. Connick to arrive. That sounds weird, doesn’t it?” She half laughed.
“You’d rather call him Harry?” His brown eyes scanned hers.
She shook her head. “No, that sounds weirder.” She walked around to the front of her desk. “I’m going to go check his room one more time. Want to walk with me?”
“Oh, my, now you’re inviting me somewhere.”
She walked past him and raised an eyebrow. They walked from her office into the lobby of the office suites. Mia was standing in the doorway. Her expression registered oddly with Riley. “Anything wrong?” she asked.
Mia’s smile took over. “No, no . . . everything is perfect. Just a few frazzled guests. Trying to calm their fears and assure them the hurricane isn’t hitting today.”
“Well, let me know if you need me. I’m going to go check Mr. Connick’s room real quick, then talk with Gretchen at the theater. I think she’s getting him after lunch. Did you make his lunch arrangements?”
“He requested a private lunch in his suite with his family.”
Riley and Christian walked to the door. “Did you get his children passes for Aquaventure?”
“Yes, they should be in his room, and he has already given me his lunch order and we will have that delivered promptly at noon.”
“Thanks, Mia,” Riley offered with appreciation.
Christian nodded. “Good to see you, Mia.”
“You too.”
Riley and Christian talked about their previous evening as they made their way up to the suite. The conversation was natural, easy. When they knew everything was ready for the Connicks, they parted ways with the knowledge they would see each other at the concert. Riley watched him as he headed back to The Reef. He was truly a charming man. She bit her lip and wrinkled her nose, an involuntary act of contemplation. And she had been contemplating all morning, between her tasks, how much she enjoyed his company.
Mia was standing in the doorway and appeared to be watching him too. But then an elderly couple approached the office door and Mia waved them toward her. Riley hated that Laine had made her suspicious. Mia had been nothing but an angel, a friend, and a tremendous help during this crazy week. She smiled at her as she headed to her office to await the arrival of her first guest.
* * *
Tamyra pulled the handle of the slot machine mindlessly. In the span of an hour she had lost five hundred dollars. A smarter gambler would have changed machines. But she wasn’t smart at anything. She deserved the loss. And with each coin that was sucked into the bottomless abyss, her thoughts of worthlessness were affirmed.
She swatted at her cheeks. Tears had been falling since last night. And the casino noise hadn’t distracted them. Of course there weren’t many people at ten o’clock in the morning to pay much attention to a woman crying on a barstool in front of a slot machine. An elderly woman had looked at her oddly as she had passed through on her way to breakfast. Breakfast. Tamyra felt her stomach growl. She had hardly put a fork in her food last night when Winnie had split, and she hadn’t eaten anything since. But years of beauty pageants had taught her how to deprive herself despite even the sharpest hunger pains, so she didn’t offer it much condolence either.
“There you are.” Winnie’s voice penetrated the few clanging bells already ringing in the casino. “I’ve been looking all over for you this morning. And—Lord have mercy,” she said, grabbing the cup that held a couple fleeting coins. “How many were in here?”
Tamyra pulled the handle again. “Lots.”
Winnie waved her hand in front of Tamyra’s face. “You have officially OD’d on a slot machine. I knew those things weren’t good for you, and you are proof. Now get your hind end out of this chair and get to the gettin’.” She pulled at Tamyra’s sleeve until she had her out of the chair.
Tamyra looked at her little friend. “I’m so sorry, Winnie.” Tears fell freely again. “I should have never done what I did last night.”
Winnie swatted at her and pulled her down the hall. “No, you shouldn’t have. But it’s okay. It was good for me on so many levels, but obviously bad for you on . . .” She paused and studied Tamyra again. She was still in her same clothes from last night. “. . . on sooo many levels. Have you been in here all night?”
Tamyra rubbed her swollen eyes. “No, I tried to sleep but I couldn’t. I finally came down here this morning and just thought I’d do something mindless.”
“Well, you’ve let this get way out of hand.”
“But I do that a lot. Get in the way. Insert myself. Voice my opinion. That is probably why Jason hit me.”
Winnie released her arm quickly and was in her face—well, close to her chest—before she could even take a step back. “If I ever hear you say something like that again, I’ll whup you myself. That is the most ridiculous, inane thing I have ever heard. No woman ever deserves to be hit. Do you hear me?” Her hands were wrapped around Tamyra’s arms now. “Do you hear me?”
“Yes, yes. I hear you.”
“You are a beautiful, talented, engaging, and passionate woman. A man should never stifle that. He should only enhance it. If a man shows up trying to shut you down, it’s because he isn’t secure himself. A secure man wants a real woman. That kind of woman makes him alive. Brings out the best in him. A man that is threatened by a strong woman is no man at all. And don’t you ever forget that.”
Tamyra wrapped Winnie in her arms, all but lifting her off the ground. “Thank you. I was so afraid you would never speak to me again.”
“I can’t breathe,” Winnie muttered.
Tamyra released her and couldn’t hide her laughter.
Once Winnie caught her breath, she shook a finger at her. “You are afraid of to
o much.”
Tamyra caught something frightening in Winnie’s eyes. “What?”
“Go get your bathing suit on.”
“Winnie, you know I don’t—”
“I said, go get your bathing suit on. You tortured me last night. Granted, it was probably for the best, but this will be for the best too. Now, go. Don’t stop. Don’t talk. Don’t say a word. Go get your bathing suit on and go get it on now. Meet me at the elevators in thirty minutes. I’ll have Riley and Laine, and you, my dear, are about to get over some fears.”
Spidery veins of fear began at the base of her neck, until she felt as if they would poke her eyeballs out of her head. “I can’t. . . .”
Winnie spread her feet apart and put her pudgy hands on her cushy hips. “You will, and you will now. I won’t debate. Now go.”
If it hadn’t been for Winnie all but dragging her to her room, she would have never been able to do it. But for such a petite sister, Winnie could wield one big stick.
18
Thursday morning . . .
The doors to the elevators opened and Riley stepped off. Mr. Connick and his entourage were safely in their rooms and everything had run smoothly. An on-time arrival, a smooth delivery, and room service was scheduled to arrive promptly at noon. It was only ten thirty, so the other VIPs from Miami wouldn’t be arriving for another two hours. Riley all but ran smack-dab into Laine as she rounded the corner dressed in a blue and white Ralph Lauren knit bathing suit. The halter top tied around her neck, and her white terry cloth pants had a matching polo player in blue on the edge of her waist.
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