by Judith Keim
Conversation was light as they caught up with each other. During a lull, Belinda said, “We have a very unusual wedding present for you. Something I hope you will accept.” She and Charles exchanged enigmatic glances.
“What’s up?” Austin said with a note of suspicion that surprised Darcy.
Belinda leaned forward. “We’d like to give you our travel company. Dad and I are getting a little tired, and we’ve made enough money to retire. However, the business is too profitable to simply hand over to strangers. We know Darcy wants to travel, and this would be a good way for you to earn a good living together.”
Austin’s brow creased with worry. “What about my dental practice? I worked hard to get my degree in dentistry.”
Charles spoke up. “It’s an admirable profession and one you will always have. If you decide not to continue in the travel business, you can always find a job in dentistry.”
“What about my family’s hotel?” said Darcy. “I owe it to my sisters to keep a hand in that.”
Belinda raised a hand to stop their objections. “All we ask is for you to think about it. We’ve arranged a lovely trip for your honeymoon. That will give you an opportunity to decide if it’s something you want to do.”
“There aren’t many businesses like ours—very high-end, very satisfying when the job is done right,” said Charles.
“And you’ll be experiencing so many different things together,” added Belinda.
Darcy sat back, feeling as if she’d been punched in the stomach. She and Austin had their lives planned out. Now, other possibilities shredded those plans. All this less than a week before her wedding.
“Let’s not worry about that now,” said Charles. “You have plenty of time to decide. We’ll talk again, after your honeymoon. Right now, let’s order some food. The menu looks very interesting.”
Darcy took a good look at the menu, searching for new ideas for Gavin’s. She loved seeing unusual combinations of ingredients, and Graham was always open to suggestions. She opted for the prime filet tartare as an appetizer and the snapper with Meyer lemon risotto for the main course. Austin and Charles went for the lamb rack for their main courses, while Belinda chose a chicken dish with mushrooms and asparagus.
Conversation continued on a lighter note as they ate their meal—mostly talk of Austin’s parents’ activities and their latest group of travelers. With her mind spinning, Darcy kept glancing at the fish darting about in the aquarium, feeling as trapped as they.
###
Later, after they’d said goodbye to Austin’s parents, Darcy and Austin headed home. The silence inside her car pulsed in Darcy’s ear. Finally, Austin spoke up. “Wow! I didn’t see that coming!”
“Neither did I,” said Darcy. “What do you think?”
“I’m totally unsure about taking over my parents’ business. You and I have talked about having a family. I don’t want to leave children like they left me.”
Darcy nodded her understanding. “It sounds like a good opportunity, but I have my doubts, too.”
Austin reached over and gave her a squeeze. “Let’s try not to think about it and simply enjoy our wedding. The honeymoon sounds even better.”
“Apparently, it’s going to be first-class all the way.”
With a grin, Austin arched his eyebrows at her. “I can keep to those standards.”
Darcy laughed. “It’s a challenge I’m looking forward to meeting.”
CHAPTER THIRTY
REGAN
Regan waited at the cottage for Brian to appear. He’d sent her a text telling her he’d be late, that he had some business to tend to. As she read the words, she wondered if he was aware she knew the business, no doubt, included a certain Taylor Hutchison.
She glanced at the ring shining on her finger, remembered the unforgettable moment Brian had proposed to her and sighed. She knew he was a good person, and she shouldn’t be worried about him, but her old fears were playing games in her mind. As anxious as she was to be reassured, she decided to say nothing to him about her concerns, to give him a chance to bring up the situation himself. It seemed the fair thing to do.
When Brian finally appeared, she went outside to greet him. “Hi, honey! Busy day?”
“Yeah, as usual. What’s for dinner? I’m starving!” As he bent down to kiss her, the distinct aroma of perfume hit her nose.
“Whew! Where have you been?”
He frowned. “Why?”
“You smell of perfume,” she said, willing her voice to stay steady.
“Ah, it must be from Taylor. I helped her with a lock on her front door, and she hugged me.”
“What is it with you and Taylor? I met her this afternoon, and she made it sound as if you two were real buddies.”
Brian’s eyebrows shot up with surprise. “Me? I thought she was after Tony. He spoke to me about it this morning. Neither one of us likes it, but as long as she does a good job for us, we’ll let her stay. It’s hard to find someone who’s willing to work evening hours.”
He threw his arm around her. “Give me time to grab a beer, and let’s eat. It’s been a long day. I’m glad to be home.”
Regan let out a sigh of relief. She didn’t need to worry about Brian, though she still didn’t trust Taylor.
After dinner, Regan and Brian sat watching television. Curled up on the couch with him, Regan was well into the mystery show when Brian straightened. Lifting her chin, he gazed into her eyes. “I love you, Regan. Let’s go to bed.”
“You don’t want to see the end of the show?” she asked, surprised.
Giving her a sexy grin, he said, “No, I want to see you.”
She clicked off the television and rose. What an excellent idea.
###
Later, lying beside him in bed, Regan traced the scars on Brian’s arms.
He grimaced and studied her. “I don’t know what I would’ve done if you hadn’t been so supportive of me in the hospital. A lot of times when I did those damn exercises, I was showing off for you.”
She chuckled. “I knew it, and so did the physical therapist. That’s why he kept asking me to watch.”
“Ah, Regan, always stay this way.”
She pulled away from him and studied his face. “Bri? Let’s get married as soon as possible. I can’t help thinking of my mother, and I know how much better I’ll feel when we’re not just living together. It may sound silly to you, but it matters to me.”
“I’m ready tomorrow if you are,” he said.
“But, I can’t ruin Darcy’s wedding,” said Regan.
“Who says she has to know? We could quietly do our thing and wait until after the wedding to announce it. I think it isn’t the ceremony that’s important. It’s the vows you make to each other every day.”
Tears sprang to Regan’s eyes. “That’s so sweet! And I agree with you. We don’t need a fancy ceremony. Just friends and family to celebrate with us. Let’s talk about some ideas later, after Darcy is married. It’s not that far away.”
“Okay,” said Brian. “Sounds like a plan. I’ll come up with some options for you. Trust me?”
“Of course,” said Regan, sighing with happiness. She reached for him, and he drew her up next to him. She lay in his arms, inhaling the sexy aroma that was his alone and closed her eyes. She loved this man.
###
Regan sat with her sisters in Sheena’s suite among boxes stacked in the living area. Now that Darcy’s wedding was getting closer and Sheena was packing for her move to her new house, they were trying to get together for short meetings on a regular basis. Because Casey was taking on management of The Key Hole as well as Gavin’s, his role helping them to oversee the hotel was still being determined. Sheena wanted to run the hotel with only guidance from Casey, but both Regan and Darcy were concerned Sheena might not have time enough to do that after the baby came. Still, they’d secretly agreed to let Sheena see if she could do it. She’d come to Florida for the freedom to be herself, and they weren’t
about to take that away from her.
“Tomorrow, I’ll help you settle the kitchen in your new house,” Darcy said to Sheena. “Has Tony already moved the boxes you stored in Paul and Rosa’s garage?”
Sheena smiled and nodded. “My in-laws helped him do it. Rosa said she’d help me too.” Sheena laughed. “She had to schedule the time in between golf games and bridge groups.”
“What about the furniture you bought?” said Regan. “I can help you place that.”
“Thanks, that would be great,” said Sheena. “You’ve got delivery scheduled for tomorrow, right?”
“Yes. The store was able to move up the delivery date from the day after Darcy’s wedding to tomorrow.”
Sheena let out a sigh. “Moving is never easy, but I love the house and the location. I just wish a certain someone wasn’t handling the sales office there.”
Regan shot Sheena a look of surprise. “Are you talking about Taylor Hutchison? You know about her and Tony?”
Sheena’s eyes rounded in shock. “What do you mean Taylor and Tony? Is there something you need to tell me?”
“Last night, I was concerned Brian was going to be late getting home because he was doing a ‘project’ at Taylor’s house. Apparently, the lock on her front door needed attention. When I told him I was concerned about Taylor going after him, Brian said he thought she was going after Tony. That’s all. Tony talked to him about it, and they’ve decided to keep her on at the sales office because it’s hard to find someone willing to work some evenings.”
Darcy snorted. “Evening work? I bet she does.”
“Hold on,” said Sheena. “Tony spoke to Brian about it?”
“Yes. Why?””
“Okay, then, I’m not worried,” Sheena said. “But it sounds to me like she’s a disaster just waiting to happen. Have you spoken to Nicole about her?”
“No, but I spoke to Bett Ryder. She’s worked with her before, and apparently, Taylor is very good at her job. Taylor told me she was the sales manager, but I put her in her place by making it clear Nicole is the sales manager, and Bett is in charge of actual sales.”
“We’ll all have to try to keep tabs on her,” said Darcy. “I’m going to speak to Nicole myself. She and I have a meeting this afternoon on a spring marketing campaign. We will have all forty rooms in the Egret Building completed by March 1st, won’t we?”
“I would think so. But the suites won’t be finished until probably April 1st if we can get the contractors lined up.”
“And if they show up,” grumbled Sheena. “The work on the patio for Gavin’s people has come to a stop. But after nagging them before you two got here, I got a promise they will appear tomorrow.”
“The gazebo is done,” Regan said. “You can advertise that as a venue for a small wedding. The plantings around it should be pretty well established by now. The bohio bar is ready too. How is the open house for wedding planners coming along?”
“Fine,” said Sheena. “I’ve talked to Bebe about making a few cakes for the occasion, and we’ve started a notebook of different designs. I’m putting together a letter to send out to interested parties, and Nicole is going to help me with ads and an invitation to wedding planners here in Florida and neighboring states.”
“Great,” said Darcy. “I was worried about leaving on my honeymoon, but it sounds as if things will be fine until I get back.” She paused. “When I return, I want to sit down and discuss long-range plans for the hotel.”
“Is everything all right?” Regan asked.
“I’m not sure,” said Darcy.
“You aren’t pregnant, are you?” Regan said, wondering at the worry written on Darcy’s face.
“Why? Would that be a problem?” Sheena asked with an edge to her voice.
“No, no, it wouldn’t,” said Regan. “At least not exactly. But we’re going to need all the help we can get to complete the hotel and manage it properly.”
“Then why don’t you give up your interior decorating business?” snapped Darcy.
Shocked by Darcy’s reaction, Regan opened her mouth to speak.
“I’m sorry,” said Darcy. “I didn’t mean to say it that way. I guess I’m more upset about personal things than I’d thought.”
“Do you want to talk about it?” Sheena asked calmly.
“No, thanks. I have a few things to work out for myself.”
“Don’t we all,” Regan said, looking at her sisters.
###
Any residual tension between them was heightened by the effort of helping Sheena move into her new house. The sound of crinkling paper, the heat that came through the open doorway so furniture could be delivered, and miscommunications between them made for some tense moments.
Rosa stayed for as long as she could, then left to fix dinner for Sheena’s family.
The three of them had just come back inside from taking a bunch of boxes out to the garage to be broken down, when Sheena said, “I’m beat. Let’s take a break.”
She pulled cold bottles of water out of the refrigerator, and each of them sat down on one of the new bar stools in the kitchen.
They were resting, sipping their drinks when the doorbell rang.
“I’ll get it,” said Regan, waving Sheena back to her seat. “I know how tired you are.” Sheena’s face was flushed, her hair damp beneath a headband, her T-shirt dirty and sweaty.
Regan opened the door to find Taylor standing there. A bouquet of red roses in a glass vase was in her hands. “Hi, Regan. I have a delivery for Sheena Morelli. May I come in?”
Regan stepped aside as Taylor breezed by, leaving behind a waft of perfume Regan recognized. Striding across the hallway to the kitchen in a short skirt that exposed her long legs, and dressed in a low-cut blouse that almost covered her perfect bust, Taylor looked calm and cool.
Hurrying behind her, Regan entered the kitchen as Taylor announced, “We in the office are all wishing you happiness in your new home. I wanted to give these roses to Tony, but he asked me to bring them along to you.”
“Thank you. That was sweet of him, and I appreciate your bringing them here. Sorry, I can’t offer you any refreshments. As you can see, we’re in the midst of getting settled.”
“Oh, yes, of course, I understand,” Taylor said, studying Sheena. She looked around with curiosity. “Everything is so pretty. I’d love to live in a house like this.” She smiled. “And with someone as nice as Tony.”
“Really?” Sheena remarked in icy tones.
At the uncharacteristic gleam of anger in Sheena’s hazel eyes, Regan hurried to Taylor’s side. “Why don’t I walk you out?”
When Regan returned alone to the kitchen, Sheena said to her, “Thanks. I know I may sound like one of Meaghan’s petty classmates, but I can’t help it. I think I hate that woman.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
SHEENA
Sheena sat on the king-size bed willing herself not to lie down. She and her sisters had put sheets and light blankets on the beds in each of the bedrooms. Spreads and decorative pillows would follow after they’d ordered their final choices.
Looking around at the furniture, inhaling the smell of newness everywhere, Sheena felt her body battle excitement against fatigue. Regan had done an amazing job of helping Sheena pick out furniture that would enhance the setting. The house was attractive and comfortable. The architect who worked with Tony and Brian was a woman, which showed in the little nooks and crannies for decorative items, the many storage spaces, and the big, beautiful kitchen designed by someone who obviously enjoyed cooking.
At the sound of a car pulling into the driveway, Sheena got to her feet with a smile. She’d recognize Michael’s car anywhere. As she entered the kitchen, Michael and Meaghan burst through the doorway.
“We all moved in?” Michael asked.
“Is my room ready?” said Meaghan, her eyes aglow with excitement.
“The basics are done. We’ll add final touches in the next couple of days. After you have a snack,
I want you to work together in the garage breaking down boxes and bagging up the packing materials.”
“Okay,” said Michael. “What do we have for snacks? And what’s for supper?”
Smiling, Sheena shook her head. Michael was still a growing boy. “Look in the refrigerator for drinks. Cookies, crackers, and cheese are out on the counter. Grandma Rosa is making dinner for us tonight.”
Meaghan came to her and gave her a quick hug. “Are you all right? You look tired. Okay if I check out my room first?”
Sheena wrapped an arm around Meaghan, touched by her concern. “Sure. Maybe later we can talk about the bedspread you wanted. And then you can unpack the boxes you sent from Boston. They’re in your new bedroom.”
Meaghan sprinted out of the room toward the stairs. Watching her, Sheena smiled, happy Meaghan was so excited about their new house.
###
Sheena was sitting in the kitchen with Rosa when Tony came into the room. “Hi, Mom!” He glanced around. “Wow, Sheena! You all did a great job of settling the house.”
She accepted Tony’s kiss. “We’ve just done enough to be able to function. The finishing touches are another matter. That will take more time.”
“Sheena’s worked like a champ all day,” said Rosa, getting to her feet. “I suggest you and the kids handle serving the meal and cleaning up.”
Tony gave his mother a mock salute. “Will do. Thanks for bringing dinner.” His eyes sparkled. “Do I smell the family recipe for chicken piccata?”
Rosa chuckled. “Maybe.” She gave both of them quick hugs. “’Gotta go. Paul and I are meeting friends for dinner.”
Watching her leave, Sheena and Tony exchanged amused glances. Ever since moving to Florida, his parents had been on a social whirl.
“Let me grab a beer, and we can talk,” said Tony, going to the refrigerator.
Sheena took another sip of her water. “Taylor dropped off the roses. The office is doing that for all the people moving in?”
“Yeah, it’s a nice idea. Nicole thought of it.”