by Judith Keim
Sheena studied him a moment. She understood his caution. It wasn’t that long ago he thought he was about to be a father with someone he now didn’t like at all.
After dinner, Sheena got up and stretched. “Who’s turn is it to clean up?”
Meaghan frowned. “Mine.”
“Thanks,” said Sheena. She went into the laundry room and stared at the pile of dirty clothes. Maybe later. Right now, I’m going to bed.
###
As she settled in bed, Sheena knew she could’ve forced herself to do the laundry. But the idea was to ease her family into the transition that would take place with the arrival of a new baby. If Meaghan thought the hotel was competing for her attention, what did she think a new baby would do?
She had no idea what time it was when Tony crawled into bed beside her and drew her up against him.
“You awake?” he whispered in her ear.
“I am now,” she said, turning to him.
His lips met hers in a soft, gentle kiss that told her he understood how tired she was. “You’ve been overdoing it. Maybe it’s time to ease off work at the hotel a bit.”
Sheena rolled over and faced him. “You know I can’t do that. I’m the one who’s been given the task of overseeing it. Uncle Gavin wanted me to be in charge. I can’t let him or anyone else down.”
Tony’s lips curved. “I love when you get fired up about something, but, Sheena, it’s okay to slow down.”
“I’m worried about first impressions. Both sets of parents will arrive tomorrow, and then things will settle down, and I can let go of my jitters.”
Tony cupped her face in his broad hands. “You’re the best hotel owner I know. Now, go back to sleep.”
She fit herself to the shape of his body and closed her eyes.
###
As she strode into the registration office the next morning, her late-night jitters seemed foolish. The sky was a beautiful blue, the temperature was in the low eighties, and the newly planted hibiscus and bougainvillea lifted their colorful heads to the sun. And the weather forecast showed more of the same.
Jeanne smiled at her from behind the registration desk. “I didn’t expect you this early.”
Sheena smiled. “This is a big day. We have a lot of guests arriving. Senator Bowen and his wife will arrive later in the day, but the parents of our bride should arrive mid-morning. I want to make sure everything is in order for them.”
“Check-in isn’t until three o’clock.”
“Normally, that would be true, but for the wedding group, we promised early arrival times, and the bride’s parents are staying in one of the suites, which is brand new and vacant. If you man the desk, I’ll go check in with Bernice to see about her housekeeping crew.”
Sheena left the office and crossed the lawn to the Egret Building, where Bernice had set up a small office in a section of what was, essentially, a maintenance room.
Sheena knocked on the door.
“Come in,” came a musical alto voice.
Sheena opened the door and smiled when she saw Bernice at her desk. Mo Greene’s cousin, Bernice Richmond, was a smaller version of him, with pretty features, bright eyes, and energy that was appealing.
“Hi, Sheena! Have a seat. What can I do for you?”
Sheena sat in a wooden chair in front of Bernice’s desk. “I wanted to give you a heads-up about the two suites we got ready yesterday and explain the importance of having everything there perfect. Your crew finished up last night, but I thought you and I should check those rooms together. We also need to make sure any rooms are cleaned as soon as they are vacated. To accommodate our first wedding party, we’ve allowed some early check-ins.”
“Yes, I got the memo and have scheduled an extra housekeeper for the entire weekend.”
Sheena gave her a grateful smile. “Thanks. I don’t know what we’d do without you.”
Bernice’s soft chuckle was musical. “Or me without you! Between the hotel, the restaurant, Gracie’s, and the Key Hole, you’ve made my business get off to a roaring start.”
“Mo and Regan were right to talk you into setting up your own company. How many people are on your staff now?”
“Including the other hotels we’re now doing? Thirty-five.” Bernice’s note of pride was well-deserved. “And at some point, I’ll be doing Kenton’s house.”
“Fantastic.” Sheena stood. “Are you sure you have time for us?”
Bernice smiled at her. “Oh, yes. For the Salty Key Inn? Anything.”
As they walked to the Sandpiper Suites Building, Sheena and Bernice chatted about their children. Bernice’s daughter, Mercy, was one of the cutest little girls Sheena had ever seen. She had her mother’s dark skin, snappy intelligence, and a natural sweetness to her that everyone loved.
“How is Mercy enjoying pre-school?” Sheena asked. “And are you happy with your nanny?”
Bernice laughed. “I figure Mercy will end up running the entire school in another couple of months. She’s the leader of her class, that’s for sure. Thank goodness, the teacher loves Mercy and can direct her nicely. And the nanny I’ve hired is great with her too.”
“Maggie has asked if she can help with my baby. I’m so pleased, but I don’t want to do anything to upset Gracie.”
“From what I hear, that won’t be a problem. With Lynn leaving the group, Gracie’s begun to hire more people for the restaurant.”
Sheena jerked to a halt and faced Bernice. “Wait! What did you say? Lynn is leaving the group?”
Bernice gave her a funny look. “You don’t know?”
“Know what?” said Sheena, narrowing her eyes at Bernice. Suspicion rolled through her.
Bernice hesitated and shifted her feet.
“It’s my father, right?” Sheena said.
Bernice looked uncomfortable. “I’m sorry. Maybe I shouldn’t have said anything. I ran into Lynn at Gracie’s, and she told me she’s moving to The Villages.”
“I see,” said Sheena, furious Patrick hadn’t told her, that she’d had to hear it from hotel staff first.
“Look, I don’t want to make trouble,” said Bernice, placing a hand on Sheena’s arm.
“It’s not you, Bernice. I’m just disappointed he didn’t tell me.” Sheena drew a breath and allowed a smile to form. “But I’m happy for Lynn and my father.”
“Me too,” said Bernice.
Sheena decided not to address the issue with Patrick until she’d had a chance to talk to her sisters. They would have as many concerns as she had. Maybe more.
“Ready?” Bernice said.
“Okay, let’s see what, if anything, can be done to improve the three completed suites.”
Later, after making a list of additional items to be added to the suites—things like soaps, lotions, extra towels, and items for the kitchens—Bernice and Sheena separated to go to their individual offices.
Sheena checked in with Jeanne, left a note for Regan, and headed out to the store to buy additional kitchen supplies for the suites.
CHAPTER FORTY-NINE
REGAN
Regan opened her eyes, rolled over, and nestled up against Brian’s strong body. The warmth that exuded from him was welcome in the air-conditioned room.
Brian turned to her and drew her into his arms.
With her head lying on his chest, Regan inhaled the familiar manly smell of him and smiled. Marriage was more wonderful than her mother had ever led her to believe. Saving herself for the right man hadn’t always been easy, but the reward for doing so was well worth it. The bond she’d forged with Brian was everything she’d ever hoped for, and better. The element of trust between them was real. She’d trusted him to show her what physical love was, and he’d trusted her enough to open his heart to the deep love she was willing to give him.
The sun hadn’t yet risen, but Regan got out of bed. Brian’s days were early and long.
“Hey, where are you going?” Brian murmured, rising on an elbow and giving her a sleepy loo
k.
“I thought I’d surprise you with a nice, hot breakfast,” she replied, resisting the urge to brush a blond-streaked, brown curl away from his forehead. She was on a mission.
###
Regan arrived at the hotel to find a line of guests waiting to be checked in. Cheeks flushed, Sheena stood with Jeanne behind the desk.
“Thank you for your patience, everyone,” Sheena said. “We didn’t expect so many early arrivals all at once.”
Regan stepped up to the desk, leaned over, and said softly to Sheena. “I’ll take guests to their rooms. Who do we have?”
Sheena’s glance slid to the couple at the back of the line. “I believe Lea’s parents are there. Can you go and talk to them? It’s going to be several minutes before I can get them registered.”
Putting a wide smile on her face, Regan approached them. “I believe you’re the parents of the bride?”
“Yes, Ron and Julia Webster,” said the fussily dressed woman. Her hair was over-sprayed and over-styled, unsuitable for the Florida humidity. “I must say, I’m already disappointed with the hotel.”
Regan observed discomfort on Ron’s face and wondered if Julia always ran the show. She observed Julia’s lacy sundress, the diamonds in her earlobes, the oversized designer purse on her shoulder and had the distinct impression Julia was out to impress people. Unfortunately, her wardrobe did nothing to detract from the look of discontent on her face. The lines between her eyebrows were deep. Regan had the feeling they were seldom softened in pleasure. No wonder Lea was a little rebel.
“Lea and her grandparents have settled in nicely,” Regan said. “We hope you enjoy your stay. We’re putting you in one of our new suites.”
Julia straightened and gave her a nod of approval. “That will do nicely. Do you have any idea where the Bowens will be staying?”
“Beside you, in the same building.”
At this news, Julia’s eyes lit. “Very good. You know Chuck and Evelyn and we are almost family now.”
“Of sorts,” Ron said, earning a frown from Julia. “Is Dirk here?”
“I’m not sure. I’ll have to check at the front desk. Oh, here we go, you’re up next. Excuse me; I have to show some guests to their rooms.”
Feeling unsettled, Regan left Lea’s parents. Julia Webster was bound to be trouble. She was as pretentious as anyone Regan had ever met. She dreaded meeting Chuck and Evelyn Bowen.
After showing two couples to their rooms in the Egret Building, Regan returned to the office in time to take Ron and Julia Webster to their suite.
As they walked past the patios of the suites, they passed Ron’s parents.
Mary Lou waved. “Hi, Ron, Julia! Glad you arrived. You’ll love it here, and the weather is perfect.”
“Thanks, Mom. See you soon,” said Ron.
Julia said nothing but marched along behind Regan.
Regan waved. “See you later!”
As they entered the building, Regan couldn’t hide her anxiety at how Julia would react to her suite. People told her she was talented, but that old childhood feeling of being considered stupid still lingered in her mind from time to time.
“Here we are,” said Regan, sliding the key card into the slot and turning the knob on the door. She handed Ron two key cards and stepped back.
Seeing it from a guest’s point of view, Regan was pleased by the tropical colors and accents to the room.
“Thanks, this looks great,” said Ron. “What do you say, Julia?”
Heart pounding, Regan waited for her answer.
“Nice, for this kind of place. Let’s see the bedrooms.” Julia left them and wandered into one of the bedrooms.
Ron gave her an apologetic look. “It may not sound like it, but Julia is pleased. You’d hear about it if she weren’t.”
Regan bobbed her head. “Please let me know if there’s anything else you need. As you know, your parents are next door.”
###
Back at the registration office, Regan and Sheena exchanged worried glances.
“I hope the Bowens are easier than Lea’s parents,” said Sheena. “Julia Webster is going to be very hard to please.”
“Tell me about it,” said Regan, plopping down in a chair. It wasn’t even noon, and she already wanted to go home. “There’s got to be some way we can check people in more quickly.”
“I’ve already put in a call to Chip,” said Sheena.
A tall, bespectacled man approached the office wearing khaki slacks and a buttoned-down, blue-striped shirt. The onshore breeze ruffled his red hair, but he didn’t seem to notice as he talked on his cell phone.
He finished his call and entered the office.
“Hello,” said Regan, admiring his blue eyes and the way the corners of them crinkled with goodwill.
“I’m here for the Webster/Bowen wedding,” he said.
“And you are ...?”
A figure came running into the office and jumped up into his arms. “Dirk! You’re here!”
Regan and Sheena looked at each other and laughed.
“Hi, Lea!” said Regan, still chuckling. She watched as Lea and Dirk exchanged kisses and knew, no matter how difficult Julia Webster could be, Lea and Dirk would be all right.
But later that afternoon, Regan had different thoughts when she met Dirk’s parents. It was clear neither of them was thrilled to be there as part of the wedding.
Listening to them interact, Regan understood Chuck called the shots, and Evelyn made sure to please him. Maybe that’s how people got ahead in politics, but Regan didn’t like it.
After showing them to their suite, Regan asked if there was anything she could do.
“Does this hotel have a van?” asked Chuck. “I need a ride to the Don. I’m meeting a colleague of mine.”
“Don’t be late,” warned Evelyn. “The rehearsal dinner starts with cocktails at six.”
Chuck’s glare quieted her. “It’s on my schedule, Evie. You don’t need to remind me.” He turned to Regan. “Can you take care of the van for me? I’ll meet a driver outside in five minutes.”
“Sure,” said Regan, relieved the van was available and in good working order. “I’ll drive you myself.”
As Regan hurried to the registration office, she realized they’d have to have drivers available in the future. She knew Michael would jump at the chance to earn some money, but they couldn’t rely on him always to be available.
Regan took Sheena aside and told her about transporting Chuck Bowen. “We’ll have to arrange for someone to pick him up. It can’t be me. I’m helping Nicole with the dinner arrangements.”
“Okay, I’ll find someone to pick him up. Does he realize the dinner starts at six?”
Regan made a face. “Yes. He made that very clear to his wife. I’d hate to live with someone like him. Guess you have to be willing to pay the price for the kind of fame he wants.”
“No wonder Dirk is attracted to someone like Lea. She’s a free spirit and apparently unafraid to stand up for what she wants.”
“I have a feeling she’d better stay strong because both sets of parents are difficult, and weddings bring out the best and worst in people.” A shudder crossed Regan’s shoulders at her doom-filled words.
“No matter what it takes, we have to make this wedding work,” said Sheena.
“I wish Darcy was here. She’d make it seem a fun challenge,” Regan said. There wasn’t any doubt in her mind that the evening and following day were going to be difficult.
CHAPTER FIFTY
SHEENA
Sheena, wearing her best maternity dress, stood aside watching Evelyn and her son, Dirk, greet people as they entered the private dining room on the second floor of Gavin’s. It had been set up to hold the forty guests comfortably. A bartender was serving refreshments from a bar at one end of the room, and most of the people were congregating there.
Chuck had yet to appear. Sheena knew through a series of texts with Michael that Chuck had kept him waiting at t
he Don in the van for over an hour.
Lea walked into the room with her parents. Dirk took hold of her hand and drew her to him while Evelyn looked on with interest.
“I’m so happy to be here,” gushed Lea’s mother, Julia, to Evelyn. “It’s so exciting to be part of your family.”
To Evelyn’s credit, the look of surprise on her face quickly morphed into a smile that didn’t meet her eyes. “Yes, we were as surprised as you by the news of the wedding. But we hope to welcome Lea into our house and our hearts.”
Dirk saved the awkward moment by giving Julia a kiss on the cheek and turning to Ron. “It’s a beautiful evening. Glad to see you again, sir.”
When Mary Lou and Bill Webster walked into the room, both Lea and Dirk went to them. Observing the affection on the faces of all four, Sheena realized who’d supported the love between Lea and Dirk all along.
Moments later, Chuck Bowen’s appearance caused every eye to focus on him. Smiling, he boomed, “Welcome to my party!”
A few nervous titters followed.
Evelyn stepped to his side and turned to the crowd. “Welcome to our party for Dirk and Lea.”
Sheena exchanged glances with Regan, who’d followed Chuck into the room.
Chuck’s voice boomed once more. “Yes, by all means! Let’s drink to that!”
Conversation rose in the room once more, but Sheena overheard Chuck say to Evelyn in an undertone, “I don’t like to be corrected in front of a group of people. Understand?”
“Sorry,” Evelyn said, and turned to the group with a smile as if he’d spoken love words.
So that’s how it’s done, Sheena thought, disliking the senator even more.
Mary Lou and Bill were talking with Lea when Sheena approached them.
“Sheena, what a lovely party,” said Lea’s grandmother.
“Thanks. The wedding reception will be every bit as lovely.” Sheena smiled at them, wishing she could warn Lea about the kind of family she was joining.
“Aren’t my grandparents the best?” said Lea, beaming at them. “They’re the people Dirk and I trust most to allow us to be ourselves.” She glanced at the Bowens. “Dirk isn’t anything like them.”