by Judith Keim
“Here goes,” Rhonda said, giving me a high-five.
As the car came to a stop, we watched closely.
Tim got out and raced around the limo to open the passenger door.
A foot encased in a high-heeled, gold sandal emerged. A young woman quickly followed, dressed in a denim skirt so short I knew she was wearing a thong. Her white tank-top indicated she wasn’t wearing a bra.
My gaze lifted to her face. Large sunglasses hid most of it. Blue hair piled in a knot atop her head added a few inches to her height but couldn’t hide the fact that she was short and ... well, wider than normal in places ... for a movie star.
We started down the stairs.
“Welcome ...” I started my spiel.
“What a dump,” Tina said, cupping her hands around her sunglasses for a better view in the sunlight. “I asked for a big, fancy, glittery place if I have to do this stupid Hollywood thing.”
Beneath her normal tan, Rhonda’s face turned red.
I held my breath. Nobody bad-mouthed the hotel in front of Rhonda.
“That little brat,” Rhonda murmured.
I grabbed hold of her arm. “Don’t!”
She jerked her arm out of my hand and hurried down the rest of the stairway, her caftan flying behind her in a cloud of green.
Knowing what was coming, I raced past her. Tina might be a gigantic boor, but we would welcome her properly as my grandmother had taught me.
“Welcome to The Beach House Hotel,” I said, elbowing my way in front of Rhonda.
A bald, muscular giant emerged from the car, looking like the smiling ad man on television who told viewers all about his cleaning products. Standing beside Tina, his bulk made her seem smaller than ever.
“I’m Jerry Brighton, the one you hired to keep tabs on Tina.” Turning to Rhonda, he smiled. “This place is beautiful.”
The lines of distress left Rhonda’s face. She returned his smile. “Thank you. I’m Rhonda DelMonte Grayson, and this is my partner, Annie Rutherford. Among other things, The Beach House Hotel has a reputation for good service; we’re here to help you in any way we can.”
“Great,” he said.
Tina’s red-painted lips formed a pout as she glared at us. “I don’t need anyone watching over me. I can do this myself. And nobody can know I’m here at this fat farm,” said Tina. “That would ruin me.”
Rhonda drew herself up.
This time, I knew I couldn’t stop her.
Hands on hips, Rhonda stared down Tina. “This is not a fat farm. This hotel is a lovely place where guests can find some of the finest food in Southwest Florida.” She paused for emphasis. “If they’re allowed to eat it.”
Tina gasped and stamped a sandaled foot. “That’s it! I’m leaving!” She ruined the effect of her tantrum by teetering on heels too high for her. She regained her balance and turned to climb inside the limo.
In one swift movement, Jerry took hold of Tina’s elbow. “Hold on. Let’s at least give this a try.”
Tina’s shoulders slumped in defeat, allowing me to see a vulnerability that touched me. It couldn’t be easy for someone so young to have so many demands made of her.
“Okay. I’ll show you to your rooms,” said Tim, who up to now had been standing aside wringing his hands. He urged them forward.
After Jerry and Tina had followed him into the hotel, Rhonda gave me a sheepish look.
“I’m sorry, Annie, but that little brat deserves more than a scolding. She deserves a spanking.”
“No wonder Vaughn found it so difficult to work with Tina,” I said. “I hope this isn’t how she’s going to act for the whole eight weeks.”
A frown creased Rhonda’s brow. “We can do this, can’t we? Keep Tina here and get her thin?”
“We’re going to try our best,” I said with determination, “but, Rhonda, she won’t be our only guest. We’ll have to keep everyone else happy too.”
“Eight weeks seems like a long time, huh?”
I nodded. “More like an eternity.”
About the Author
Judith Keim was born and raised in Elmira, New York, and now makes her home in Idaho with her husband, her long-haired dachshund, Winston, and other members of her family.
“Growing up, books were always present—being read, ready to go back to the library, or about to be discovered. Information from the books was shared in general conversation, giving all of us in the family a wealth of knowledge and a lot of imagination. Perhaps that is why I was drawn to the idea of writing stories early on. I particularly love to write novels about women who deal with the unexpected with strength and open their hearts to finding love, because no matter what our circumstances, we all need to love and be loved in return.”
“I hope you’ve enjoyed this book. If you have, please help other readers discover it by leaving a review on Goodreads or the site of your choice. And please check out the Hartwell Women Series, the Fat Fridays Group, the Salty Key Inn Series, and the other books in The Beach House Hotel Series. ALL THE BOOKS ARE NOW AVAILABLE IN AUDIO on Audible and iTunes! So fun to have these characters come alive!”
Ms. Keim can be reached at www.judithkeim.com
And to like her author page on Facebook and keep up with the news, go to: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Judith-Keim/184013771644484?ref=aymt_homepage_panel.
To receive notices about new books, follow her on Book Bub - http://bit.ly/2pZBDXq
And here’s a link to where you can sign up for her periodic newsletter! http://eepurl.com/bZ0ICX
She is also on Twitter, @judithkeim, LinkedIn and Goodreads. Come say hello!
Acknowledgements
No writer writes a book alone–critique partners help, friends and family give support, writing groups exchange information, and sometimes, special people are available to help make the story the best it can be.
I wish to thank Stephanie Berget and Amity Grays for their willingness to look over this manuscript, all my writing friends new and old for giving me support, and my family for always being there. Most of all I wish to thank my husband, Peter, who supports me in all my efforts and gives me so much happiness.
Onward and upward!
BOOKS BY JUDITH KEIM
The Talking Tree (The Hartwell Women –1)
Sweet Talk (The Hartwell Women – 2)
Straight Talk (The Hartwell Women – 3)
Baby Talk (The Hartwell Women – 4)
The Hartwell Women Series – (Boxed Set)
Breakfast at The Beach House Hotel –1
Lunch at The Beach House Hotel – 2
Dinner at The Beach House Hotel – 3
Christmas at The Beach House Hotel – 4 (October 2017)
Fat Fridays (Fat Fridays Group – 1)
Sassy Saturdays (Fat Fridays Group – 2)
Secret Sundays (Fat Fridays Group – 3 – (Coming soon!)
Finding Me – A Salty Key Inn Book – 1
Finding My Way – A Salty Key Inn Book – 2
Finding Love – A Salty Key Inn Book – 3 (Winter 2018)
Finding Family – A Salty Key Inn Book – 4 (Summer 2018)
Winning BIG – a little love story for all ages
For more information: www.judithkeim.com
CHILDREN’S BOOKS BY J. S. KEIM
The Hidden Moon (The Hidden Moon Series – 1)
Return to the Hidden Moon (The Hidden Moon Series – 2)
Trouble on the Hidden Moon (The Hidden Moon Series – 3)
Kermit Greene’s World
For more information: www.judithkeim.com
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