Grace blinked, surprised at the question. Most of the time, employers just assumed she couldn’t keep a job, not that she’d decided to move on. “Well…” The fact that she couldn’t really answer it worried her.
Willodean nodded. “Maybe you’re just trying the jobs on for size, looking for the one that fits.” She shrugged. “Or the place. And if Vegas is it, you gotta get back.” She didn’t look convinced.
Relieved Willodean had provided an answer she could live with, Grace smiled. “I really appreciate your help.”
Willodean’s sunny smile was back. “I appreciate a girl who doesn’t give up. Reminds me of myself on a good day.”
Tony held out his hand. As Grace shook it, he said, “Sounds like we’ve got plenty of options around here to put you to work. We’ll make up a schedule, maybe start you in Viva Las Vegas while we figure out the rest. How’s that sound?”
“Waiting tables?” Grace nodded. “Sure, although I should mention why I was fired from my last waitressing job…”
Tony’s eyebrows rose. She took that as a sign to proceed.
“I don’t like handsy patrons. I was waiting tables at this bar and one guy, Grunt was his name, put his hand on my…” Maybe that was too much information. “Anyway, I yanked it off, twisted his arm, and would’ve broken his finger except his squeals brought the bouncer running.”
When silence filled the room to overflowing again, Grace thought maybe she should have just kept her mouth shut. She looked down at her crossed legs. “I don’t put up with that sort of stuff.”
Willodean tried to keep a straight face, but her lips trembled first and then the floodgates opened. Her giggles were contagious and the release of tension had Grace gasping for breath and laughing. Her chuckles died when she looked at Tony.
He wasn’t amused. He looked dangerous. “That doesn’t happen at the Rock’n’Rolla Hotel. Not if I know about it. Anyone touches you, you let me know.” She believed the poor misguided soul would be sorry he ever heard of Tennessee if Tony got a hold of him. And she wanted to tear up a bit. It had been a long time since she’d had anyone but herself to depend on. She sniffed and watched Tony’s whole body tighten up. He pointed over his shoulder. “I’ll just, uh, grab the key to Randa’s studio. Since it’s empty, I’m sure you’ll…” And he disappeared. First Charlie. Then Tony. Maybe it was a magic doorway.
She looked back at Willodean. “Did I do something wrong?”
Willodean pulled out a folder and slid a stack of papers across the desk. “Marine. He can’t handle the tears. You ever get in trouble, try waterworks, but I’ll deny it if you ever tell him I said so.” She tapped a finger on top of the file. “Tony’s the hotel manager. Laura is his assistant. They’ll get you set up with a schedule, uniforms—stuff like that. Here’s the paperwork we’ll need in the morning. You can give it to either of ’em. Tony’s going to show you to the staff apartments. Happily, he just convinced his girlfriend, Randa, to move in with him so we’ve got a space open.”
“Staff apartment? For me?” Grace had been afraid finding a place to stay would be the hardest part, but maybe… She tried to tamp down the flutter of relief and excitement building in her abdomen. A space of her own here at the hotel. Her life had just gotten so much easier.
“Only if you want it, Grace.” Willodean waited for her to answer, warmth, concern, and a hint of curiosity in her eyes.
Grace had to clear her throat. It was suddenly clogged with relief and gratitude. “Yes, ma’am, I would love to have a spot here. Thank you.”
Grace took the stack of papers and started gathering up all of her baggage. “I guess I need to check out too, get my stuff out of my hotel room.” The bill. She’d completely forgotten it. “Willodean, would it be possible for me to make payments on the bill for the hotel rooms and the wedding too? I mean, I might have room on my credit card but…” She so did not have any credit left. She’d been spending like she was about to have a rich husband.
Willodean shook her head. “That no-good jerk left you holding the bills too?”
“I made the arrangements. I used my cards to book everything. I sincerely doubt he decided to do the right thing as he went out the door.”
Willodean came around the desk and wrapped her arms around Grace’s shoulder. “Now then, here’s something I see. Kindness makes you tear up but problems don’t. You’ll fit right in around here, mark my words. And don’t you worry about that bill—”
“No handouts, remember? I’ll take care of it. Eventually.” Grace raised her chin in the same stubborn gesture that used to send her father to the refrigerator in search of a beer.
Willodean raised her hands in surrender. “All right, now. I can go along with that. You check out. I’ll just let Laura know to print you out a folio and set something up for your checks to pay it back. Deal?”
Grace nodded, satisfied that she wasn’t a charity case. At least she had that much going for her. “Deal.”
When Willodean cupped her hands around her mouth again, Grace squeezed her eyes shut like that would keep her eardrums intact.
Tony stopped in the doorway. “Don’t yell. I’m right here.” His longsuffering expression made her want to laugh again, but she was so relieved she couldn’t work up the energy. “I’ll show you to your new place, if you’re ready.”
Grace reached over to pick up the rest of her stuff, but he brushed her hand away. “I’ve got it.” Then he moved efficiently to the door and paused to wait.
“You go on now, Grace. Get settled. And when you see Charlie, you give him the prettiest smile you can, all right?”
Something in Willodean’s eyes spelled cagey interest in Grace’s reaction so she smiled. “Definitely, Willodean, I will. I owe him a big thank you for introducing us, even if he had another goal in mind. He doesn’t seem to like me, but I’ll work on him.”
Willodean’s small chuckle worried Grace. “You do that, hon. Get some rest tonight. Weatherman’s saying we might see some snow and that makes even the most levelheaded people lose their minds around here.”
Grace waved a hand and followed Tony’s precise march back out into the lobby. “Laura, this is our new employee, Grace Andersen.”
Laura smiled. “Nice to meet you again, Grace. For the third or fourth time.”
Grace nodded. And Tony was on the move. He called back over his shoulder, “She’s staying in Randa’s studio and starting work in the morning. She’ll meet you here at nine.” As he disappeared around the corner, Laura shook her head. “You better catch up. He gets that close to Randa, and he’s ready to take a nice long break.”
Grace waved and trotted after him. He’d paused in front of a small gym. “You can use the gym and the pool in the summer on your own time if you like.” The Elvis album covers lining the walls blurred as she raced to keep up. The decorated trees they passed—one with all green decorations, another all red, and one in a rainbow color scheme near the gym—were bright flashes in the corner of her eye. She stumbled to a stop in front of a hot pink tree decorated in Santa Claus flamingo ornaments. He opened the glass door to the pool area and held it open just long enough for her to step through.
“On that side’s the new addition. Chapel, spa, and meeting rooms.” Grace was out of breath by the time he held open a small gate. “And these are the staff apartments. To get back into the hotel, you’ll need this key.” He slipped it into a lock and then opened the door. “I’m right next door if you need anything, but I think you’ll find it stocked. Randa just moved out a week ago.”
“I thought I heard your voice.” Grace and Tony both turned to see a long-legged blonde in the doorway. And then Grace noticed the goofy grin on Tony’s face and decided this must be Randa.
Tony dropped her bags on the floor and absentmindedly spread her dress bag over the couch while Randa held out her hand. “I’m Randa, the spa manager.”
“Grace. Waiting at Viva Las Vegas and maybe helping with weddings in the chapel and whatever else n
eeds to be done.” Unsure what to do with herself as Randa and Tony made eyes at each other, she looked around the small apartment. In this one room, she had a couch, a chair, a bed, and a small kitchen. Two doors must lead to a closet and a bathroom. And it was nicer than the apartment she’d been sharing with two other girls in Las Vegas. She had to sit down to take it all in.
Tony pointed. “We’ll be next door. If you need anything, like a ride somewhere, we’ll help out, okay?” Then he pushed Randa out the door and shut it behind him. Grace could hear Randa’s outraged voice and his quiet answer before their door shut behind them.
And then the silence in the tiny apartment was loud. For the first time since Grace made up her mind to follow her mother’s practical advice to find a man and settle down, the anxious flutter in her stomach was gone. Grace smiled as she kicked off her heels and tried to figure out what was next.
Chapter Three
* * *
CHARLIE LEANED ONE hip against the front desk while he waited for his mother. Sunday mornings were usually busy in the lobby with travelers leaving for home, but the weather forecast had spooked many into leaving early. Natives would know the chances of snow that early in December were the same as finding a front-door parking spot at the mall the day after Thanksgiving. It could happen, but it would take a miracle or perfect timing.
He could see his mother in the doorway to the restaurant talking with Marcy, who was flashing an engagement ring. Since weddings were nearly his mother’s favorite thing in the world to talk about, there was no telling how long it would take. While he waited, he tried to make small talk with Laura and Randa while Tony glared from behind the front desk.
“Are you headed back home today, Charlie?” Randa said his name slowly like she was testing it out. He appreciated the effort. More often than not, staff had to stop midstream so that instead of Mr. McMinn, he was Mr. Charlie.
He smiled at her to show his appreciation and noticed she had a pretty good grip on Tony’s shoulder. “Actually, I decided to stay this week to do some work on the budgets for next year. Maybe get something set up for the conference area. Spend some time with my mom.”
“Oh, Charlie, that’s wonderful.” His mother’s smile was huge as she skidded to a stop in front of the desk. “It’s so nice to have you around.” She nodded as she glanced around the small group, and everyone but Tony nodded their agreement.
Charlie glanced down at his scuffed black boots as he thought about the surprise he had for her. He should definitely wait for a better time, but there was something about Tony’s disapproving glare that made him say, “Actually, I’ve got two dates set up this week, so this is the perfect time for a longer visit.”
He didn’t have to say anything more. His mother hooted. Then she said, “Christmas miracles do happen!”
Charlie’s shoulders twitched and he said, “Calm down. It’s just a date.” He glanced at Tony. From the minute his mother introduced him to Tony, he’d known exactly what the Marine thought of him and it wasn’t much. Charlie had stayed away for too long, and now, even after he and his mother had smoothed things over and he’d started helping out at the hotel a bit, Tony thought he should do more. Every time he ran into Tony at the hotel it was like this: Tony frowning, judging, and Charlie doing his best to hold on to his temper. Since he knew he deserved a little disapproval, he bit his tongue, but the longer he stayed, the harder it was to get along with Tony Ortega. Maybe Charlie disappointed his mother regularly. Even if Tony had been adopted into the family and seemed like the son he should have been sometimes, Charlie could still make his mother beam like she’d just won the lottery.
If he felt a twinge of guilt over how easy it really was to please her, he would never show Tony.
“Two! Two dates! I’ve been worried about you becoming some mountain man hermit out there all on your own. A little time with a pretty girl will do you good.” Her green sequined sneakers flashed in the bright lights of the lobby as she danced where she stood.
“I was actually going more for successful, stable, and mature than pretty, but—”
Waving her hands to make him stop, Willodean heaved a disgusted sigh, spun in a circle, and they all noticed Grace standing behind her. Willodean towed her forward into the group. “And, if that ain’t wonderful enough, I had an inspiration last night while I was making a to-do list for this week. A true epiphany. Grace is going to be the answer to one of our problems.”
When everyone turned to look at Grace, she tugged at the bottom of the large, old purple sweatshirt she was wearing and then plastered on a bright, sunny smile. “Good morning, Willodean. I’m ready to get to work.” She waved the bent file folder. “I brought my paperwork back. I thought Laura could point me in the right direction and I could pick up a uniform.”
Grace met Charlie’s stare directly and raised her chin. Charlie had to acknowledge her challenge. He tipped his head and fought a smile. He was not surprised at all that his mother had ignored his unspoken warning. She’d been ignoring his warnings for years. If he could have, he would have bet his fortune, hers, and any change he could find in the parking lot that Grace would be working at the hotel today. He might have been a little surprised that she faced him head-on even after he’d tried to hurry her on her way. What he really hadn’t expected was that he’d been happy to see her standing there, looking absolutely nothing like either of the Grace Andersens he’d met the day before. This morning she looked soft, natural, and young with her hair falling down around her shoulders and clothes a size too big.
Willodean patted her hand. “Sure you are, hon. I know you like to work. First, let’s talk about my epiphany, why don’t we?” Willodean motioned over her shoulder and headed off for the offices behind the front desk. “Come with me. Charlie, you too. And Tony.” She paused. “Well, I guess this could affect all of us. Laura, can you call someone to keep an eye on the front desk and join us? We’ve got some business to discuss.” She grabbed Randa’s hand and pulled her along as she disappeared.
When Randa stuck her head around the corner and said, “Tony,” Charlie watched his eyes narrow. Then Tony turned and followed the group. As soon as the newest front desk employee skidded to a stop behind the desk, Laura turned to Charlie and said, “Are you coming?” Then she paused in the doorway.
Charlie took a deep breath and rolled his shoulders before he glanced at Grace. He shook his head. “Another day at the Rock’n’Rolla Hotel, another brainstorm.” He motioned at the doorway. “You better go on. I think you’re the key ingredient.”
Grace nodded. “Okay, but I just wanted to say… I know you don’t want me here. I’m not exactly sure why, but it’s okay. I don’t want to do anything more than work long enough to pay my bills and head back to Vegas. That’s it.” She smoothed her hair behind her ear. “I don’t need a handout.” She tilted her head and then followed the group, her yellow sneakers squeaking as she went. He ran his hand down Misty’s back while he considered her words. He almost believed her. The hotel bill and a plane ticket were well within the money he budgeted for his mother’s causes so whether she worked to make her own way or Willodean handed her the ticket, he was prepared. He tried to ignore the memory of how she’d made him think about magic instead of compatibility the day before as he took a deep breath and followed Grace to his mother’s office.
By the time he squeezed in, Charlie had managed to regain a bit of his patience. That was a very good thing. One more pissing contest with Tony this morning, and he’d lose it completely. He wouldn’t bet a lot of money on his chances of taking Tony down, but he could guarantee he wouldn’t be the only one in the ambulance on the way to the emergency room. Of course, a throw-down between her real son and her adopted son would break his mother’s heart and he’d promised himself he wouldn’t ever do that on purpose again. Causing her divorce from her third husband, Travis Luttrell, had been enough heartbreak to last a lifetime. For both of them. So he bit his tongue and tried to hold on to his temper.
Since he’d spent entirely too much time last night lecturing himself not to think about her—where she would go, how she got to the hotel, what she’d do next, or how amazing she’d been in that wedding dress—he knew what that was like.
“There she is.” Willodean was sitting on top of her cluttered desk because her office was over capacity. They’d passed standing room only. “Got all the decision makers here. And the job candidate. I’m thinking we have us a job interview and fill our event planner opening this fine Sunday morning.”
“We’re hiring an event planner.” Tony didn’t phrase it in the form of a question, but Charlie had a feeling it was news to him. He’d intended to ask his mother about new staffing needs before he finalized the next year’s budget but hadn’t gotten around to it.
About the end of January every year, Charlie asked himself why he even bothered with setting up a budget for the hotel. His mother treated it like her horoscope, a bit of fun nonsense that had no real effect on her plans. She ran the hotel like she ran her life. She never once expected anything less than the best.
Willodean scooted on top of the desk and folded her legs. Every movement set small bells sewn to the bottom of her green sweater jingling. She waved her hands in the air, the office light hitting the massive emerald ring she’d worn forever, as she said, “It came to me in a flash. We’re going to be having business meetings and small conferences and weddings and fan club events. Unless we hire a planner, somebody”—she glanced meaningfully around to indicate that it was someone in that room—“is going to be swamped.”
Willodean turned to Laura. “Now, I know we talked about it being part of what you do, but I can’t imagine how you’ll fit it in, what with the restaurant and the new gift shop and keeping KT in line in general.” She motioned at Grace. “We’ve got a real jack of all trades here. She knows entertainment, planning, food. And we have plenty of housekeepers and waitstaff right at the moment. What we don’t have is someone to make sure that addition over there is booked to capacity, somebody who’s good with the big ideas.” She folded her hands in her lap. “What do y’all think?”
Santa, Bring My Baby Back Page 4