Page 66 of Key West Promises

CHAPTER 26

Chelsea left the group and quickly walked to The Gardens Hotel, the historic mansion's white trim gleaming against its rich red brick patio.

The wrought iron gates stood open, welcoming her into what felt like a different era of Key West. As she walked up the shell-stone path, the lush tropical gardens embraced her, providing a peaceful respite from the day's tension.

The former estate of Peggy Mills seemed perfect for what they needed—discreet, elegant, and above all, private. The mahogany doors opened into the cool interior, where the original wooden floors still told stories of Key West's past.

Robert, the manager, greeted her. “Hello, what brings you to The Gardens today?"

“Hello, Robert, I’m Chelsea Thompson. I called earlier about needing two rooms for family members coming into town within the next couple of hours.”

Chelsea followed him to the front desk, her voice low. "We need two rooms, preferably near each other.”

"Of course. How long will your guests be staying?"

"Let's say two nights to start. We may need to adjust." Chelsea glanced around the elegant lobby, with its perfect blend of tropical sophistication and old-world charm. "One room needs to be ready within the hour. The other guest won't arrive until later tonight."

"The Garden Suite would be perfect for your guests,” Robert suggested, "It's private, opens onto its own section of the garden.”

The Gardens Hotel's reputation for handling high-profile guests with grace made it ideal for their situation. The four-poster beds, antique furnishings, and private verandas would provide both comfort and seclusion, but what mattered most was the privacy Kaitlyn and Sarah needed.

"Perfect." She handed over her credit card. "And Robert? My niece will be meeting someone here. They'll need access to one of the private garden areas. I’m assuming family will follow.”

"The hidden garden behind the pool would be ideal," he said, processing the payment. "It's peaceful there, especially in the evening. The orchid collection provides a natural privacy screen. We have a wine bar as well, and I’ll provide you with details on how to access that.”

Chelsea smiled, thinking that Sarah and Kaitlyn wouldn’t need the wine bar, but if Jeffrey and Gretchen talked, her sister most definitely would want access.

Chelsea felt some of her tension ease. The tinkling of the fountains, the subtle fragrance of jasmine, and the property's old-world grace created exactly the atmosphere Sarah and Kaitlyn would need for some time together.

"Thank you." She accepted the key cards. "One more thing—if Jeffrey Miller arrives asking for his daughter, please direct him to me first. I’ll be at the Paradise Harbor House.”

Robert's expression remained professionally neutral, but his eyes showed understanding. He'd undoubtedly handled similar family situations before in this historic property that had seen its share of Key West drama since its construction in the 1870s.

"Of course, Mrs. Thompson. I understand.”

As Chelsea headed back to Paradise Harbor House, she paused in the garden, watching a pair of white butterflies dance among the orchids. The Gardens Hotel had survived hurricanes, the Great Depression, and decades of change in Key West. Surely it could handle a little family drama.

Kaitlyn took a deep breath and dialed, and Sarah answered right away.

"Hello?".

"Sarah? It's Kaitlyn. Are you okay? Dad called and said you’re driving here. Everyone is worried about you. I've wanted us to talk but not this way."

"Kaitlyn!" Sarah paused, her breath audible over the line. "I…I wasn't sure you’d want to talk to me. I thought about sending you a message through the Paradise Harbor House website, but I worried the email would go to the wrong person. I’m glad you called."

"I don’t want you to talk and drive, and whatever you do, don’t text and drive. Do you have enough gas?”

“Yes, I stopped earlier to get gas. You’re on speaker. Is my father…our father mad? He’s upset because we’re supposed to look at a few colleges this summer, but I wanted to see you first. We had a big fight, my mother was the worst. She doesn’t understand how important this is to me. We’ve already lost years; I don’t want to lose anymore.”

“I'm here now," Kaitlyn reassured her. “How far away are you?”

“I just passed Key Largo. I think I’m a couple of hours away.”

“Okay, you should call your mother and let her know that you’re safe and where you are. Tell her you talked to me and we’ll look out for you. Dad is on his way here too. He’ll be here a few hours after you get here. We’re getting you reservations at a hotel but come to Paradise Harbor House first. That’s where I am so I’ll wait for you here.

Sarah sighed. "Okay, I will. It's just— it's been so hard with them. But I'll call."

"I know it's tough," Kaitlyn empathized, imagining the whirlwind of emotions her sister must be experiencing. Her gaze drifted to the vision board on Elena's wall, covered in photos of families finding their way back to each other. "But right now, let's focus on you getting here safely. I’ll meet you at Paradise Harbor House. We’re getting you a room at The Gardens Hotel. It's quiet, and it'll give us the space to talk everything through."

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