Page 18 of Nightcaps at The Beach House Hotel

“Great. See you two later at the cocktail party Burr’s parents are hosting.” I turned and walked away. Weddings were always full of surprises.

As I approached the hotel, I saw Elise coming off the beach. I waved and went over to her. “Did you have a nice walk?”

“Yes, until a nosy neighbor kept asking me questions. He specifically wanted to know if I was staying in one of the houses on the property or knew anyone who was.” Elise shook her head. “I must say, I didn’t like the man. He said he was the president of the Neighborhood Association as if I was supposed to be impressed.”

“I know exactly who he was. Brock Goodwin is his name. I’d advise you and your guests to stay away from him and tell him nothing. He’s a nuisance.”

“Such a shame. But then I’m not going to let anything ruin my daughter’s wedding,” said Elise.

“Of course not,” I quickly agreed, wishing Rhonda was going to be around for moral support.

CHAPTER SEVEN

I met Annette in the back kitchen, delighted to see her. She’d oversee the cocktail party and the dinner for us. Annette was a quieter, gentler version of her husband, Bernie’s, aristocratic manner. The staff respected her and learned from her how to be better servers and attendants.

I went with her to the private dining room to make sure that the small group had enough space to stand around the bar talking to one another.

Annette and I agreed the room would work, and I went to see how Jean Luc’s prep for dinner was going. However, protocol didn’t allow anyone to simply walk in on the chef. I checked with the sous-chef who told me all was in order.

I decided to go into my office to wait for the cocktail party to begin. Then, if everything was running smoothly, I’d be free to go home and be on call from there.

###

A short while later, I stood at the entrance to the dining room with Annette, smiling and talking to guests as they arrived. After knowing the story behind the wedding couple, I was relieved to observe the camaraderie among the guests. Burr’s brother, Adam, was a real party boy but hopefully would respect Burr’s wishes to have a nice weekend without trouble.

“It’s a lovely group,” murmured Annette to me. “I read about the work Elise and Janelle have done with a program for underprivileged children in New York City. They’ve accomplished a lot together.”

“They seem very nice. Two mothers wanting their children happily married,” I said. Alyssa was worried about her mother’s reaction to the news of a baby, and now I think I understood why. Elise was a powerful person and sounded like a woman who wouldn’t appreciate someone who wasn’t doing her share to help a cause outside the home.

“Do you have everything under control?” I asked Annette. “Okay if I go home? Vaughn is here for a couple of days.”

Annette grinned at me. “No problem. Off you go. If anything serious arises, I’ll call. But not unless I absolutely must.”

“You’re a doll,” I said, giving her a quick hug. “Laura and I will oversee breakfast in the dining room and then we have until four o’clock to get ready for the wedding at five.”

“Fine. I’ll meet you here then to make sure dinner is ready. The schedule says cocktails are on the pool deck.”

“Yes,” I said. “It should be a beautiful evening.”

###

Vaughn was sitting on the lanai reading when I arrived home. Cindy was nestled by his side. Both jumped up when I said, “Hello.”

“You’re home nice and early. Robbie and I had dinner, but can I fix you something?” Vaughn asked.

“If you have left over pizza, I’ll heat a slice of that. That will be sufficient. And a glass of wine to go with it.”

Vaughn got up and kissed me. “A bit of a stressful day?”

I followed him into the kitchen. “After all these years of running the hotel, I wouldn’t think I’d stress like this, wanting everything to be perfect. It never is. And you won’t guess what the situation is this time. The bride and groom are already secretly married because she’s pregnant. They didn’t want to disappoint their mothers by having no ceremony at all. They all agreed to a small wedding here instead of a big, fancier one in New York. I hope no trouble comes of it.”

“As long as the hotel provides good service, you shouldn’t have to worry at all,” said Vaughn pouring me a glass of wine while I heated a slice of pizza.

“True. I just wish I didn’t have a nagging worry about it,” I said, accepting the wine from him. “Secrets are bound to backfire. Both families seem very nice, very proper.”

“Let’s sit and relax,” said Vaughn, heading onto the lanai. “I’m enjoying being home away from the grind of hurry and wait while making a movie.”

I sat on the couch with Vaughn and leaned back against the cushions. I’d just finished my slice of pizza when my cell rang.Annette.

---