Page 32 of Nightcaps at The Beach House Hotel

“No, thanks. I’m happy doing just the swimming,” said Robbie. “And I want to keep sailing with Dad whenever he’s home.”

“Everything is going fine at school?” I asked.

Robbie looked at me. “I’m fine, Mom. The teacher says I’m doing a great job.”

I could see he was getting impatient, and I stood.

Robbie noticed my disappointment and said, “Love you, Mom.”

“I love you too, honey.” I leaned over and kissed him. Pretty soon, I supposed the time would come when he wouldn’t want me to do that. But I’d continue until he told me so.

In the kitchen, I poured myself a glass of lemonade and picked up my cell to call Liz.

“Hi,” she said. “How are you? I can’t wait to tell you what the T’s did today.”

I smiled and sat down to listen. I loved both my children.

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The next morning, after dropping Robbie off at school, I headed to work. I’d tossed and turned all night missing Vaughn. Our job as parents was to give our children independence, but without Vaughn, it could feel very lonely.

I checked into my office, saw there were no emergencies, and headed out to the beach. A cold front had moved in, and it was cooler than normal as I took off my shoes and walked onto the beach. The sun had warmed the sand, but the onshore breeze held a bit of a chill. To keep myself warm, I walked at a brisk pace.

The salty air, the cries of the birds whirling in the wind above me, and the sight of people looking for seashells settled me. At times like this, I felt lucky to be here in the moment and remembered cold wintry days in Boston. Being divorced had upended my life. As painful as the process was, it was the best thing that could’ve happened to me. Working with Rhonda, and loving the hotel as we did, my life was very rewarding. And then, finding Vaughn, a man I loved with all my heart, and having Robbie join our family completed me in a way I hadn’t thought possible when it was just Liz and me facing the world.

I was so lost in thought as I walked along that when I looked up, I saw Brock striding toward me.

“Good morning, Ann. I want you to know that Everly Jansen has agreed to see me. I told her I was president of the Neighborhood Association and wanted to welcome her officially. I’m having drinks with her this afternoon.”

“I’m sure she was delighted to hear from you,” I said, not holding back on the sarcasm. Thank goodness, Rhonda wasn’t here to tell him exactly what she thought. I’m sure it would have included at least one f-bomb.

“I’m just being a good neighbor and letting you know,” he said, waving to someone further down the beach.

As he left, I decided to take advantage of the time to say goodbye to Tina. Her flight to California was later today.

I started toward the houses and stopped when I saw a commotion on the beach in front of the hotel.

Everly was posing for photographers in the sand wearing a flesh-colored bikini that exposed most of her.

I wondered what was going on in that brain of hers. She was suing Darryl for more money, but she didn’t appear to be suffering any hardships. She wore huge diamond earrings and held up a pair of expensive sandals as she beamed at the photographers. But then I remembered the two declined credit cards.

I watched as Brock went right over to her and put an arm around her. “As president of the Neighborhood Association, I’m welcoming Everly to the neighborhood.” He smiled at the camera as Everly cleverly danced away from him.

Rhonda came onto the sand and stood beside me as the group moved down the beach, following every prancing step Everly made.

“What in hell is going on?” Rhonda said. “And Brock is part of it.”

“Everly is putting on a show for everyone. I’m not sure why. Brock has arranged to meet with Everly this afternoon. He claims it’s to welcome her to the neighborhood.”

“What a crock,” said Rhonda. “Are you sure you don’t mind if Will and I take a short break? We can always cancel.”

“Will’s health and your need for a break are more important than anything else,” I said. “I was about to say goodbye to Tina. Why don’t you come with me? She’ll want to see you.”

“Okay. I’m excited about our mini-vacation. I love this hotel, but sometimes it feels like it’s a crying, grumpy baby. Ya know?”

“Oh, yes. It would be easier if we didn’t have a certain person interfering all the time.”

Rhonda glared at Brock in the distance. “I’m tellin’ ya, I’m going to wring his effin’ neck one day, and it honestly won’t be my fault, if I do.”

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