Page 50 of Nightcaps at The Beach House Hotel

“I’ll meet you there after I check out the town wharf,” said Abbie.

We stood, and Abbie gave Rhonda and me hugs. Then Rhonda and I walked back to the car and into the normal routines of our days.

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At the hotel, we looked at our messages.

“Before Tina and Lily get here, I want to check the Presidential Suite,” said Rhonda. “I want to make sure Lily will have no complaints. Besides, like I said, I want to see for myself that everything is okay. That’s where I lived before we made The Beach House into a hotel, and it means a lot to me.”

“Okay, let’s do it. I’ll feel better about seeing it too,” I said, even though I was hesitant to be there after discovering Everly dead on the floor.

As we entered the front entry, we noticed the sweet aroma of flowers. Sitting in the middle of the table in the hallway was a huge flower arrangement that would welcome any guest.

The living room and dining areas were spotless, the kitchen and bathrooms even more so.

After we’d checked everything but the master bedroom, Rhonda grabbed my arm. “What if Everly’s ghost is in the bedroom? You know how sensitive I am about such things. If I even get the hint of any kind of spirit, I’m outta there.”

Discarding my fears, I pulled Rhonda into the bedroom. It had an entirely different look to it with new carpeting, bedding, and chairs to match the new green floral bedspread.

I drew a deep breath and closed my eyes to block out the memory of seeing Everly lying on the floor. A chill ran down my spine.

Rhonda’s grip on my arm tightened. “Do you see that?” she asked in a stage whisper.

My eyes flew open. “What?”

“There,” said Rhonda. She pointed to the streak of sunlight landing on the carpet in the exact spot where we’d found Everly. It’s a sign, don’t you think?”

Letting my breath out with a puff of air, I shook my head. “It’s just sunlight coming through the window.”

“Yes, but why does it seem cold right near that spot,” said Rhonda, studying me.

I forced myself to be reasonable. “The air conditioner is running. That’s all it is.”

“Okay, I needed to hear that,” said Rhonda. “I couldn’t stand the thought of the Suite being haunted. Everything looks great. Let’s get out of here.”

We hurried to the front door. No matter what anyone said, every time I was in that room, I’d see a dead body there. The way Rhonda’s face had turned pale staring at the sunlight, I was sure she felt the same way. In time, the feeling might lessen, but right now the incident was too fresh in our minds.

###

At home, Vaughn brushed away my news of Lily coming to stay at the hotel. “She’s a nobody in Hollywood. She’s set up an agency, but the last I heard she’s not succeeding. Now that she’s married, that might change, but I doubt it. Not with her reputation.”

“Well, I don’t think Darryl should be at the hotel while Lily’s there,” I said to the two of them. “She has a way of making trouble.” I turned to Darryl. “She threatened my marriage by pretending she and Vaughn were lovers and he’d fathered a child with her.”

As Darryl’s eyes widened, Vaughn shook his head. “That woman has no morals. And I’m not going to let her interfere with my life.”

“If you don’t mind, I’m going to accept your offer to stay here for the weekend,” said Darryl. “I’ve heard from Abbie that she’s going to be here too.”

“I think it’s wise,” I said. “As I told her, you’re both easy guests.”

“And, Darryl, you’re an excellent First Mate on the boat,” said Vaughn.

“Aye, aye, Captain,” said Darryl and I laughed with the others, content to see Vaughn with a new friend.

Abbie arrived, and we decided to relax by the pool.

Before we changed into bathing suits, Abbie wanted to show me her purchases.

“I’ve never really cared that much about my appearance beyond being healthy,” said Abbie, laying sundresses, skirts, and blouses atop the bed in her room. “But it’s fun to get excited about some of my new clothes. Though I was the only girl in the family, my brothers weren’t going to let me get too frilly. Not when I was hanging around with them.”

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