Page 17 of Nightcaps at The Beach House Hotel

“Right,” Janelle readily agreed. “The kids wouldn’t wait for a big New York wedding and opted for this instead. Because we love them so much, Elise and I agreed. The wedding is something she and I have wanted for years.”

Elise chuckled. “Since the kids met in a New Hampshire camp as counselors. I assume they’re already here.”

I turned to Laura.

She nodded. “They arrived a couple of hours ago.”

Bernie approached us and introduced himself. “I believe we’re ready for you at the registration desk. My apologies for the slight delay.”

I could tell he was unhappy about the overwhelming rush, but he was his usual calm, somewhat aristocratic self.

I made the introductions and left them to take a walk through the hotel. First, I went into the private dining room to check on the progress for the Rehearsal Dinner. The bride had chosen a color theme of peach and blush, which worked with the bolder-colored flowers from Tropical Fleurs and the peach linen tablecloths on the six tables for four. As usual, Lorraine had planned well.

I left that room to go outside to make sure the pool area was ready for an onslaught of guests. A small bar had been set up at the end of the pool deck.

Leaving the hotel behind, I walked down to the beach where we’d set up a sunset-watching deck where guests could come to observe the daily event that had become a must for visitors looking for the green flash.

A hotel staff member was working behind the bar getting ready. A young man was sitting at the edge of the empty deck, dangling his legs over it, allowing his feet to rest in the sand. When he looked up at me, I knew who he was. He looked exactly like his father.

“Hi, you must be Burr Cummings, the groom of the weekend,” I said, smiling at him.

He stood and offered me his hand. Closer to him now, I noticed how much more relaxed he was than his father who’d seemed a little uptight to me.

“Hi,” he said.

“I’m Ann Sanders, one of the owners. Welcome to The Beach House Hotel. I hope the wedding is everything you and Alyssa want.”

Burr puffed out a long sigh. “We just want this over with. We’re doing this for our mothers who’ve compromised by coming here for a smaller wedding than the one they’ve been planning for years.”

“Well, I hope you take the time to enjoy this one here,” I said. “It’s something that’s supposed to happen only once.”

“That’s the problem,” said Burr. “We’re already married, but our parents don’t know. We eloped as soon as we found out Alyssa was pregnant. We wanted to tell them right away, but our mothers were so involved in planning a big wedding we didn’t know how to do it. Instead, we were able to have a wedding more to our liking here at the hotel. It’s beautiful.”

“Thanks.” I studied him. “How can we help?”

“It seems like you already have. Both moms are pleased with the hotel and all that you’re doing. That’s a major accomplishment. As I said, we’re doing this wedding for them. We want it to be perfect, want them to have wonderful memories of it. They’re not going to like the fact that Alyssa is already pregnant. She had plans to go to law school. But now she isn’t going to start that program. Neither of us wants that to happen.”

I was wondering what to say when I felt someone behind me. I turned to find a young woman with blond hair pulled back into a ponytail smiling at me.

Burr wrapped an arm around her. “This is Alyssa.” He kissed her and said, “Ann Sanders is one of the owners of the hotel. I was telling her the truth about our wedding.”

A worried look crossed Alyssa’s pretty face and dulled her blue eyes. “You won’t say anything, will you? My mother is going to be very unhappy when she learns I won’t be going to law school. She has such high hopes for me becoming an important woman.”

I remembered all the times I’d miscarried, had wanted more children, and I caught my breath. Nothing was more important than being a loving mother.

A hopeful expression filled Alyssa’s face. “I’m looking forward to being a mother to Burr’s baby. I don’t need to be a lawyer. Do you agree?”

I told her how hard I’d tried to have more children and how important mothers were. “There are lots of ways you can do both – be a good parent and still give to society in some way through work or volunteer opportunities.”

Alyssa threw her arms around me and hugged me tight. “Thank you.” She lifted her face, and her eyes were shiny with tears. “Sorry. I’m very emotional.”

“When is the baby due?” I asked. Alyssa barely showed.

“Not until next year. I’m only three months pregnant.” She turned to Burr who returned her smile with such love, I felt sure it would work out.

“Well, let’s make this occasion one the family will remember with great joy,” I said. “Please come to me or speak to Laura Young about any of your needs. I’m sure she left her information with you in your rooms?”

Alyssa nodded. “She explained she’ll be on call anytime.”

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