Page 70 of Nightcaps at The Beach House Hotel

“I want only the best for you,” I said. “So, like your sisters, I’d probably say go and have fun. Let’s exchange information on our phones in case you need to call for some reason.”

“Okay, I’m going to tell Rand yes, but I’m not going to be someone who throws herself at him. I just want to try dating again. With my twins going off to college next year, I know it’s going to be lonely.”

“It’s smart to plan ahead. It was a real shock to have Liz leave me to go to college at the same time her father dumped me for his receptionist.”

“I’m sorry. It must have been awful,” said Emma, giving me a look of understanding.

“Thank goodness for Rhonda,” I said, remembering her persistence in getting me to help her with her plans to open The Beach House Hotel.

Darryl and Rand jogged up to us.

“Glad to see you here,” said Darry. “Come join us for something cool to drink. Or coffee, if you wish.”

“Thanks, I will,” I said, eager to get a better idea about what kind of person Rand was.

We walked back to the house, and I liked how Rand held the door open to his house for us. I expected to find the house messy, but everything was in place as we walked through the living room to get to his pool lanai.

Rand took drink orders, and then he and Darryl went to the kitchen to get them.

“He seems very nice,” I murmured to Emma.

She gazed at him in the kitchen and shrugged her shoulders. “Hard to tell right now.”

My cell rang.Rhonda.

“Where are you?” she asked.

“I’m at the house Rand is renting, having coffee.”

“Do me a favor, will ya?” said Rhonda. “Invite all three of them to come to my house for dinner tomorrow night at six o’clock. I’m following through on some of my instincts. And you know everyone loves my food. I’ll go easy because Darryl is watching his weight.”

“Okay, hold on, and I’ll ask,” I told the others and all three accepted the invitation.

“Okay, you’re set for tomorrow,” I said. “I’ll be back to the office soon.”

“See you then,” she said. “I’m going to grab a coffee and a sweet roll and look at what our girls came up with for some PR graphics.”

We loved having our daughters involved to the extent they could. The day would come when they would run the hotel. But with all our grandchildren so young, that wouldn’t happen for a while.

I sipped my coffee and listened as Darryl gave us an update on his situation. “My lawyer has addressed the media, telling them the claim has no truth.”

“It’s a shame the accusation became public right away because most of the negotiations take place behind the scenes,” said Rand. “Believe me, I know how damaging so-called ‘truths’ can be.”

We all turned to him.

“It’s true. I bet each of you has no idea who I really am,” said Rand.

“I’m about to find out a little about you,” said Emma. “That is, if we’re going out to dinner tonight.”

Rand’s startling blue eyes sparkled. “Is that a yes?”

Emma nodded and gave him a tentative smile.

“Okay. Thanks,” said Rand, as Darryl’s cell phone rang.

Darryl looked at the screen and got to his feet. “I’m leaving to take this call. See everyone later.”

I checked my watch. “I’ve got to get back to the office. Thanks for the coffee, Rand.”

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