Page 23 of Bubbles at the Beach House Hotel

CHAPTER EIGHT

As I dressed for dinner, I could hear Robbie and Liana Sousa talk in the kitchen. Liana was a young woman we were helping through college who, in return, worked for us part-time. More like family, she and Robbie got along, which made it satisfying when I needed to work at odd times or when Vaughn and I needed to get away for some time alone.

I slid on a black linen sheath dress, which was one of three of my evening “work” dresses. Even though the dinners were private, with extra attention paid to service, I liked to stay in the background, ready to help while VIP guests talked about confidential matters. It made them comfortable.

I slid diamond earrings into my earlobes, and that, along with a simple diamond drop necklace, completed the outfit. I gave a last look at my image and went into the kitchen to say goodbye to Robbie and Liana.

“Liana said she’d help me with my Spanish homework,” said Robbie.

“Excellent, thank you,” I said to her. “I shouldn’t be too late. I’ll leave as soon as I can.”

I gave Robbie a quick kiss, patted Cindy on the head, said goodbye to Liana, and headed to the hotel.

As I drove, I recalled our first VIP dinners. They were a huge success for political figures from Washington, D.C., who wanted to work out their differences regarding legislation and other matters in secret. From there, CEOs of various businesses booked us for private conversations. Over the years, we’d come up with several ways to keep these meetings and overnight stays private. I loved the idea of being a silent part behind the scenes for these productive meetings.

I parked behind the hotel and walked through the kitchen to my office to check on things. Rhonda had left me a message: “Don’t forget to visit the lovebirds at dinner.”

I vowed to do that later as I headed to the small, private dining room where a bar was being set up. The governor of Florida was the host for this affair, and he’d ordered simple hot hors d’oeuvres and steak dinners. As usual, he wanted the best Scotch and Bourbon available.

There were to be five men for the meal. I made sure the table was properly set and fussed with the fresh flowers, admiring the low arrangement that allowed the men to see each other without obstruction. We’d learned that important requirement after one meeting that didn’t go well, and the flowers were blamed for being part of the failure.

Governor Daniel Horne entered the room. “Ann, such a pleasure to see you!” he said before bending over and giving me a kiss on the cheek.

“And you,” I said. “Did you bring Carlotta with you?”

He smiled and shook his head. “No, and for an excellent reason. Carolina just found out that she and her husband are pregnant. Carlotta is beside herself with joy in thinking of becoming a grandmother and is on a trip to visit our daughter.”

“That’s spectacular. Be sure and give her my best. Becoming a grandparent is the gift one is given for surviving the teen years.”

Daniel laughed. “I’ll be sure to tell her. It looks like everything is set here. You’ll be handling the dinner?”

“Yes. Is there anything special you need?” I asked.

“Just the standard privacy. I’m helping someone in the party decide if he wants to run for senator, so it’s all very hush-hush stuff.”

“That’s understood,” I said.

“Now, let’s welcome everyone.”

Four men walked into the room and headed over to the bar to speak to Daniel.

I welcomed them on behalf of the hotel and then left to bring in the hot mushroom and cheese canapes Daniel had ordered. Two staff members we’d used before for these occasions would serve the dinner.

After seeing that things were in order and the bartender was standing by, I left the room to give the men privacy.

As I was walking through the lobby, I saw a man standing at the reception desk waving his arms.

I approached him and said, “May I help you with something?”

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