Page 58 of Bubbles at the Beach House Hotel

Rhonda got to her feet. “I don’t want to add to my worries by thinking of things that might never happen, right?”

“Right,” I said. “We’re going to get through this and enjoy the life we have.”

“Sounds like a plan to me. Now, where’s that sexy nightgown?”

###

When I finally gotto the hotel to see what was happening there, Lorraine’s staff was changing out the Halloween decorations in the dining room to our usual fall ones. I looked in on the library. All was in order there. On the lanai, the only trace of Halloween was a black cat made of stone sitting among the landscaping by the bar.

Lorraine hurried over to me. “Bernie told me Will was in the hospital. Is everything okay?”

I filled her in and said, “Rhonda’s going to be busy at home for the next few weeks trying to make him slow down.”

“If it helps, we don’t have a wedding for a couple of weeks, not until the Saturday following Thanksgiving.” Lorraine shook her head. “These men and their work. I swear Arthur is a workaholic. But that works for us, with me and my job here.”

“I know things have been a little tense for Will for some time,” I said. “Hopefully, this episode with his heart will help him understand that he must change his work pattern.”

“I hope so, too.” Lorraine placed a hand on my arm. “I’m so glad Arthur and Vaughn could spend time together at the party last night.”

“It’s important because we’re all part of what I call ‘my hotel family.’ Speaking of family, I will ask the front desk about departures and arrivals, and then I’m going home. See you at the staff meeting tomorrow morning.”

“Okay. I won’t be far behind,” said Lorraine. “Arthur is going to take me out on the golf course. I’m getting better.”

“Have fun,” I said , leaving her thinking how lucky Rhonda and I were to have found her to handle weddings and social activities for the hotel.

###

“How’s Will?” Vaughnasked as I approached him, sitting on the lanai reading.

I sat down on the couch next to him and let out a sigh. “I hope this will be a wake-up call for him. He had three stents put in, demonstrating how serious his situation was. He will have to participate in a rehab program to help him change his diet and lifestyle habits.”

“Why was he so driven with his business?” Vaughn said. “I understand the stock market is always changing, and he must keep up with it, but I can’t imagine he has to work all the time. Especially with Reggie there to help him.”

“Reggie is his partner and a very capable financial advisor,” I said. “I think Will feels a little threatened by him, and he’s definitely threatened by Arthur, who deals with much bigger accounts.”

“Funny you should mention that,” said Vaughn. “Arthur spoke to me about a special offering he has available. Supposedly a big money maker. I agreed to look at some of the material he wants to send me.”

“I’m not surprised he was pushing work on you. Lorraine and I were talking this morning, and she said Arthur is a workaholic, but it works out well for the two of them.”

“Well, I’m glad you and I can work out times to be together with our crazy schedules,” said Vaughn. He drew me to him and kissed me on the forehead. “Let’s keep it that way.”

I snuggled up against him. “I think we should.”

---