Page 59 of Bubbles at the Beach House Hotel

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

After our Monday morningstaff meeting, I called Rhonda and filled her in on the discussion. “We’re supposed to meet with Angela and Liz regarding the young couple arriving tomorrow for the Mothers’ Pamper Package Program. Are you able to do it?”

“Yes. Why don’t the three of you come here for lunch? Rita can fix some sandwiches and a salad. I’ll get Will ready. He’s been sleeping in the downstairs bedroom. The doctor wants him to take it easy for a couple of weeks. He’s not allowed to drive for a while, which is difficult for him. And, yes, like I was warned at the rehabilitation center, he’s grumpy as hell.”

“Well, then, the sight of Angie and Liz should cheer him up,” I said, pleased to think it might be helpful. Will Grayson wasn’t typically a grumpy guy.

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Right after noon, weentered Rhonda’s house, prepared to help Rhonda and Will. With Willow and Drew in school, it was quiet when we walked into the kitchen.

Liz and I waited there while Angela went to find her stepfather, a man she adored.

In moments, Angela and Rhonda entered the kitchen together. “Why don’t we meet here? Rita is feeding Will, introducing him to a grilled chicken salad instead of his usual burger for lunch.”

“Oh, oh. I bet that isn’t going well,” I said, glancing at Rhonda, who made a face and shook her head.

“I had no idea he was having that kind of lunch until he was forced to confess it at the Heart Healthy rehab center program we were assigned.” Rhonda signaled us to come over to the table. “Have a seat. I’ve made some salad plates for us.”

“How’s Reggie doing with all the changes?” I asked Angela quietly.

“He loves being in charge, but he also misses having Will there. Their clients love Will for his honesty, even when they want to do something he doesn’t approve of. Reggie has a younger clientele who are more willing to try new things.”

Rhonda carried the salad plates over to us, poured glasses of iced tea, and took a seat at the table. She raised her glass of tea. “Here’s to us!”

“Yes!” said Liz, and we all raised our glasses. “I want this new project to turn out well for us.”

“Okay, tell us what you’ve arranged,” I said.

“Mr. and Mrs. Winchester, Jessica, and Ryan will arrive tomorrow. When she was pregnant with her little boy about a year ago, she participated in our new Mother’s Pamper Package and loved it.”

“We want those women to come back with their husbands for a Couples Pamper Package, and she and her husband seem like a perfect choice to test it,” said Angela. “They have agreed to be photographed at different stages so we can feature them in our brochure. In exchange, we will cover their stay and any legitimate expenses they might have while here.”

“We figure featuring both programs on our new brochure and doing some online advertising campaigns doubles the draw,” said Liz.

Rhonda and I glanced at one another.

“Tomorrow, we’ll greet Jessica and Ryan, welcome them to the hotel, and show them to their room, which will have a welcome basket, fresh flowers, bottled water, and cookies,” said Angela.

“Our hotel terry robes will be placed on top of the king-size bed, along with spa slippers for each,” Liz said, a glow of excitement on her face. “We’ll close the door, leaving them to their privacy. From there, we’ll have shots of them having breakfast in bed, lounging on the beach, dining in the dining room, and being at the spa and the pool. It’s a small property but very special.”

“And we’ll definitely show them watching the sunset together. It should all be very romantic. A time to get back some of those moments after being sleepless for months,” said Angela.

“You’ve talked to Jessica and Ryan about all of this?” I asked.

“Oh, yes. She sounded desperate for this, which will give an added dimension to the publicity shots,” said Liz. “Will the two of you be able to greet them when they arrive? They should get here around eleven o’clock.”

“I’ll make it,” said Rhonda with fresh determination, and I wondered how one of the sweetest marriages I knew was holding up.

We discussed some other special PR projects Angela and Liz were handling and then spent time catching up on family news.

By the time we left, I was ready to go home. Robbie had invited his best friend, Brett, to go sailing with us and have a light supper. It was a beautiful, sunny day, and I wanted to share it with them and Vaughn.

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