Page 8 of Bubbles at the Beach House Hotel

CHAPTER THREE

When we arrived atthe house, the women were on the lanai, soaking up some sunshine. Two were just coming out of the pool; the others stretched out on chaise lounges.

The blonde, drying off with a towel, noticed us and called out, “Hi, come on around. I’ll open the door to the pool cage for you.”

As we headed across the lawn, we both stopped momentarily before continuing. I knew Rhonda, like me, was remembering the time we almost got killed on the similar lawn next door.

The blonde held the door for us. “Hi, I’m Heather MacPherson, in case you don’t remember my name in all the confusion of our arrival.” She was wearing a two-piece bathing suit that did nothing to hide a bit of extra flesh. The smile on her face was open, genuine.

“Annie and I wanted to see how you were settling in,” said Rhonda. “Is there anything you need?”

“Thanks. We’re very comfortable,” said the woman with dark, curly hair sitting on a chaise lounge. “So comfortable that I woke up not long ago. With my three kids still at home, I never get to do that.”

“It sounds like you’re off to a good start,” I said, giving her an encouraging smile.

“Yes. I married my high school sweetheart, and we have three kids I adore, but it’s wonderful to get away.”

“Heather is our other happily married woman,” said Jane.

Heather’s lips curved. “My first husband ditched me with two young children, but then my hero arrived on the scene, and we’ve been happy ever since.”

Rhonda asked the others about themselves, and when she spoke to Caro, I leaned closer.

“Yes, I’m single,” Caro was telling Rhonda. “My husband left me eight years ago, and I’ve made a point to be single ever since.”

“Her ex was never worthy of our Caro,” said Amy, the one who’d told me she’d just made a serious decision the others didn’t know about.

We chatted briefly, and then I said, “I must get back to the office. Let us know if you need anything.”

“Yes,” said Rhonda. “The house next door is occupied. You might run into the two men on the beach, but they understand our privacy rules.”

“Have a lovely day, ladies,” I said, following Jane through the house to the front door, where we said goodbye.

Alone outside, I turned to Rhonda. “Are you ready to go back to work? We have a meeting with the salesman from our hotel supply company.”

“I’ve done all I can for the moment,” said Rhonda, gazing thoughtfully at the guesthouse. “We’ll see what happens from here. But Caro is a prime contender for any action between the houses.”

“Enough,” I said. “Remember, these women are here for a bubbly fun time. Nothing more.”

“They’re an interesting group. But you’re right. We have a lot more to be concerned about than a group of five women.” Rhonda sighed. “The next three weekends are booked with weddings, and we have the cancer fundraiser luncheon this week, as well as many other activities.”

“Dorothy is helping Lorraine with the luncheon by checking people in,” I said. “What would we do without her?” When we were just starting out, Dorothy Stern, a retired businesswoman, helped us organize social events and get the support of the Neighborhood Association. We felt as if she was part of our hotel family.

A look of glee spread across Rhonda’s face. “I have an idea.” She held up a hand to stop me from asking about it. “In time, you’ll see.”

We entered our office and were at work looking over the financials for the upcoming month when I received a phone call from my daughter.

“Hi, Liz. What’s up?” I asked, loving the chance to talk to her.

Liz broke into sobs.

I felt the blood drain from my face. “Oh, my God! What’s wrong? Is it the T’s? You? Chad? What?”

“No, no, hold on. Give me a chance to catch my breath,” Liz said. I heard sniffling through the phone, and then she said, “I’m pregnant.”

I paused, trying to get around the idea of how she’d handle another baby. I had wanted so many of my own and was able to have only Liz. “That’s wonderful news, Liz. I’m excited to be a grandmother again. I know you’re worried about handling it all, but I’ll help you any way I can.”

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