Page 9 of Bubbles at the Beach House Hotel

“It’s such a shock,” said Liz. “I was hoping to start work at the hotel part-time.”

“The hotel will be here whenever you’re ready. Right now, you have a more important job. A precious one,” I said gently. After seeing how well Liz had handled her commitment to raising the triplets, I knew she wouldn’t try to do both jobs simultaneously. Not until the baby was in preschool. Then, she’d only work part-time.

“I know how lucky I am to be pregnant after trying so hard for the T’s, but I realize that my dreams of running the hotel with Angie have been given another setback,” said Liz.

“It might not be as difficult as you think,” I said. “The important thing is to enjoy this baby. You might find a special connection with this child because you’ll be able to have time to enjoy him or her alone. The T’s will be gone part of the day in preschool.”

“Thanks,” said Liz. “I needed to hear your response. You’re right. I need to get used to the idea.”

“How does Chad feel about it?” I asked.

“He’s as surprised as I am. But he’s not as worried because he’s got his business to run. And though he’s a terrific help with the kids, the bulk of their care is left to me.”

“When is the baby due?” I asked.

“Spring. At least I won’t be pregnant during the summer heat,” said Liz.

“Does Angie know?” Liz and Angie, Rhonda’s daughter, were best friends and a bit competitive. Liz had been thrilled to be able to match Angie’s having three kids.

“Angie knows I was worried about it. She’s my next call.”

“I’m sure she’ll be both thrilled for you and understanding,” I said. “Let’s plan a time for lunch and maybe a little shopping.”

“Thanks, Mom. I love you.”

“I love you, too,” I said and ended the call.

“Liz is pregnant?” Rhonda said, smiling at me from her desk.

“Yes, the baby is due in the spring. She’s worried she won’t be able to work at the hotel with Angie as soon as she thinks.”

“There will be plenty of opportunity for her to continue doing online advertising and other things they can handle from home. Like you, I always wanted more children. It’s a lovely surprise to have so many grandchildren between us.”

“Yes. I certainly don’t want this baby to feel unwanted. I’m ready to spoil another.” My heart tugged at the thought.

“Realistically, Annie, we’ll have to hang on to our jobs for several years. Are you game?”

Surprised, I said, “Yes, of course. The hotel is our baby, and we won’t let it down.”

“I feel the same way,” said Rhonda. “I’m grateful that Bernie is such an excellent general manager. It allows us time with our families. Maybe we should make him a limited partner in the business.”

“That’s a great idea,” I said. “We’ve thought of it before. But now, it might be wise to act. He’ll be ready to retire before we will, and we need to give him a reason to continue working for us for the foreseeable future.”

Rhonda and I stared at one another. “Who woulda thunk we’d be so successful?”

“I hoped we would be,” I said honestly. “I wanted to prove to Robert and all the other people I know who ridiculed the idea that we could do it.”

“Me, too. Remember that banker who said you wouldn’t know how to handle this because of your lack of experience?”

“Experience I had helping to run the company that I created, the business that Robert took over and claimed as his own,” I said.

“I’m just glad we went ahead and made it work,” said Rhonda. “But, like our daughters, I’m also committed to seeing my children grow up healthy and happy.”

I thought once again how lucky I was to have met Rhonda, even if our relationship had started a bit rocky. We were two very different people with similar goals.

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