Page 11 of Bubbles at the Beach House Hotel

“That’s the problem. I have to start slowly to convince Will that he needs this. I’m thinking three days maximum. Then, after Will realizes that the world won’t stop turning if he’s away from the office, I can work up to longer times.”

“That sounds reasonable. The five women in the house will leave in a week or so, the Cancer Fundraising Luncheon will be over, and it should be a slow time for you to be gone before holiday preparations.”

“Perfect,” said Rhonda. “Before I leave, though, I want to make that offer to Bernie. I want him to feel a bigger part of the hotel.”

“I agree,” I quickly said, looking up as someone called my name.

“Ann! Rhonda! I need to talk to you,” said Jane, walking up to us. “I’ve decided to do what you suggested, and I think I should see your doctor friend. I hadn’t wanted to do anything about seeing a doctor, but I can’t sleep without knowing if my cancer has returned.”

I reached over and gave her a hug. “I get it. There isn’t a woman around who wouldn’t understand your anxiety.”

“Dr. Perkins owes me a favor or two,” Rhonda said. “I’ll call her now and see what she can do. She’s here in town this week because of our luncheon and the fundraising she hopes to do.”

“I must be very discreet about it so I don’t worry my friends and ruin their vacation,” said Jane. “They stayed right by my side a few years ago when I went through treatment. I don’t want to upset them if I don’t have to.”

Understanding, I glanced at Rhonda, who was talking on her cell several feet from us. If anyone could pull off a quick visit like this, it was Rhonda.

After she ended the call, Rhonda walked toward us, smiling. “Good news. Dr. Perkins is in the office and will see you if you can come with me right now.”

“You go, and I’ll let your friends know that you’re with Rhonda and will see them later,” I said.

“Okay, tell them I’m doing research on the hotel for a special project I’m putting together for a group back home,” said Jane, giving me a panicky look.

“It’ll be all right,” I said, squeezing her hand before she left with Rhonda.

I headed up the beach toward the strip of sand in front of the houses. I noticed a group of four standing and talking together. As I got closer, I realized it was the pink-haired woman named Amy and the beauty named Caro talking to Henry and Slade.

I knew Rhonda would be thrilled to know these people were already viable prospects for her matchmaking talent, and I couldn’t help grinning as I approached them.

“Nice afternoon,” I said.

“Delightful,” said Slade, letting a glance slide over Amy, who was smiling at him.

Henry and Caro were standing by quietly, onlookers to the conversation that had been going on between Amy and Slade.

Henry bobbed his head at me in greeting, and Caro said softly, “Hello.”

“Where are Heather and Lisa?” I asked.

“They left to go to the nearby outlet mall to buy things for their children,” said Amy. “Heather’s stepdaughter is having her first baby early next year, and Heather is going to go crazy, I’m sure. I have some time before my son even thinks of marriage. Thank God.”

There was an edge to Amy’s voice that made me consider her forthcoming unspoken decision. I wondered if it had to do with her family.

“I think it’s sweet of Heather and Lisa to use the time to do something for their children,” said Caro, and I distinctly heard a note of envy. For a beautiful woman, she seemed to carry a lot of pain. If it was because she lacked her own children, I knew that feeling well. It had taken me years after having Liz to try and fail to have any others.

Henry was studying Caro thoughtfully before focusing on what Slade was saying.

“We’ve invited the women to our house for dinner,” said Slade. “We’ll order pizza and salad and keep it simple.”

“A sort of get acquainted gathering,” said Henry. “In all our travels, we like to get to know people in the area.”

Caro let out a soft ripple of laughter. “In this case, we’re visitors like you.”

Henry grinned at her. “Guess you caught me on that. But we enjoy meeting people. It’s part of our jobs.”

“Yes,” said Slade. “All the travel can get pretty lonely without it.”

“What do you do for a living?” Amy asked.

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