Page 21 of Bubbles at the Beach House Hotel

“Did you have fun at Disney World?” I asked.

“Oh, yes,” said Amy. “We all had a blast. Then Caro went out to dinner with Henry, and I fixed dinner for Slade.”

“What about the other women?” I asked.

“Heather and Lisa were content to stay at the house and fix their own dinners. Jane said she was too full of lunch to have more than a snack.” Amy stared at the water and turned back to me. “Jane and I sparred a bit. She thinks it’s terrible that I’m spending time with Slade so soon after my divorce, even though she’s never liked Dan. She keeps telling me to slow down.”

“Oh,” I said, not knowing what else to say.

Amy sighed. “The thing is, I love Jane, but she’s so unrealistic about love. Her husband died soon after they were married, so she has this fantasized version of what their marriage would’ve been like. She’s never even dated because she says she’ll never meet a man as wonderful as her husband.”

“And the others?” I couldn’t help asking.

“Lisa’s happily married to her high school sweetheart, and Heather’s second marriage is to a man who’s perfect for her. Caro and Henry seem really attracted. Heaven knows Caro needs a sweet guy like him. Her ex is a gigantic ass who’s now married to a woman who is all about his money and showing off. He ruined Caro’s self-esteem. I don’t know all the details, but he did many different things to make her feel bad about herself.”

“Emotionally abusive then,” I said.

“Exactly.” Amy kicked at the sand with a bare foot. “I announced my divorce being final the other night because I wanted to be up front with everyone, including Slade. We really enjoy one another. The last several years have been a nightmare.”

“Addiction of any kind is difficult. I can’t imagine living with someone who gambles money away,” I said.

“The first time Dan went back on his word, I began stashing money aside for a time like this. Fortunately, the house is in my name because we purchased it with money from an inheritance of mine. I’ve continued paying the mortgage on it and paying for most everything else. Not only is Dan a gambling addict, but he has been unable to keep a job these last few years. It reached the point that after trying to help him, I was no longer willing or able to do so.”

“You’ve stuck with it for longer than most,” I said.

“I’ve done what I could,” Amy said. “Now, it’s time to recover.” She turned as Slade came up to us.

“ ’Morning, ladies,” said Slade, smiling. His gaze lingered on Amy, and I felt the connection between them. Rhonda would be thrilled by the idea of the two of them together.

“Ready for that walk we talked about?” Slade asked Amy as he placed an arm around her.

“Yes,” said Amy. “It’s a beautiful day.”

“Let’s enjoy it. There’s talk about a hurricane coming off the coast of Africa and heading toward Cuba,” he said. “But don’t worry. These things often turn out to be nothing but bluster.”

I watched them leave, then took a few moments to myself to wade in the water and regain a sense of peace.

###

Later that morning, I filled in Rhonda on all the news.

“We have two chances for matchmaking,” she said with a grin and then grew serious. “With Amy finally free from carrying the dead weight of her husband while trying to help him, I say she deserves a break.”

“Both Amy and Slade seem to be enjoying one another, but I’m not sure about it being permanent. If I were to bet on anyone becoming serious, it would have to be Caro and Henry. There was something so sincere about Henry confiding he wanted to know more about Caro.”

“She’s quiet,” said Rhonda. “We might have to work on that.”

I laughed. “Stop! We have to let nature take its course, or it’ll all be ruined.”

Rhonda winked at me. “You’ll see. I have a plan.”

Later, when I heard Rhonda had invited Henry and Caro to dinner at the hotel, I wasn’t surprised.

“Jane is taking the other women to dinner at André’s. It works out perfectly,” Rhonda explained. “Everyone seemed satisfied with the plan.”

“Where are you going to seat them?” I asked.

“In my favorite corner of the dining room where they can have all the privacy they want,” said Rhonda with a self-satisfied smile.

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