Page 2 of Bubbles at the Beach House Hotel

The woman with brown hair and pink coloring flowing through it looked at Bernie. “Glad to hear it. We investigated several properties but chose this hotel because of your reputation for excellent service.”

Bernie looked surprised at the no-nonsense way the woman spoke but nodded politely. “Compliments like that are always appreciated. We work hard for them. Have a pleasant stay.”

He turned and walked away.

“He sounds so European,” gushed one of the women.

“I believe with a name like Bernhard Bruner, he’s of German descent,” said Jane. She turned to Rhonda and me. “I’m a librarian and love facts of all kinds.”

“Jane is the one who got this group together some years ago. She even came up with the name of our book club, The Book Circle,” said the blonde. “And that’s what we’ve become—a circle of friends.”

“Best friends,” said the woman with curly dark hair.

“You’re very lucky,” I said. “Women being together, listening to one another, supporting one another is a precious gift.”

“Women helping women is something we all need,” said Rhonda. “Right, Annie?”

“Yes. We could never have created this hotel if we weren’t best friends. So, we want you to enjoy being together here. Let’s register you, and then we’ll go to the house.”

Thanks to pre-registration information, we quickly got everyone signed in, and then Rhonda and I walked the group over to the guesthouse they’d rented. They had plenty of room with three bedrooms, a nice-sized kitchen and living space, and a private pool.

As the women entered the house, they first saw the huge bouquet of fresh flowers we’d placed in the living room. Beyond that, the pool and the palm trees outside the pool cage beckoned.

“Wow! This is even more beautiful than I thought it would be,” said one of the women.

“We’ve put bottles of water and a small charcuterie plate in the refrigerator. The dining room is open, and I’m sure you’ve made reservations for dinner tonight,” said Rhonda. She didn’t mention the bottle of champagne one of the women had ordered, which was now hiding in the refrigerator.

“Oh, yes. We’ve read all about Jean-Luc and his delicious meals,” said Jane.

A valet was waiting in the kitchen. “I need to know where to put the luggage. If you’ll each show me which room you are in, I’ll be happy to carry the bags there.”

After some commotion, the valet got all the luggage into the right rooms. Jane took the master bedroom suite while the others were settled in the other two rooms.

“It seems right that Jane was given the master suite because she’s the one who organized all of this for us,” said the pink-haired woman, returning to the living room.

“Now that you’re all getting settled, Rhonda and I will leave you,” I said.

“Enjoy your stay,” said Rhonda.

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As we left the house, Rhonda said, “I’m so glad we’re friends.”

“The best of friends,” I said, laughing when she pulled me into a bosomy hug. I’d grown up with a strict grandmother who didn’t believe in displays of affection. It had taken me a while to get used to Rhonda and her openness to others.

“Those women are bound to have a good time,” said Rhonda. “They seem very different, but apparently, they’ve been friends for years.”

“Go ahead and make fun of me, but I get a little nervous when things seem too perfect,” I said, wishing I didn’t sound like my grandmother, who became suspicious of happy times.

“Well, no matter what happens with them, we can handle anything together,” said Rhonda.

My spirits lifted. “You’re right—the two of us together. Let’s hit the beach for a few minutes. We have plenty of time before we’re to meet with Lorraine.” Lorraine Grace handled weddings for the hotel through her business, Wedding Perfection. She’d become a very valued member of our team.

We walked to the beach's edge, removed our shoes, and walked onto the warm sand. The salty tang of the air filled my nose, and I inhaled it gratefully as I moved toward the water. I felt part of a different world whenever I stood in the water, feeling the push and pull of the waves at my feet. I looked up as a trio of pelicans flew in formation close to the water’s surface, looking for food to fill their pouches.

Close by, seagulls circling in the air caught my attention, and I listened to their high-pitched cries with a sense of rightness. All seemed as it was supposed to be in my world. My worries about the group of women in one of the guesthouses disappeared. After all, what could go wrong? It was a group of long-time friends in one of the most beautiful spots in the country.

I was so lost in my thoughts that when Rhonda elbowed me, I jumped with surprise.

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