Page 66 of Bubbles at the Beach House Hotel

Rhonda shook her head. “Brock needs to be careful with how he conducts himself. I’m not the only one who’d like to see him disappear.”

As we approached the sunset deck, I hoped Liz and Angela would be able to have their special couple photographed.

Pleased with the progress on the building, we left the beach to see if any new problems had arisen.

###

Later that morning, we met Angela and Liz at the spa. Jessica and Ryan were already getting massages.

“How are things going?” Rhonda asked.

“They were in pretty rough shape this morning,” I said.

“We got them through the breakfast in bed scene after a private talk with Jessica, who’s been going through some emotional times,” said Angela.

“Oh?”

Angela made a face. “Ryan wants another baby, and Jessica doesn’t. That’s why she was so mad at him for getting her drunk. She thinks he did it on purpose to get her pregnant.”

Rhonda and I exchanged worried looks.

“I tried talking to Jessica myself for a while, simply as a friend,” said Liz.

“Be careful what you say,” I said, and Rhonda nodded in agreement.

“None of us is a professional,” said Rhonda.

The photographer arrived, interrupting us. “You wanted some shots of his and hers massages?”

“Yes,” said Liz. She looked at her watch. “We should be able to do that now.”

###

Later that afternoon, Angela called to invite us to a high tea session with Jessica and Ryan.

“We thought since it was cloudy, we’d do a beach shot tomorrow. We’re still aiming to do a sunset shot. Then tomorrow will be a relaxing day for Jessica and Ryan before they have to return home.”

“Smart idea,” I told Angela. “Are Dorothy and her friends joining you for tea?”

“Yes,” she said. “They’ve agreed to be photographed in the background.”

“Perfect,” I said and handed the phone over to her mother.

“Be sure the waitress is dressed in costume,” said Rhonda. “We talked about it at our meeting.” Rhonda listened and then laughed. “Okay, okay. I know you girls have control of the project. Thanks.”

Rhonda ended the call and turned to me, looking downhearted. “I guess our daughters don’t need us to tell them what to do.”

“Rhonda, we want them to do more and more projects for us. Right?”

“I’m a mess,” admitted Rhonda. “I have too much going on at home and have to learn to give up some control at the hotel.”

“Just give it time,” I said. “Now, let’s see about the high-tea photo session.”

We left for the library, where a section had been decorated for high tea with pink tablecloths on two tables for four. Each table held a small crystal bud vase holding a single pink rose. Special flower-patterned white dishes and teacups sat at each place.

Jessica and Ryan had changed into clothes suitable for the occasion, with Ryan in pants and a golf shirt and Jessica in a sundress.

The visit to the spa and, perhaps, Liz’s talk with Jessica seemed to put them in a relaxed, almost loving mood.