A Bachelor At The Wedding

“And don’t forget to check out all the complimentary services the hotel is offering this weekend—water sports, golf, tennis and spa treatments.”

“Golf? That sounds good to me,” Harold chuckled.

“I always wanted to try a seaweed wrap. They say it’s marvelous for your skin. I’m going to run down there right now, before the rush.” Alice kissed her husband on the cheek and trotted off toward the spa.

Harold collected his new key and pulled his golf clubs off the luggage cart. “Thanks for your help, miss,” he said to Stephanie. “See you around.”

With a cheerful, jaunty walk, he was off to the greens. Stephanie turned to Shirley and they joined in a long, relieved sigh. Shirley stuck out her hand and Stephanie shook it.

“Nice work.”

“Thanks, you too,” Stephanie replied.

“Yes, very nice work, ladies.” Matt appeared, coming out from an office door behind the reception desk.

Stephanie realized he must have been there all along, listening in to the exchange. Shirley looked surprised, then terrified, suddenly bowing her head and tapping away like mad on the computer keyboard.

Stephanie faced him. “It’s not nice to spy on people.”

“I wasn’t spying…and look who’s talking,” he replied, his eyebrows jumping up a notch.

She knew he was talking about his morning swim again.

She felt a blush creep up her neck and took a steadying breath.

Before she could frame a proper answer, Matt brushed by her and headed for the luggage cart.

“Are you taking that to the storage room?” Stephanie asked.

“I’m taking it to room 505,” he answered, pushing the cart with both hands. “Your talents are obviously needed here, on the battlefront.”

Stephanie was surprised to see him pitch in in such hands-on style. But he did seem like a hands-on type of guy, she noted. A good thing…and a bad thing. Though he’d so far never tried to get his hands on her, she was starting to have the oddest feeling it was just a matter of time.

She watched him push the cart away, putting his strong back and long legs into the job. She wondered how he’d ever gotten started in the hotel business and decided to ask him someday. She had a feeling it was an interesting story.

He was an interesting man. An unusual man. A dynamic personality and yet, with a gentle, charming side, too.

She respected him, she realized. Otherwise, she’d never be able to take all his guff.

But I’m not going to get involved with him, she added firmly, catching herself. No matter how much he flirts with me. Really…I’m just not.

Chapter Four

“Look…a van from the airport just pulled up. Oh, God. I hope it isn’t more guests!”

Stephanie nearly laughed out loud at Helen’s expression. it was the first time she’d ever seen a desk clerk terrified by approaching guests.

“Just take a deep breath. We’ll get through this.”

Stephanie walked across the lobby and then outside toward the van, which was now parked. The door opened and the passengers began emptying out.

A woman in a neat tan business suit approached and held out her hand. Stephanie spied the gold name tag on her lapel and recognized another Harding hotel employee.

She sighed with relief. The reinforcements had arrived.

She greeted each of them as they emerged, then led the group into the hotel for a quick meeting. She explained the situation and the plan to keep the guests happy that had been worked out the night before.

Everyone seemed very professional and eager to help in any way they could. There were only a dozen more bodies to put to work, but every pair of hands helped.

Stephanie gave them each assignments and they headed off in all directions. A short time later, another van of Harding employees arrived and she did the same.

At noon, she checked on the lunch service, another buffet, set up at the pool. Ben Drury decided to fire up the barbecue and wearing his chef’s hat again, happily flipped burgers, hot dogs, shrimp on skewers and grilled chicken breasts. The guests seemed content with the offerings.

Shirley reported that the front desk had checked out a few guests, but nothing extreme. Many seemed occupied on the beach and at the spa. The tactics to keep occupancy up seemed to be working, but just for a little insurance, Stephanie decided to take Helen’s advice and opened the beachfront bar with free blender drinks for all.

Then she called up the band that usually played Saturday night in the lounge, performing a mix of pop tunes and Caribbean sound. She asked them to come over immediately and start early, at the poolside. The group was happy to get the extra work.

The afternoon wore on. The makeshift housekeeping crew managed to get all the rooms in order. The makeshift kitchen staff managed to move from one meal to the next without too many problems. The day was passing quickly and Stephanie ran from crisis to crisis. Sticking her finger in one leak, as another sprang out somewhere else on the boat.

By some miracle, the hotel was up and operating with its makeshift staff. Though just barely. But all the guests seemed to be having a good time and hardly noticed.

That was some achievement, she thought.

But Nana did light a candle for me, she recalled.

She hadn’t seen Matt all day and guessed he was closed up in meetings. Which was just as well, since she didn’t like the idea of him spying on her, the way he had this morning. Especially while she was racing around in “insane mode.”

It was nearly seven o’clock when she finally sat down. She chose a quiet corner in the kitchen and sipped a diet soda. Her feet were aching, but she didn’t dare remove her sensible pumps, for fear of never getting them back on again.

“How are you holding up, Stephanie?” Ben walked over to her. He’d been working in the kitchen all day but seemed cheerful. He’d taken off his tall chef’s hat but still wore an apron.

“I’m good. As soon as this is over I’m getting a foot massage,” she added. “What the heck, I’ll get my entire body done.”

Ben laughed. “You go for it. You deserve it.”

“My sentiments exactly.” Matt suddenly appeared behind Ben and came to stand between them.