Seaside Blessings by Irene Hannon

Author:Irene Hannon
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Steeple Hill
Published: 2013-09-19T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

Kristen smiled at the honeymooning couple across from her at the concierge desk. “Of course, breakfast here at the inn by the pool is always wonderful. But since you’d like to sample some local fare, I recommend the Orchid Café in town. The home cooking is terrific, and the cinnamon rolls are to die for.”

The phone on her desk in the lobby began to ring, and she cast a discreet glance at the ID. Mark Stephens’s number. She’d checked in with him as soon as she’d arrived two hours ago, to catch up on the opening week she’d missed. Why would he be calling her this soon?

“That sounds like fun, honey. Let’s give it a try.” The bride reached for her new husband’s hand.

“Your wish is my command.” He gave her a mock bow, then turned back to Kristen. “Thanks for the recommendation. They’re open on Monday, right?”

“Every day but Sunday. Let me know how you enjoy it.”

As they walked away, she grabbed the phone before it could roll to voice mail. “Hi, Mark.”

“Are you with a guest?”

“Just finished.”

“I’ve been on the phone with Mr. Mattson. He’d like you to call him ASAP about Starfish Bay’s Labor Day celebration.”

“What about it?”

“One of the sisters from the Orchid mentioned it to him at the open house. He thinks we should participate in some way, and he wants you to spearhead the effort.”

Kristen closed her eyes. As if she didn’t have enough on her plate the first day back on the job—not to mention a daughter who cried herself to sleep each night but rebuffed any consolation attempts, who continued to eat like a bird and who spoke only if spoken to...except yesterday, when she’d asked why they weren’t going to church.

Could things get any more complicated?

“Kristen? You there?”

“Yes. I’ll give him a call as soon as we hang up.”

“Look...I know you’re dealing with a bunch of personal stuff right now. We can pull other people in on this if we need to.”

“I appreciate that, Mark.” She bit her bottom lip, fighting back the temptation to take advantage of the man’s offer. But she’d always carried her weight at work, and she didn’t want to slack off now—especially when she might need other favors down the road. “I’ll let you know if I need help. For now, though, everything’s under control. I can handle the festival project.”

“Okay. If the situation changes, let me know.”

The man severed the connection, and after giving herself a minute to psych herself up for the call, Kristen tapped in Louis Mattson’s number. His secretary put her through at once.

“Hello, Kristen. Everything okay on the home front? Your daughter settling in?”

“Thank you for asking. So far, so good.” Hardly. But the president of Mattson Properties didn’t need to hear the details of her depressing tale. She was just grateful he’d accepted her thirty-second, top-line explanation at face value after Connie called, and then told her to take as much time as she needed despite the opening.

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