The Desert Flowers--Rose, page 23
When they’d placed the last of the reports in a stack on the dining room table, Rose turned to the other women. “If I’m successful, it will all be due to your help. Thank you so much.”
“You’re welcome. I don’t know about anyone else, but I’m ready for a glass of wine and a nice dinner,” said Lily. “Juanita has put together some Mexican treats for us. All we have to do is heat them up.”
“Sounds great. I’m going to have a cold beer,” said Willow.
“Go ahead and find a comfortable place to sit. I’ll heat the oven and bring your drinks to you.” She couldn’t do enough for them.
Carrying their drinks and a beer for herself, Rose returned to them, handed out the glasses, and plopped down on one of the couches in the living room. As she sat with Lily and Willow, her heart filled with gratitude. It now seemed as if she’d known them forever.
“I think we’ve covered everything very well,” she said. “If any tricky questions come up, both of you will be there to help support me. I can’t tell you how confident that makes me feel. Five weeks ago, we hadn’t even met.”
“I had no idea when I came here two other women would be helping Alec,” said Lily. “I’m happy it’s turned out this well.”
“Yes,” said Willow. “Alec didn’t give me any details either.”
“The fact that he brought you here, Willow, tells a story of its own. The role reversal of the teacher and the pupil,” said Rose. “He really respects you.”
“You did such a great job at the meeting this morning,” said Lily. “But beware of Brent. Like you’ve always known, he’s not a nice guy.”
Rose shook her head. “His father is no better. It sounds like Alec and Mitchell are the ones who worked out an agreement, but still, I wonder how anyone can expect to deal with Duncan.”
“I know John doesn’t like working with Duncan,” said Lily. “How about Hank? Has he mentioned any problems with him?”
“Oddly enough, he hasn’t,” said Rose. “But then I know of only one meeting he had with Duncan. And Hank is dedicated to doing outstanding work for a client as much as I am.”
###
The following morning, Rose woke early, put on a swimsuit, grabbed a towel, and headed outside. Though the air was chilly, the pool was heated, and she needed to stretch her limbs and loosen the muscles that had tightened with tension.
She dove into the pool and came up gasping, then struck out through the water. Her body heated as she swam one lap and then another, trying to calm her thoughts. Rose hated when nighttime ideas buried her confidence. She worked to get a better frame of mind. She knew she had an excellent report. Indeed, she had a right to make a case for Alec. Why was she so worried? But she knew the answer. In her relationship with Hank, she wanted no secrets between them. She tried to tell herself this project was different. It was, but it didn’t sit right with her.
After swimming several laps, she got out of the pool and headed into the bedroom to call Hank. After she punched in his number, she waited for him to pick up. Finally, his voice mail message came on. Disappointed, she ended the call without bothering to leave a message. Time would take care of everything.
###
Later, Rose stood with Lily and Willow in the front hallway, waiting for Alec.
After minutes had gone by, Juanita came rushing out of Alec’s quarters. “Alec said to tell you to go on without him. He’s not up to joining you.”
Rose swallowed hard and hid her disappointment. “Tell him we’ll do our best for him, and we hope he’s feeling better.” She exchanged worried glances with Lily and Willow, then followed them out to the car. Hopefully, the rest of the day would be better.
Once again, John greeted their arrival and led them to the conference room where Willow had had such success. Lily followed her, carrying a box of their reports.
The same crew sat in place when they entered the room.
Hank rose from his chair and went to Lily. “What is this?” He turned and looked at Rose.
“My project,” she said more casually than she felt.
Willow and Lily handed them out and then took a seat beside her.
“Hank didn’t tell me about any report,” said Duncan, shooting an angry look at him.
“It’s all part of the discussions we were going to have later this week,” said Rose.
Mitchell leafed through the report. “After glancing through this, it doesn’t make sense to talk about any publicity campaigns you and Hank have worked on until we discuss this.”
“Yes. I agree,” said Rose. “My client, Alec, is unable to join us, but he has instructed me to present this to you.” She didn’t dare look at Hank.
“It’s not how we planned it,” said Duncan. “Why should we take the time to listen to it? I already told Hank I wasn’t interested in doing anything special with the Desert Sage Inn.”
“But when we signed a contract with Alec, we agreed to be open-minded about such an idea,” countered Mitchell. “We told him we’d need proof that it was worth serious consideration.” He held up the report. “I say this needs our attention.” He turned to Hank. “I’m sorry, but we’ll delay your report until we’ve had time to consider this.”
Hank bobbed his head in agreement but cast a troubled glance at Rose.
“Okay, Rose. Take it away,” said Mitchell. “I’m anxious to hear what you have to say.”
Rose stood. “It’s no surprise how Alec, his team, and his staff feel about the Desert Sage Inn being a cut above most hotels. It has a proven track record as a small, upscale property worthy of attention. In wanting to preserve its standing and reputation, I’ve put together a report detailing how by keeping it this way and adding two additional properties of your own, you already have the foundation for what I’m calling The Corona Collection of Fine Hotels. It’s a perfect opportunity for The Blaise Hotel Group to expand into a niche arena, one that can easily be achieved.”
“The Corona Collection does have a nice ring to it,” said Duncan. “I hadn’t thought it through, but I wouldn’t mind owning hotels like that.”
“Let me explain what would be needed,” Rose continued. “If you turn to page sixteen, you’ll see I’ve listed the work that would need to be done to your two hotels in Arizona to meet the standards of the Desert Sage Inn. The following page shows the financials and the ROI of doing so.”
“The return on investment is important because even at the best of times, there are always fluctuations in the hospitality business,” said Mitchell. He stood and looked around the table. “May I suggest that we all study this and meet back here at a later time with any questions we might have. This report is very complete, and it’ll take time for us to understand it. And of course, our lawyers will want to look at it too. Any objections?”
Rose noticed Hank’s displeasure, but he didn’t speak.
With no one objecting, he continued. “All right. I’ll let everyone know when we’ll meet again. Then we can decide how we want to proceed.”
Rose let out a sigh of relief. The report had spoken for itself. Later, it might be a different story, but for today she was off the hook. To everyone but Hank.
She turned to speak to him, but he was leaving the room with Duncan.
CHAPTER FORTY-SIX
ROSE
Rose joined the others in the car back to Alec’s house, disappointed she hadn’t been able to speak to Hank. During Mitchell’s announcement about postponing his presentation, Hank hadn’t seemed angry, just disappointed.
Back at the house, she changed into comfortable clothes and went out to the patio to join Willow and Lily. They had dressed for a swim. Rose knew it would take more than that to make her feel better. She plunked down in a chair at the table and faced them.
“Why the glum face?” said Lily. “You did great.”
Willow studied her. “It’s Hank, huh?”
Rose nodded. “I tried to call him early this morning to tell him about the proposal, but he didn’t answer. I’m sure he’s disappointed he didn’t hear it from me first. I can’t say I blame him, but I’ve warned him several times that I was working for Alec.”
“From a professional point of view, how do you feel about the meeting?” Lily asked.
Rose’s lips curved. “It went great. Exactly how I’d hoped.”
“Well, then, don’t beat yourself up. That’s why it’s best not to date anyone you’re working with.” Lily shook her head. “It’ll all work out. I’ve seen the way Hank looks at you.”
“There’s no doubt about the way he feels,” agreed Willow.
“What should I do?”
“Nothing,” said Lily. “Just wait and see how things unfold.”
Rose went back into the house feeling better about things. Lily was right. She’d just done her job.
As she was fixing herself a cup of coffee, her cell rang. Hank. She clicked on the call.
“Hi. I was hoping to talk to you after the meeting.”
“I had to leave. Duncan was furious with me for not telling him about your plan ahead of time. He feels I let him down.”
Dismay filled her. “Oh, no! I didn’t want anything like that to happen. I tried calling you this morning, but you didn’t pick up. I’m sorry if I made it more difficult for you. I know you and Duncan had decided not to pursue the angle of making the inn part of a new collection, but that is what I was hired to do for Alec—create some protection for the inn. I had to pursue it.”
“At Duncan’s request, I’m leaving for Arizona this afternoon. I’ll be gone all week.”
“Oh, but I’d hoped to meet you.” Rose couldn’t keep the disappointment from her voice.
“Can’t. My flight’s booked,” said Hank. “I’ll see you early next week at the meeting. Take care.”
Long after the call had ended, Rose held onto the phone, torn between being upset and totally pissed off. Hank and Duncan had no right trying to direct what work she should do.
Struggling with her emotions, she returned to the patio, hoping her friends could help her. Lily was sitting there alone.
“What’s up?”
“Hank called. Duncan was furious at him for not giving him a heads-up on my project. Now, he wants Hank to go to Arizona for the rest of the week. I have a suspicion it might be for him to undermine my project.” Rose plopped down in a chair and sighed. “I put him in a bad spot, but he knew I was working for Alec.”
“His being away will give you both time to settle this. And if I know you, you’ll be just fine.”
Rose smiled at her. “How’d you get to be so smart?”
Lily laughed. “I’ve had plenty of experience with disappointment. Don’t worry, Rose. It’ll all work out. Now that we all have some time on our hands, how would you like to help me look for possible places to live? I’ve decided to move here. I’m just praying I can get my sister to agree to come here too.”
“I’d love to look at places with you,” she said. “I’m thinking of moving my business here. I’m going to be meeting with various people in the community to see what connections I can make for my consulting business as well as my blog.”
Smiling with delight, Lily clapped her hands. “It would be so much fun if you moved here too. Let’s get started right now.”
“First, let’s go to lunch, all three of us. After all our hard work, we deserve a little fun. Where’s Willow?”
Rose got up and headed into the house. Willow was in the kitchen talking to her mother.
“Sorry to interrupt. Willow, can you join Lily and me for lunch? We’re going to celebrate my presentation.”
Willow made a face and shook her head. “Sorry, I can’t. Mitchell has called a meeting with Brent, Trace, and me. I heard you talking to Lily. What’s up?”
Rose filled her in. “So, it looks like we all might be in Palm Desert longer than we’d thought. Nice, huh?”
Willow smiled. “Yes. And, Rose, don’t worry about Hank. He’ll come through for you.”
“I wish,” said Rose.
“He will; I just know it.”
Rose studied her. “Is that the sixth sense you once told me about?”
Willow chuckled. “Maybe. Sometimes I’m just right about things.”
Still smiling, Rose headed to her room. No matter what happened, she was feeling more and more at home in the desert.
###
For the next few days, Rose concentrated on the positive things happening in her life. She and Lily had looked at various places for Lily to live, and Rose realized that if she decided on making the move to Palm Desert, she’d have plenty of choices for herself. Better yet, she’d had a satisfying conversation with Alec, who was ecstatic about everything she’d done for him.
As days went by without hearing from Hank, memories of being with him crept into her mind, filling her with longing. How many times had they told one another how right their relationship felt? She tried to tell herself that if he’d decided to step away from their relationship, it was for the best. But each time she thought of it, her heart ached.
As the week drew to a close, Rose was surprised by a phone call from Nikki.
“Hi, how are you?” she automatically responded to Nikki’s greeting.
“Fine, thanks,” Nikki said in a straightforward way that caught her attention. “I happen to be in town, and I’m wondering if you could meet me for lunch. In fact, I’m staying at Dad’s house while he’s away. Can you meet me here? I’ve ordered some food from Tico’s to be delivered around noon.”
“That sounds nice. Thanks for thinking of me,” Rose replied, curious to know why Nikki had returned to Palm Desert so soon. She was due to go on vacation with a friend. Maybe her plans had changed.
“Okay, see you then. You know where the house is,” said Nikki.
“Yes, I do,” said Rose, checking her watch. “I’ll see you shortly.”
As she freshened up, she thought of the dinner she’d shared with Hank and Nikki. She’d had an enjoyable time and felt she’d made a sweet connection to Nikki. Unlike her sister, Sam, Nikki was open and kind. It would be lovely to see her again.
###
When she pulled up to the front of Hank’s house, she drew a deep breath. It hurt seeing the place again, not knowing if she’d share more times here with Hank. Telling herself to be strong, she got out of the car, walked through the open front gate, and knocked on the door.
The door swung open, and Sam stood at the threshold.
Startled, Rose took a step back. “Where’s Nikki? I’m supposed to meet her here.”
“Nikki and I tricked you. I wanted to meet with you, but we weren’t sure you’d agree to it after the way I acted toward you. I had her call you from Atlanta.” She stepped back from the door. “Won’t you please come in? We need to talk.”
Still surprised by all that was happening, Rose walked inside and drew a deep breath as memory hit her hard.
Sam took hold of her hand and led her to the couch in the living room. “Please sit. There’s something I have to say to you.”
Rose studied the flush of color on Sam’s cheeks, lowered herself onto the couch, and faced her, aware of how awkward Sam felt.
“I got a call from Dad earlier this week. He sounded miserable. Apparently, there’s been some sort of disagreement at work between the two of you. I didn’t let him explain all the details, details I don’t need to know. But I did tell him that if he walked away from you, I’d never forgive myself for once being the cause of friction between you when I opposed the relationship. Nikki and I have talked. We agree we’ve never seen Dad happier. It’s as if you’ve given him a whole new life, one that he deserves. I think he’s ... fearful.”
“What do you mean?”
“Loving someone, allowing yourself to be vulnerable is scary. He loves you. You love him too, don’t you?”
With her throat thickened with tears, Rose couldn’t squeeze out a reply. She nodded.
Sam wrapped an arm around her. “It pained me to realize that, but it’s true. Rose, I hope you’ll forgive me. I want you to be there for Dad and Leah. They already love you. I hope in time you’ll accept me.”
Rose heard the sincerity in her voice, saw the anguish on Sam’s face, and couldn’t hold back the cry within her. As tears streamed down Rose’s cheeks, Sam’s arms stayed around her.
When Rose finally got control of herself, she lifted her face. “Thank you, Sam. Your support means everything to me.”
“I’ve told him I’m coming to Arizona tomorrow to stay with him for the weekend. We’ll have you go tonight instead. Knowing him as well as I do, I have no reason to believe he won’t be thrilled to see you.”
Rose hesitated, thinking of the pros and cons, and then nodded. “I’ll do it.”
Sam let out a long sigh. “I needed to hear that. Lily helped me book a flight for you this evening.”
“Lily? She’s in on it too?”
“Both Lily and Willow,” said Sam. “You’ve got quite a team.” She rolled her eyes. “Gawd! I sound like Dad.”
Rose laughed. “It sounds good, believe me.”
“Until it’s time to get ready, won’t you join me for lunch?”
Rose smiled. “I’d be honored.” She held out her arms.
Sam went into them without hesitation.
“I can see why Dad loves you...” Sam said, at the same time as Rose said, “Your father has every right to be proud of you.”
They pulled away and smiled at one another.
###
Later, as they ate lunch, Sam confided she might be newly pregnant again, but she wasn’t mentioning it to anyone else until she was sure she was healthy, especially since the doctor had told her to wait before trying again. They exchanged anecdotes on times spent with Hank, and then Rose talked about building her business and how she’d come to start the blog.
The hours flew by as they made an effort to know one another. And later, when it was time for Rose to leave to prepare for her trip, the two of them hugged again.
“Good luck with everything,” Sam said, standing on the curb, watching Rose pull away.
