The Parker Women Read online

  “I’m not taking sides. I’m saying I won’t have you disparaging people I care about.”

  “You don’t care about her. She just works for you.” Camille looked truly bewildered.

  “I care about everyone who works for me. Everyone who works for Hamilton Hotels. They are part of my extended family, and their welfare is important to me.”

  “That’s a silly notion. Of course, they aren’t your family.”

  “They are,” he insisted. “And I’d appreciate if you’d treat them as such.” He sighed. “Camille, this is important to me. Very important.” He knew crossing Camille was a dangerous proposition, but he really did want her to understand how important this was.

  “If this silly little girl’s feelings are more important than me, then I guess I’ll just go back to Belle Island. I can see I’m not wanted here.”

  He stood, and for what might have been the first time, he truly saw her, the real Camille. She was impeccably dressed. Always was. She carried herself with— there was no other way to describe it—a haughty air. She was entertaining and he often enjoyed her company. But she was… So. Much. Work.

  She stood there staring at him, waiting for him to apologize, which was how he usually handled their disagreements. It was just easier to not rile her.

  But this time he just slowly nodded. “I think you returning to Belle Island might be for the best.”

  “Really, you aren’t going to apologize and ask me to stay?” Her eyes widened.

  “No, I’m not,” he said simply.

  “Well, don’t expect to see me come begging you to take me back. We’re over, Delbert Hamilton. Finished. I will not be treated like this.” Camille twirled around and stalked across the foyer, her heels clicking on the tile floor with each furious step she took. She paused by the door and turned back to him. “I’ll send your driver back for you after he drops me off on Belle Island.”

  She flounced out the front door and suddenly the entryway was silent.

  Very silent.

  And he found he didn’t mind the silence at all.

  He’d tried so hard with Camille, thinking she’d change. Thinking that she’d soften. He realized he was tired of listening to her criticism, her complaints. Oh, she could be charming when she wanted to. Or when she wanted something. But, truth be told, he was getting tired of constantly trying to keep her happy. Relationships took work, but usually, it took work from both halves of the couple.

  He ran his hand through his hair and tugged his collar loose. The blessed silence still echoed through the entranceway.

  He turned and headed off to find Emily to see if he could make amends. He was so very tired of making amends for Camille, too.

  Maybe the break was a good thing. He needed a change and time to think.

  Chapter 15

  Donna wasn’t certain she’d made the right decision with the whole expansion of Parker’s. There’d been weeks of dust and noise and roped off areas of the store. At least it wasn’t busy season now, but still, the commotion every day was hard to take.

  But Olivia was happy. Deliriously happy. There was that.

  The bright spot in these past few weeks had been Barry joining her for evening drinks out on the point, watching the sunset. He’d come over a couple times a week after he’d stopped by to walk her home when she closed up Parker’s. Now they walked home together almost every night and she really enjoyed his company.

  She looked up from behind the cash register counter to see Barry standing there smiling at her. It startled her to see him there right when she’d been thinking of him. She quickly covered her surprise. “Well, hello there.”

  “Hi, Donna. I came by to get a malt. Emily said that the malt shop is being dismantled and moved the end of the week. Wanted to make sure I got one last one in before waiting for it to reappear next door.”

  “Yes, they are tearing down the wall behind the malt counter and connecting it to the cafe next door.”

  “Do you have time to join me? You know it will be your last chance for a while.” His eyes enticed her with the thought of a brief break.

  “Let me get Lydia to watch the checkout. I’ll meet you over at the malt shop.”

  She wasn’t really hungry, but spending a bit of time with Barry was always a welcome break. She found Lydia, then went to join Barry and gave Olivia a break while she chatted with him.

  She made their malts and settled onto a stool next to him. As usual, he talked about the Cabot remodel. Things were getting closer to being wrapped up.

  “Donna.”

  She turned at the sound of her name, surprised to see Evelyn standing there.

  “Evelyn, what’s up? Have you met Barry? He’s working on Cabot Hotel.”

  “No, I haven’t. Nice to meet you.”

  “Barry, this is my sister, Evelyn.”

  “Great to meet you, Evelyn. Will you join us?”

  Evelyn looked undecided.

  “Come on, Evie, join us.” Donna stood and went behind the counter.

  “Maybe a scoop of vanilla. In a dish.”

  Donna got the ice cream and handed it to Evelyn. “So what brings you to Parker’s?”

  “My cell phone charger isn’t working and I thought I’d pick up another one.”

  Donna frowned. “Let me think where we moved the display. I think it’s over by the extension cords and lightbulbs. Used to be right up front, but everything is a bit… ah… disorganized right now with the expansion.”

  “I’ll find it.” Evelyn took a bite of her ice cream.

  “So, Barry was just telling me about the work on the hotel. It’s almost finished,” Donna said to Evelyn.

  “We’re going to have a grand opening,” Barry added. “A bit behind on planning it. I need to find someone to head that up. Usually, these kinds of events are planned much further in advance, but we weren’t certain on how long some of the updates would take, and now Delbert doesn’t want to delay the opening. We’ve done some preliminary publicity for it, but it’s only six weeks away.”

  “I could help with that,” Evelyn offered.

  Donna had to keep her mouth from literally hanging open. “You’d help?”

  Evelyn nodded.

  “We’d pay you, of course,” Barry added. “I have no idea what the going rate is for an event organizer, but at this point, I’d pay you anything you ask.”

  “Well, Evelyn is a whiz at planning parties and fundraisers. She’d do great planning your grand opening.” Donna bragged on her sister, though she still was surprised she’d offered.

  “I could come by and see the hotel, see whatever you do have planned, and take it from there.”

  “That would be great,” Barry’s face flooded with relief. “Really great.”

  “Do you have many ideas about what you want?” Evelyn took a small notebook out of her purse.

  Barry smiled sheepishly. “No… and I should have. Delbert wants a grand party. Open house style, but sending out invitations to local leaders, the mayor, chamber of commerce, some other people from surrounding areas. Really, whoever you think would come.” He laughed.

  “Evelyn knows everyone. She’s great with exactly this kind of event. Well, not a hotel opening, but a big bash.”

  Evelyn blushed. “Stop it, Donna. Though, I do have a bit of experience with parties.”

  “You’ve thrown more parties and fundraisers than anyone I know.”

  “I’m grateful you’ll take this on. Can you come by tomorrow morning and we’ll hammer out more details?” Barry laughed. “Or should I say I’ll let you hammer out more details. And I’ll get the budget from Delbert.”

  “That works out fine. Say about ten tomorrow morning?” Evelyn took one more bite of her ice cream and slipped off the stool. “I’m going to go find the phone charger. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  Donna was still a bit stunned as her sister walked away.

  Her sister was planning this party. Like a real job. Getting paid for it. She shook
her head. Something was going on with her. She just knew it. Her sister hadn’t held a job in her whole life. Never earned a penny. She’d gone directly from being daughter to wife without a single working life in between. And Darren had never wanted her to work. He wanted her there taking care of his every need. Planning his parties. Looking beautiful on his arm.

  Barry handed her his empty malt glass. “That was great as usual. And it looks like your family is always providing just the person I need for my work.”

  “I’m sure Evelyn will do a brilliant job for you.”

  “Before I leave, I wanted to ask you something.”

  He stood across the counter from her, looking a bit… was it nervous?

  “I… I wanted to ask if you’d go on another date with me. I need to go into Sarasota for this Chamber of Commerce joint meeting. It’s people from the surrounding towns like Belle Island, Sanibel, Ft. Myers, Anna Maria Island. Kind of a mingle thing. Delbert offered up The Hamilton in Sarasota for the get-together. He thinks it would be a good idea to go and just get out the word about The Cabot Hotel reopening. I thought you might like to go… you could spread the word about Parker’s expansion, too.”

  Her thoughts immediately went to wondering what to wear, then hopscotched over to realizing he was asking her on another date, then on to thinking that it wasn’t a bad idea to talk up Parker’s expansion.

  He just stood there and she realized she hadn’t answered him. “Oh, when is it?”

  He laughed. “Bet that’s a bit of crucial information. It’s next Saturday.”

  “Yes, I could go. It probably is a good idea to get the word out about Parker’s expansion.” She blushed slightly at her awkward acceptance. “I mean, I’d like to go, thank you.”

  “It’s going to be a fancy thing. Like suit and tie.”

  She sighed in relief thinking of that pretty black dress Olivia and Heather insisted she get. That would be just perfect to wear.

  “I better run. I’ll see you soon.” He turned and left the store, leaving her with a girlish excitement she hadn’t felt in a long time.

  Olivia came up to the counter. “Mom, you okay? You look a little flushed.”

  “What? No, I’m fine. Just a bit hot in here today.” She wasn’t ready to tell Olivia about her date. And she might even get dressed for this one all on her own. She smiled as she walked away to relieve Lydia at the cash register.

  Chapter 16

  Barry pulled into Donna’s driveway on Saturday evening. It seemed strange to even have the car out. He walked everywhere in Moonbeam these days and really enjoyed it.

  He climbed out and walked up to her door, feeling a bit uncomfortable in his shirt and tie. He’d gotten used to the more casual attire here in Moonbeam. His suit coat was in the back seat of the car, ready to slip on when they got to The Hamilton.

  Donna answered the door and he took in a quick gulp of air. She was stunning in a simple black dress, a silver necklace, and her hair pulled back in some kind of simple silver clip with loose tendrils framing her face.

  “You look beautiful,” he said admiringly.

  Her cheeks flushed pink. “Thank you.”

  He couldn’t take his eyes off her. Stunning, that was the only word that kept running through his mind. “Um… are you ready?”

  “I am.” She picked up a black evening bag from a small table by the door and came outside.

  He walked her to the car and opened the door for her, admiring her long, tanned legs swinging inside before he closed the door.

  They drove away from the house and silence settled over them. Donna turned to look at him, and he smiled.

  “I’m a bit nervous about tonight,” she admitted.

  “Nervous? Why?”

  “I’m not used to these fancy things. This is more in line with an event Evelyn would go to.”

  “Well, they aren’t my favorite thing either, but I do go to a lot of them for business reasons.”

  “I don’t know what to say to these people.”

  “Just talk to them like normal people. That’s what they all are. Most will be small business owners or managers from the surrounding area. You’ll do fine.” Of course, she would. She was friendly and used to talking to people all day long at Parker’s.

  When they got to The Hamilton, he went around to open the door and help her out of the car. He reached into the backseat, grabbed his suit coat, and slipped it on. She took his arm—he liked the feel of her hand resting on his arm—and they walked in through the front door.

  He’d never been to the Sarasota Hamilton before and the lobby was extraordinary. It was decorated in an understated elegance in light, welcoming colors.

  “Oh, this is beautiful,” Donna exclaimed as she slowly turned around, taking in the whole thing.

  “Delbert does a great job when he buys up these old hotels and remodels them,” he said as he too slowly turned to see the whole lobby, appreciating the architecture, the interior design, and the ambience.

  He led her through the lobby to the large room where the event was being held. He snagged glasses of Champagne and waved to Delbert across the room.

  “I should let you go mingle and talk to people.” Donna stood by his side looking uncomfortable.

  He smiled. “Come on, let me introduce you to the few people I know here.”

  He made introductions, and as he expected, Donna was soon chatting away with an owner of a boutique on Belle Island and manager of a bridal shop in Ft. Myers. Then a constant stream of other people.

  She finally turned to him at a break in meeting new people and laughed. “Okay, this is better than I thought.”

  He winked. “Told you.”

  Delbert made his way over to them. “You two having a good time?”

  “We are,” Barry said as he scanned the room. “Camille here?” She always seemed to be at Del’s side at events like this.

  “She… ah… couldn’t make it.”

  “That’s too bad.” Though it really wasn’t. He was still a bit ticked at her for hurting Emily’s feelings. Okay, quite a bit ticked.

  “This hotel is beautiful.” Donna motioned to the wide wall of windows. “And so bright and airy in this room.”

  “Thanks. I’m hoping The Cabot turns out just as nice.” Delbert laughed. “No, that’s not right. I’m hoping it turns out better. I really do have a special place in my heart for that hotel.”

  “You do? Why?” Donna asked.

  “When I was younger, I came to The Cabot for several summers for vacations with my grandparents. I have such fond memories of it. And I want to make sure she’s restored to how grand she used to be.”

  “I think she will be,” Barry said. “And the ballroom is turning out even better than I’d hoped. The old chandeliers are rewired and repaired. And Emily found old photos of the room and we’ve matched the room as closely as we could to how it was before.”

  “And I do like that there is still the polished reception desk all along the one wall at the side of the lobby. I’m glad you were able to use it. It looks so much the same. It just has computers on it now.” Delbert grinned and turned to Donna. “And your Emily is quite the find for us. She’s doing a great job with setting up the history alcove in the library. It’s almost finished.”

  “She’s really enjoyed working on it. I’m grateful you gave her the opportunity. I know she’s quite young.”

  “And quite smart and has a world of knowledge about the town.” Delbert waved to someone across the room and turned back to them. “I guess I should go and mingle a bit. I see the mayor of Moonbeam. Must say hi and keep on her good side.”

  “Everyone is on our mayor’s good side,” Donna laughed. “I don’t think she has a bad side.”

  Delbert walked off, shaking hands with people as he headed over to the mayor.

  Donna turned to him. “So, Camille. She’s the one who was so… ah… not nice to Emily?”

  “She told you, huh?”

  “She told Oliv
ia, who told me. And she was in Parker’s the other day. She was… let’s just say not the friendliest person to Olivia.”

  “I’m sorry.” He frowned. He couldn’t imagine someone not being nice to Olivia. Or Emily for that matter. Camille was a difficult person…

  “It’s not your fault. It’s just an… interesting pairing, Delbert and Camille.”

  A thought he’d had before himself. “Yes… it’s…” He shrugged, not wanting to spend any more time talking about Camille or talking badly about his boss’s choice in girlfriends. “Shall we go mingle some more?”

  “Good plan.” She smiled at him.

  Donna was sure she’d met two hundred people, or possibly five hundred or a bazillion, here at the event. At first, she tried to remember all the names, but soon she realized that was impossible… She’d had a good time but now she was exhausted.

  She’d tried appetizers that she had no idea what they were and switched to sparkling water after her one champagne. Her new black shoes were pretty, but her feet hurt after all the standing. She’d love to be home in jeans and bare feet about now. She was weary of the drone of conversations and struggling to remember faces and names. Too bad Evelyn wasn’t here. She would have handled all of this with grace and charm. And probably had everyone’s name straight, too.

  It hadn’t been as bad as she thought it would be, and she’d even really enjoyed it for a bit. But… she was over it now. She glanced around for Barry and suddenly he was at her side, whispering in her ear. “You ready to go? I’m kind of over the noise and people.”

  “I’m so ready.” She nodded.

  As Barry led her back out into the lobby, the din of conversation faded. Her muscles relaxed and tensions swept away every step they took. The cool air rushed over her as they stepped outside, and she took in a deep, cleansing breath.

  Barry shrugged off his suit coat, loosened his tie, and unbuttoned the top button on his shirt. Then he grinned as he rolled up his sleeves. “I’m ready to get back to the more casual life in Moonbeam.”

  “And the quiet,” she said as she got into his car.