The man reached out and shook Delbert’s hand.“Ah, the man who bought The Cabot.”
“That, too.”Cassandra’s gentle laugh floated around them.
“I heard you’ve done fine things with the place.”
“You should come by and take a look around. I tried to keep her as close as possible to the original design.”
“We’re actually staying there for a few days while my belongings are delivered to my new place. Cassandra here is going to help me get things all set up.”
“Splendid. Well, I hope you enjoy your stay.”Delbert seemed inordinately pleased to hear that Cassandra would be at the hotel for a few days.
Donna looked from Delbert to Cassandra and was certain she could feel an undercurrent going on between them.
Cassandra turned to her and Barry.“And let’s see. Donna and Barry, right? I do believe I met you at The Cabot’s grand opening. This is my uncle, Ted Cabot.”
“Nice to meet you,”Donna said.
“Pleasure is mine, my dear,”Ted said as his eyes twinkled.
Barry reached out and shook Ted’s hand.“Welcome to the festival.”
“Uncle Ted is actually moving back to Moonbeam.”
“Really?”Delbert asked, still staring at Cassandra.
“He’s moving into a new retirement place that just opened. Sunrise Village.”
“Oh, my mother is moving there, too. I hear it’s very nice,”Donna said.“You’ll probably meet her. Her name is Patricia Beale.”
Ted coughed, and his eyes grew large.“Patricia is moving to Sunrise Village?”
“Do you know her?”
“I do. Well, I did. It’s been years and years. I assume her husband is moving there, too?”
“Ah…no. My father passed away a little while ago.”
“I’m sorry for your loss.”
She nodded at his condolences.“Mother was living at a retirement place in Naples, but she and a handful of her friends got dissatisfied with how it was being run and decided to move here. She’s going to move in soon. After next weekend,”she explained.
“Donna and Barry are getting married next weekend,”Delbert added.
“You are? Well congratulations,”Ted said, his smile genuine.
“Yes, congratulations. That’s wonderful,”Cassandra added, then turned to Delbert.“So maybe we’ll see you at the hotel? Are you here in Moonbeam for a while?”A hopeful look flickered across her face.
Donna looked back and forth between Cassandra and Delbert, amused by the electricity between them. She nudged Barry and tilted her head slightly toward the pair. He exchanged a knowing smile with her.
Delbert nodded.“Yes, I am. Until after the wedding.”
“That’s great. I hope we’ll see you around then.”
“How about I arrange a tour for you and your uncle? I’ll show you all around.”
“I’d love that, Delbert.”Ted nodded enthusiastically.
“That would be wonderful,”Cassandra said, all the while staring at Delbert.
