“I’ll see you all at the Grand Finale.”
Ali got out of the way and let the families start their vacations. She made a note to herself. She should stock the cottages with some amenities like sunscreen and shampoo. Maybe a few things that you couldn’t fly with, too.
Ali shook her head; no, she shouldn’t do anything. She was selling this place.
The two families she’d just met deserved to have a lovely vacation, though. They were working hard. She remembered the hectic days of having little ones, too, while working. They didn’t need to know this might be the last hurrah for the Sea Turtle Resort.
Ali found Jorge and Didi sitting in the chairs by the fire pit. They looked a little better but also tired.
“Are the guests all set?”
“All set. Your instructions were perfect, and they’re happily unpacking and looking for their sunscreen.”
“Good,” Didi said. “I’ll get over to the market for the Grand Finale.”
“You’ll do no such thing, either of you.” Ali had decided if she was in for a penny, she was in for a pound.
“The Grand Finale is a staple, part of the magic, we have to.”
“I’m aware. I was enchanted with that bit of magic. But you’re both tired. Let me, for one night, handle your Grand Finale duties.”
“Jorge, this is too much to ask her. We need to get to the market and?—”
“—You didn’t ask,” Ali interjected. “And I’m the owner, so technically, the boss. I need you two at top form when I head back to Ohio. While I’m here, you should recharge, at least for tonight.”
“She’s right,” Jorge said to Didi. “Thank you, Ali. Didi tends to run herself ragged.”
“But I love taking care of our guests.”
“I know you do, I do, too, but we need to get you home. Start fresh tomorrow.” Jorge looked at his wife with love and concern.
Ali nodded. He was speaking reason.
“I’m sure I can manage one night,” she reassured them.
“Now, get going,” Jorge told Ali. “Charcuteries don’t make themselves!”
“Oh, for goodness’ sake, it’s a cheese board,” Didi said, but while she protested, she allowed Jorge to take her hand and lead her toward the door.
“You’ve been doing my job and your job for too long. Let Ali do them for one night.”
“But she’s one person!”
“Yeah, and she’s half our age, so the math works out.”
Ali wasn’t half their age, but those thirty years or so did make a difference. She felt invigorated and had a fire under her at the challenge.
With the guests checked in, she thought it best to focus on the Grand Finale. She had been to two. Both times, locals had showed up. Ali didn’t want to disappoint Erica or Henry and also needed to be sure the families were enchanted! Theme parks might have fireworks, but they had the beach and the best sunset on Earth.
Ali didn’t spend much time thinking about why she wanted to do this; she simply didn’t have time for it. Her favorite moments at Frogtown Convention Center were when her vendors were happy, and event attendees had smiles on their faces. Touches like Ruby’s Hot Dogs or video game stations for bored kids made her events shine.
She’d pour that into today. It was only one day, and she did own the place, after all. Why she owned it was still a mystery, but one she also didn’t have the time for with the guests and the sun moving across the sky.
She needed to get several charcuterie boards prepared.
Didi had told her about the local produce and cheese market that she used so Ali could avoid Costco. Costco was great, but she wanted something unique and, more importantly, fast. A drive into Tampa or wherever was not going to be fast.
Moe’s Market was two blocks away. She would like to walk, but she needed too many ingredients to carry back, so she got in the Jeep and popped over.
