Chapter 10
Cameron massaged his forehead with his fingertips. He’d asked his siblings to meet at his apartment to finalize the details for their parents’ upcoming anniversary celebration, but after more than an hour, they couldn’t decide the venue. SAVETHEDATEnotices were sent to Nathan and Belinda’s friends, family members, and business associates and time was fleeting when it came to choosing a place for the gathering.
His brothers and sister’s squabbling reminded him of his mother and father’s verbal altercations, and he wondered if history was repeating itself with another generation that thrived on bickering. He thought about Jasmine and how well they’d gotten along. Even though they hadn’t agreed on everything it hadn’t escalated into a war of words.
“Stop it,” he demanded. The two words were spoken barely above a whisper but he must have gotten through because the other three in the room turned and stared at him. “We’re never going to solve anything screaming at one another.”
His sister glared at him. “I thought we’d agreed on hosting it on one of the riverboats.”
Cameron looked at Evangeline. Lines of strain bracketed her mouth and he wondered if the responsibility of trying to keep up with two hyperactive twin preschool girls was wearing her down. She was only thirty-eight, yet she claimed more gray in her dark-brown hair than Cameron who was ten years her senior. “We talked about it, Evie, but so far it’s not written in stone.”
Evangeline’s dark-blue eyes narrowed. “We can’t keep meeting and not decide where we’re going to hold the party.”
“I agree with you,” Cameron said. “Let’s make this the last time we meet because folks will have to know at least a month in advance where it’s being held.”
Preston Singleton sandwiched his hands between his knees. There had been a time when people mistook him for his older brother because he and Cameron looked enough alike to be twins. However, unlike Cameron, he was married and the father of a pubescent son and daughter. “Let’s end the back and forth and hold the party here.”
Leighton Singleton slapped his thigh. “Why didn’t I think of that? I think we’ve settled on the venue.”
It was Cameron’s turn to glare. Leighton told anyone who would stand still long enough to listen that he was the Singleton maverick. After graduating college he’d declined his father’s offer to join the family’s investment company, electing instead to accept a position with a local bank. The decision proved advantageous for Leighton when he fell in love and married the bank president’s daughter.
“Hold up, Lee. That doesn’t settle anything. You—”
“What’s the matter, Cam?” Leighton asked, interrupting him. “You own the fucking hotel.”
Cameron’s frown deepened. There had always been a below-the-surface sibling rivalry between them, but he’d hoped it had been left behind years ago. He counted slowly to ten before replying. “Yes, I own the hotel but have you thought maybe there could be other events that were booked for the same night?”
A rush of color suffused Leighton’s face as he lowered his eyes. “I guess I forgot about that.”
Evangeline rounded on Leighton. “I meant to tell you before, but you’re going to have to stop cursing around my girls, because I don’t want them to grow up with sewer mouths.”
Leighton nodded. “I’m sorry, Evie.”
Cameron was glad his sister had chastised Leighton, because if he had said anything to him it probably would have escalated into an all-out verbal barrage. He stood up. “Let me check with the banquet manager to see if she’s booked anything for that night.”
He picked up the phone and dialed the extension, watching his brothers and sister as he waited for someone to answer. “Good evening, Cameron. How can I help you?”
“Good evening, Rachel. Can you please check your calendar and let me know if you’ve booked anything for August 17.”
“I have one party. Do you need a room, and for how many?”
“Yes. My siblings are throwing a fiftieth anniversary celebration for our parents, and we’re estimating we’ll have at least a hundred guests.”
“I can put you into the Parisian ballroom. It’s large enough to accommodate a hundred, and if you have less then we’ll close off a portion for a more intimate setting.”
“Please book it, Rachel. I’ll get back to you later after we decide on the menu.”
“You’ve got it, Cameron.”
Cameron ended the call. As the owner of the boutique hotel, he’d made it a practice to keep a low profile. He had hired a more than capable general manager to run the hotel without his interference. “That’s it,” he said, sitting down on the loveseat next to his sister and resting an arm over her shoulders.
Preston shook his head. “Why didn’t we consider Cam’s hotel before?”
“We didn’t,” Evangeline said, “because you guys kept talking about boats and gambling. We’re celebrating our parents’ anniversary and I believe it should be more dignified than a Vegas-style party. I’ll design mock-ups of several invitations for your approval before having them printed and mailed.”
Leighton pushed to his feet. “I guess that does it.” Cameron, Preston, and Evangeline also stood up. “Mom and Dad will celebrate their big five-oh at the Louis LaSalle.”
Evangeline hugged Cameron and kissed his cheek. “Thanks, big brother.”
