“Shut up. It’s my hair.”
“I can tell you now, no girl is ever going to want to touch it. Here, let me help you.”
“Fine, but don’t say a word about this.”
“It’s our secret.”
“I never thought this would happen to us, Ida Mae. We were going to have Sunday dinners once a month, spend our summers in Vermont, New Year’s in Hawaii, creating a whole passel of new traditions with our families.”
“Don’t give up, shug. Like you said, you ain’t dead yet.”
Back in Corina’s room, Ida Mae helped her choose a Versace, then carry her things downstairs. Then she paused in the safe room for Corina’s passport.
“Ida, can you drive me back to the airport?”
“You know I can shug. I hate that you came all the way here for that gown . . . I should’ve told you . . . I knew I should’ve told you.”
“It’s okay. I wanted to see you and Mama anyway.” And Daddy if he’d ever show his face.
Corina returned to the library as Ida Mae went for her purse and keys, ready to leave anytime Corina wanted. “Mama, Ida’s going to drive me back down to Atlanta. My flight leaves this evening.”
“Have a nice trip, Corina.”
“The quiet room is lovely. Peaceful.”
“Do you think he would’ve liked it?”
“Yes, I thinkhewould.” Corina inched toward her mother, bending to give her forehead a quick kiss. “I’m sorry about earlier.”
“Never you mind.” Mama lifted her face, her smile fixed, her eyes empty. “It’s forgotten.”
Corina knelt on the floor next to her, leaning against the chair, and for a few minutes, rested there, watching the midmorning sun move over the lake.
ELEVEN
You must be joking.” Corina leaned over the VIP reservation desk, iPhone in hand, her hotel reservation displayed on the screen. “Here’s my name, the date, and confirmation number. Corina Del Rey. Look again.”
After an eight-hour flight from Atlanta to Cathedral City, she wanted nothing more than a hot, soaking bath, scrumptious room service, and a nap. Not a cheeky hotel clerk who claimed she had no reservation.
The clerk shook his head. “D-e-l-R-e-y?”
“Yes.”
“Again, I apologize, but I do not see your name or reservation number.”
“How about under Beaumont Media? I listed them as my company name.”
The clerk brightened, his fingers moving quickly over the keyboard. But his hope faded. “No Beaumont Media.”
“But Ihavea confirmation number.” She waved her phone under his nose.
“I see that, but if I don’thaveit in the system I can’t let youhavea room.”
“Are you saying there are no rooms available? At all?” Corina loved this hotel. Walking across the white marble-and-stone lobby floor was like a stroll across a snowy street in heaven. The suites were luxurious. The food, divine.
The clerk winced. “I’m sorry, Miss Del Rey, but we’re all booked. It’s tourism season what with the art festivals, the summer internationals, the youth rugby tournament, and of course, the premier ofKing Stephen I. In fact, I’m surprised you were even able to make a reservation on such short notice.”
“Apparently I didnotmake a reservation.” Corina collected her wallet and phone, tucking them into her handbag.
