“Don’t be too hard on her,” Traci said. “Being a single mom, raising a daughter alone can’t be easy, but from what I know about you, she did a superlative job. That’s not what I called you in to talk about, though.”
She bit her lower lip. “I’ve got to have someone working the guest relations desk. As you might imagine, our guests are rattled. They’re nervous, and having a police presence here, asking questions, has them worried and on edge. And as soon as the news broke about Parrish, we started getting cancellations.”
“Oh man. That’s awful,” Livvy said. “Like you don’t have enough on your plate.”
“Honestly, if I could, I’d close the Saint, today. Losing Parrish is like losing a part of myself. Again.”
Livvy felt herself tearing up, seeing the pain in her boss’s eyes.
“But I can’t afford to close down the Saint. We have bookings and commitments, a wedding coming up next weekend… and then there’s our staff. We’re the biggest employer in this county. My staff is like family to me, and I believe they need us, as much as we need them.”
Traci looked over at the framed wedding photograph on her desk. “Besides. This place is my husband’s legacy. It’s all I have left of him, so I guess I’m just gonna suck it up and keep going. Because I don’t have any other choice.”
“Good for you, Mrs. E,” Livvy said. “How can I help?”
“You can take over for Parrish on the guest relations desk,” Traci said. “I’ve already talked to the dining room manager, and Garrett. He’s called in someone who can take over your shifts for now. That is, if you agree.”
“But… I’ve never done that kind of work before,” Livvy said. “Are you sure there isn’t someone more qualified?”
“Positive,” Traci said firmly. “You’re the right girl for the job. You’re hardworking and loyal and you’re a fast learner. So, will you do it?”
“Yes, ma’am,” Livvy said. “When do I start?”
“Now’s as good a time as any,” Traci said, rising from her desk. “I’ll train you myself.”
CHAPTER 35
By the end of the day, Livvy felt she’d had a crash course in customer care from a woman who had refined it to an art form.
Even as heartbroken and grief-stricken as Traci Eddings was, she somehow managed to present a sunny and serene face to the hotel’s guests.
“Oh hell,” Traci whispered, when she spied Colonel McBee tap-tapping his way across the lobby in their direction. “That’s Colonel McBee. He was the biggest pain in Parrish’s butt.”
“I know him,” Livvy said. “He was unanimously voted most likely to send back his meal. Every. Single. Day.”
“Right,” Traci said, pasting on a smile. “Here’s what you do. Smile and be accommodating, but if he demands to have his room moved, yet again, politely explain that it’s impossible.”
The Colonel stopped in his tracks when he saw not one, but two new faces standing behind the guest relations desk.
“Good afternoon, Colonel,” Livvy chirped.
The old man frowned. “What are you doing here? Why aren’t you in the dining room? And where’s the other girl?”
Livvy and Traci exchanged a look. Livvy cleared her throat, but it was Traci who spoke first.
“I’m afraid my niece Parrish met with a tragic accident over the weekend, Colonel, which is why you might notice a police presenceon our property. But I want to assure you and Mrs. McBee that you’re perfectly safe.”
McBee’s mustache twitched. “Accident? What kind of accident?”
“I’m not at liberty to say,” Traci said. “Olivia here will be happy to help you with whatever you need.”
“But she’s just a waitress,” he griped. “What does she know about taking care of my wife and me?”
“What exactly can I help you with?” Livvy asked, taking a cue from Traci.
“The mattress in our room. It’s terrible. The other girl promised to see about replacing it, but nothing has been done, and my poor wife’s sciatica has her in excruciating pain.”
“Mattress?” Livvy gave her boss a sidelong glance.
