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“I saw you two together,” said Cinda, giving her a warning look. “I don’t know what it means, but I don’t want to see him hurt. Other women have tried to get his attention, but it quickly became clear that they were after his money.”

Emmie forced a smile. “I have no interest in any money Ted might or might not have.”

“You live in a different part of the state,” Cinda said. “How would that work?”

Emmie remained calm, even pleasant, deciding what to say. She wouldn’t allow Cinda to ruin the precious kiss between her and Ted.

Before she could respond, Ted’s call ended. He turned to Emmie with a look of regret. “I’m really disappointed, but I’ve got to go home. I hope to return before you leave the hotel.”

“I’m sorry this has happened to you and your family,” Emmie said. “Please let me know how it all goes. And be safe as you travel back and forth.”

He gave her a longing look, but she didn’t want to kiss him in front of Cinda. He understood and stepped back. “See you soon, I hope.”

He and Cinda trotted away.

Emmie walked to the foamy edge of the water, letting it curl around her ankles, grounding her emotions. She stared at the waves rolling in to shore and retreating in a regular pattern. Their movement soothed her as it usually did, but she knew later, when she had more time, she’d relive Ted’s kiss over and over again.

It had been years since she’d experienced the feelings he drew out of her. She felt as if she’d been awakened from a deep, sorrowful sleep and was now ready to discover one of the best benefits of living life well.

Ann Sanders saw her and came over. “Hi, Emmie. How are you?”

“I’m fine,” she said automatically. “I’m really enjoying my stay. I want to thank you again for including me in your Christmas activities. It made such a difference to my time here.”

“Rhonda and I thank you for your help. It was really needed,” said Ann. “The flu couldn’t have hit our staff at a worse time.”

“Everything back to normal?” Emmie asked.

“Hopefully,” said Ann. “Have you signed up for one of our afternoon teas? That’s something I love to do, and the hotel does a great job.”

“Thanks for the suggestion. It sounds like fun.” Emmie gave Ann a little wave and decided to take a long walk while she mulled over her thoughts. She had a few more days left of her vacation and hoped Ted could make it back in time so they could see one another again.

###

Later, following Ann’s suggestion, Emmie sat in the hotel’s library to participate in the afternoon tea. Because she was alone, she was seated at a table with a woman named Dorothy Stern and her friend, Ethel Rosenbaum. Dorothy was proud to tell Emmie that she had helped Ann and Rhonda with mailings and other office work for the hotel, and had done it since they first opened. Ethel volunteered as well, and both were comfortable with the staff.

Emmie loved the way the hotel had dressed individual tables in pink linen with centerpieces of pink roses in crystal bud vases. Dishware for the event held an old-fashioned design of pink flowers circling the plates and on the teacups.

“Is this your first time at the hotel?” Dorothy asked her.

“It was a surprise gift, and I’m enjoying every minute of it.” She didn’t want to get into the particulars.

Dorothy eventually got Emmie to tell her where she lived, how many children she had, where she worked, and what she thought of a television series that Emmie had never watched.

Amused, Emmie found out all the details of life outside the hotel. Dorothy even mentioned the man who was the President of the Neighborhood Association, a man both Dorothy and Ethel apparently detested. Emmie recounted that she had met Brock Goodwin on the beach and was not at all impressed.

When the tiered tray of food arrived at their table, all talk ended as they sampled each offering.

“No one can beat The Beach House Hotel for tea. Their cucumber sandwiches and pastries are the best,” said Ethel, taking another morsel from the tray.

“We only get one of each kind,” Dorothy said to her friend. “That way we can all taste everything.”

“Oops!” said Ethel. “You can choose one of mine.”

Entertained by these two women, Emmie enjoyed herself.

When it was time to leave, Emmie was sad to go to her suite, knowing she wasn’t going to meet Ted as planned.

She walked out to the pool area and sat in a chair, watching others swim. Her phone buzzed with a text. Ted.