The three of them stared after the woman who stopped to speak to guests as they worked their way out of the room. Selene turned vicious eyes on Jolene. “I don’t know how you did it, but you cheated. I’m going to lie in the sun, Craig. I feel chilled.”
She marched from the room leaving Jolene and Craig to stare after her.
“You best go and console your girlfriend. The winner has not even been announced; maybe neither of us will be chosen. Perhaps you should advise her that it’s unprofitable to walk through life suspecting you are a loser before it even happens.”
“Selene has just lost a great promotion at work and probably hasn’t recovered yet. Please, excuse her behavior.” He started to walk away and twisted back to face Jolene. “Did you really get a heart in the mail?”
“A red one, complete with a week’s paid reservation at this resort.”
“Interesting,” Craig said as he left the room.
She watched and when a hand touched her arm, she startled. “Miss, you’re the last one. I want to bring the judges in before they get too busy with meal preparations.”
“Of course, I’m sorry.” Jolene rushed from the room and headed for the stairs. She needed a long, hot shower and some time alone. Going to the beach this afternoon was not happening.
Chapter 7
Her father arrived at the door to escort her to dinner. “Barbie sent me to get you. We haven’t seen you all afternoon and she is concerned you’re ill.”
“Not at all,” Jolene said. “Just wanted some alone time.”
“Good. You look gorgeous as usual.”
“It’s your honeymoon, daddy. You don’t need a third wheel hanging around. I’m fine on my own.”
“We manage to find lots of opportunity to play the honeymooning role and if my bride is happy then who am I to argue about whom she wants to join us at the dinner table. Truth be known, she thinks you are a sure win for the crown competition. She is proud of you, and she barely knows you. I hope you’ll give her a chance, Jolene. I realize she’s young but we’re in love. I couldn’t throw that away.”
“Well, good for you two. And I’m glad you’ve finally found happiness after grieving your childhood sweetheart for so many years. You deserve all the joy this world can bring and I’m rooting for you and Barbie.”
He clasped her hand in his. “Relieved to hear it. What about you – any love nipping at you since your initial disaster? First love is so hard to lose. Wasn’t his name Craig?”
“Yes, Craig, and he’s history. I’d rather not drag his memories into our cozy threesome here at the resort. Shall we go to dinner?”
Jolene closed the door behind her and allowed him to lead her to the dining room. She stayed focused on his conversation and did not allow herself to scan the room for Craig. It hurt too much to see him with another woman, and one as beautiful as Selene. Although, it was becoming clearer, that she could not hide or dodge the couple for the rest of the week, and if she wanted any fun out of this vacation, she would not find it reading romance books in her room. But she would avoid canoe trips with her ex. That closeness awakened far too many emotions she’d laid to rest after Craig left Sebring for the opportunity of a lifetime, a year long contract in the big city.
The guests applauded when the crowns she and Sandra had made earlier were carried in on a silver platter with a number 1 Winners Ribbon leaning against it. Jolene was forced to go to the front where her helper joined her. She gathered confidence from the woman’s gentle eyes and they linked hands and bowed low to their fans. Jolene hugged the woman and whispered, “Thank you,” in her ear. “I could not have done this without you.”
“Let not your heart be troubled, young one. Your miracle is around the corner.”
Jolene pulled away and smiled politely at the guests rising to their feet. “I believe they want us to lead the parade, Sandra.”
Her father and Barbie came first to drag them to the front of the line, and with #1 held high in the air, they began the trek to the sitting room. It was time to start decorating the Inn.
At midnight, Jolene was still awake. Donning her jogging pants and sweat shirt, she crept downstairs. The decorative Christmas lights still illuminated the sitting room. She walked inside and stood in awe of their earlier fun. At the tree, she fingered the ornaments, each one telling a historic story of this resort and area. The owner was more than willing to relate her proud legacy to all who wanted to hear. The popcorn reminded her of the trees she decorated with her father as a child. Lost in years gone by, the hushed frantic whisper in the registration area outside the room, caught her attention. Curious, she went to the door and peered around the corner. It was her father, and just as she was about to confront him, he spoke to the person on the end of his cell phone.
“I told you not to call me on my cell. I’m a married man now. I just need to know if you’re on your way. Your daughter is…”
Someone on the other end obviously cut him off. The silence stretched and Jolene backed against the interior wall of the sitting room, remaining out of sight.
“So, remember, pretend you don’t know me, okay, Sheki?”
Sheki! That was Selene’s mother’s name, the one she’d
