“Why would she do that? I’m a big girl. Besides, she said she liked you.”
“She says a lot of things,” Craig said. “Has she said anything about her connection with Trace Sumpter? Maybe you should start there with your accusations and leave me alone.”
“We’re through! Take your stuff from the room and get out of here tonight.”
“Not happening,” Craig said. “My name was on the reservation for the resort too, and I’m staying. Maybe you should go home instead.”
Tears pooled in the corners of Selene’s eyes. “You’re right. We should talk in the morning. Good night.” She turned and walked quickly toward the door and disappeared outside.
“Craig, you should walk her back to the Inn,” Jolene said. “Could be muggers hanging around in the dark.”
“In peaceful, Christmassy, Pineville?” Craig asked. “I doubt she’s in any danger.”
“Do what’s right,” Jolene said. “One thing I always appreciated about you was your courteous manner with people.”
He stared at Jolene. “I do not regret wanting to kiss you and I am going to end it with Selene and come back to Sebring. You can count on it.”
That said, Craig turned and followed Selene out of the building. Jolene went to the refreshment table and ladled out a large glass of cold lemonade. She found a seat in the corner and tried to blend into the background. Only a few stragglers searching for a partner managed to find her, but her time on the dance floor was done and she refused. But she did remain at the dance, not wanting to return to the resort until most of the guests had retired – especially Selene and Craig.
Her father sought her out. “Troubled heart?”
The moment she looked at him, tears flowed. He sat beside her and held her close until her shaking stopped and she pulled away.
“You warned me,” Jolene muttered. “He was my first love – my only real love. How am I supposed to forget that?”
“You’re not supposed to forget,” Trace said. “But life is supposed to move on. A new love won’t replace the old but it has a unique attraction of its own.”
“Is that what you feel with Barbie – something totally different than you felt with my mother?”
Trace looked away unable to hold her searching gaze.
“I did love your mother, but that’s history.”
“Of course, it is, since she’s dead,” Jolene said.
His eyes wandered back to her face. “I suppose.” Trace stood and Jolene thought he looked suddenly tired. She jumped up to embrace him.
“I’m sorry I brought her up. You were having such fun with Barbie. She is a nice woman, and I can see she loves you dearly. You will have a good life with her, daddy. Promise me you’ll hold on to that new love.”
“I will. Barbie is a special lady,” he said. “One I best get back to. Do you want to travel back to the Inn with us?”
“No. I’m going to see this out to the end. I’ll grab a taxi or a ride back with one of the other guests.”
Trace kissed his daughter’s cheek and went looking for his bride. Jolene was alone again and she squared her shoulders, deciding she best get used to it. She’d chosen the demanding career over a happy-ever-after, so she only had herself to blame.
Chapter 10
“Goodnight,” Jolene said to the couple as she stepped out of the taxi at the front doors of the Inn. They waved, and when the door was shut, the driver continued down the laneway to bring them to their rented cabin in the wooded area of the resort. A guard was stationed at the entrance and after showing him her room tab, he checked her name off the list.
“You’re the last one to return. Hope you had a good time at the dance.”
She smiled. “I did, thank you. Have a good night and thanks for keeping us all safe.”
“My pleasure, miss.” Once inside, he closed the door firmly.
Jolene walked through the foyer, guided by the dim lights that shone for wandering guests all night long in the main rooms of the Inn. Before her foot hit the bottom step, she heard voices. It sounded like her father and she retraced her steps back toward the sitting room. As she drew nearer, she recognized the other voice as Sheki’s. Jolene flattened against the wall out of sight and their voices easily carried through the abandoned lower floor.
“What do you propose we do?” Sheki asked.
“Well, I’m not leaving. This is my honeymoon and Barbie will ask questions.”
“Really, Trace,” Sheki said. “I thought when you waited so long to remarry, you’d be fussier.”
“Don’t go there, Sheki,” Trace warned in a tone Jolene hadn’t heard from her father.
“Fate has not smiled on us. Selene and Craig are having a lover’s tiff and instead of stomping off to work as is her usual escape, she is determined to talk it out with him tomorrow,” Seika said. “It’s beyond me what she sees in the man. They have no future together and I will be sure to push that agenda.”
“He seems nice enough,” Trace said. “Selene is a big girl. Maybe you should mind your own business and let them work it out.”
“And meanwhile, we are both stuck here, babysitting two grown girls and a confused young man. The situation has the potential of a time bomb set to explode,” Sheki said.
“Let’s see what tomorrow brings,” Trace said. “Just keep out of my family’s way, hear?”
“I wouldn’t dream of interfering. We’ve worked far too hard to keep our secret.”
When Jolene heard the approaching shuffle, she backed into a corner close by and watched the lady
