Tomorrow, Ty Takes A Tour
Slipping off her chair from behind the desk, she walks out to greet them. She asked the Chef to make a couple of plates of finger foods so they could walk and snack as they made the rounds. They had to be hungry; the flight is long, and peanuts don't do much.
They started out in the restaurant meeting Rocco and his staff. Receiving a plate of shrimp, fruit, and many of his signature finger foods, they seemed grateful.
The shrimp was the biggest grilled shrimp Ty has ever seen. They walk out all smiles. She took them out the doorway where she was shot from. Looking closely at the rocks, she saw Diego pacing the perimeter, keeping a close eye on her. She waved to acknowledge his concerns. She walked them around the pools and spoke to a number of guests. Ty was a natural with guests. Megan was not as interactive, but she was to work at the desk she didn't expect her to go out and entertain. That is why we have Niesha with her non-stop energy. Speaking of her, she crossed the patio all smiles ready to greet them.
"Hi, I'm Niesha the entertainment director and we have a group playing poker already," she said, shaking their hands.
"How would they even know about playing poker here?" Tomorrow asked, looking towards the room.
"Dan, Dan the poker man came in on the same flight as Ty and Megan," she said with a smile. "He and his friends have taken over the game room. Do you need me to call my uncle to help?"
"Ask Thomas, the bar crew may want the time." Tomorrow told her, turning her attention back to Ty. "We had a group at Christmas that became bored during a rainstorm and Lucas brought out board games and cards. Dan said he liked playing here because he didn't lose real money and vowed to bring back his friends," she told them.
"Apparently, he has come back," and she was upset she hadn't noticed him come in. Actually, quite shocked she hadn't heard his bellowing voice. She had been so fixated on Ty, she missed him.
"Apparently you did, and they are proving to be a rowdy bunch. I'll go and see what Thomas wants to do. Nice to meet you Ty and Megan. I hope you decide to work here. I love it here," Niesha said and ran off to make arrangements.
"She is full of energy," Tomorrow said as they watched her leave. That was something she had little of now. She wasn't sure if it was depression setting in or she was ill, but this lack of energy was concerning her. Maybe an infection from the bullet was her guess. She needed to go to the doctor and have him check her out. It has only been five weeks since she was shot, she has to remember. For her to expect to feel normal was not reasonable. She signaled to Diego to come over before she went down. He was at her side in what seemed seconds. Diego was a big man at least six feet four and all muscles.
He has always reminded her of the image of the black stallion stud from the erotic romance novels she used to read. Testosterone dripped off the man. She imagined his girlfriend was quite satisfied with his efforts. All she had to do was look at him and she was up in his arms, and she was carried to a lounge chair. Ty looked concerned and confused as he followed him. Megan stood back just watching.
"How about you show them the beach and explain the different things we offer for entertainment in the warmer months."
"Yes, ma'am and we will be back for you soon," Diego said, looking her in her eyes looking for the signs Lucas described to him when she goes down. She didn't have that jerking motion of her eye or dilation of the pupils. He only saw a slight reaction so he knew she would be fine. If she rested here for now, she should be Ok.
"I'm doing Ok Diego, just tired you know me. Go show them around, you know more about the place then I do," she said, relaxing back thinking this is ridiculous, she is now down to only a few hours before she needs a nap. Watching them walk along the beach, she wished Diego had the training to run this place. He would be the most dedicated person, and she would never have to worry about anything.
Closing her eyes to relax, she knew she had to go back to Angleton soon. She needed to face the music with her mother and do something with LeMoine's property. The FBI was done so she needs to do something to pay the taxes. Sensing someone near she opened her eyes and Dan stood over her.
"Hi sweetie," he said sadly.
Shifting in her lounger, she made room for him to sit. "Dan, it is so good to see you. I'm sorry I missed you earlier."
"You too, I was looking forward to teasing your man when I got back. Laurel told me what happened. It is hard to believe he isn't here." Dan said as he sat down next to her.
Tomorrow cupped his cheek. "I know, I keep looking for him."
"So, you're doing, Ok? You were shot also," he asked, looking her over very concerned.
"I just stopped the bullet; it cracked a couple of ribs is all. He saved me. I wish he hadn't. He should be here, not me."
"Well, I'm sure he would disagree so don't talk like that. He loved you. We could tell every time he looked at you. So right at your wedding those crazy people came after you."
"Yes, we had no idea they knew where I was," She took a deep breath displaying how exhausted she really was.
"You want me to take you to your apartment and let you sleep?" Dan asked.
"That would be great, but I don't have my key," she pointed out, remembering he was with the group who listened at her window when she and Lucas made love the first time.
"I can take you by the front desk and then to your apartment no problem. You can't be more than a hundred and twenty pounds. I could bench you all day," he said, showing her his muscles. He was a big man. Well over six four and lots of muscles. Smiling at his antics, he stood and put out his arms, she would welcome a ride.
"You should be playing poker and not worrying about me."
"And I will once I know you're comfortable. Now come on and let me help." He said, scooping her up as she stood. Looking over Dan's shoulder, she watched Diego pointing at the rocks where the sniper hid and back to the restaurant. Well, she didn't have to explain anything to anyone with her employees telling everyone her life's story. She was actually grateful she didn't have to explain. She knew she couldn't explain it all. It hurt too much to even think about him.
Hugging Dan tighter, she rested her head on his shoulder. It was nice to be held again. She had missed David for that reason alone.
Concerned looks were coming from every direction. Waving her hand in a dismissing manner she called out, "I'm fine he is just being gallant," she repeated the statement three times before they made it to the front desk.
"It is nice to know you're well cared for," he said making his way out the side door. Shifting her weight, she hugged him tighter. "You know I can walk."
"And how gallant would that be," he teased, jostling her in his arms a little.
"So how many friends did you bring with you?"
"Only four, but I recruited two others on the plane. They canceled their reservation and came here. I just told them, 'No man, you have to go to the Paradise to have fun'."
"Wow, I need to give you your stay at half price," Tomorrow teased as he took her key and opened her door. The place was clean, thank God. The maid service has been taking care of her for the last few weeks. Cleaning was the last thing on her mind.
Flipping the cover back, he laid her down, pulled her sandals and dropped her sheet over her. He looked pleased with his efforts.
"Thanks Dan, I'll rest for a while."
"Good, I hope to see you at dinner."
"Sounds good if not I'll come and find you," she offered and settled into her pillow.
"Bye sweetie," Dan said and made his way out of the apartment, locking the door behind him. He had to get back to the game. "Nothing like bringing a bunch of people, then leaving them on their own," he said. "But he had no idea of the nightmare he was returning to." What the hell is that woman going to do now? This whole mess is all the talk back in Texas. Once he heard her name, he knew it had to be her. Then he gets here, and Lucas is gone.
Walking into the lobby Megan was behind the front desk looking over the set up. Laurel was on the phone and Lucas's office door was open. Stopping in her stride, she stepped into the office seeing Ty thumbing through the spreadsheets Pearson printed out a couple of days ago. He has been doing paychecks and keeping track of as much as he can on the night shift. It may be night, but our guests don't exactly keep Bankers' hours. That is one reason why we try to space out guests, when possible, to let the ones who want to sleep, sleep. It lets the ones who want to swim and act a fool do it all they want.
"So, what do you think?" She asked, stepping into the office and sitting on the couch. She ran her hand over the arm, remembering how she clung to it as Lucas made love to her.
"You have a money-making business here. Good workers, all very loyal."
"True, they all loved Lucas. I can tell you have been told the sad story of his death. I promise no one else is after me now," she said with a sad smile.
"Yes, a couple of people told me and I'm sorry for your loss."
"So, have we scared you off?" Tomorrow asked.
"No, not at all, I would love the job. This place is a dream after what I have been dealing with. Thank you for the suite with two rooms. Megan is a girlfriend, but we hadn't gotten that far yet. I'm not sure she will be coming with me. She is very close to her family and church and that may stop her. However, I can guarantee you I can find two or more who would love to come here. They will be someone you can depend on.
"So, does that mean you will take the job?"
"I would be a fool not to. I'll give my notice when I get back and try to return as soon as possible."
A smile spread across her face as she stood, reaching out to hug him. "Thank you I have been so concerned this whole place was going to implode. I do advertising, not hotel management. Lucas planned to teach me. But." she said and raised her hands in an I give up action.
"I'll be back as soon as possible. Know that this place is not going to implode. Pearson has done a good job on the payroll and keeping track of the expenses. You are making money," he assured her. "Unless you have a huge payment on the place that I haven't found,"
"No, it is paid for. I know that much. His grandfather built it in the late fifties, early sixties and the remodel was done with cash this past year."
"Well then just relax and enjoy the place. I plan to stay for the weekend," Ty told her.
"Good and the pay is good?"
"Yes, with the apartment and food, eating my meals in that great restaurant is a pleasure. Yes, I will be happy with that pay for quite a while," he said with a big smile on his face. She slipped back in for another hug. Apparently, she needs them. "Have you been in the game room? I hear they have a few good games of poker going. We can visit with the guys for a while. It is a little too early for dinner," Tomorrow suggested.
Two hours later a group sat around the large family size table. They were taking turns telling their favorite stories about Lucas.
Diego elaborated how excited Lucas was when Tomorrow told him she would come. He got up and danced a happy dance, Lucas did for a couple of days before she arrived. Tomorrow visualized him doing it and laughed at his silliness. She needed these fond memories and laughter. Dan was in the middle of an exaggerated story about his card playing ability with physical demonstration of his facial expression if his cards were good or bad. That was why he only won two hands, and they gave him those to keep him playing. But once he knew, Tomorrow was up, he was ready to go and be with her. "Nope, you were his everything," Dan assured her. He took her hand and kissed her knuckles and mouthed, "sorry."
Ty excused himself and she watched as he went to introduce himself to Pearson, who was now working the desk. Laurel kept making mad dashes back and forth until he came on duty. She didn't want to miss the conversation but still had desk duty. They seemed to be getting along well. Pearson was all smiles, and the handshake seemed hardy. She was sure he saw him as help with all he had taken on.
Tomorrow breathed a sigh of relief she may have found someone with the personality and diligence to run this place. Pearson became very animated flipping his hands here and there talking away to Ty. That was keeping everyone entertained just watching. "So, what do you think of Ty as a manager for the place?" She asked Dan.
"I like him. He is not a card player, which may be good. He is smart and young; you don't want some old fuddy-duddy running the place "
"No, that is what I told Agent Comorian, and he helped me find the job site Lucas used to find me. He just placed an ad, and Ty was one of the first to apply. He hated his job he had in Austin. He was in a big hotel in downtown Austin, and they had a lot of conferences that he was in charge of."
"Oh, that is good, so he knows about partiers," Dan quipped back.
"I thought conferences were boring," Tomorrow stated to the group.
"Depends on the conference," two of the other men chimed in and laughed. "Some can get downright rowdy."
That set off a conversation about some of the ones they have been to. As she listened, she knew he had to be able to handle people if he could supervise what they were talking about. Tomorrow turned red listening to the conversation. She received twenty or so applicants, but none of the others called to her like Ty's did.
Tomorrow excused herself, she was tired again. First thing Monday morning she was calling the doctor and using her great insurance plan Lucas has for her. She is going to have a checkup.
She bid Ty and Megan good-bye. He will be back ASAP, but as he figured Megan would not. She did thank her for a wonderful vacation. Ty was convinced he could round up some desk clerks for her and told her to save her money and not post an ad. Crossing her fingers as they left that he would be back soon with help. Tomorrow breathed a sigh of relief. She had to go home, tend to the LeMoine property, and talk with her mother, having Ty come will alleviate her fears for the hotel.