Identity

“She’s a sensible young woman.” Lydia spoke for the first time. “We already have policies and protocol in place to ensure the safety of our guests and our staff. We add these layers to it for these circumstances. Are we all agreed on that?”

“Of course we are.” Mick patted his wife’s hand. “She’s part of the resort family, and we look after family. I’m going to add I like her style behind the bar. Got a smooth way. I may not understand how anyone mixes lavender with tequila, but she’s got a smooth way.”

“The lavender margarita. I could use one right about now.”

“How about I buy you a drink, babe, when the meeting adjourns?”

Drea smiled at her husband. “You’ve got a deal.”

“That’s all I have at the moment. I’m going to keep in contact with the agents in charge, with Jake, and we can adjust what we’re doing, depending. Nell, will you text Morgan about her parking arrangements?”

“Can do. I’m going to ask her to come in thirty minutes early tomorrow so we can go over all of this. I’d also like to know why she went to Grand instead of me.”

“She thought we’d let her go.”

Liam goggled at his grandmother. “Get out. She ought to know better.”

“Now she does,” Miles said.

“Still. Anyway, I’ll talk to the Adventure managers in the morning, cover that end. If we’re done, I’m going to take off. I’ve got a date.”

“Liam Jameson has a date.” Now his sister feigned shock. “Alert the media!”

“You’re just jealous.”

“A little bit.”

He poked her as he rose. “You’d have a date, too, if you weren’t so picky.”

“You’d have fewer dates if you were more selective.”

“Maybe, but then I’d be heading to the movies alone. Night, all.”

“Ah, to be twenty-five.” Mick sighed.

“At twenty-five, you were engaged to me.”

He grabbed Lydia’s hand, kissed it. “Exactly. Why don’t I buy you a drink, my own darling?”

“Why don’t you?”

“Miles, Nell, want to join the previous generations in some libation?”

“I would, but I’ve got some work to catch up on.” As he spoke, Miles gathered papers.

“I’ll get in on it,” Nell said. “Join you in a few minutes.”

When they were alone, Miles looked at his sister. “What?”

“Do you think he’ll come here?”

“I think it’s a lot less likely he tries for her here than at her home, or on the road between there and here.”

“That’s what I think, and there’s nothing we can do about that. Still, we take the precautions here.” Nell rose, hooked the strap of her briefcase on her shoulder. “I like her.”

“She’s likable enough.” He wrapped the sandwich he hadn’t touched in a napkin.

“Bring that napkin back.”

“Right. I’m going to finish up this work at home.”

“I’ll call room service, have them clear.”

“Are you taking the other half of yours?”

“No, I’m going to hit Pop up for some bar food.”

He grabbed another napkin, wrapped the second half of her sandwich. “I’ll bring both back. Nell, walk out with the family when they leave, would you?”

“I’m not his type.” She gave her own brown hair a tug.

“Just don’t walk to your car alone. Indulge me.”

“Consider yourself indulged.”

Satisfied, he walked out with her, then peeled off to go home.



* * *



On her first drive to work in her new car, Morgan felt the first tiny sparks of joy. It ran so smooth, so quiet, it smelled so good. She loved the screen, and promised herself she’d program home and work and the shop into the GPS first chance.

For fun.

She didn’t love the order to use guest parking, but she’d obey without argument. The Jamesons offered their full support, and they didn’t have to. The least she could do was follow orders without complaint.

She caught the look in the doorman’s eye as she waved on her way in. Word had spread. She wouldn’t complain about that either, and she’d work on not feeling so odd and exposed.

More looks here and there as she made her way to the offices, and she told herself it was only natural. People were concerned or curious, or both.

Nell’s door stood open. Inside she paced, energy vibrating, as she talked on a headset. She’d scooped her hair up today, and wore brown pants, a V-necked, sleeveless shirt. A cream-colored leather jacket hung over the back of her desk chair.

“Absolutely and completely ready with every detail in place. Yes, Hospitality will deliver everything requested to the bride’s room at two, and make the delivery to the groom’s room at two-thirty.”

She shot Morgan a look, rolled her eyes, pointed to a chair. “I spoke with my mother just this morning. She has everything for the table settings. Yes, the favors, too. No need to confirm that with her. It’s going to be a beautiful wedding, Mrs. Fisk. We have everything under control. Yes, we’re looking forward to it, too. See you Saturday.”

Nell disconnected, then dropped into a chair. “The mother of the bride.”

“I had a feeling.”

“I bet you a million dollars she calls either me or my mother back, or both of us, before the end of the business day.”

“Even if I had a million dollars, I wouldn’t take that bet. Or your job.”

“Good, because I actually like my job. There may be something deeply wrong with me, but I like it. So, I wanted to tell you we have everything in place with security.”

“I appreciate it, very much. I know it adds time and trouble.”

“Very little of either. We have good security. Now we have awareness of a situation. I want to ask you, Morgan, why you didn’t come to me with that situation. If you thought I’d be less sympathetic and supportive than my grandmother.”

“No. Oh, God, no. You were in a meeting, the Saturday wedding.”

“Oh Jesus, Mrs. Fisk again.” She pushed a hand through her hair. “I didn’t realize you’d come in during that time slot. Would you have come to me otherwise?”

“Yes.”

The lack of hesitation had Nell nodding. “Okay then. I wanted to make sure you knew you could come to me. Because you can,” she added. “Even if it’s just to unload. I honestly don’t know what I’d do in your place. I don’t know how I’d handle it.”

“You probably wouldn’t break down in tears in front of your bosses.”

“Plural?”

“Miles walked in right after the dam broke.”

Nell’s lips curved as she stretched out her legs. “I’m not smiling at you, but at his reaction, the one that just played in my head. It goes something like: ‘Oh shit.’”

“Something like that. You could say I unloaded. I’m okay now.”

“Are you?”

“What else am I going to do? I have to live, I have to work. We’re using the alarm system at home. I’m supposed to check the gas gauge, the tire pressure before I drive anywhere. Lock the car, and still check the back seat. I ordered panic buttons, as advised. And I’m going to look into a self-defense course.”

“On the last, look no further.”

“What, you?”

“No, but … Don’t I look like I can handle myself?” Nell curled up her right arm, flexed.