that what Stephanie would be doing this weekend? Not spending time with a boyfriend, he knew now. That was some relief. But maybe going out with girlfriends to singles clubs, or on blind dates, trying to find a new boyfriend?
He sighed and shifted restlessly in his seat. Why torture yourself? She’s clearly and totally off limits. Is that the fascination here? The kind of woman you need is running off to the French countryside to mingle with celebrities. Not hopping a subway to Brooklyn to babysit.
He glanced around the stylishly decorated, perfectly neat apartment. It suddenly felt so sterile…so oppressive. He had to get out of here. He snapped off the TV with the remote and dropped his glass on the marble coffee table.
Back in the bedroom, he started to pack a bag. The phone rang and he paused. Jenna again? Maybe her plans changed and she was free.
He made no move to pick it up. He didn’t want to see her tonight after all. The machine answered on the third ring and he listened closely.
“Mr. Harding? I’m sorry to bother you. I’m not even sure if you’re there…but a problem has come up that you should know about….”
Stephanie. He leaped toward the writing desk and scooped up the receiver.
“Yes, Stephanie. I’m here. What is it?”
Some glitch with the banquet. She needed his help. He’d run down and smooth it out. Then maybe they’d have dinner together….
“It’s Blue Water Cay. Ben Drury, the general manager just called. Talks just broke off with the unions. All the local employees just walked off the job—”
“What!?” Matt jumped up from his seat at the desk.
Blue Water Cay was the newest Harding property, a luxury resort and spa set on a tiny island off Florida’s southwest coast. The resort had opened just weeks ago. There were always kinks to work out at a new hotel. He knew the unions were acting up, asking for changes on the contract they’d only just signed. He had a team of mediators and lawyers on it.
But a complete walk-off of all employees? That was a total disaster.
“It was hard to get all the details. You should probably speak to Mr. Drury directly. He’s waiting for your call.”
“Of course. Do you have his number handy?” Matt grabbed a pen and paper and jotted down the number Stephanie recited.
“Thanks. Don’t leave the hotel until you hear from me,” he added. “I may need you tonight.”
Stephanie promised to wait for his call. She said goodbye and hung up.
Matt quickly dialed the general manager of Blue Water Cay Resort. The phone rang once and Ben’s voice came on the line.
“What the hell is going on down there?” Matt began the conversation without bothering with a greeting. “My assistant says you just had a full-scale walkout.”
Ben confirmed the bad news and went on to explain the problem in detail. Beneath his calm tone, Matt could sense that the newly promoted general manager was indeed, in a panic.
Understandably. It was a mess few hoteliers would ever have to face. Yet Matt was still angry that the situation had gone so far out of control before anyone had called him.
“The worst news is the union reps have walked out of their meetings with our representatives. Unfortunately, guests are starting to walk out, too.”
Just what he didn’t want to hear. An incident like this could tarnish the new hotel’s reputation for years to come. Matt simply couldn’t let this happen.
“Enough said. I’ve got the picture.” Matt considered reading Ben Drury the riot act. Then realized that would only waste time. Once he reached the hotel, he’d have plenty of opportunity to reprimand his top executive.
“Hold tight. I’ll be there in a few hours.” Matt glanced at his watch. “I’ll call from Miami. Send a car to the airport.”
The trip to the island from New York required a flight to Miami and then a puddle jumper, a small twin-engine plane that made quick runs to the islands.
“Sure thing. It might be hard to catch a shuttle tonight, though. You may have to wait until morning,” Ben advised in a nervous tone.
“I’ll be there tonight. One way or another,” Matt promised him.
Sounding like a man about to face the guillotine, Drury said goodbye quickly and hung up.
And with good reason. There was a major mess to be cleaned up, and he was the only one able to do it.
Along with Stephanie Rossi, he silently added.
The thought struck like an inspiration. He couldn’t think of anyone at this moment more able to help him. He was sure of it. She had to come. He’d make her come. He wouldn’t give her any choice.
You just want to see her in a bathing suit, his chiding voice cut in.
That’s not it at all. I need help down there. I can’t do it all on my own. She’s terrific at handling disgruntled guests, figuring out staffing, everything that needs to be covered to run a hotel.
Okay…I would love to see her in a bathing suit. With one of those matching sarong things floating around her hips, he mused.
But that’s totally beside the point!
Packing his bag with one hand, he dialed Stephanie with the other and then tucked the phone between his shoulder and cheek.
“I just spoke to Drury. It’s a disaster. I’m going down there right away.”
“Oh…that’s too bad,” Stephanie murmured in agreement. He could hear the banquet in the background. The clatter of plates and the murmur of the partying journalists.
“Who’s at the concierge desk tonight?”
“Max,” Stephanie replied.
“Have him book two seats on the next flight to Miami. If he can’t find a connection to the Cay tonight, have him hire a private plane. Something small. Then meet me in the lobby in fifteen minutes. I need you to come along. Got that?”
He waited for her reply, hearing only silence. He imagined the shocked look on her lovely face.
“I’m sorry…it’s a little noisy in here. Did you say you want me to come to Blue Water Cay?”
“That’s what I said. You’re my assistant, aren’t you?” he reminded her. “Isn’t an assistant expected to assist with emergencies?”
He felt a twinge of conscience at his gruff sarcasm.
He wasn’t really annoyed, just trying to strong-arm her into a quick agreement. If she didn’t fear her job was on the line, he reasoned, she might make some excuse not to go.
“Why…yes. I mean, of course. I just didn’t expect…” Stephanie paused and took a deep breath. “I don’t have any clothes.
