A Fresh Start
Chapter Eighty
Cassie is at the end of the hall when James leaves his room the next morning. He watches her for a few moments, amazed as to how much she reminds him of Sarah. He's walking towards her when she says to the maid. "Could you take care of that for me?"
"Yes ma'am." The maid replies, turning to go take care of whatever Cassie had asked her to take care of as James walks forward.
"Good Morning." He says, watching her
"Good morning." Cassie replies, turning to walk down the hall.
"Excuse me, Mrs. Winslow." James says, reaching out to stop her.
"Yes." Cassie says as she turns back to him. "Do I know you?"
"No, my name is James and I'm staying in the room 2034." He says, holding his hand out
"Is there a problem?" Cassie asks, shaking his hand.
"No, no, the room is fine, very comfortable."
"Thank you, was there something you needed then?"
"I… ah…. Would you have lunch with me?"
"Excuse me." Cassie asks, shocked.
"I asked you if you would have lunch with me."
"I… ah… appreciate the offer, but I have a very busy day today." Cassie says, turning away.
"Cassie." He says, reaching out to stop her. "I think you took that invitation the wrong way. I meant to discuss business." James says, moving in front of her and blocking her from leaving.
"Business, what business would we need to discuss?"
"I… ah…."
"I'm sorry, but I really am busy this morning."
"I'm sorry, I don't mean to hold you up." He say, still blocking her from going back down the hall way. "I like what you've done with the Beacon." He says, trying a different tack.
"Thank you."
"I own…."
"The Beacon isn't for sale."
"No, no, I don't want to buy it."
"Then what do you want?"
"As I was saying, I own a chain of resorts across Europe. We are looking to add to our current services and I think that an operation like the Beacon is the idea we're looking for."
"You want to recreate the Beacon across Europe."
"Yes."
"I can't make the decision Mr. …?"
"Richards, James Marshall Richards."
"Mr. Richards, as I was saying, I can't make that decision."
"You do own the hotel?"
"Then why…?"
"I have a partner and any decisions about the Beacon have to be put before he as well. Thank you for the offer, but I don't believe we are interested in expanding at this time." Cassie says, as Olivia walks up to them.
"Cassie we need to discuss the contracts for the liquor supplier." Olivia says, holding up a folder
"Of course, Mr. Rich…." Cassie says turning back to him.
"Mr. James Richards." Olivia says in surprise.
"Yes." James says, smiling.
"You know him." Cassie asks
"Of course, he owns a large chain of luxury resorts across Western Europe. He's been on the cover of World Weekly six different times. Royalty… I'm sure you and Richard have stayed at one of his hotels. He owns the Couer de Croissant d´hotel in Paris and other hotels, royalty, movie stars and the wealthy stay at his resorts."
"Okay." Cassie says
"May I ask why you're here, Mr. Richards?"
"As I was explaining, I'm looking for new options to expand."
"What are you looking for?" Olivia asks.
"Something along the lines of what you've done here, with the Beacon. But I would really like to discuss this with Cassie." James says, sensing that Olivia was about to suggest that they get together to talk.
"Oh, okay." Olivia says, slightly surprised.
"So, Mrs. Winslow, could you have lunch with me?"
"As I explained I have a very busy scheduled for today…."
"Maybe we can meet tomorrow."
"I've got appointments tomorrow and I've got to take the boys shopping for school clothes and supplies."
"I'll only take an hour."
Cassie looks at Olivia for help but instead she says. "I can cover you appointments for an hour."
Cassie glares at Olivia before she turns back to James and says. "You can call my assistant and schedule something with her."
"I will, thank you." James says
Cassie and Olivia leave while James watches them. When they turn the corner, Cassie says. "Thanks a lot."
"What?"
"I didn't want to meet with him."
"Why, he says he's interested in…."
"He's interested in recreating the Beacon hotel, the Beacon hotel, a hotel that in the middle of the USA and he's interested and recreating that across Europe."
"Well, we're not Towers, but we're not the Springfield Inn either."
"Olivia, don't you think it's a bit strange that an owner of a chain of resorts across Europe comes to Springfield to look for ideas to expand his business, Springfield, mind you, Springfield, come on, he's up to something."
"You're just suspicious of everything. He's well known businessman…."
"Especially in small town hotel business."
"How could it hurt to listen to what he has to offer?"
"I've got a lot of things to do this week."
"I've seen your calendar Cassie. It's not that full today."
"I have other things to take care of, things that don't pertain to the Beacon."
"Like what, Richard can take the boys shopping for school clothes."
"If Phillip were here, would you let take Emma shopping for school clothes?"
"He wouldn't do it anyway. He would have one of the staff do it."
"That's not the point, but I have other things to do besides the boys."
"Like what?"
"I need to go shopping." Cassie says, as they walk downstairs
"You can't do that after work or this weekend."
"No, I can't.
"What are you not telling me?" Olivia asks, following her across the lobby.
"Nothing."
"Cassie, I know when you're hiding something."
"Alright, it has to do with Jeffrey."
"What?" Olivia says, crossing her arms. "You're not going away…."
"No, hell no, I'm not going away with him. See I knew I shouldn't tell you this." Cassie says, turning to leave.
"Cassie, wait. I'm sorry. What do you have to do and how does it involve Jeffrey?" Olivia says, reaching out to stop her.
"Sam came by the farm yesterday."
"And?"
"Maybe I shouldn't tell you this." Cassie says, walking into her office.
"Why?"
"Because it has to do with the wedding."
"Oh." She pauses for a few seconds and then she asks. "What about it?"
"You really want to know."
"Yes."
"You're not going to go crazy on me."
"Just tell me." Olivia says, exasperated.
"Sam asked me to be in the wedding." Cassie says, sitting down at her desk.
"Oh, she did." Olivia says, pausing for a couple seconds before she says, 'Umm okay."
"You're alright with that?"
"Ah… well I understand why she asked you. You've been helping her with it."
"Yes, I have, but I do consider her a friend and I believe she considers me one as well."
"So, I need to cover for you that day."
"Umm, yes."
"Okay." Olivia says, walking to the door.
Cassie watches her leave, surprised at her reaction and not sure what to do about it. Sitting down behind her desk, she sits there for a few seconds and then reaches for the folder that Olivia left with her.
James is walking across the lobby of the Beacon when he hears someone call his name, turning he see Alexandra Spaulding walking towards him. "Alex." He says when she reaches him.
"What are you doing here and why didn't you tell you were coming to town?"
"I'm here on personal business."
"Personal business, do you know someone here in Springfield?"
"Yes, you could say that, I would love to catch up but I'm in a bit of a hurry." James says, cutting off Alex's next question.
"Alright, but you must come by the house. I'm sure Alan would love to see you."
"If I have time." James says, nodding as he turns to walk away.
Alex watches him walk out of the lobby before she walks into Olivia's, sitting down across from the head of the lighthouse committee.
Walking out to his car, he pulls out his phone. Dialing the number for his London office he gets into his car as Sarah picks up. "Hello."
"Sarah." James says, closing the door.
"Dad, what is happening? Please tell me you're not calling to tell me you're not..."
"I'll be home Friday. I need you to take care of something for me."
"Okay."
"I've got a meeting with Cassie."
"You're not..."
"No, I'm not going to tell her, not right now anyway. I need you to put together a business proposal for me and a presentation about our resorts."
"Why?"
"I'm thinking about expanding and I want Cassie to be apart of it."
"How is she involved or should I ask why should she be involved with that? And when did you decide to expand?"
"She's involved because she's my daughter, but she also part owner of a hotel here in Springfield and I think it will work in Europe as well. I've been thinking about expanding for a while, but I didn't make the decision until this morning."
"Is this her idea?"
"No, she didn't even know who I was when I talked to her this morning until her partner walked up."
"She didn't know who you were but you want bring her into the business."
"Sarah, give her a chance, she didn't know, but her partner did and what they've done here is phenomenal. Get a pen and paper."
"Why?"
"I'm going to give you a website."
"Alright." Sarah says, picking up a pen.
"It's .com, check that out and then I need you…."
"Dad."
"… to fax me a couple of our annual reports as well as the articles from World Weekly and…."
"Dad, hold on here. Do you really think this is a good time to be expanding, especially with a Company based in the U.S. Their economy hasn't been that stable in the last few months."
"It won't be based in the US. We're expanding our operations in Europe."
"What kind of hotel is this Beacon Hotel?"
"It's small, more like a bed and breakfast feel, but it has all the amenities of a larger hotel. I think it will go over well in Europe."
"And you want her to be apart of this?"
"Yes."
"How do you know…?"
"She's your sister, Sarah."
"But you don't know her, how do you know this will work? You don't know what kind of condition this Beacon hotel is in. She might be about to declare bankruptcy or something. Did you think of that?"
"No, and I doubt they are. This hotel is full, completely booked. They are having some sort of festival this weekend, but I can see the care she's put into this and she's good at it, I know she is. I know the same way I knew it would work with you. She's my daughter."
"Alright." Sarah says, sighing softly.
"Sarah, I know you're worried about this but I'm still your father. I still love you. But she needs to know this. She deserves to know this."
"Why? She hasn't tried to look for you. Why do you have to contact her?"
"We don't know that she hasn't tried to find me, but she's my daughter. She's had a hard life. You read…."
"Alright." Sarah says, sighing softly.
"This isn't going to…."
"I know this isn't going to change our relationship. I'll look over the site and I'll gather up all the information and fax it over to you." Sarah says, as her mother walks into her office.
"Thank you, I love you."
"I love you too Dad. When is your meeting?"
"I've got to call her assistant."
"Okay, but we'll see you on Friday."
"Yes, I'll be there."
"Okay."
They hang up. James dials the number to the Beacon. After a couple rings the front desk answers. "The Beacon Hotel, how may I assist you?"
"Could you connect me to Mrs. Winslow's assistant?" James requests.
"One moment please."
A couple seconds later a lady answers. "Cassie Winslow's office."
"Yes, this is James Richards, Mrs. Winslow asked me to call to schedule a lunch meeting with her."
"The earliest day we have is Thursday at two pm."
"That will be fine." James replies, making a mental note of the appointment.
"Okay, I'll put you down."
"Thank you." James replies, before hanging up.
Julie is downstairs when Marciano gets up. Walking into the bathroom, he gets ready for the day and when he walks into the kitchen about twenty minutes later, Julie hands him a cup of coffee while she takes his eggs out of the pan and puts them on his plate.
Turning the stove off, she moves the pan off the burner and then picks up her coffee. She's about to walk out of the kitchen when he asks "Why did you hang up on me last night?"
She stops and turns to him, watching him for a few seconds while she takes a sip of coffee, before she answers. "I didn't hang up on you. I was in the middle…."
"We both know…." He says, interrupting her.
"… I was in the middle of traffic." Julie continues, ignoring his interruption.
"If you were in the middle of traffic, where were you?"
"I told you I was coming back from Oakdale."
"No, you said you were with your sister. She lives in Rockport. So, where were you?"
"She's staying with mom while Mitch is out of town. You know she's had some problems with the pregnancy. She started having labor pains yesterday and they rushed to the hospital. Mom called me at work…."
"So, you just rushed over there, forgetting…."
"Yes, I rushed over there. She's my sister and Mom was terrified as was Missy."
"And you took the kids with you." He accused.
"Yes, because you would have mad if I left here alone and I didn't know when I would be back."
"Why did you go anyway? If they were taking…."
She turns to look at him before she replies. "She's my sister. This is her first child. She was terrified that she was going to loose it, which would have devastated her and Mitch. But beside that, if I needed her, she would have come, anytime, anyplace. That's what families do." She starts upstairs with him following behind her.
"Leave my family out of this, what about this family and your responsibility to them?"
She stops in the middle of the stairs and turns to him. "My responsibility is to all of my family. That includes this family, my mother, your mother, Elisa, my sister and Mitch. Missy and mom needed me, I went. I took the kids with me. I left them with my mother because they wanted to stay. They are out of school for another week."
"But you never take them to my mother's."
"They don't want to go over there and I'm not going to force them." She turns and starts back up the stairs. "I have to get ready. I told Missy I would be out today when they release her."
"When will you be home?"
"I will be home when I got home." Julie replies, walking into their bedroom.
"You will be home when I get home." Marciano orders.
"Excuse me, you can't…."
"You're my wife. And you will do as I say." He says, grabbing her arm. "You will be home when I get home, tonight, with the kids and you will have…."
She pulls her arm out of his hold and rubbing her arm she says. "I will be home when my sister no longer needs me and if my kids want to stay with my mother, they will. As to you, you're able to care for yourself."
"I'm your husband. It's your duty…."
"That's right, you are my husband, but that can be changed."
"What does that mean?"
"You figure it out. I'm already running late." Julie says turning and walking towards the bathroom.
"Julie."
She stops and turns around. "No, Marciano. I'm through being bullied by you. I'm going to take care of my sister. I'll be home this evening, if she doesn't need me. If the kids want to stay at my mother again, they will."
"This is my house."
"It's my house and I'm tired of walking on eggshells, terrified of pissing you off. Mattie…."
"I've told you do not compare me with him. Your saintly Mattie, who left you penniless and alone." He walks over to her and takes her arm again. "You are my wife now. You do as I say."
"Go to hell. Marciano." Julie says, pulling away from him. She turns and walks into the bathroom, locking the door.
He starts to pound on the door, "Julie, open this door."
"No." She says, standing at the counter.
"I'm warning you, this is my house, you do as I say."
"You're going to be late." She says calmly
He glances at the clock and then back at the door. "You had better be here tonight." He says, hitting the door one more time.
She doesn't jump, but continues to get ready. Fixing her hair and makeup, she leaves the bathroom after she's sure that he's actually left the house. Looking at the dresser she sees his empty plate sitting where he had put it down. Walking over to the closet, she grabs a pair of jeans and sleeveless shirt. Getting dressed, she walks into the kid's room.
Packing them all a small bag of clothes, she grabs one of her overnight bags and packs herself up several changes of clothes and anything she will need to stay a few days with her mother. Carrying everything downstairs, she puts her coffee cup in the sink and then she grabs her purse as she leaves the kitchen, carrying the bags.
The royal council has been in deliberation for several days now and William suspected that they would be making their decision with a couple days. He has made extensive progress on the trade talks with Mexico while he is waiting for word from the royal council. He is returning from another meeting with the Mexican delegation when Natalie meets him just outside his office.
"Sir."
"Yes, Natalie." He says opening the door to his office and letting her enter.
"Thank you." She says, bowing slightly as William nods.
"You came to see me?"
"Yes, we have word from the royal council, Sir."
"They've reached a decision."
"Yes."
"When will they make this announcement?"
"This evening, sir."
"Thank you."
"You're Welcome, Sir."
She turns to leave as William sits down at his desk. Picking up the folder he had laid on his desk, he begins to look over the notes from the Mexican delegation.
Later that evening, he is still in office when he looks up and realizes that it's almost time for the royal council to announce their decision. Putting the papers down, he gets up and walks over to the TV. Turning it on, he sits down in the chair across from it. A few moments later, the Lord Chancellor walks into the room. Walking up to the podium, he takes his place as the cameraman begins to count.
"Citizens of San Cristobel, I come before you tonight with news of grave importance and it affects every citizen in this country and abroad. As you know, a few weeks ago our current prince, Prince William announced that he would like to abdicate his role as our ruler and lawful prince.
To this announcement the royal council has given careful consideration both to this countries needs and the needs of our current Prince. We have come to the decision that seems to be the right choice for San Cristobel. That choice is to let the citizen of San Cristobel to decide what type of government they wish to have. In three weeks time, referendum will be put before the people of this country to decide as to whether they wish to continue the monarchy or to reinstate democracy. Once the people have made their choice, their decision will be final and we will respond accordingly. Thank you for attention and God Bless San Cristobel."
For a few seconds William watches the Lord Chancellor, until the regularly scheduled program comes on. Reaching for the remote, he turns the TV off and then sits back, closing his eyes.
Jeffrey is parking as Sam pulls up behind him. Parking beside him, she turns the car off as he walks up to her door. Opening it for her, he helps from the car. Putting his arm across her shoulders as she closed the door and then leans up to give him short kiss. "Hi." She says.
"Hi, yourself." Jeffrey replies, when the she steps back and slips her arm around his waist. "You've been gone all day."
"Yes, I know. I'm sorry. I had a little bit more running around to do than I thought I did."
"Alright. Did you get everything accomplished?"
"Yes."
"So, the wedding still on the books for the lighthouse committee." Jeffrey chuckles.
"Yes, why wouldn't it be?" Sam asks, looking up.
"Just checking." He replies, as something in her voice catches his attention.
"Why, you still want to get married, right?" Sam asks, as they walk into the building.
"Of course I still want to get married, why would you think otherwise?"
"I wasn't expecting you to ask that question. Why would you think there would be any changes to the plans we've made. I mean we did make these together. And you asked me…."
"Sam, I didn't mean anything when I asked if we were still booked for the wedding. Jeffrey says, as they walk up the stairs to the loft.
"Are you sure…?"
"Yes, of course I'm sure. I was just asking. What's wrong?"
"Nothing is wrong."
"Are you sure?" Jeffrey asks, stopping to open the door.
"Yes, of course I'm sure. I want us to get married unless…."
"Nothing has changed, I swear." Jeffrey says, following her into the loft.
"Alright." Sam says, walking into the living room and sitting down.
"Are you hungry?" Jeffrey asks, sitting down beside her.
"No, what are you doing over there?" She asks, looking at the amp still sitting out in the middle of the floor.
"It's wasn't working when the guys were over here so I was trying to fix it."
"It looks like you made more of a mess."
"I made some progress." Jeffrey says, getting up and walking over to the amp.
"Too make more of a mess." Sam asks, watching him.
"Very funny." He says, looking over at her. "I know it's a simple solution. I'm just not seeing it." He says, looking over his shoulder at her.
"Then if you can't find the problem, why not take it to someone who can and fix it."
"I can fix this. I've been working on…."
"And you're destroying the living room." Sam says, getting up and walking over to him.
"Alright, will it make you happy if I take down to the music shop and let them look at it?"
"You don't have to put it that way." Sam says, walking back over to the couch. "I was only trying to help."
Jeffrey looks at her for a few seconds and realizes he's hurt her feelings. "I didn't mean to…."
"It's okay." Sam says, picking up a magazine while he starts putting everything away. After few seconds, he looks up as she stands up. "I'm going to go take a nap."
"Alright." He says, watching her walk upstairs, shaking his head. He finishes cleaning up the mess he made. And then he carries the amp downstairs, putting in the back of his truck, he glances at his watch and then decides to take the amp over now. Sam is watching from the window upstairs and when he leaves, she goes to lie down on the bed. A few minutes later, she's asleep.
About twenty minutes later, Jeffrey returns. Walking into the living room, he stops for a second to see if he can hear anything upstairs. All he hears is silence, walking over to the couch, he picks up the magazine that Sam was looking at and begins to flip through the pages.
After a few minutes, he lays the magazine down and reaches for the remote. He turns the TV on and then turns it back off again, the sound grating on his nerves. He keeps thinking back to her as she left the room. Getting up, he walks upstairs and into their room.
She's lying on her side, facing the window when he walks in. Walking over to the bed, he sits down, watching her sleep. After a few moments, he reaches over and tucks a strand of hair behind her ear and she sighs softly. After a few more moments, he lies down beside her, propping his head up with his hand he continues to watch her. A few minutes later, he feels himself begin to relax and lying down on his back he closes his eyes and goes to sleep.
An hour later, they both begin to wake up. Turning towards each other they speak at the same time. "I'm sorry." And then they start to laugh. Leaning over, he kisses her softly. "I didn't mean to make that much of a mess."
"It wasn't that much of a mess. I sorry I snapped at you."
They lay there for several seconds before Jeffrey asks. "Did something happen while you were out?"
"No, why?"
"Because you seemed okay when you got home, but when I mentioned the lighthouse committee and the wedding it seemed to upset you. They still…."
"Yes, we're still having the wedding at the lighthouse. They are squeezing us in between the Spaulding events. She made sure to let me know that, but it's still on for Labor Day at sunset."
"Okay, so why did you get defensive like that?"
"Hormones, I guess, I don't know. I'm sorry."
"It's okay, as long as you know that I will never stop loving you or wanting you or our baby and that I want to marry you."
"I know that, I do. I'm sorry I was so defensive."
"With your hormones, you're entitled to be defensive."
"My hormones haven't been that bad buster." Sam says, moving over to him.
"No, they haven't." He says, putting his arms around her. "I've been around women with worse hormones."
"You have, who."
"Well, let's see. There was the deputy General in Guatemala and then there was the Assistant DA's wife in New York, now she was a real, well I can't say what she was. And then there was Agent Polchezki."
"She was always hormonal. She had a child."
"Yes."
"When?"
"A couple years after you left."
"Who's the father?"
"I don't know, I never saw her with anyone and it wasn't me."
"There was a rumor during training that she was gay. And I didn't think it was you, as much as she used to watch you during drills."
"She may have been, but she had a child and then Commander Wilson had twins about a year later. So I've had some experience with women and pregnancy hormones. And when did she watch me."
"All the time, the other agents used to ask me if I was jealous."
"Were you, jealous, I mean."
"No, you knew where your bread was buttered. Were any of those children created because of something you did?"
"No, never." Jeffrey says, quite insulted.
"I remember how the other ladies watched you. And when I walked into a room they would get quiet. And Commander Wilson, she had a thing for you, but then a lot of the women at the agency did. Most of them couldn't understand why I didn't."
"But you did." Jeffrey says, leaning over to kiss her.
"Not at first."
"Not even a little bit." Jeffrey asks, holding up hand with two fingers barely apart.
"You were an ass, to me then."
"And now."
"And now you love me."
"Yes, I do." Jeffrey replies, leaning over to kiss her. "Yes, I do." He whispers, before deepening the kiss.
About an hour later, they are laying beside each other Jeffrey is idly playing with her hair when she rolls to her said, and asks. "Where did you go?"
"When? I took the amp…."
"I know that, I was at the window when you left, no before."
"Oh the head of the security detail contacted me. They are in town now and he wanted to discuss the security for the wedding."
"So, what's the plan?" Sam asks, leaning up to look down at him.
"He has ten men, two will be stationed at the front gate to the compound and the rest will be mingling with the crowd. I've asked them to be dressed in civilian clothes so the guest won't know that they're security, unless something happens. When I go in Monday I'm going to talk to Frank and offer overtime for the PD to patrol the lake around the lighthouse."
"Okay." Sam says, lying back down beside him.
"Look I know..."
"It's okay, we have to be prepared. She'd be crazy to try something, especially since she's got to know that we know, she knows. But with the way she's been acting…. Speaking of that, something really strange happened while I was out."
"What?"
"I ran into Olivia."
"Did she…?"
"No, she didn't do anything. She didn't say anything, except for hello and then she kept walking."
"That's it, she didn't attack you. She said nothing but hello."
"Yes, I was walking into Company and we met in the parking lot. She said hello and then continued on to her car."
"I ran into too."
"You did."
"Yes, at Towers, she was arriving and I was leaving after the meeting with the Lieutenant Banks. She said hello and that was all she said to me as well."
"Do you think she's given up?"
"I don't know, but we're still having security at the wedding. I'm not taking any chances."
"Okay." Sam replies, as her stomach begins to growl.
"I think someone hungry." Jeffrey says, pulling away from her.
"Come on let's go get something to eat." He says, sitting up.
"Alright." She says, following him. About twenty minutes later, they are walking into Company.