"You really like this guy, don't you?" Mrs. Martin, the cook, said to Abbi while she finished drying dishes. Abbi was happy to be helping since there wasn’t anything else to do. She was far away from home and on a work holiday, it seemed.
"Yes, I do. He’s a nice guy," she replied.
Earlier, she’d told Mrs. Martin that she was out horseback riding with Chad. Mrs. Martin seemed like a very nice lady. She was way past retirement. A very jolly, caring woman who was friendly to everyone but at the same time stayed out of everybody’s business. Abbi never heard her gossip like some of the other staffers, that’s why she felt comfortable talking with her.
"Well, you only live once, child,” Mrs. Martin said. “You really feel that strongly about someone, you go for it."
"Yes, but it's not that easy. There’s so much about me he doesn't know. I've already had one crazy relationship. I’m just not ready to move forward again right now."
"Well, all I can say is that he seems like a real nice guy. And trust me, I’ve met a lot of guys around here. I can tell he's one of the good ones. You don't want to let that one go anytime soon."
"You do have a point," Abbi sighed. "But I'm a complicated gal. And he seems like just such a normal, down-to-earth guy. I really don't want him get too interested in me only to find out that, well, that there's more to me than meets the eye."
Mrs. Martin laughed. "Like what, honey?"
"Oh trust me, there's a lot more to me than meets the eye. Let's just say, I've made some silly mistakes in the past. Nothing I'm too proud of." Abbi tried not to get too emotional but it was very hard; she could feel tears begin to sting her eyes. She really did like Chad but there's something about her he couldn’t know about.
Abbi helped Mrs. Martin clear the other dishes. She was so happy to help out. The woman had shown her such a friendly face from the moment Abbi arrived. Well, she wasn't the only one. Chad, of course, had been nothing but sweet to her and kind and helpful. And of course there was also Jen, but Jen had other things on her mind and she often liked to sit and chat with the other maids and most of it was gossip about the guests. That just wasn’t Abbi’s style. She also overheard them talking about Chad. And his hot body. They spoke about some of the other guys who worked there, too. But Chad, it seemed, was on the top of that hottie list.
"By the way, Mrs. Martin, I… um… saw a girl today with Chad."
"A girl?" Mrs. Martin finished wiping the counter then she stopped and gave Abbi her full attention.
"Yes," she said. Abbi didn't know how much to tell Mrs. Martin but she really wanted to get her insecurities off her chest. "A beautiful woman came to see him today after we finished our trail ride. From her body language and the way she addressed him, I think she was his girlfriend or maybe an ex-girlfriend."
Mrs. Martin grabbed two coffee cups from the countertop and placed them on the side. "Would you like me to make you some coffee?"
"Sure, I would absolutely love that,” Abbi said softly. And boy, did Abbi need a good cup of coffee right now. It was as if talking to Mrs. Martin was like talking to her mother or best friend. She needed that emotional support. Abbi had shared such an intimate kiss with Chad—actually a couple of amazing kisses with him. She didn't want to believe that she’d misread any signals. She really hoped she would have some sort of a chance with him maybe later on after she'd cleared up her troubles.
"Now tell me, child, what is this about a beautiful woman with Chad?”
Abbi shrugged.
“Let me tell you something first,” Mrs. Martin continued, “and what I'm about to tell you is private between you and me. When I last spoke to Chad he told me he didn't have a girlfriend. Now we were just talking about how much the girls around here were chasing after him—they were so obvious. But he mentioned to me he’s single and he was not really interested in dating any of those girls.”
“He did?”
“Yes, he did. And he said he wanted to focus on his job at the moment. Now that was a little while back when he first came out to work here. You know, I might be just the cook here, but I look after all of the staff. They're like my children. And he was no different even though he's a contract worker. We’re like an extended family. That's how it's always been even before the Belmonts took over."
Abbi was enlightened by this revelation. "Wow, you know so much, Mrs. Martin."
"You'd be surprised at what I know, child."
"But you don't seem to talk much," Abbi said.
"Don't you know that half of communication is listening?” Mrs. Martin grinned. “Everybody knows I'm a good listener. And I care about people. Oh, I have some stories of my own to tell."
After the freshly brewed coffee had percolated, Mrs. Martin poured the two of them piping hot mugs full. They sat around the kitchen island hovered over their mugs of coffee.
"You have some stories to tell?”
"Yes. For instance, a long time ago I met this really nice fella.”
"You did?" Abbi was excited to hear about Mrs. Martin’s romantic adventures.
"Yes, child. And let me tell you this, I’ve learned that nothing ventured is nothing gained. You've got to go out there for what you want in life. And that means that even if you see hope of a relationship or friendship, don't ever let it go." Mrs. Martin stared out through the window overlooking the splendid view of the mountains. She seemed quite emotional for moment. "I met a guy a long time ago who was really nice. A sailor.”
"A sailor?"
"Yes. I really liked him a lot. But so did all the other girls. He wanted to date me but I was hesitant at the time. Well, long story short, my folks weren't too impressed with him and when he asked me to meet him on the pier one day I told him I couldn't see him anymore. And you know, the time we spent together was so much fun. He was loving and kind and charming. Sure his job was dangerous and he traveled the world but I live to regret that every day."
Abbi's heart sank. She really felt hurt for Mrs. Martin. How awful to lose love like that. "What happened?"
"He left. And then he married someone else. And you know something, I never got married." The emotional glaze that shadowed Mrs. Martin's eyes for that moment caused Abbi's heart to pull.
"So what I'm saying, child, is don't ever live to regret anything. And never let love slip past you. Stop making excuses and start making steps. You only live once."
Abbi felt her heart pull. "Mrs. Martin, that's awful. But I…I guess you're so right," she said, her voice trailing off.
"Of course I'm right, child," Mrs. Martin said, placing her hands on her hips. She perked up again and her cheeks glowed as she smiled. "I'm always right. Anyway, I know what I'm talking about. You can’t wait until it’s too late or you’re too old. Don’t get me wrong, I love my life and I love working here, but I always wonder what it would've been like if I just ran off with Steve. Ha! Steve, the sailor,” she said, reminiscing, a warm smile on her face.
"Thank you so much for sharing that with me, Mrs. Martin." And Abbi was truly grateful for that painful story and reminder. Life’s too short, you’ve got to live it up. Do what you can, while you still can.
Abbi knew what she was going to do next. She still felt a little doubt about Chad, but Mrs. Martin had a point. If Chad was taken then that would be a sign to just leave things be. But if he wasn't taken, then she wasn't going to write him off right away. But Abbi really wanted to know more about this possible ex of his. The woman looked like she could be genuine trouble.
Chapter 14
Later that night, Chase had just finished a heavy workout on the treadmill. He also planned to take a soak in one of the lounge soakers on the premises since it was vacant. It hadn’t officially opened to guests as of yet. But first he was going to get a good workout in the gym beside it.
He got on the treadmill and did a lengthy run on it, burning both calories and frustration. After he’d given his body a chance to cool off, Chase headed for the lounge.
He had to do something to get his mind off Giline and his crazy ass confrontation with her. The nerve of her. Then he had to get rid of thoughts of Abbi Lopez and those crazy feelings he was having for her.
Was his brother right about him? What was he hiding? Oh, yeah, right. Giline and that scandal and embarrassment she’d caused him, almost tarnishing his reputation in the hotel industry. Luckily, his father’s powerful connections were able to do some quick damage control. It made Chase cringe when he’d been accused of setting up the damn tape himself. Yeah, like he’d stoop that low.
But then again how could Chase paint all women with the same brush? Abbi seemed so different from Giline. She was honest, open and a whole lot of fun to be with. She was nothing like Giline. But still, a shadow of doubt swept over Chase. He found himself often looking for faults in Abbi. He was sure that all women were the same. Yet the feelings he was having for Abbi were much more than what he'd ever felt for Giline.
He couldn't get over the way they connected over Star Wars and Star Trek and looking up at the stars at night. It might seem small, but the woman shared his interests. And that meant a lot. Because if he remembered correctly, his father always told him to find a good woman who shared his interests, someone he could have fun with all the time, not just in the bed, but sharing interest in all areas of his life. That was so damn hard to do. But yet there was something virtuous and enticing about Abbi that resonated with him. His pulses leaped with excitement and raced hard just thinking about her. Yet, his mind still reeled with doubts over being with her.