Love at the Royal Seaside Resort: Surrender to the heart Series, #2

By Coleen Rector

Jenna Matthews works tireless hours as an Event Planner for a prestigious event company in Washington. After the tragic loss of her husband, she focuses her energy on landing a huge promotion, but she needs a vacation-or so she's been told by her boss. When her cousic invites her to the beautiful island of St. Lucia for some fun and sun, she's hesitant to pack her bags because the island she once loved, has been tarnished by painful memories. With a little more convincing, she decides it might be time to make new memories.

Maceo Berry owns and operates a successful business as a Landscape Architect in Texas but makes it a point to visit his parent's in St. Lucia, at least once a year. Visiting his family's seaside hotel should be a relaxing vacation, if it didn't bring up horrific memories of loss. This homecoming will prove to be a challenge, as the hotel business is dwindling, and his parents are eager for him to take over the reins.

Following a few run-in's after their arrival, barely knowing each other, Jenna allows Maceo to show her more of the island. When an unfortunate accident sends their vehicle over a cliff, will they be able to rely on each other to stay strong until help arrives?

Will Jenna accept love for a second time, or return to Washington to accept the promotion?

Will Maceo give up what he's worked so hard for in Texas, for the love of his family and their business?

Careers or love, which will they choose?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Coleen Rector
• Release date: Nov 13, 2018
• ISBN: 9781977979971

Book preview

Coleen Rector

Love at the Royal Seaside Resort

Coleen Rector

Love at the Royal Seaside Resort is a work of fiction.  All characters, names, places and incidents are the sole imagination of the author.  Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Copyright© 2018 Coleen Rector

All rights reserved.  Except for use in any review, no part of this publication can be reproduced or transmitted without prior written permission of the author.

Cover Design by

Marisa Wesley of Cover Me Darling

Formatting by Celtic Formatting

ISBN –

ISBN –13  978-1977979971

Chapter One

What do you mean, I need a vacation? Jenna Matthews questioned as she plopped into the chair. She arrived at the office early in the morning, expecting to hear she had earned the newest promotion that Vivian Vincent was handing out.

This was a surprise. She was rewarding her with a relaxing vacation? That would be a great idea before she dug into the demands required of a Supervisor of Planners. She had worked tirelessly at her job to prove to Vivian that she could tackle more responsibility. The responsibility required for such an esteemed position.

You’re a great event planner, Jenna, Vivian Vincent affirmed. You’re one of the most asked for planners and my best employee here at Vincent Event Planners. But, after Saturday’s wedding fiasco, my hands are tied.

I don’t mean to interrupt you, Ms. Vincent, but you haven’t heard my side of the story.

Let me finish, Vivian said as she held up her index finger. Really? What am I supposed to say? Both mothers of the bride and groom were injured, and the cake ended up plastered to the wall, and on the face of Mrs. Beatrice Blair Worth, Ms. Socialite herself.

That was not my fault, Jenna declared, raising her hands in surrender. But in my defense, Mrs. Worth did wear that white sugar dove well; perched on the right side of her two-hundred- dollar hair do. And what about all those squished pink roses on her face. She looked like she had the measles.

Look closely at my face. Does it look like I am amused?

It was more amusing in person. Jenna let out a snort. You had to be there to understand the humor in all of it. The guests thought some of it was funny. Honestly, those mothers were a little off balance if you ask me.

I’m not asking you for your opinion. Vivian rubbed her temples in small, tight circles. Both mothers called me Saturday night from the emergency room, no less. Like I said earlier, why don’t you take a week or so off? You’ve had a stressful week with the Larson wedding, Mr. Katz’s retirement celebration and two birthday parties. You haven’t had a good vacation in two years.

I’ll apologize to both of them. Is that what you want? Jenna pleaded. I’ll call for a meeting and let the entire family know how sorry I am. Like I tried to explain earlier, the events that transpired were out of my control.

I checked your calendar and saw you have nothing pressing for two weeks. What you do have between now and then-we’ll handle. Discussion closed. You have your laptop if you need to correspond with next month’s clients. Vivian waved her off with a flick of her hand. That’s all.

***

During the twenty-minute car ride home, Jenna laughed at the whole fiasco as Vivian put it, waving her hand in the air in mock fashion, and then, the tears took over. This didn’t fare well for the prospect of a promotion, that wasn’t even mentioned.

This was the first time in seven years that she felt like a failure. It was unfair of Vivian to judge her on one event. She possessed the finesse required of any planner to pull off a great event. She was a quick thinker, a problem solver, had an abundance of patience and of course, a sense of humor.

The tears ended, and her demeanor changed. Humor.

She had no idea the groomsman would speak up at the point when the minister asked, Does anyone have any cause why this bride and groom should not be married? and shout, This man has two other wives!

Half the guests gasped and the other half exploded in laughter. The grooms mother passed out hitting her head on the pew in front of her, resulting in a gash on her cheek that sent blood flowing down the back of the pew and her mint green satin gown. Then they realized the mother was injured. All laughing ceased.

Jenna pulled into her driveway, stopping short of the garage. She took in a deep breath, grabbed her briefcase and purse from the front seat, and sprinted into the apartment. She didn’t know what to do first-pour something to drink, read a book, or panic about the situation.

So, cuz? Am I looking at the new Supervisor of Planners? Jenna’s cousin, Caitlin Richards, asked as Jenna dropped her briefcase inside the door.

Supervisor? she repeated the word with a humorless chuckle. I think I’m just fortunate I still have a job. Did you talk with Vivian?

Caitlin nodded. She called this morning, right after you left for work. Something about a wedding snafu and you needing a vacation? I told her you were on your way in. That must have been some wedding.

That it was. Jenna agreed with an exhale. I can’t believe Vivian wants me to take a week off.

That must have been a shock, since you thought you were getting the promotion, but this couldn’t have worked out any better, Caitlin responded.

What are you talking about? Jenna questioned. What couldn’t have worked out any better?

Your disaster first, then I’ll share my surprise when you’re done.

What’s with you people? Jenna shook her head and slumped onto the couch. I wouldn’t call it a disaster or a fiasco. It was just a couple of unfortunate incidents. If it were up to me, no children under the age of five, no, make that twelve, would be allowed at such an important gathering. Why can’t I relate to kids? They look at me like I have two heads. I know how to have fun, right?

What happened with the kids? Caitlin twirled the end of her hair. Was it the flower girl, the ring bearer, or both?

To my credit, the bride and groom were married, and sent off properly to their honeymoon destination. I call that a success. Jenna’s eyebrows raised. How about we change the subject? What’s your surprise?

You and I are going to St. Lucia to spend seven days, eating and soaking up the sun.

No! I’m not going with you. How could you even think I’d want to go there? Jenna rose from the couch, rubbing her hands together. She walked past Caitlin to reach for the picture on the mantle. Bursting into tears, she grabbed the photo and held it to her chest.

Jenna, I’m sorry. I know your last experience in St. Lucia was terrifying, but you also spent some fantastic anniversaries with Greg on that island.

Five years of marriage. Now he’s gone.

My heart aches for you. I’m sure for you moving forward these last two years without your husband, have been unbearable. We were all in shock after he died from a pulmonary embolism. To be honest, I miss that spark in your eye. I want to see you happy again.

Will I ever be happy again? She felt the heaviness in her chest. After his sudden death, there’s just been something missing.

Of course, there’s something missing, Caitlin acknowledged as she too, stood from the couch. The love and compassion your husband gave you, she added sympathetically. I don’t know how you feel, but I’m hoping someday, sooner rather than later, you’ll find that missing piece to your life.

I hope I do.

When I booked this trip for Alexis and me, I had no idea she would need to cancel. You always talked about how breathtaking St. Lucia was. Remember how you appreciated the hotel wasn’t congested with party-goers and Mr. and Mrs. Berry were more like family than hotel owners. Caitlin stood up and took the framed photo from Jenna and