Cowabunga Christmas Read Online Free PDF Page A

intervals supported one side of an overhang attached
to the hotel. The design created a long series of archways that towered above
us and repeated in front of us. In between the columns, arches framed the view of
the ocean and the resort grounds on the open side of the corridor. Up ahead, the
corridor wrapped around the corner of the building.
    We
hadn’t walked more than a few dozen yards when we came upon outdoor seating for
one of the hotel cafés. Brien and I chose a table for two and sat down facing
each other. In an instant, a woman appeared wearing the classic black and white
server outfit, but with a cheery seasonal red vest instead of more black.
    “Welcome.
May I have your room number please?” She punched the number into the
tablet-like device she carried. “Ah, Ms. Reed and Mr. Williams. Congratulations
on your recent marriage. May I bring you something from the bar—a bottle of
Charles Heidsieck, perhaps, or a cocktail?” I was blown away on two counts—that
our server figured out who we were so quickly and that she knew so much about
us, including what we had been drinking.
    “Wow,
how’d you do that?” That was me talking, but sounding a lot like Brien. “How do
you know we’re newlyweds and our champagne preferences?”
    “You’re
hotel club level guests, here for a very special occasion. We want to take
extra good care of you and try to anticipate your needs if we can.”
    “Yeah,
but how do you do it?” I’ve got to get out more, since it was obvious
once she explained.
    “We
have the information entered when you arrived: the reason for your visit, any
special requests, that sort of thing, as you know. Once you’re here your
selections are logged in and added to your profile.”
    “I
take it that includes a record of what we’ve been drinking since we arrived.”
She nodded. Aha! A light went on. I wondered how Detective Mitchum had figured
out whom to harass about a discarded champagne bottle found at the pool. Now I
knew.
    “We
also have information from the guest questionnaires filled out before you
arrived with background about you and your preferences.” Survey, what survey? I
hadn’t filled out any survey. I looked at Brien. He looked at me—as clueless as
I was, apparently. As our eyes met, we were gripped by a sudden realization.
    “Jessica,”
we said, in unison. The server looked puzzled.
    “No,
my name is Barbie, see?” She moved the tablet device and menus she was holding
so we could see the name tag she wore. That struck me as funny. Brien must have
thought so too. When we looked at each other we burst out laughing. Before
Brien could ask, ‘where’s Ken?’ I apologized for the outburst.
    “Sorry.
Don’t mind us, we’re giddy.” I reached for one of those menus Barbie held out.
    “Not
enough sleep... ” Brien said, stopping mid-sentence when he realized how that
could be interpreted. He scanned the menu Barbie had handed him, averting his
eyes. My surfer boy has a shy streak. You would never guess, given how outgoing
he appears to be most of the time.
    “What
he means is we were out at the pool late last night.” I nodded my head in the
direction of the gated pool area. “I know we shouldn’t have been in the pool,
but we were there when it happened.” I watched for any reaction from our
server. The hint of a frown crossed her face.
    “Too
bad you don’t have information about which of your guests like to dress up as
Santa,” I added. Our server registered surprise and then glanced from
side-to-side before she spoke.
    “I can
tell you that he wasn’t one of our Santas.”
    “ Your Santas?” I asked.
    “Are
you saying there’s more than one Santa?” Brien inquired, with a disturbed look
on his face. Barbie seemed lost, unable to speak. I jumped in to translate for
Brien once again.
    “What
he’s asking is if there’s more than one guy running around at the resort in a
Santa suit?”
    “Oh
sure, there’s a whole herd of them. A visit from