but it would’ve been more fun if you’d been there.”
Feeling ridiculously pleased, she smiled up at him. “Well, we’re together now, so let’s make the best of it.”
“Babe,” he said with a grin as he led her toward the king-size bed. “I thought you’d never ask.”
Early the following morning, both Brandon and Kelly hit the ground running. The first guests began arriving at noon, excited to be a part of the highly anticipated grand opening.
The official ceremony was performed and executed with precision, flair and happy celebration. Brandon’s knowledgeable sommelier stood by to pour champagne for everyone as they checked in. Wine tasting tours were recommended, hot air balloon reservations were taken and guests were whisked away to their rooms without a snag. As Brandon watched things unfold, he felt a whole new sense of pride in his employees, each of whom was in outstanding form today. So outstanding that Brandon was beginning to feel almost redundant. Strangely enough, it was a great feeling.
What added to the good vibe was the news his reservations manager had shared with him. The resort was already completely booked for the entire season. Brandon knew the Mansion would soon be recognized as the hottest destination spot in Napa Valley. And he was confident that he’d be able to walk away in a few weeks, leaving the duties of running the small, luxurious hotel to the experienced service experts he’d hired.
It was early afternoon when his mother and her two girlfriends finally arrived. Brandon met their limousine outside in the elegant porte cochère and ushered them into the lobby.
“Oh, it’s beautiful, Brandon,” Sally said as she and her friends gazed around in awe. They were all dressed in light, casual clothing and looked ready to vacation in style.
“I love the colors,” Marjorie said.
He’d known his mother’s two best friends, Beatrice and Marjorie, for well over twenty years. They were like favorite aunts, and Marjorie was also one of his employees. She’d headed Duke Development’s human resources department for years. Now as the women strolled around the well-designed lobby, Brandon tried to see the spacious room through their eyes and concluded, not for the first time, that he was justifiably proud of what he’d accomplished here.
Brandon had been in charge of the Mansion on Silverado Trail project from day one and every decision had been his, including the design and overall concept of the place. All the rooms featured the best of California style blended, as their sales brochure stated, “with Tuscan flourishes and Provençal sensibilities.”
The guest rooms were light and warm with rounded, Old World-style fireplaces and cozy hearths, terra-cotta tile floors, elegantly rustic furnishings and bold tapestries on the pale stucco walls. At one end of the wide lobby, French doors opened on to a wide terrace where colorful umbrellas shaded teak patio furniture and plush cushions. A stunning view of the vast acres of vineyards and olive groves that spread across the valley completed the picture.
“I can’t wait to take the ‘vine to barrel’ tour,” Beatrice exclaimed. “Do we get to taste the grapes as we pick them?”
“Wouldn’t you rather taste the final product?” Sally asked her.
Beatrice grinned. “That, too.”
“You can do it all,” Brandon said. “Let’s get you and your luggage settled and then you can take your pick of afternoon activities.”
“I’m definitely up for wine tasting,” Sally said.
“Oh, me, too,” Marjorie agreed and Beatrice nodded enthusiastically.
Brandon grinned. “Then I’ll show you to your suite so you can get started.”
“I want to stay here forever,” Marjorie cried as she turned in a circle to take in every inch of the cleverly designed and furnished two-bedroom maison. “All this and champagne on ice? Brandon, it’s so beautiful. I’m so proud of you, and you must be proud of yourself,
Feeling ridiculously pleased, she smiled up at him. “Well, we’re together now, so let’s make the best of it.”
“Babe,” he said with a grin as he led her toward the king-size bed. “I thought you’d never ask.”
Early the following morning, both Brandon and Kelly hit the ground running. The first guests began arriving at noon, excited to be a part of the highly anticipated grand opening.
The official ceremony was performed and executed with precision, flair and happy celebration. Brandon’s knowledgeable sommelier stood by to pour champagne for everyone as they checked in. Wine tasting tours were recommended, hot air balloon reservations were taken and guests were whisked away to their rooms without a snag. As Brandon watched things unfold, he felt a whole new sense of pride in his employees, each of whom was in outstanding form today. So outstanding that Brandon was beginning to feel almost redundant. Strangely enough, it was a great feeling.
What added to the good vibe was the news his reservations manager had shared with him. The resort was already completely booked for the entire season. Brandon knew the Mansion would soon be recognized as the hottest destination spot in Napa Valley. And he was confident that he’d be able to walk away in a few weeks, leaving the duties of running the small, luxurious hotel to the experienced service experts he’d hired.
It was early afternoon when his mother and her two girlfriends finally arrived. Brandon met their limousine outside in the elegant porte cochère and ushered them into the lobby.
“Oh, it’s beautiful, Brandon,” Sally said as she and her friends gazed around in awe. They were all dressed in light, casual clothing and looked ready to vacation in style.
“I love the colors,” Marjorie said.
He’d known his mother’s two best friends, Beatrice and Marjorie, for well over twenty years. They were like favorite aunts, and Marjorie was also one of his employees. She’d headed Duke Development’s human resources department for years. Now as the women strolled around the well-designed lobby, Brandon tried to see the spacious room through their eyes and concluded, not for the first time, that he was justifiably proud of what he’d accomplished here.
Brandon had been in charge of the Mansion on Silverado Trail project from day one and every decision had been his, including the design and overall concept of the place. All the rooms featured the best of California style blended, as their sales brochure stated, “with Tuscan flourishes and Provençal sensibilities.”
The guest rooms were light and warm with rounded, Old World-style fireplaces and cozy hearths, terra-cotta tile floors, elegantly rustic furnishings and bold tapestries on the pale stucco walls. At one end of the wide lobby, French doors opened on to a wide terrace where colorful umbrellas shaded teak patio furniture and plush cushions. A stunning view of the vast acres of vineyards and olive groves that spread across the valley completed the picture.
“I can’t wait to take the ‘vine to barrel’ tour,” Beatrice exclaimed. “Do we get to taste the grapes as we pick them?”
“Wouldn’t you rather taste the final product?” Sally asked her.
Beatrice grinned. “That, too.”
“You can do it all,” Brandon said. “Let’s get you and your luggage settled and then you can take your pick of afternoon activities.”
“I’m definitely up for wine tasting,” Sally said.
“Oh, me, too,” Marjorie agreed and Beatrice nodded enthusiastically.
Brandon grinned. “Then I’ll show you to your suite so you can get started.”
“I want to stay here forever,” Marjorie cried as she turned in a circle to take in every inch of the cleverly designed and furnished two-bedroom maison. “All this and champagne on ice? Brandon, it’s so beautiful. I’m so proud of you, and you must be proud of yourself,
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