Nestled on golden sands that stretched for miles, the five-building structure drenched in white and gold was a lavish display of luxury and wealth. Designed to reflect the rich heritage of the Mexican culture, the Sea of Cortez Resort had been constructed with such historic flair, it stood out from the dozens of other hotels along the Tourist Corridor.
Two uniformed men with bodies like Chippendale dancers appeared at her side. One placed a cocktail glass in her hand while the other scooped up her lone travel bag. “Deje todo para trás y escape al paraíso!”
Claudia didn’t know what they said, but did it matter when they sounded dreamy and smelled like tropical fruit? Deciding it didn’t, she hitched herself to her attractive escorts. Wishing she’d paid more attention during her high school Spanish classes, she strung together the few sentences she knew and hoped for the best. “Gracias tanto. Usted es el más amable.”
“It is my pleasure to serve you, señorita. Now leave everything behind and escape to paradise,” one of the men said in a deep, silky baritone. “Your adventure awaits!”
That’s music to my ears, she thought, discreetly cleaning the dots of perspiration along her hairline. Carrying the scent of the water lilies floating in the pond, the evening wind blew hot and fast against her sweaty skin. To quench her thirst, Claudia sipped from the pink, candy-flavored straw. The lemon tickled her taste buds, and the combination of tequila and grenadine packed a powerful punch. Navigating her way through Cabo’s bustling airport had been an exercise in stamina and patience, and after a forty-minute wait for a taxi an ice-cold cocktail was just what the doctor ordered.
“¿Puedo despertar su interés en otro Amanecer de Cortez?”
Claudia blinked, and when her escort traded her empty glass for a new one, she smiled sheepishly. Then gulped it down in ten seconds flat. Knocking back cocktails wasn’t the answers to her problems, but they sure did taste good!
Lit by the warm glow of tiki torches, the cobbled pathway flowed through wide arches and spilled on to manicured lawns rimmed with leafy bushes. Claudia felt like she was walking through the pearly gates. Palm trees waved their arms in greeting, sunshine rained down from the sky and the scent rising from the garden was more intoxicating than the cocktails she’d downed.
The glass doors slid open, revealing an atrium drenched in bright, vibrant colors. High ceilings, topped with mosaic tiles, filtered in natural sunlight and created the sensation of still being outdoors. Oozing with charm, the main floor lobby featured bronze chandeliers dripping with crystals, oil paintings on crimson walls, and velvet couches that looked cozy enough to sleep on. Or cuddle on. And couples were doing just that. It was almost nine o’clock in the evening, but the resort was teeming with life and activity. Everywhere Claudia turned guests were laughing, chatting and living it up.
Grateful to her escorts, she generously tipped them and joined the line in front of the reception desk. While Claudia waited, she retrieved her wallet and selected two pieces of ID. Traveling had exhausted her, and she was anxious to see the oceanfront suite Maxine had bragged about. She only hoped it was available. If not, she’d just stay in another room because there was no way she was shacking up with Mr. Ram Truck.
“Buenas noches, señorita. Bienvenido a la Estación de Mar de Cortez. ¿Cómo le puedo ayudar?”
Claudia offered a weak smile. She hoped the concierge spoke English, because the little Spanish she knew wasn’t enough to carry her through check-in. Before she could speak, he asked for her last name. Relieved that she wouldn’t have to break out her travel book, she inquired about Suite 97. “Is it available?”
“Yes, Ms. Jefferies, it is.”
Claudia wanted to jump for joy, but smiled instead.
“Is this your first time in Cabo San Lucas?” he asked, punching the necessary information into the computer. “Or are you a regular?”
“I was in Mexico many years ago, but I’ve never been to Cabo before.”
He held up her passport, intently studied her picture. “How long will you be staying with us, Ms. Jeffries?”
“I’m not sure,” she told him. “Probably a month.”
“That’s wonderful! Four weeks is more than enough time to see Cabo and the surrounding cities as well. Might I make a few recommendations of things to do?”
Claudia knew he was just doing his job—making conversation to speed along the process—but after a day filled with delays and disappointments she didn’t have energy for small talk. “No thanks. It’s been a long day and I’m really looking forward to relaxing in my suite.”
“I understand, Ms. Jeffries. All I need is a credit card to cover the incidentals, and then you can be on your way.”
Nodding, she unzipped her wallet and handed over her Platinum MasterCard.
“For an additional fee you can add a Luxury Services package to your stay. It features twenty-four-hour housekeeping, private butler service and unlimited access to our world-class spa for the low, low price of only five hundred dollars.”
Claudia’s mouth hit the limestone counter. Did she look like a sucker? Instead of laughing in the concierge’s face, she said, “I think I’ll pass.”
“Very well. You can always add the service later if you change your mind.” The computer beeped, and the smile slid off his face. “I’m sorry, Ms. Jeffries, but there seems to be a problem. Your credit card has been declined.”
“What?” Shame burned Claudia’s cheeks, made her body so hot she could start a forest fire. “That’s impossible. I’m nowhere near the limit.”
“Have you made any large purchases in the last few hours? Sometimes that may cause—”
“There must be a problem with your system. Swipe it again.”
He did, and this time the computer beeped twice. “I’m sorry. It still won’t go through.”
Hoping no one had witnessed her humiliation, Claudia peeked over her shoulder. Three suit-clad men holding briefcases stood behind her, dead quiet. They were listening in and were every bit as annoying as those pesky reporters who’d made themselves at home on her front lawn.
Hanging her head, she shielded her face with her hands. What if one of them recognized her and alerted the press? She could see the headlines now:
Claudia Jeffries-Prescott spotted in Cabo San Lucas!
Ex-wife of disgraced CEO can’t pay bills!
Investors forced to eat in soup kitchens while Prescotts party at world-class resort!
“Do you have another credit card I can charge?”
Claudia dodged the question. “I don’t understand what’s going on. I’ve been using this credit card all day,” she confessed, pushing out a breath of frustration. “I’ll have to call MasterCard and have them straighten this mess out.”
He gestured to the end of the counter. “Please, use our house phone.”
“Now?” Claudia checked her watch. Nine thirty-seven. No way she was calling MasterCard at this time of night. Forget that. She’d sooner sleep in the lobby than subject herself to an hour-long wait. “I don’t plan to order room service or eat from the mini bar, so having my credit card on file is not necessary.”
The concierge reared back like he’d been burned with scalding water. Claudia read his facial expression, saw the veins stretched tight in his neck and the lines of doubt etched in his forehead. He didn’t trust her any more than those detectives did back in Richmond.
“I simply cannot check you in without a valid credit card, Ms. Jeffries.” He must have heard the harshness in his tone, because