“We thought she’d make a good program director,” David said. “She can work with Hallie on putting together some packages where guests come for a long weekend or a week and have an educational experience—like a Nantucket history week where we have talks on different aspects of Nantucket and tours of the local museums. Or a Nantucket foodie week, where we line up cooking demonstrations and luncheons at area restaurants. A knitting weekend or a literature week. She can target her own age demographic especially, as they have the time and money for vacations like that.”

“And she’s like your cousin Andrea in that she’s very social so she can be the hostess for the guests that attend, like a cruise director,” her grandfather said. “When David said that, it made sense to me as we had all kinds of similar things on our cruise. And it’s another way we can market The Whitley.”

“Well, that all sounds like a good plan to me,” Paula said. “How can I help?”

“You can oversee Hallie and your Aunt Vivian, and make sure they have the support they need,” her grandfather said.

“Now that that is settled, it brings me to our other business. When I first brought David in, I asked him to help you settle into your new role and to give me an honest assessment at the end as to if he thought you were a good fit. I told him it wouldn’t change anything as I’d already made my mind up, so your job is safe. But I wanted to know what he thought as someone that has been to a lot of properties. I’ll let him share what he told me.”

David smiled. “I told your grandfather I was unsure about you at the beginning. When he first told me that he’d promoted his back-office accountant to the general manager role I questioned that decision, but he told me to reserve judgement and to meet you and then I’d understand. So, I did, and I do. I think the biggest obstacle you’ve had is yourself and if you believed you could do the job and if it would make you happier than being in the office with your numbers. I know you liked that role and resisted this one?”

Paula nodded. “I did. I also felt guilty since I was taking it away from Andrea.”

Her grandfather interjected. “But you weren’t. Not really. Even if you didn’t take the job, I was still going to replace Andrea.”

“I know. And that’s why I decided to give it a try. And because I didn’t want to disappoint you,” Paula said.