To Win His Heart

“Yes. Today the doctor gave him a clean bill of health. Now that he can drive a car again, he’s anxious to get on with his life. If you’d known Luc before his accident and realized how much he loved all sports, especially skiing, you would understand how hard it has been for him to be restricted in his physical activities.”

“I can imagine.” She sniffed. “He’s very lucky to have such an understanding cousin who has been his best friend, too. Would you call me a taxi please? I’m going to fly home from Nice today.”

“If you’ll allow me, I’ll ring for a limo and take you to the airport myself.”

She loved Nic for not trying to persuade her to continue on with the trip. He would have taken her and shown her the best time in the world. That was because he was kind and honorable.

“What about the Gabbiano?”

“I’ll arrange for someone to sail it back to Vernazza. All it requires is a phone call.”

“Well then. I guess that’s it. Excuse me while I pack and get things cleaned up around here.” Her glance flicked to the table. “What will you do with his cane?”

“Discard it along with any refuse left on the boat.”

“Do you care if I keep it?”

“Of course not.”

“Thank you.”

Three hours later her overseas flight was announced in the first-class waiting lounge at the Nice airport. The cane had been taken away as a security precaution and would be given to her once she landed at Kennedy airport in New York.

Nic gave her one last hug. “Have a safe flight. Give my regards to your sister.”

“I will.” She raised tear-filled eyes to his. “The next time you see Luc, will you make sure he gets these books? Tell him—” She bit her lip. “Tell him they’re a peace offering from me.”

He gave her a solemn nod before striding out of the lounge.

“Etienne? Have you seen my brother?”

The dark-blond chief mechanic who’d hit on Olivia looked up from the under-chassis he was working on.

“Luc!” He got to his feet and started wiping his greasy hands with a rag. “No one has seen you around here in a long time. Look at you—walking as if you were never in that accident. Congratulations.”

“Merci, Etienne.”

“It must feel good.”

“It does, believe me. Is my brother around?”

“He’s out testing the new wheels we put on his car.”

“How long do you think he will be?”

“Another hour maybe, but if you need to talk to him, I’ll tell him to come in.”

“I’d appreciate that.”

“Of course. Un moment,” he said before disappearing.

Luc had called the villa in Positano when he hadn’t been able to reach Cesar on his cell phone. Bianca told him he’d gone back to Monaco to start training for his next race.

That explained why Luc hadn’t been able to make contact. It was one of their mother’s greatest concerns that when Cesar was at the track, he didn’t check his voice mail until the end of the day. For once Luc could understand her frustration since it was imperative he talk to his brother. The conversation that should have taken place two years ago couldn’t be put off a moment longer.

Before Luc had hung up with Bianca, he’d chatted with her for a few minutes, asking her how things were going. Never one to hold back with an opinion, she launched into a backlog of news about her family and friends, the dog next door that was such a nuisance.

And speaking of nuisances, she’d had to throw out one of Cesar’s fans who was insane enough to come to the villa. When Luc commented that he thought Cesar brought women there after every race, she started raging at him for suggesting such a thing.