Olivia (Logan 5)

"I haven't traveled all that much," I said, "but I do like it here."

"Exactly. I knew from the first time I laid eyes on you that you and I had a great deal in common, and I don't mean just business interests," he said.

Even with too much wine in me, I raised my eyebrows in surprise. What did we have in common? I had yet to hear anything significant. It seemed enough for him that he believed and said it. That made it gospel.

I had to admit that he was a congenial, personable man. He seemed mature for his age, and very settled. "Do you like sailing?" he asked.

"I do, but I'm not good at it. I'm a good passenger, though."

"Perfect," he declared. "I'm good at it and I'm a terrible passenger. I like keeping busy when I'm on a boat. I even help out our fisherman and do the nittygritty work. My father thought that was the best way for me to learn the business anyway, doing it, not inheriting it. Looks like you're the same way, right in there, doing it," he said.

He reached across the table and took my hand.

"I'd like to take you sailing tomorrow. Maybe we can pack a lunch. It's promising to be a perfect day."

"I don't know," I said. "My mother's not well and I might be needed."

"I'm sorry about your mother. I hope she improves, but I hope they can spare you for a few hours. I'll call you in the morning, okay?"

"Well . . . okay," I said.

"Good."

He held onto my hand and I let him until I heard a familiar voice, the voice that need only utter a single word, a single syllable to set my heart racing.

It was Nelson Childs coming down the aisle, holding the hand of a tall, elegant looking brunette with soft blue eyes and a figure that looked like it was molded by a sculptor.

"Olivia. How nice to see you," he said pausing. "I'd like you to meet my fiancee, Louise Branagan. Louise, this is Olivia Gordon, an old friend," he said. I thought he put far too much emphasis on the word "old." She extended her hand.

"Pleased to meet you," she said with a brilliant smile. "Likewise," I said. "This is Samuel Logan."

"I know Samuel," Nelson said quickly and the two smiled at each other like co-conspirators.

"You do?"

"Aye, we've tipped a few together in our day, haven't we, Samuel?"

"At least one too many," Samuel said. "Hello, Louise. It's nice to see you again."

I looked from him to them, my surprise blooming like a rash on my face.

"I hope you'll both be at the engagement party next week. It's looking like my parents overdid it as they overdo everything," Nelson said. Then his face became more serious. "How's your mother, Olivia?"

"She's doing the best she can," I told him. I was waiting for him to dare to ask about Belinda, but he nodded sadly.

"Well, we don't mean to interrupt. Enjoy and hope to see you soon," he said.

"It was nice meeting you," Louise threw back at us as they continued on to their table.

"Aren't they a nice-looking couple?" Samuel said admiring them.

"I'm tired," I said. "It's been a long day and I have to look in on my mother."

"Oh sure. Let me get the bill," he declared and signaled for our waiter.

Samuel did all the talking on our way to my home. I was only half-listening, still having trouble getting over the sudden meeting with Nelson. He looked even more dashing and mature than ever, and it irked me that Louise Branagan did seem to be a proper fit on his arm. How could I ever have competed with such a social star?

"So I'll call you about ten A.M., if that's all right?"