“I’ve never seen my nephew so happy.”
“Mother and Daddy would have adored him.”
“You must miss them very much, too.”
“You can’t imagine. Luc and Cesar are so lucky to have you.”
On cue, Luc’s mother turned to look at him. “Did you hear that, mon fils?”
Luc
had already rolled out of the other side of the bed. “I heard, maman.”
He’d heard something else, too. Until he could talk to Cesar alone, he would have no peace. But before he came face to face with his brother, he needed to be able to stand on his own two feet without help.
“If you’re through eating, I’ll take the tray and give you some time alone. Ask Luc to tell you about our trip to Monte Cristo.”
“That dreary place?”
He shut the door to the bathroom on the rest of their conversation.
Vernazza took on a pinkish glow at sunset. Even Olivia felt bathed in it as she jumped down from the helicopter. Her gaze automatically flew to the pier. To her joy a sail not yet unfurled had been attached to the mast of the Gabbiano.
With the wiring fixed, she was getting a second chance for her dream trip of a lifetime with Luc. Just the two of them sailing the high seas.
The first time aboard the Piccione didn’t count, not with her sisters and Luc’s cousins around.
Olivia refused to let his vile mood dampen her spirits. Since his mother’s unexpected visit, he’d been more unapproachable than usual. Instead of flinging scathing retorts at her meant to injure, he’d chosen not to talk unless absolutely necessary.
She hoped to heaven it meant the things she’d let drop about her visit to Cesar’s were eating him alive. Surely at some point he would be driven to learn the truth for himself. But maybe that was wishful thinking.
Olivia had taken a terrible risk discussing painful, private family issues with his mother. Luc might never forgive her for it, but it was that or walk away from him. Her jaw hardened. That was something she couldn’t do.
As before, she carried both suitcases and paced her steps to his. When they drew closer, she spied a lot of things on deck that hadn’t been there before; a sun mattress, water skis, snorkeling gear, deck chairs and a lounger.
She let out a sound of delight.
“I take it you’re pleased.”
“I’m delighted.” She lowered the suitcases into the boat before getting in herself. Luc moved too fast for her to help him down. She assumed his medication had dulled his pain for the moment.
“Why don’t you stretch out on that lounger and tell me what to do first? I’d like to sail for a while along the coast before we have to put in at the next port.”
He cocked one black eyebrow. “You don’t want to get settled in first?”
“We already ate an early dinner, and there’ll be time to unpack later.”
“Give me a minute to go below then.”
“Okay. Hurry.”
His mouth twisted into a strange smile before he disappeared down the stairs. She didn’t know what to make of it. Maybe beneath the casement of ice beat a heart that was excited to be alone with her, too, but he would never own up to it.
Olivia hugged her arms to her waist and looked all around, soaking in the atmosphere. This was her last chance to work on him.
Earlier in the day while Luc slept, she’d gone shopping to buy some sleepwear and a few casual outfits. The white cargo pants and aqua top she’d put on were perfect for evening when the temperature turned cooler.
Just before they’d left the villa, she’d phoned Piper who was still in bed at the apartment in Kingston. Afraid her sister would try to discourage her from taking this trip, Olivia didn’t give her a chance to talk.