Page 65 of Canapés at the Beach House Hotel
The sun was going down as we motored back home, and a quiet peacefulness filled the boat.Regardless of the accident, it had been a wonderful sail.A meaningful one.
Later, when Vaughn and I talked privately about them, we agreed that Harper and Luciano showed all the signs of being a successful couple.
“Rhonda is going to be thrilled.Of course, she’ll say it’s because she knew it first and wanted it to happen.”
Vaughn chuckled.“Rhonda is Rhonda, and we love her.”
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The next morning, Vaughn agreed to see Robbie off to school, and I wanted a quiet time on the beach to consider the week ahead.
The morning air was full of moisture, and I had the impression that the weather news might be right about the storm system developing off the coast of Africa.It was hurricane season, after all.
I pulled my car through the gates of the hotel and noticed Chet and Philippa emerging from the apartment we’d given to Chet.It made me wonder if Harper and Luciano were sleeping there too.
I continued to my parking space behind the hotel.There, I tossed my sandals into the car and headed out to the beach, looking forward to some peaceful moments.
As usual, at this time of early morning, a quiet busyness hung over the area as people either jogged or walked along the beach and others stooped to collect shells.The cries of the seagulls and terns above me seemed even softer as if they too were not quite ready for the day to begin.
I sighed with pleasure and stepped into the water feeling as if I was part of both the present and the past.The waves rolled in and pulled away in a timeless fashion that never failed to make me grateful for such constant beauty.
A few moments later, I turned and faced the hotel, admiring its lines, loving the idea of being part of it.I’d missed Rhonda and couldn’t wait for her to get back from her weekend away.
“Hello,” came a voice alongside me.
I faced Catarina.“Hello.I’m happy to see you.It’s a lovely time of day to be here.”
“A quiet place to think.”She let out a sigh.“You have a daughter too?”
“Yes, I do.My daughter, Liz, is around the same age as Philippa.She’s married with four children and lives in town.I’m very blessed to have her so close to me.”
“That’s wonderful for you.I face a very different situation.I have no idea whether Philippa will remain here in Florida as she says or will decide to do something else.It’s the first time, though, that she’s found someone who she’s very serious about.But then, how serious can you be in such a short period of time?”
“It’s hard to face losing a daughter,” I said sympathetically.
“She’s resisted other offers,” said Catarina.She shook her head and looked at the waves before turning back to me.“I guess I hate the idea of losing my daughter to a way of life I never envisioned for her.”
“Philippa is a lovely young woman.You should be very proud of the job you’ve done with her.We’re very excited about having her in our hotel family.”
Catarina placed a hand on my shoulder.“Thank you for your kind words.I’ve never felt she should be bound by the promise between two old Italian men.That isn’t fair.Enrico has tried to show respect for his elders, but this particular thing seems so silly.”
“You can’t plan someone else’s happiness,” I said.“It has to come from them.Just as you can’t plan love.”
“Oh, Ann, I hope we can become friends when I move to this area.”
“The sale of the house has gone through?”I asked.
“Enrico is flying in today,” Catarina said.“But I’m pretty sure he’s going to agree that this is a perfect house for us.We’ll keep an apartment in New York City, but I already think of Sabal as my new home.”
“I’m so happy for you,” I said, giving her a quick hug.
We walked along the beach together, each of us quiet as we settled into our own thoughts.I glanced at Catarina out of the corner of my eye and was glad she wanted to be friends.
“By the way, Luciano and Harper came on a sail with my husband and son yesterday.They are very cute together and are obviously attracted to one another.”
“I’m happy for Luciano.He’s a fine young man who’s been wanting a chance away from family to make some decisions of his own,” said Catarina.“He’s not bound to the vineyard like his brothers.”
“It’s too early to tell what will happen to this relationship, but both Vaughn and I were impressed by their mutual behavior.”
