Page 81 of Canapés at the Beach House Hotel
“Me too.I’m lucky to have found Vaughn,” I said.“And if you hadn’t roomed with Angela at college, where would we be?”
“Probably not in Sabal, Florida,” she said smiling and waving to her children.
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
The next morning, after dropping Robbie off at school, I headed to the beach.I needed that private time to sort out my thoughts.
As I usually did, I parked my car, took off my shoes, and headed to the beach.Feeling the crystals of sand between my toes, my body loosened.Vaughn would be home this afternoon and I could truly relax, knowing he’d be my support and help me see things more clearly.
I walked down to the water and lifted my face to the sun.Shards of yellow from the sun coated the tips of the waves as they rolled in to shore.It was magical.And when the birds above me cried out it added a musical touch to the moment
Letting out a long sigh I felt my lips curve.Being here was such a treasure.
I turned away from the water and began my walk.
The sound of my feet hitting the hard-packed sand at the water’s edge made a rhythmic beat below me.
In the distance I could see Brock Goodwin and debated turning around.But I couldn’t let him see how uncomfortable he made me.
As we got closer, he noticed me and walked away.I stopped in surprise.This was a first.Maybe being forced to be neighborly was a bigger punishment for him than Rhonda and I had believed possible.
Deep in thought, I headed back to the hotel.
Catarina emerged from the guesthouse where she and her family were staying.
I waved, and she approached me.
“I suppose you’ve heard that we’ll be staying on for a few days longer.Enrico is doing some business in town.Philippa and I are using this time to arrange for an interior designer to work on our new house.”
“Bernie didn’t tell me about your extended stay, but we’re happy to have you here.”
“Thank you.The older men are enjoying this area.They’re even threatening to return from time to time to stay with Enrico and me.”
“And how do you feel about that?”I teased.
She chuckled.“It’s fine.They’re fairly easy to have around, and I know both men have been lonely since their wives died.”
“Is that why they’ve wanted to pressure the kids into marrying and living in Italy?”I asked.
Catarina shrugged.“That, and old age fears and promises.But they’re sweet men who love their families.”
We strolled together toward the hotel, and then I had to leave her to get to the office.
Rhonda was already there when I walked inside.
She looked up at me.“Have I got news for you!Harper and Luciano are in Ohio so he can meet her family.What do ya think of that?”
Relieved I wouldn’t have to keep that news from her, I said, “I think it’s sweet.A real old-fashioned gesture.”
“You know preparing for dinner at my house, I mentioned something to Luciano about doing that,” said Rhonda.
“You’re going to take the credit for it?”I asked, chuckling.
“Why not?You know what an excellent matchmaker I am,” said Rhonda.She broke down and laughed with me.
“I just spoke to Catarina,” I said.“They’re staying for a few more days in the guesthouse while Enrico does some business in town.She and Philippa will use this time to meet with an interior decorator for the new house.”
“Nice.Any news on Chet and Philippa’s romance?”Rhonda asked.
