Page 63 of Canapés at the Beach House Hotel
“But?”I asked her.
“It might mean a whole different life if I go with him.I don’t know that much about his family, and he hasn’t met mine.”
“How soon is he returning to Italy?”I asked.
“That’s open.The vineyard is past the pressing period for the grapes so there’s some flexibility.But I know I promised you and Rhonda that I’d work for you, and I don’t want to go back on my word.That’s important to me.I’ve drawn up a list of ideas for the bar, but I might not be able to implement them.”
I studied her.“Do you think you love him, or do you know deep in your gut that you do?Enough to go to Italy and live a life there?That’s a very big step.Why is he in such a hurry?”
Harper gave me a steady look.“He and Philippa are under a lot of pressure to follow through on an old family promise neither wants to keep.I know he’s not a player and he’d never hurt me.He tells me he’s never felt this way about any other woman.We’ve both been with other people, so I understand.I’ve never felt this way about any other man.”
“As far as your word to Rhonda and me, we’ll understand if you decide to go to Italy with him.”My mind spun with an idea.“Are you both free this afternoon to go for a sail on my husband’s boat.It’s a great day for a sailing picnic.”
Smiling, Harper said, “I think Luc would love it.I know I would.”
“Great.Why don’t you two come to my house at around two o’clock?“
Harper stood.“Thank you.I want to know what you think about Luc and me together.This will help.”
“Exactly,” I said smiling at her.“See you then.”
She left and I called Vaughn to make those arrangements with him.
Upon hearing what I had in mind, he laughed.“It’s true.There’s nothing like being on a boat to expose the true nature of others.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Harper and Luciano arrived at my house promptly at two o’clock.
Cindy and I went to the door to greet them.“Welcome!This is our Dachshund, Cindy.She’ll be going out on the boat with us, too.”
Both Harper and Luciano bent down to pet Cindy and then Harper handed me a bakery box.“Homemade canapés for the boat trip.”
“Perfect.Thanks so much.Are you ready to head down to the boat?”
We walked down the slope of lawn to the dock where Vaughn and Robbie were waiting for us.
“We’re all set as soon as Cindy is put in her life vest,” said Vaughn.
I introduced him to Harper and Luciano and introduced Robbie.
Robbie took the box from me and went below to stow the goodies for later.Then he came up to the deck and took the wheel while everyone but Vaughn got settled in the cockpit.As captain, Vaughn explained the rules of sailing and how one must follow a captain’s orders at all times, especially when the boat was coming about.
“Robbie, you start the engine and take the wheel while I cast off,” said Vaughn.
With obvious pride, Robbie did as he was told.
Cindy settled between Harper and Luciano loving the attention they gave her.
Moments later, the boat eased from the dock and motored slowly out of the lagoon, past condos on the waterway, and out into the open Gulf.
Robbie and Vaughn worked in tandem to get the sails raised.As the wind filled the sails, Vaughn said, “Okay, cut the engine.”
“I always love this moment,” I said to Harper and Luciano.“It’s such a special feeling to have it go quiet and listen to the soft sound of the boat moving through the water.”
“Sì,” said Luciano.“Thank you for including us.”He glanced at Harper and then looked ahead.
“Do you and your family sail often?”Harper asked me.
