“How about a gondola ride?” Teo said. “We’re tourists, after all.”
“And no self-respecting visitor to Venice would miss it.” She linked arms with him. “Lead on.”
The air held just a hint of a breeze, not enough to make her feel cold, but enough to cool heated cheeks that showed up as soon as Teo tucked her in next to him on what had to be the most romantic vehicle in the world.
She tried to scoot over without him noticing, because having her hip touch his focused her attention on skin and not on the lap of water below them. She did not want romantic or romance—or anything even remotely related to those two.
When a little chirpy voice showed up in her head, she closed her eyes—as if that would stop its blathering. But you do. You do.
No. She. Did. Not.
With her eyes still closed, she leaned back and found his arm beneath her head. She quickly shifted, but his hand drew her closer, and she tried to relax.
That wasn’t happening.
She shivered. The chirp grew louder.
As the boat slipped gracefully through the water, Teo’s fingers began to caress her upper arm. He probably meant to comfort her. Instead, blood rushed back to her face. Thank heavens, the dark hid the color, and the stroke of the gondolier’s long oar drowned out her quickening breaths.
The gondola approached the hotel entrance. As Teo helped her out, she tried to hide both her confusion and the tension that had bound up her muscles. If she were alone, she’d pause for some stretches. Or jog.
“Will you sit with me on the terrace?” Teo asked. “To watch the lights?”
She’d love to. But no. “I’m tired, really. I’ll see you in the morning.”
She stretched the kinks from her muscles, shed her clothes, and took time to ready herself for bed, to slather cream on her skin and brush out her hair. In her gown, she paused before hitting the wall switch to admire the room again. What a lovely bed. A lovely room. A lovely hotel.
Count your blessings. Lots of blessings here.
She turned out the bedside lamp and slid under the covers, the silken sheets cool to her skin. Shadows played from lights outside the window and seemed to dance even on her closed lids. She turned to her other side and let her eyelids settle, but the pillow-topped mattress felt pebbled under her hip. She flipped to her back. Her pillow lumped. She fluffed it.
How long she lay there, trying not to feel the lumps and ridges and bumps under her, she didn’t know. Suddenly she was flailing toward the water’s surface, toward the light that must be sky. Her fingers scraped the ocean floor. She had no breath left to carry her up. All she could do was suck in sea and die.
Her cry woke her.
Shuddering, she felt Teo’s gentle caress on her forehead. “It’s okay, sweet Samantha, you’re just dreaming.”
She opened her eyes. “I thought I was drowning.”
“It’s okay. You’re safe.”
Releasing a deep sigh, she whispered, “I needed saving, and you came.”
Which woke her abruptly. She shouldn’t say something like that. Ever.
She covered her face with the sheet and willed him away. What a wretch she was.
His laugh was soft. She peeked. In the dim light coming through the open doorway, she could just make out his smile. “Darling Samantha, if you’d let me, I’d rescue you always.” He clutched her hand as tears fell slowly down her cheeks. He reached over and wiped them. “I don’t want you ever to be afraid again. Or to hurt anymore.”
“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t.”
“Shush. You’ve done nothing.”
“I don’t deserve a friend like you.” A hiccup caught on a sob, which made both worse. “How can you stand my whiny self?”
He drew her to him. “Shh...it’s all right. Think of me as one who understands. I’m here for you. Whenever you need me. In whatever role.”
Which, of course, increased the flow. She clung to him until the sobs lessened and she could dab at her face and honk into the tissue he handed her. On a last sniffle, she lay back and whispered, “Thank you.”
He tucked the covers over her shoulders, then bent and kissed her forehead. “Sleep, dear girl. I’ll be right out there.”
“How did you hear me? Weren’t you in bed?”
“My thoughts kept churning, so I was still on the balcony, watching the lights across the canal.”
“Thinking about settings?”
“Among other things.” At the door, he turned. “Close your eyes and dream something happy this time. Think of all the good things in your life.”
She tried to do as he asked. She’d tried before that dream. And now her thoughts were peopled by Job’s comforters. How did one know if they lied…or if they actually spoke the truth?
24
Samantha
If sickness overwhelms you, and boils begin to plague,
If loneliness is all you see, and silence flirts with nothing,
Tell me, my dear, whose voice you’ll hear,
And whose will lead you forward?
The slap of water against stone brought Sam to semi-consciousness, but the echo of voices along the canal roused her enough that she threw back the covers and moved to the window. Outside, sunlight dappled the water. A bright day. Another day in Venice. Another day to wrap her mind and heart around freedom and healing.
Hearing nothing from the sitting room, she climbed in the shower and let the spray flail against her skin. The luxury of cascading hot water made her want to weep.
She patted dry with an oversized towel and spread lotion again on her aging face and body. She wouldn’t examine the lines or the dimples that kept cropping up where they shouldn’t be. Her skin tingled.
Yes, ma’am, that’s all she’d needed. A little sleep. A hot shower. A slathering of sweet-smelling lotion. Sunshine outside and what she hoped would be breakfast next. She wrapped herself in a silk robe and peeked into the salon.
Teo sat with a book in his lap beside a table spread with treats. “Good morning, sleepy head.” He glanced at his watch. “Though it’s almost good afternoon. Come see what a feast the hotel provided.”
“Is it really that late? I’m sorry.” She surveyed the chocolate-filled croissants, melon and berries, slices of prosciutto and cheese, and strong coffee. Her stomach rumbled as she slid into a chair.
“I waited until I heard your shower running to order this. I assumed you’d be hungry.”
“Famished.” Spreading the linen napkin in her lap, she accepted a cup of coffee and stirred in sugar and cream. “Thank you again for last night.”
“You’re welcome. Any time.”
Sam sipped and felt decadent. It must be the place. Well, that and Teo’s spoiling. “Are you going to live here always?” she asked. “I mean, in Italy?”
“I might.” He scooped a bite of melon and seemed to concentrate on it and the food on his plate more than any of it deserved.
Sam nibbled, waiting.
“I can write here.” He studied several fascinating bites. “The views are glorious.”
“They are.”
“Of course, if things changed or I had a reason, I’d leave.”
Sam ducked her head quickly so she wouldn’t have to respond, but that stupid, telltale heat crept all the way to her hairline.
It had to be a hot flash. Women in their forties could have hot flashes, couldn’t they?
Fortunately, distraction came as Teo’s cell phone rang from the bedroom. He excused himself.
His expression had sobered by the time he returned, carrying the phone. “That was Tootie. All of your plants are turning brown or wilting. All of them.”
“The azaleas and the ones in the beds?”
He nodded. “I told her you’d call her back. Use my nickel. Lots of unused minutes.”
Tootie picked up on the first ring. “Oh, Sam, I’m so sorry! I don’t know what happened. I didn’t do anything, really!”
“Calm down, honey. Of course, you didn’t. Just te
ll me what’s going on.”
“I saw some of the damage last night, in the porch light. We’d been out on the water, and Holland was just leaving, so it was too late to call you.” Her voice sounded breathless as she continued. “This morning, I walked all around, and, oh, Sam, every one of your beautiful plants looks like it’s been doused with poison, all up the lane, the beds in front of the cottage. Everything dead or dying.”
“I see. Well, I would have thought the vandal would have quit, now that I’m gone.”
“You still think Jack was right?”
Sam squeezed shut her eyes and whistled out a deep breath. Of course she didn’t. “Is Pete continuing to drive by? You need to report this.”
“I already talked to Pete, last night. He said he’d be by today.”
“I’m worried about you staying there if someone is still trying to hurt me.”
“I thought I’d call Jack. Tell him about it. You know, in case he has any ideas. I mean, he might.”
“Yes.” What a mess. “For now, can you get Holland to drive you to and from home? Or ask him to stay there with you?”
“He already said he’d chauffeur me so we can make sure the coast is clear. I’ll ask if he wants to stay at the house.”
“I’d appreciate it. I really don’t want to worry about you. If you’re at all frightened, or if anything more happens, I want you to go back home. You’re worth a whole lot more than any property, Tootie.”
That brought sniffles through the phone. “I love you, Sam.”
“I love you, too. And I’m absolutely serious about you not staying where there’s danger. See what Jack says and call me back, okay?”
“I will.”
Sam set the phone on the table as Teo pulled his chair close. He took both of her hands in his, rubbing warmth into them. “It’ll be okay,” he said. “Tootie is a smart young lady. I think we can trust her to use good judgment.”
“I’m sick about this. I certainly hope India’s still coming around merely because she doesn’t know I’m gone. Maybe if Jack tells her, she’ll leave things be.”
“Whoever’s responsible must have some serious issues that go way beyond wanting her man back. If it’s Jack’s girlfriend, she needs professional help.”
Sam just nodded.
“Come on,” Teo said, folding his napkin and pocketing his cell phone. “If you’ve finished eating, let’s go do something, get some exercise. Sitting here brooding won’t accomplish anything.”
He was right. All they could do was wait to hear from Tootie and hope the girl took precautions—and that her deputy cousin kept a close watch.
Still, playing tourist felt wrong. Sam tried for enthusiasm when she saw the Tintorettos and other Renaissance masters at the Doge’s Palace. She put on a game face when Teo led her through the dungeons where Casanova supposedly spent time before he escaped. Unfortunately, the torture chambers provided more visual information than she wanted. “That’s enough of museums for now, please.”
“You’re worried.”
“I can’t help it. I need to know Tootie’s okay.”
He draped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her to his side. “If we don’t hear from her by bedtime, we’ll call her.”
“Thank you.”
As they walked out into the brilliant light toward their hotel, Sam stopped him. “Here’s the deal. If we’re going to remain in Venice any longer, we can’t continue in gold-plated luxury. I can’t. I mean, I’ve loved it, but it’s way too extravagant.”
He laughed, a simple, joyful sound. Did he have a clue how much his enjoyment of her, no matter what her mood, helped? There was something so freeing in being liked.
The memory of Jack’s jokes, which had always surprised her into a hoot of laughter, made Sam tilt her head and smile in response to Teo’s simple delight. That was it, wasn’t it? Both men were quick-witted, but Teo filled his humor with compassion and real pleasure—a distinction she’d never considered before.
He touched the tip of her nose. “We can stay as long as you wish. Or return to Reggio tomorrow. It’s up to you.”
“Thank you.”
“But we won’t be moving from our hotel.” He held up a palm as if to stop her objections. “I’ve no need to pinch pennies, my dear. I live very frugally on my own and am delighted to spend some of what I’ve hoarded. You can’t imagine how much fun I’m having, seeing the city with your eyes instead of my own rather jaded ones.”
She lowered her gaze as her heart sprinted. “Then, perhaps you’ll think of something I can do for you. If this is a research trip, couldn’t you find a job for me? Help me earn my keep?”
“Independent?”
“I want to be. I always have been.”
“Did you always pay your own way, even when you were married?”
“Well, I always worked.” She turned to stare out over the square, distancing herself as she spoke, as if the memories were a mere matter of course. “I supported Greg in the beginning, and once my business was making money, I contributed to the household. He earned a great deal more than I did, but I liked adding to the family coffers.” She had been capable once, hadn’t she? She wanted Teo to see her that way, not as the weak creature she’d been with Jack.
She wanted to—no, she needed to—see herself that way.
“If I can think of any job I need help with, I’ll know just where to come,” he said lightly.
“Don’t patronize me.”
“I wouldn’t dare.” He touched her jutting chin with a fingertip.
This would be a good moment to flounce something, a long skirt, unbound hair, but all she said was, “Good.”
“Now that we have that out of the way, why don’t we take a boat trip to the islands across the lagoon? The hotel can fix us a picnic.”
“My sweet spot. The only thing better would be to sail there.”
“Forget it.”
The disgust in Teo’s voice reminded Sam of the one person who had loved sailing with her, center-punching Sam’s thoughts with images of the mess she’d left behind along with her boat. She turned away so that her suddenly blinded eyes aimed at the water and not at the man beside her.
What a waste of life and energy occurred when one behaved badly. She’d not only ruined any possible friendship with Jack, but she’d also sullied memories of both her boat and her once-friend, had tarred and feathered each until not even a good dunking in naphtha would clean them up.
The day had been glorious, but her niggling worries didn’t succumb even to sun, water, and friendship. She punched in the numbers for Samantha’s in Beaufort.
A breathless Tootie answered. Sam’s first words were, “Did you talk to Jack?”
“I did. Sorry, hang on.” It sounded as if Tootie set down a glass, and then she was back. “Just taking a bathroom break while the shop’s empty. Yes, I spoke with him. Seems he’s not been feeling very well. He thinks it’s the flu, but he’s waiting on tests. Oh, and Pete said they wrote up a report. The sheriff complained that you should have reported all the other times.”
“I know it. What did Jack think about possible culprits?”
“He said he’d speak to India. It made me curious.”
Sam wouldn’t enlighten her. She hated not being able to fix this. Being able to control this one thing in her uncontrolled world? That would be a real boon.
“Holland said I should pull up the dead plants, then leave the area alone. He said we need to let the poison, whatever it is, leach out before we plant anything else in the spring.”
“Oh, honey, you don’t have to worry about that.”
“I know I don’t. I’m just sorry I can’t put it back the way it was.”
“Look, if you need help, you know, someone to do the heavy lifting or digging, hire one of the boys from the nursery. I’ll send you some money for it.”
“No, no, it’s not a problem. If we need anything, I’ll e-mail or call. And don’t worry about me. Holland’s going to m
ake sure everything’s fine here. He may hang out more, but I don’t know about him moving in.”
“Remember what I said. If you get frightened at all, don’t stay there. And make sure you turn on the alarm when you’re home.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Disconnecting, Sam followed Teo out to the balcony and leaned next to him against the balustrade. “We don’t know much more, except that Jack will speak to India. At least he’s thinking.”
“How did Tootie sound this time?”
“Amused by my worries for her safety. Holland said he’d hang around more.”
They sat on the bench to watch the moon climb over the water. Teo’s quiet presence felt soothing. As always.
Soothing was seductive. And seductive was a bad idea. She knew that.
Too bad the wires got crossed when she tried to tune in to the knowing bit while she was in the middle of the feeling bit.
She straightened her spine, imagining Stefi offering something that lame as an excuse. “I think I’ll go to bed now.”
“Well, then, good night,” Teo said, holding open the door for her. “Sogni d’oro.”
Dreams of gold, he said. Sweet dreams...of gold.
She climbed under the silky covers, pulling the sheet up to her chin. What had that expression meant, the one she’d caught just before he’d turned out of the lamplight, when he and his eyes had retreated into shadow again?
If that had been the only thing on her mind, she might have slept well. But visions of her ruined plants appeared and reappeared, along with India’s face contorted in anger.
Pits certainly had a way of deepening if you turned your head for a moment.
25
Jack
Sticks and stones may twist my bones,
But broken vows will kill me.
India zipped her overnight bag and approached the bed. “You sure I can’t fix you any breakfast? If you need me to stay, I could cancel, call in sick. If you want.”
Jack waved her away. “I’ll be okay. I’m just going to sleep a little longer. Then I’ll be able to get to work.”
Sailing out of Darkness (Carolina Coast Book 4) Page 19