The Sweet Life

by Sharon Struth

I hope that

  She must’ve fallen asleep. Julian swallowed the hard lump forming in his throat.

  He studied her beautiful face, so peaceful in sleep, no longer showing the pain he’d seen when he’d turned his back on her on the patio a few hours ago. Now, slumber brought a pure and undisturbed expression. Not that of a woman who’d lost the people she loved most in the world, but somehow remained tough enough to keep going, board a plane alone and take on this trip when she still deeply missed her old life.

  He rounded the bed and lay beside her, taking her in his arms and drawing her close.

  She stirred and rolled to face him. “Hi. When did you come in?”

  “A few minutes ago. I read the note you were writing me. Sorry.”

  “It’s okay. I wasn’t sure you’d come back tonight.”

  “I wasn’t either. Beppe knocked some common sense into me.”

  The tense lines of her face softened with somber smile. “I know learning the truth about my work was a shock. I hope you understand I didn’t like keeping it from you.”

  “I do. Coming from Gary, it had a little more punch.” He reached up and traced her cheek with his finger, trying to accept the fact that he needed to let her go because it was what she needed. “The letter you wrote, you’re right. We both do have to figure out our lives.”

  Tears welled in her eyes. “Trying to date on two different continents isn’t a good way to start new lives.”

  “I guess it isn’t.” He wanted to believe they could, but also understood why Mamie needed to spread her wings after the loss of her husband.

  “Doesn’t mean we can’t keep in touch,” she said, a hopeful tone in her voice.

  “Of course. Maybe someday our paths will cross again. Friends forever?”

  Mamie nodded as a tear slid along her cheek. “Yes. Forever.”

  She buried her head against his chest and he held her tight, breathing in the scent of her hair, the softness of her skin. Little details he’d probably forget after she was gone. He closed his eyes and soon his mind drifted into a hazy state thinking about tomorrow and the trip to the airport. Although his heart ached just thinking about it, he understood they had no other choice.

  He’d finally figured out his life, closed the door on a past that had haunted him since his boyhood.

  And he had Mamie to thank.

  Chapter 24

  September

  Julian looked at his watch. “You’ll have an hour and a half to walk around on your own and have lunch. Then meet me back here at one.”

  A hand shot up from the back of the crowd.

  “Yes, Mr. Levine?”

  The tall, thin man pushed his wire frame glasses up his long nose. “Might I suggest we synchronize our watches? Yesterday a few people were two minutes late.”

  The group of actuaries from a firm in New York City had booked the “History Buff’s Guide to Tuscany” tour and they had a yen for exactness even Julian couldn’t quite compete with.

  “Sure.” He glanced at his watch. “I’ve got twelve-o-two?”

  The others looked at their watches, with a few making adjustments. He tried not to laugh. No matter what group he traveled with, he wanted them feel comfortable.

  Another hand shot up, this time Melinda Honeycutt, a sixty-something single traveler who wore pleated slacks and pearls every day. “Is it true you used to host an adventure show where you participated in some risky stunts?”

  He smiled. “That was me.”

  Claudia may have only taken him back because she loved including in her marketing brochure that one of her Italian tour directors used to be a well-known travel show host.

  Melinda shook her head, the way a mother might reprimand a child. “By my calculations, I’d say you’re lucky to be alive.”

  “You may be right. Now that I’m older and wiser, I’ve learned that it’s the ordinary things in life that can yield the sweetest rewards. No odds needed on that. Enjoy lunch and see you back here at one. Sharp.”

  He walked half a block to his favorite cafe in San Gimignano—not far from Paolo’s restaurant—and ordered a pizza, then checked his email. Claudia had sent a message to all the tour directors, reminding them she needed to fill two new positions. Business was good.

  He thought back to how he’d almost lost this job. Maybe it was the call Mamie’s publisher made to Claudia two days after Mamie had boarded the plane to fly home. Claudia all but begged him to stay with the touring company, making it easier to send Gary on his way. Even if Julian hadn’t stayed at Wanderlust Excursions, he wouldn’t have gone to work for Gary again.

  The simple blessings found in each day he spent taking tourists around Italy was all he needed or wanted. Well, almost.

  His phone buzzed with a text message. He pushed the button and saw it was from Mamie.

  Hey! Miss me still? Where are you today?

  His heart filled with longing for her, overshadowed by a wave of sadness, their distance from each other too great. He typed back, Yup, I miss you every single day. I’m in San Gimignano right now. Thinking of you. He smiled with the thought. They texted almost daily.

  San Gimignano! You know you’re killing me, right?

  He laughed and typed, Same old, same old for me. Tell me about the first day at the new job. Do you like it?

  Thanks to Joel and his connections, Mamie found a new job at a small publishing house and moved from her condo in the New York City suburbs to upstate New York. A big step that made Julian so proud of her. She’d told him she loved living upstate because, in some ways, it reminded her of Tuscany. Since she’d left, each time they talked on Skype he couldn’t miss how she possessed a new energy. At least compared to those early days on the trip with the Wanderers. It made him feel good to see her this way and he remained thankful to still have her in his life. Even if it was in such a remote way.

  His phone pinged with her response.

  So far so good. But it’s only been four hours. Oh! I got an invitation to go to a Halloween party that the Wanderers are holding in Bethel, NY, where the Woodstock concert was held. It’s close enough for me to drive. I can’t wait to see them.

  Fondness for the Wanderers settled in his chest. He’d never, ever forget that tour. He typed back, They sent me one, too. I’m scheduled to guide a tour in southern Italy that week. Bummer.

  Big bummer. I’ll be thinking of you. It may be a while before I can get a vacation with the new job. But you can always come here... Enjoy San Gimignano.

  Julian’s food arrived. He put away his phone, wishing more than anything he could see Mamie again.

  * * * *

  “So this is the spot?” Mamie took in the colorful, late October foliage surrounding a wide-open hillside at Bethel Woods. A modern-day homage to the concert that would never die in the minds of those who attended. Mamie tried to imagine the crowds, the music filling the air, and the general message of peace, love, and rock n’ roll.

  “This is it. People everywhere you can see and a large stage at the bottom of the hill,” Bernie said, his voice soft and reminiscent. He glanced at Mamie. “You know I met Sandy here.”

  “I remember.” Bernie had shared the story one night after dinner while they’d stayed at the villa.

  “We were sitting over there.” He motioned toward a large clump of tress. “It was during day two. Canned Heat was singing ‘Going Up the Country’ and this gorgeous blonde walked by.” He paused for a second and a slow smiled grew on his face. “It was love at first sight.”

  Mamie’s heart softened. After all these years, their love was still obvious. “That’s sweet, Bernie.”

  Footsteps sounded on pavement near the grass’s edge and Sandra appeared between them while tying the belt on a knee-length sweater. “It’s chillier out here than I thought. Aren’t you cold, Mamie, in that light blazer?”

/>   “I’m good. Maybe living in Ithaca is toughening me up to the cold.”

  Sandra slipped her arm around Bernie’s waist as she glanced to Mamie. “Do you like your new job?”

  “I do. Being an acquiring editor is a bit more like what I used to do before the car accident.”

  Sandra nodded and frowned. “Then I’m glad you’re happy. Joel said you work with his friend now?”

  Joel and Tina. They had Mamie’s back. On the flight back to New York, they’d sat a few rows back. During the flight, the two of them talked to her about having to leave Julian behind and her past. When Joel learned about her work background, he’d mentioned his friend who owned a small press.

  Mamie smiled. “Yup. I can thank him for a new start in a new town.”

  Sandra rubbed Mamie’s arm with motherly affection then scanned the empty hillside. “It really is pretty around here.”

  “I was just telling Mamie about the day we met.” Bernie glanced down at his wife. “Remember, we were sitting over there?” He again pointed to the tree clump.

  “No we weren’t. We were on the other side.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Positive.” Sandra shook her head. “You’re getting more and more forgetful. Did you even remember Canned Heat was playing?”

  “Of course.” He furrowed his brows. “Right, Mamie?”

  “Yup. He even called you a gorgeous blonde.”

  Sandra beamed. “Now I now he’s losing it. You’d better get inside. Bob needs help setting something up. Mamie, don’t rush. It’s a beautiful day. Enjoy the view.”

  After they left, Mamie got out her phone and snapped a few pictures. She texted one to Julian.

  I’m with the Wanderers! Here’s the famous concert grounds.

  Julian. God she missed him. He’d become her best friend. One who texted her every day and often was the last person she communicated with before bedtime. Once a week they’d Skype. She missed him and hated to admit it, but their closeness was forming a bond so similar to love, she had no other way to describe it.

  When she accrued some vacation time in the spring, she’d consider a trip to Italy. But it seemed so far away.

  She brushed aside the blue mood about to form. Life had been good lately. On her own, she’d managed to start a new life in a new place. She went to her office every day, had made friends in the upstate community. The colleges nearby kept the crowds young, and visitors passed through to sample vineyards on the Finger Lakes. When she’d described it that way to Julian, and shared that it reminded her of Tuscany, he’d said, “All that’s missing is some Renaissance art and me.”

  She laughed along with him, but the part about him only reminded her how he was the one thing missing from the new picture of her life.

  She snapped a few more photos, capturing the color palette of autumn found in the sienna, red, and yellow trees. Nature’s renewal. Change, needed for the promise of spring growth. Like her, and the trip to Tuscany that changed her outlook on life.

  Her phone pinged.

  The famous Woodstock grounds, huh? Pretty place. What are you doing now?

  She typed back, Just enjoying the view.

  Seconds later, he replied.

  Me too. Turn around.

  Turn around?

  She slowly turned. Julian stood, staring back with a huge smile. Since the last time they’d talked on Skype, he’d cut his hair shorter but he’d kept the tidy beard and mustache. “Hi, gorgeous.”

  “What are you...you didn’t tell me—”

  “Surprise!” He approached, arms opened. “How about a hug?”

  Mamie rushed into his arms. As they closed around her, she absolutely knew there was no better place in the world than right here.

  “Oh my God, Julian.” Tears filled her eyes and she held him tight, not wanting to ever let him go again. “I can’t believe you’re here. Nobody told me.”

  As she blinked to clear her eyes, she spotted Sandra and Bernie near the main building, watching them. She leaned back, holding onto Julian’s shoulders. “Did Sandra and Bernie know?”

  Julian waved to the couple. “They all did. Sandra came and got Bernie when I arrived to give us time alone.”

  Mamie laughed. “Why those stinkers.”

  “Blame me. I wanted to surprise you. Then my flight into Stewart got in three hours late. I’d planned to be here when you arrived.”

  Mamie loved how being close to him felt so natural and right. “I can’t believe it.” The way they parted returned to her. Waking next to him the morning they had to leave. Her teary goodbye at the airport, both of them making promises to stay friends forever using today’s technology. “I’ve missed you. A lot.” A gust of wind blew a strand of her hair across her cheek.

  “Me, too.” He reached out and tucked the hair behind her ear then cupped her cheek with his palm. “I’ve missed everything about you.”

  “You know, when we were texting a few minutes ago, I was thinking how every feeling I’ve ever had for you just keeps getting stronger and stronger.”

  His eyes softened, like they had during their magical first kiss. “Yeah? Me, too.” He softly pressed his lips to hers then leaned back. “Missed me like that?”

  “Exactly like that. How long are you staying?”

  “Two weeks. In fact”—he drew her close—“if you’ll have me, I’d love to stay with you.”

  “You’d better!” Mamie slipped her hands around his neck, stretched up and kissed him deeply. She could sense the others watching and didn’t care.

  When the kiss ended, he smiled. “I’ve wanted to do that for months now.”

  “Guess I did, too. Technology is a wonderful thing, but it has limits.”

  He laughed. “Those limits. We’ll have to figure that one out. You know, Claudia is thinking of branching out with some tours in the States. It could be an option career-wise for me.”

  Mamie couldn’t believe how her day just changed on a dime. But wasn’t that the way it worked?

  He reached down and took her hand. “Every single day since you took off on that plane, it seems I can’t go to sleep at night unless I’ve said good night to you.”

  “Same for me.” She squeezed his hand tight and vowed not to let go until she had to.

  He blinked out at the hillside. She turned to look at the view, too. The bright afternoon sun made the golden leaves blaze.

  “Wow, this view, it’s even more powerful in person. The sacred grounds my dad used to talk about.”

  “I’ll bet he’d be thrilled you are here.”

  Julian nodded, his expression solemn.

  “I know I am.”

  He turned to her and smiled, genuine and glowing. “Want to walk down there with me? I want to see the memorial thing at the bottom of the hill.”

  “Sure.”

  They started down the hill, hand in hand.

  Mamie glanced his way, still not believing that he was really here. “I wish I’d known so I could take some time off work.”

  “Oh, your boss said he’d let you take what you need.”

  “My boss? You talked to my boss?”

  “Joel helped me out. Said Dan was a friend of his and he’d explain what was going on. To show my thanks, Joel said I had to send his friend a signed publicity photo. My Eddie days are over, but I figured to get time with you, I’d do it.”

  She laughed. “Wait? So Dan knew about this and all the Wanderers? Only I was left out in the dark?”

  “Yup. It was a two-continent conspiracy. Just so I could have this moment.”

  She couldn’t believe how all the forces in her life had made this happen, while she happily went about her day oblivious to it. “I guess I’ll forgive them.”

  Yes, she had no doubt she would. Too much of her life had been spent in real darkn
ess, and the efforts of every single person to give her this surprise gift warmed her heart. Hand in hand, they continued down the hill. Happiness. She no longer took it lightly.

  In case you missed it, here’s an excerpt from the first book in the Blue Moon Lake series:

  SHARE THE MOON

  Sometimes trust is the toughest lesson to learn.

  Sophie Shaw is days away from signing a contract that will fulfill her dream of owning a vineyard. For her, it’s a chance to restart her life and put past tragedies to rest. But Duncan Jamieson’s counter offer blows hers out to sea.

  Duncan still finds Sophie as appealing as he had during boyhood vacations to the lake. Older and wiser now, he has his own reasons for wanting the land. His offer, however, hinges on a zoning change approval.

  Bribery rumors threaten the deal and make Sophie wary of Duncan, yet she cannot deny his appeal. When her journalistic research uncovers a Jamieson family secret, trust becomes the hardest lesson for them both.

  A Lyrical e-book on sale now.

  Learn more about Sharon at

  http://www.kensingtonbooks.com/author.aspx/31604

  Chapter 1

  New Moon: When the moon, positioned between the earth and sun,

  nearly disappears, leaving only darkness.

  November

  The sabotaged kayaks beckoned. Sophie Shaw trod a thin layer of ice pellets on the lawn as she headed to the lake’s edge, where eight boats waited to be returned to the storage rack. The fickle New England weather had offered sleet-dropping clouds an hour earlier. Now, a wink from the sun reflected against Blue Moon Lake.

  She dragged the first boat up a small incline, annoyed some bored teenagers had considered destruction of property entertainment. Growing up she and her friends had respected the local businesses.

  A UPS truck screeched to a stop in front of a row of shops on Main Street. The driver hopped out and ran into Annabelle’s Antiques with a box tucked under his arm. Sophie glanced both ways along the road for signs of Matt, whose new driver’s license and clunker car played to every mother’s fears. Fifteen minutes earlier, she’d texted him for help with the boat mess. He’d replied “k.”