“I’m positive. Let’s take a time-out, run away to Italy and use thirty sun-drenched days to refocus and reset—gain clarity about what we want for the future.”
“I’d be happy just to have one,” he mumbled.
At least, that was what she thought she heard. His voice had been faint, and what he’d said didn’t make any sense, so she figured she had to be wrong. “What was that?”
“I said I think that’s a great idea,” he replied, speaking more stridently. “Here’s to a month in Italy!”
“A month in Italy!” she repeated as if it was a toast and, closing her eyes, turned her face up to the sun. Going to Praiano with Charlotte and Julian felt right.
Now she just had to make it happen.
chapter 7
The villa Charlotte had found on Airbnb was spectacular. Muted pink stucco with white trim, it offered an incredible view of the sea, a large red-tiled patio where she could eat outdoors in the temperate climate, a hot tub on the deck and four bedrooms, each with its own bath. A high wall surrounded the property, except where the deck faced the sea, which had a beautiful arched gateway that led into the villa from a street so narrow it was only a footpath. Not only did that high wall guarantee she’d have the privacy she craved, but it was also draped in white bougainvillea.
She clicked on pictures of the inside. Decorated with the blue-and-yellow fabrics, tile and pottery the Amalfi Coast was so famous for, it was filled with antiques and had high ceilings and large, spacious rooms.
“Lovely,” she murmured, but bit her lip when she saw the price. The house was expensive. But she didn’t like any of the other accommodations she’d seen nearly as much. At least it was right in Praiano, where Lilly was living, as opposed to Positano or Amalfi. Those other towns weren’t far away—Positano was just five miles to the west and Amalfi eight miles to theeast—but according to what she’d read, there was only a narrow, winding road cut into the cliff to connect them, and that had a lot of traffic, so five miles could take twenty or thirty minutes by car. Walking would take even longer, of course, but that wasn’t a viable option, anyway. The road barely fit vehicles.
She continued to search for something else, something cheaper, but kept going back to the same place—and eventually decided to show it to Jules and Sloane, hoping they’d agree it was worth the cost. She needed a house that would make her feel safe and happy and would inspire her writing, and this felt like the one.
It didn’t take long to hear back from them. They loved it as much as she did, insisted she book it before someone else could, so she did. Then she sat back with a smile. Crazy things were happening in her life, but at least there was Italy.
Excited to show her father what she’d found, she was just texting him at work from her laptop when her phone rang. Mr. Heidelman was calling her back.
She tensed as she set her computer aside and hit the talk button on her phone. She had no idea what else he might reveal—or what it might do to her. But she needed to speak to him, to learn more, even if she was frightened about what he might say.
He greeted her politely and thanked her for getting back to him. Then he got down to business. “Before my letter, were you aware you had a sister?”
“No,” she replied. “Until I got your letter, I didn’t even know I was adopted.”
He paused for a moment. “I’m sorry if that came as a shock.”
“It was definitely a shock,” she said with a wry chuckle. “But what happened in the past is certainly not your fault. I’m not blaming you.”
“Still, it’s a touchy situation. Please forgive me. My only goal is to do what’s best for Lilly.”
“I understand.”
“And I’m afraid I have a bit more to tell you.”
“I’m terrified to hear what you’re going to say next,” she admitted.
“I can see why, but you should know this before you make any decisions. I wish I could say her mother left behind enough cash or other assets to pay for her care, but other than a few personal effects, she’s been left with nothing.”
Charlotte exhaled in relief. This was what he’d been afraid to tell her? No problem. She’d expected it. And she felt it was probably for the best, at least in one regard. If there’d been money, the boyfriend might have kept Lilly for that alone. And then who could say what would happen once he ran through it?
“That’s fine.”
“I’m glad. Thank you for taking it so well. I was afraid she might be too big a burden for someone your age, but then...”
His words dwindled off as if he’d suddenly thought better of what he was about to say, so she finished for him. “But then you learned who I was and knew if anyone my age could afford to take in a child, it would be me?”
He laughed. “I wouldn’t have stated it that way, but... yes. I was hopeful that maybe you’d have the resources, as well as the interest, to be involved in her life.”
She noted his euphemisms. Be involved in her life? He wasn’t talking about having Charlotte join some weekly Big Sister program. He wanted her to become Lilly’s full-time guardian and solve the problem. Period.
But it wasn’t quite that simple. First, she had to make sure Lilly would want to live with her—see how they got along as sisters. Could they grow any real affinity? Because what a child needed more than anything else was love, and Charlotte wantedto be absolutely sure she could offer as much as Lilly would require.
