Summer in Sorrento Page 6

  Opening the kitchen door, she was immediately met with a cool summer’s morning. The heat of the day had not yet found its way up the side of the mountain to the farmhouse. She was also welcomed by her husband and Maia, who were both sitting and chatting happily in the wooden lounge chairs that peppered the courtyard.

  Feeling immediately annoyed, primarily that her husband could get up and carry on with the landlady, talking and relaxing happily and he couldn’t do it with her, she was about to offer her displeasure, when Hal cut her off, speaking first.

  “There you are,” he smiled. “Good morning. I hope you liked your flowers.”

  Momentarily stunned, Lori opened and closed her mouth—and then opened it again. “Those were from you?”

  Hal nodded and Maia nudged him with her elbow. “Yes I was up this morning and found Maia cutting them. I…helped. And I put those in your…our…room.”

  Lori tilted her head out of confusion. “You helped Maia cut flowers?” She couldn’t believe her ears.

  Hal shrugged, as if looking for a way to diminish his role, but Maia spoke before he could say a word, “He did help me. And he also did something else. Hal why don’t you tell her? Lori, would you like some coffee? I just brewed another pot, I’m afraid that Hal and I drank the first.” Lori nodded her assent and Maia got up to go into the house.

  Lori plopped down in the chair next to Hal. “What else did you do this morning?” she inquired, all of the vitriol was gone from her voice and absent from her mind. She was curious to know what her husband had been up to while she had been sleeping.

  Hal shifted in his seat. “Well, I um, cleaned off the bikes that Maia mentioned yesterday. And I thought that maybe, we could go on a picnic. Maia said there’s a spot that she and her husband used to go to, and we are on holiday after all. I mean, unless you want to go to that trattoria first? We can save the picnic for another day…or….”

  But Lori was smiling, a grin so genuine she resembled a child on Christmas morning.

  “You want to go on a picnic? With me?”

  Hal’s face reddened and Maia smiled with certain pleasure at the couple. Quietly, she excused herself from the scene, wanting to give them some privacy.

  But as she tiptoed away she heard Hal respond earnestly.

  “Yes, Lori. You. I want to go on a picnic with you.”

  Later that morning, Maia was doing some more work on the roadside stand when Jacob joined her, asking if she minded the company. The pair chatted amicably for a while, avoiding mention of their conversation the night before, and bypassing the subject of his father, until Amelia also made her way outside.

  “Maia, I was wondering if you knew where Hotel De La Syrene is? How far it is from here, I mean.” The girl was holding a piece of paper in her hand, which Maia assumed was the wedding invitation.

  She nodded, “I know where it is. Down the coast that way. Actually not very far. But too far to walk, and a bit strenuous too—up and down hills the whole way there. Probably would be murder in high heels.”

  “I thought as much. So I’ll need a taxi?”

  Maia nodded. “I think that would be best. I can call one for you—get them to arrange to pick you up at a certain time too, if you like.” Though Amelia didn’t look too happy with that situation, likely Maia thought because if she the day went south, she would be at the mercy of waiting to be picked up by a cab.

  Amelia shrugged, as if accepting her fate. “I wondered if I should have rented a car when I got here. Too late now, I suppose.”

  Jacob, who had been quiet until this point, suddenly spoke. “It’s a wedding, right? That’s where you are going?” He had overheard snippets of conversation about Amelia and why she was here.

  Amelia smiled. “Yes. But not just any wedding,” she added. “The wedding of my ex-fiancé.”

  “Hmm, I see,” said Jacob shooting a glance at maybe. “That’s an interesting situation ….” Then he smiled. “You know, I might be able to help.”

  Maia and Amelia both immediately looked interested.

  “And just how would you help Jacob?” Maia inquired of her handsome lodger.

  “Well,” he said, shoving his hands in his pockets. “I have a car.” He extracted a set of car keys from one of his pockets and beeped the alarm on the Mercedes rental parked in front of the farmhouse. “If you are allowed to bring a plus one, I think your issue might be solved.”

  Maia raised her eyebrows and looked at Amelia, wondering what the young woman would say about such a proposal.

  Amelia looked unsettled. “It might be rude of me to bring someone though? I don’t want to mess up their seating plans…” She bit her lip.

  But Jacob laughed aloud—he clearly didn’t care. “Yeah well, a messed up seating plan isn’t nearly as horrible as inviting your ex-fiancée to your wedding. Just sayin’,” he said bluntly, his New York accent coming out full force.

  This made Amelia erupt with laughter. “Do you know, you’re absolutely right. To hell with their seating plan.”

  “That’s the spirit. Every wedding needs a crasher,” Jacob said. “What time do I have to be ready?”

  Amelia provided him instructions and looked more cheered than she had since her arrival. “This is going to be fun. But Jacob, just so you know, this isn’t a date or anything OK?”

  Maia smiled but said nothing and Jacob raised his eyebrows mischievously “If you say so.”

  “No, I mean it,” Amelia insisted. “I’ve seen the way Camilla looks at you. And in an effort of solidarity and sisterhood, I wouldn’t dream of stepping on her toes.”

  Jacob appeared thoughtful, as if he hadn’t notice Camilla’s attention, and was just now putting the pieces together. “Right, got it. Not a date. And Camilla, huh?” He smiled. “Well, that is interesting.”

  10

  Maia found herself with a quiet house that evening. After some gratuitous flirting with Camilla, Jacob left with Amelia for the wedding at Hotel De La Syrene, and Maia felt accomplished knowing that two of her guest’s evenings were accounted for that night. She had to admit that she felt gratified knowing that Amelia had some very handsome backup in Jacob—a fact that she was sure would not be lost on her ex-fiancé. She hoped that the younger girl got through the evening unscathed, and maybe with even a little fun.

  She had not yet seen Hal and Lori return from their outing and assumed that the couple was having a good time and enjoying each other’s company. At least she hoped that was what was happening. She had no worry that they still loved each other very much—they just needed an escape to remember why they were together.

  However, with a silent house, Maia also had little for Camilla to do—so she sent her home for an evening off. She could cook her own dinner—and she believed that a person of Camilla’s age needed to get out and kick up her heels every now and then, especially during the Italian summertime. This was the kind of weather to drink prosecco, dance, laugh, and fall in love.

  Sighing, Maia walked toward the cliff side. The dark indigo waters of the Bay sparkled in the moonlight. To the left, and down the shore, someone set off a firework—and the explosion boomed in the distance. Maia looked in the direction of the sound toward Sorrento and where the wedding was being held—and saw a tiny sprinkle of light like wishes from a fairy’s wand, fall toward the water.

  “What a perfect night to get married,” she said to the air, thinking of her own wedding. It was true that she often communed with Jim in this spot, but for a moment, she wondered if she would ever have the chance to fall in love again, get married.

  “It seems hard to fathom,” she said quietly. “But I know you would approve.” She smiled to the sky. “Thanks for encouraging me to do this. I think I might be enjoying myself.”

  At that moment, Maia heard some noise from behind where she stood. She turned around to find Lori and Hal, pushing the bikes they had borrowed back up the hill, headed in her direction. The gravel of the road crunched under the tires and Maia knew for a fa
ct that it was easier going down than it was coming up. However, the pair looked happily flushed, which made her feel pleased. Lori called a greeting.

  “This hill, it’s a bit steep, yeah?” Lori laughed.

  Maia went to meet the pair. “Here, let me help you. You both must be exhausted. You’ve been gone all day. I trust you had fun.”

  Lori was glowing like a new bride. “It was…how do I put this?” She grinned heartily. “An incredible day. Just wonderful. I think we covered the entire boot on these bikes,” she said, referencing Italy’s shape on the map. “I don’t think you can have the same experience, driving in a car.”

  Maia looked at Hal. The look of worry that had lined his face earlier that day was gone—in its place, a kiss from the sun and a smile.

  “Thanks for letting us borrow these.” He motioned to the bikes as he handed Maia the picnic basket they had borrowed earlier in the day. “Lori’s right—having these at our disposal, we saw so much, and when we wanted to stop and have a glass of wine or explore, we did. Thank you for, um, encouraging me…us,” he smiled as Lori nudged him with her hip. “It was a nice break from the norm.”

  Parking the bikes near the shed, Maia immediately went into hostess mode. “Well, I’m sure that you must be hungry. Here, let me get something going for you…”

  But Lori put her hand up. “No, you relax. You’ve done so much for us since we arrived,” she said, and Maia got the distinct impression that Lori was referring to more than simply providing a place to stay and food to eat. “We actually accumulated some stuff throughout the day. Some wine, cheese, other little yummies, we thought that maybe we could get back here and share it with everyone.”

  Feeling touched by the gesture, Maia murmured her thanks. “That’s great. Yes, please. Although, I’m all alone at the moment actually. Amelia went off to her wedding, and Jacob offered to be her escort. With Camilla’s blessing of sorts.” Lori raised her eyebrows, and her husband looked at her inquisitively.

  “I’ll tell you later,” Lori smiled, wrapping an arm around Hal’s waist. “Well then, you chill out here, I’ll get you some wine, and we will get everything set up inside. You relax.”

  Maia was about to protest, but then she gave in to Lori’s request. The couple went into the house wrapped in each other’s arms like besotted teenagers and with their bag of Italian goodies in tow. Maia sat down after she watched a light turn on in the kitchen.

  “Maybe I will just relax for a second,” she sighed, feeling at once appreciated and blissfully happy that her guests didn’t just seem to be lodgers, but that they were gradually turning into friends.

  “Are you sure you’re OK?” Amelia asked Jacob as she parked the car in front of the farmhouse. She took a glance at her watch, almost three in the morning. She hoped that Maia hadn’t stayed up to wait for them. She had no idea that they would be out this late. She also hadn’t realised that she would be the one driving them home.

  She turned in her seat to look at Jacob, he was a bit slumped, but it wasn’t from drinking too much—that’s not why she was driving. Their night had taken an unexpected turn.

  Amelia was proud of herself—she had successfully made it through Aaron’s wedding. Had wished him well, had even complimented his bride and had smugly introduced Jacob to everyone she met.

  Jacob, for his part, had been the perfect date. He had flirted with her, he had pulled out her chair, he had escorted her gallantly on his arm and had danced with her. He had made her the envy of every woman at the party—and Amelia couldn’t help but feel pleased when she saw Aaron’s new wife nudge him in the ribs with a scowl on her face as Jacob artfully dipped her on the dance floor and returning her to her seat, planted a kiss her hand before placing a glass of champagne in it.

  But then, around eleven o’clock, Jacob had received a phone call from his sister. She thought that he needed to get to the hospital, right away. It was time.

  Jacob, at first, had offered to go alone, but Amelia insisted on going with him. After all, there was no reason for her to stay at the wedding at this point, and he had been there for her—the least she could do was also be there for him.

  So they had said their goodbyes and left. Amelia realized as they were pulling away that it was likely that she would never lay eyes on Aaron again in her life—and it dawned on her that it was okay, that she was fine with that. That the goodbye that she had just shared had been final—and the good luck that she had said to the newlyweds had been genuine. All in all, she knew that she would be fine, better than fine actually—she was going to be great.

  But first, she had to help Jacob—she had gathered that he wasn’t fond of his father, but she also instinctually knew that he was experiencing some sort of internal crisis.

  They had made it to the hospital in Naples in no time. And Jacob had been stoic. He had greeted his sister, introduced Amelia and issued an abbreviated hello to what appeared to be his extended family. Then he had asked his sister if he could have a few minutes alone with their father, and had told Amelia that he would return shortly.

  Jacob wasn’t gone long. It was within twenty minutes that he returned, and she saw that his eyes were red, she wasn’t sure if it was because he had shed tears, or if he was simply tired. Regardless, he looked emotionally spent. He sat down next to her and she had patted his hand, trying to comfort him.

  Within the hour Jacob’s father died. The family members who had been with him at the time were visibly emotional. Jacob’s sister Adriana approached and asked him to come with her. But Jacob declined.

  “I said what I need to,” he said, not unkindly. “I think Amelia and I are going to go.”

  Then they took their leave and headed back to the farmhouse.

  Now back in the car, Amelia asked the question again. “We’re here Jacob. Are you okay? Let’s get you out of here and get you to bed. You look like you need to sleep.”

  She exited the car and headed around to Jacob’s side, opening his door and wondering how she was going to get him out and into the house.

  “You’re going to have to help me,” she smiled sympathetically. “You look like you weigh a ton of bricks.”

  Jacob shook his head and sighed. “Sorry, I zoned out.” He hoisted himself from the car and Amelia put her arm around his waist, helping guide him toward the house.

  “Lean on me. I don’t mind,” she said, giving him a squeeze. “You let me lean on you earlier—I can return the favour.”

  Jacob put an arm around his new friend and it was then in the darkness that she heard a choked sob. She pretended not to hear it. She didn’t know what had happened in that hospital room—but whatever it was, she knew that the man beside her had changed in some way.

  Like her, he had said an important goodbye tonight, but Amelia also knew that just like her, Jacob would be okay.

  11

  “I really think we should dine al fresco and enjoy this beautiful weather. After all, how many chances do you get to eat alongside wonderful people and with a view of Mt. Vesuvius and the Bay of Sorrento?” Lori giggled as Camilla carefully instructed Amelia in the fine art of making fresh pasta.

  “I couldn’t agree more,” said Hal, wrapping his arms around his wife and nuzzling her neck. “But I think we need a table.” He cast a glance toward the open courtyard—it was true that they had plenty of chairs, they just needed somewhere to put the food.

  “Actually…” Maia said, remembering a wooden table they had stowed away outside the farmhouse when she and Jim had first moved in. It was made of weather-beaten wood, and Maia had wanted to dispose of it—but Jim said that it was nothing that a coat of varnish wouldn’t be able to fix. But he had never got around to it, and Maia had barely given the table a second thought—until now.

  She showed Jacob and Hal where the table was and they agreed to move it to the courtyard so they could all eat outside. Within minutes, the two men had been able to create a makeshift dining room outside.

  Hal went back inside to
rejoin his wife in the kitchen with the rest of the group. Maia had turned to follow him, but then was pulled back when Jacob called her name.

  “Maia, do you have a minute?” the handsome New Yorker asked. He looked tired—Maia knew that he and Amelia had been out late the night before. She also knew that they had ended their night at the hospital. But up until this point, she hadn’t a chance to speak with Jacob about what had happened.

  “Of course,” she responded, halting in her path.

  The young man ran a nervous hand through his hair and then smiled. “So, I just wanted to say thank you.”

  Smiling, Maia tilted her head, she wasn’t sure what she had done. “For what?”

  Jacob straightened his shoulders. “I took your advice, and you were right. I had a chance to talk to my father last night—before…and well I told him that I forgave him. For everything.”

  “And he was…aware of what you were saying?” Maia asked, wondering if the man had been conscious.

  Jacob nodded. “He was. He was lucid—I think he knew it was the end. He was holding out to say goodbye to everyone. Me included. But I’m glad I did it. I’m glad I didn’t hold a grudge. I’m free of those feelings, and it’s because of you. I don’t know if I would have done that without your encouragement. I can be a bit stubborn.”

  Maia smiled. “Probably the Italian in you.”

  “Probably.”

  Maia shifted her weight from one foot to the next. “So what’s next for you? Are you going to stay on for the funeral?”

  “I am,” Jacob nodded. “And that’s actually what I wanted to talk to you about. I was thinking of staying a little longer after that too. I thought maybe I would help my sister with some stuff, you know, settling things. And I thought I might stay and see if I can’t get to know some of my step-siblings. I have another brother, two sisters, maybe we have something in common, outside of sharing the same father. I figured I have vacation time that I never use, so…”