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Not one to give up easily, Coop saddled up two of Beeswax Farm’s oldest horses that afternoon and headed toward the beach. He’d put English saddles on them even though he wore Western garb because Beeswax Farm was a hunting and dressage facility. But Coop was one hundred percent Texan.
He rode Boots, a black gelding with white socks, and led Yancy, a tall chestnut mare, behind him. Despite Vivi’s protests, he planned to prove he was earnest when it came to Shakespeare. His future depended on it!
He would be completely serious in his request, if only there wasn’t something about Vivi that called to him in a way that was both familiar and new. He enjoyed her company, as he’d done with many women in the past. But he was always able to walk away from women without a backward glance.
Until he’d met Vivi Summer.
Coop rode up the beach to the back of the Summer house. He dismounted and led both horses into the backyard. It was easy enough since there was no fence separating the property from the beach. He fastened their reins to a low-hanging tree branch in the shade. And then he took the narrow path toward the house.
And the house…
It wasn’t shabby. He’d known that, having seen the front. But the back…
The main wing of the house was glass, from the first floor to the second floor. The large living room could easily hold a hundred guests, all able to enjoy the unfettered view of the ocean. On the second floor, the windows revealed what looked like a lavish master suite, including a bathroom. Very voyeuristic. The extensive wings to either side were traditionally walled and windowed.
As he neared the pool with its large rock waterfall, he spotted Dotty in the living room dancing with Kelcie.
He’d met Kelcie earlier this summer at a party, one of many he’d attended with the hardworking community that made the Hamptons a rich man’s playground. While Coop had been interested in conversation, Kelcie had made it clear she wanted something more. Not just a date or a boyfriend though. Kelcie was looking to find her place in the Hamptons. She had an interest in fitness and dance and was trying to overcome some insecurities. He’d given her a pep talk and made an introduction to the owner of the fitness studio where she currently worked. He was happy things were working out for her. But he wasn’t attracted to Kelcie the way he was to Vivi.
Vivi.
She sat out on the back patio beneath an umbrella, pounding away on a laptop. A skull paperweight sat atop a stack of papers. Several ancient-looking books were piled around her workspace in a semi-circle. Her long brown hair cascaded from a high, messy ponytail. She wore a pair of black-framed reading glasses, a maroon Harvard T-shirt, a pair of loose-fitting capris and blue, slip-on sneakers.
Most monied Hamptonistas clung to their fashionable existence even when relaxing in the privacy of their own home. Not his Vivi. She was down to earth.
Muffled music came from the living room, mingling with the muted sound of the ocean and a horse’s snort.
Vivi didn’t look up when he climbed the steps of the pool deck. But she didn’t frown either, which he took as a plus.
“Hey, Vivi. It’s time for a quick exchange of lessons.”
“I didn’t agree to that.” She continued her clackity-clack on the keyboard at such a pace that he doubted she was typing anything of significance.
“Life in the Hamptons is all about trying new things and seeking life balance.” You either found balance or you partied so hard you required a vacation from your vacation. Coop took a seat next to her. He swiveled the skull paperweight to face him. It was a pottery skull painted a bright orange, more of a Day of the Dead piece than a more traditional Shakespearean skull. “Alas, poor Yorick.”
She made a non-committal noise.
He wanted to lean closer and see if she still smelled of wildflowers.
Instead, he asked, “What does it mean?Alas, poor Yorick.”
She glanced at him above those narrow readers, hands poised on the keyboard. “It’s from Hamlet, as you probably know. It’s a reference to the brevity of human life.”
The living room door opened. Music, Dotty, and Kelcie spilled out.
“Look, Vi! We’re traveling down the runway.” Dotty danced her way across the pool deck, followed by Kelcie.
“Lookin’ good, ladies,” Coop said good-naturedly.
“You guys look great,” Vivi agreed, ducking her head and typing once more.
Kelcie and Dotty circled the table where Coop and Vivi sat, and then they danced back to the living room and closed the door. The pair collapsed on the couch and laughed as if they’d had the best of times.
Coop checked the time on his cell phone. He’d be expected back soon. Rafi liked him. But Rafi wanted order in the barn and staff. “What are you working on so diligently?”
“My book.”Clack-clackity-clack-clack.Vivi had one of those stiff keypads that made a lot of noise. “Shakespeare and the human condition. This chapter is about how people label fate a coincidence.”
