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I watch as Valentina and Alexis break free from a small group of girls and make their way over. They formed an easy friendship too. As hard as this is on me, it’s the right decision, not just for safety reasons, but because Valentina needs to be around girls her age.It’s vital to her development, Dr. Lima explained, when I sought her advice.
“The headmistress told us to come say goodbye to our parents,” Alexis chirps.
Our parents.I wonder how that makes Valentina feel. As far as she knows, she’s parentless. But it doesn’t seem to faze her. She’s bursting with energy. Some of it’s nerves, but she’s excited. There’s no denying it.
While Samantha relays last-minute instructions to her daughter, I hug Valentina tight, clinging longer than I should.
“Santi and Mia will be here the entire time. We’ll be able to video chat after the first week, but if you need anything before that, they’ll help you.” I stop myself, because I sound more intense than Antonio, and I don’t want her to think there’s danger lurking. I will myself to relax and force a smile. “You’re going to have a wonderful time. I can’t wait to hear all about it.”
“Make sure you sign up for sailing lessons,” a deep voice behind me says. “We can always use another competent crew member on our boat.”
Sailing lessons?She’s not a strong swimmer.But I don’t say anything because I want her to have opportunities. I don’t want her to be afraid of everything. And I know from our original visit, and from everything Samantha has told me, that they take no risks here.
“On the Huntsman boat? For the regatta?” she asks, beaming at Antonio like he hangs the stars.
“Why not? If you meet all the requirements.”
I’m taken aback, and I have to remind myself to close my mouth. He’s very matter-of-fact, and it will be years before Valentina meets the requirements—but as of now, the crews consist only of men. Not just on the Huntsman boat, but on all the boats.Antonio could change that, though.He just has to decide it’s the right thing to do and set an example.
“Will you check on Demeter?” she asks. “I’m going to miss her so much.”
What about me? Will you miss me?I’m embarrassed to admit that those thoughts really did cross my mind, although they didn’t stay long. I don’t want her to miss me. I really don’t. I want her to have fun.
“I’ll not only check on her, but I’ll even take her for a little ride, if that’s okay with you.”
She smiles, her head bobbing up and down. “Make sure you rub her down when you’re through.”
“Valentina,” Alexis calls.
I give her one more quick hug. “Go,” I tell her. “Make lots of friends and wonderful memories.”
She peers up at Antonio. “Take care of her,” she tells him. “She’s going to miss me.”
He embraces her and whispers something that I can’t hear, but Valentina nods.
As I watch her disappear through the double doors with the other girls, he places a strong hand on my back. “There’s nothing to worry about. She deserves a chance to be a girl.”
He’s absolutely right.
59
DANIELA
“You’ve got two weeks to yourself,” Antonio says, engaging the privacy screen between the front and back seats. We’re in the car on our way to the airport and back to Porto. “Have you thought about what you’re going to do with your free time?”
Hopefully something more interesting than writing thank-you notes and sorting mail.
“I haven’t given it much thought. You’ll be busy during the day, but we could spend the evenings together. At least some of them. And the nights.” I wriggle my brow.
He leans over, kisses me, then touches his forehead to mine. “I’d like nothing more than that, but no promises. It’ll be hard to break away most nights to go to the valley.”
Disappointment is a bitter pill, and I’m having trouble swallowing the damn thing.
It won’t be hard to break away if I’m upstairs in the apartment at the lodge. But that’s going to take some finesse.
When he pulls back to gaze into my eyes, I run my fingers through his hair. “I don’t want to be alone at the house while Valentina’s at camp and you’re waging war. Let me stay with you at the apartment.”
He takes my hand and presses a kiss to the knuckles, before sitting up.
