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I stopped walking and our eyes met. “We have right now, and it’s perfect.” He hugged my shoulder, and we boarded the airplane.
Italy was my guess, but we didn’t go to Rome. We flew to Naples and were immediately transported to a car that drove us down to the port.
“The next location is best reached by boat. Lake Como.”
“Lake Como,” I repeated. The only thing I knew about Lake Como was that it was a place for the rich and famous.
We sat on the boat, and Paul placed his arm behind me as we sped off. The port grew smaller in view as we moved farther out into the water and down the coastline.
“I have updates on your parents.”
“How are they doing?”
“They are safe and back in Wisconsin. Your dad had a health check and is doing much better. He doesn’t need oxygen.”
I pressed my hand to my chest in an attempt to contain the overwhelming joy that burst inside me. Daddy. “That’s great news.”
“Oh, your mom said she hopes you use the hat.”
We both laughed since it flew away. “You really don’t want me to call them?”
“No. Your parents are wonderful, but they spoil surprises. They even admitted it to me.”
“True. Sokols are bad at hiding something we’re excited about.”
“I’m giving them updates on you, though.”
I grinned. “And what are you sharing?”
“That we’re fucking every chance we get.” We laughed.
“That’s true, but I know you didn’t tell my parents that.”
“No, I told them I’m trying to keep you smiling every minute because I love to see it.”
We kissed deeply, and I snuggled into his chest. A light mist of water damped our clothes as we sped on the lake, passing beautiful gardens and vibrant shaded Italian palazzi with lush greens that skirted the peaks and valleys of the mountains. I was immediately swept up in the lake’s magic and understood why Paul chose it as both houses had the Secret Garden ambiance, a dreamland away, but not entirely distant from quaint towns to explore. But I wasn’t sure where we were going. The more we traveled, the more opulent the estates became, until the boat stopped at a port below a grand Venetian villa.
My eyes watered, and I shook my head in disbelief, my hand pressed to my chest. “We could live here?”
“Yes, we can.” Paul took my waist and lifted me out of the speedboat. “This is house number two.” He lifted my hand and kissed the racing pulse on my wrist. “I want you to relax and treat it as yours, just like at the Rose House. Put yourself here and see what you could do.”
He shook hands with the captain and switched to Italian before we left. I called out, “Grazie,” which made Paul smile at me.
We walked along the planks of the wooden dock to a stone staircase with an elaborately decorated balustrade. I held on to the banister at the top, which opened into a fenced-in courtyard. It had rows of boxwood hedges and topiaries with rosemary and lavender, and I paused to inhale the fragrant scents. We moved on to a row of fruit trees, which were all figs, lemons, and oranges.
I ran my hand over a fig. “I could use these to make fresh meals for us.”
“Yes, you could,” he agreed.
I was in awe as we took in the stone terraces and gorgeous fountains with brass nymphs in romantic poses. We took a seat on one of the stone benches. “This is beautiful…I already feel inspired just by looking at everything. I feel like sketching.”
Paul took out his phone and texted. “I’ll make sure you have whatever you need.”
We walked around a path to a stone pool that ran the length of the estate’s side, with a line of bushes and flowers over more of the stone wall. We walked inside the glass extension that was situated next to the arched, floor-to-ceiling windows, which were awash with sunlight when I stood inside. There were marble baroque tables and cushioned chairs, with small crystal chandeliers and oil paintings on the wall. There was a stunning view of the mountains and the lake. Paul opened a door and inside was a sauna with benches, new robes, and a towel closet, as well as a walk-in shower and a few lounge chairs.
“It’s unreal,” I whispered.
“There’s still more.” Paul took me up a curved, decorative stone and marble stairway to the second floor. It had a white piano at the top, and more of that amazing lake view. Unlike the Rose House, this home was more formal. The décor was all traditional baroque-style antique furniture, with oil paintings between brass wall sconces and large woven rugs over marble floors.
