Page 9 of Hibiscus Heights (Crown Island #4)

“I’m still learning and adjusting. As a man, I exist between two cultures with different customs, and both have changed a great deal in my lifetime. They’re still evolving. I learn from my children every day.”

“How old are they?”

“They’re all teenagers. Thirteen and fourteen, and eighteen and nineteen.”

“You were busy,” she said, slightly amused.

Embarrassment shadowed his face. “We make so many decisions when we’re young and inexperienced. Or older and foolish. But I love my children fiercely.”

She liked hearing that, yet she had no desire to be his third wife.

They talked easily as the evening progressed.

Matteo was an engaging storyteller with a sense of humor that kept their conversation light.

He described the harvest season in Argentina, the challenges of maintaining relationships across continents, and his children’s adaptation to their father’s nomadic lifestyle.

“They travel with me when they’re out of school, so all four children have grown up together. When they were young, their mothers came with them.”

Deb found that interesting and could imagine the stories and the fireworks. “And how do your ex-wives get along?”

He smoothed a hand across his forehead. “As you might imagine, the relationships were combative in the beginning. Only verbally, that is. I was very generous with them. After the second divorce, Veronica and Angie discovered they had much in common. Now they’re close friends, refer to each other as wives-in-law, and often gang up on me.

This situation humbles me, but I try to see the humor in it. ”

Deb smiled at his story. This wasn’t the first time she’d heard such a thing.

The conversation shifted to her work at the Majestic. “Rachel mentioned the grand opening event. I would be happy to escort you and meet Ryan Kingston, if you don’t mind.”

“For your wine?” she asked.

“Yes, of course. I will stock your cellar for an introduction.”

“If I had one, I’d accept that offer. Still, I’m happy to introduce you, and you’re welcome to attend the event,” Deb replied carefully.

“I should mention I’ll be working that night, so I won’t be available the entire evening.

It would be better if you attended on your own.

Contrary to what my sister-in-law believes, I’m not desperate for a date. ”

“I would never think you would be.” His smile suggested he appreciated her directness. “I’d still love to attend. Perhaps we could share a glass of wine during the evening if your schedule permits.”

“We’ll see.”

When Matteo excused himself, Happi appeared at Deb’s elbow with practiced timing. “Everything okay over here? He seems charming enough, but you know how I watch out for women.”

“He’s harmless,” Deb assured her. “Good manners, interesting conversation. Nothing complicated. This visit is just business for him.”

“Not the way he’s looking at you.” Happi refilled their water glasses. “Still, he has nice manners. I always notice that. So does Didier. We think Matteo passes the test.”

Deb smiled at their attentiveness. “There are other tests, too.”

When Matteo returned, he glanced at his watch. “You have an early morning. I don’t want to keep you too late.”

He had already paid the bill, so he walked with her outside. When she approached her bicycle, his reaction was immediate.

Concern etched his face. “You cannot ride home in the dark. How far do you have to go?”

“This is Crown Island. Nothing is very far, and I’ve been riding my bike around here since I was a child. It’s quite safe, and it’s good exercise.”

Without another word, Matteo lifted her bike and deposited it in the backseat of his convertible with surprising ease.

He opened the passenger door with a slight bow. “I cannot in good conscience let you ride home alone. And I promise to leave you at your front door like a proper gentleman.”

The gesture was so unexpected and genuinely courteous that Deb slid into the passenger seat without protesting.

“I live on Hibiscus Heights. Take the first right, then follow my directions.”

The short drive passed in comfortable conversation about the island’s history and her family’s long ties to the community. True to his word, Matteo retrieved her bicycle when they reached her house and walked her to the front door.

“I won’t ask to come in.” He took her hand and feathered his lips across her knuckles in a charming gesture. “May I call you again soon?”

His tone was hopeful but not presumptuous, interesting yet transparent in his business desire. That made her reconsider her usual deflection tactics and agree.

He waited until she’d unlocked her front door.

As his taillights disappeared down the street, Deb stood in her doorway wrestling with familiar doubts.

Should she invest time into someone she knew had no intention of staying?

This was a well-defined pattern in her romantic life.

She’d had plenty of temporary connections with men whose lives inevitably pulled them elsewhere.

Maybe temporary didn’t have to be meaningless. Perhaps she was overthinking what had been a pleasant evening with an interesting man who understood the situation as well as she did.

No one would fool the other.

The house was quiet except for the flap of the doggie door. Duke sniffed her hands while she greeted him, sensing Matteo.

“Don’t worry, he’s no match for you.”

As if relieved, Duke happily licked her face.

She drew fresh water for him from the faucet. As the water ran, she watched the distant lighthouse on the far, dark cliffside of the island flashing its distinctive light characteristics, warning mariners of the rocky point.

Her internal warning system was just as well-honed and modulated.

Whether anything would come of her meeting with Matteo remained to be seen, but for the first time in months, Deb had enjoyed a man’s company without calculating exit strategies or managing expectations.

That was progress enough for one evening. Tomorrow would be another day and another challenge, according to her brother.

Lunch with the Hunts. She wondered why David had warned her.

Just then, her phone vibrated, and she glanced down. A text message from Rachel floated across the screen.

It read, So, how did it go? Will you be the next Mrs. Matteo?

Deb laughed to herself as she tapped out a reply. You know me…we might elope this weekend!

She wondered how far that bit of gossip would go. Maybe that would slow the well-meaning people in her life. She loved them, but she was tired of people asking why she’d never married or had children.

As if those were solely her decisions. For one of her friends, being child-free was a conscious choice Deb respected, though her situation was different.

Feeling exhausted, she patted her thigh for Duke to follow her to the bedroom.