Page 21 of The Crown

Jo ran around him to inspect it. Gorgeous large yacht, beautiful lines, mast with sail tied down, ready for her. Crisp, white, new.

Itching to get out to sea, they explored the boat while the staff loaded their things into rooms.

At last the captain started the engine and they backed out of their slip, and made their way slowly out of the marina and out into a canal to the open water.

Jo and Nico sat on a white couch at the back of the boat, looking out to the side at the passing shoreline. Colorful houses lined the clear turquoise water. “How does the water get this color?” She sighed.

“This is one of my favorite ways to relax.” His eyes were warm, the worried creases missing, his happy relaxed body leaned back with his legs out at her side.

She grinned. “I like you like this.”

“I like us like this. We will have to get away as often as we can.”

A trickle of worry tried to ruin her peace. There was an unspoken rule between them. They hadn’t talked about next week or the week after. This trip was all about the now. Any other talk required uncomfortable conversations and sacrifices and decisions. And she couldn’t see any other option other than returning home. She owed it to her father.

She stood. “Let’s go out to the front.”

He followed her. As soon as they moved away from the protected rear of the boat, around to the side of the yacht, the wind picked up. But the warmth caressed her face and she closed her eyes to welcome the sun. They moved to the white seats that were bolted down to the front just as the yacht cleared the buoyed area of the residential homes and the no wake zone.

The boat immediately picked up speed and they raced out to the middle of the Mediterranean. And she had to remind herself it was not a dream. They were really there. Nico at her side. A week to their front, with nothing to do but enjoy themselves.

Her heart raced at the speed, laughing, she moved to the front railing, hands gripping the cool metal. She let the wind whip her hair out behind her and for a moment, she felt like the mermaid at the front of an ancient ship.

Nico pointed out interesting land forms, countries out to their side.

Julian approached with Sierra at his side. “We have some repast in the main cabin if you would like.”

Nico turned to her with a question on his face. Jo shrugged and so they entered the main cabin. Luxurious in every way, it enveloped them in comfort. She removed her flip flops so her toes could dig into the thick soft carpet. The walls white, the carpet white, the furniture a deep grey or black, and the chandelier geometric in shape. The modern, clean lines drew her eye to the lovely marble table top and an assortment of cheeses and fruits and bread. Her stomach rumbled, and Nico laughed. “Let’s get some food.”

Gathered round the table, she asked where the back door led.

Nico raised his eyebrows a couple times. “The media room.”

Jo and Sierra shared a glance.

And Julian held up his hands. “Oh no. I don’t have five hours to devote to Darcy and Elizabeth. Choose any other.”

Sierra play shoved him away. “I thought you loved it.”

“I do. It’s just we can’t be starting such a thing without finishing it.”

Jo popped a fig in her mouth. When her teeth broke its surface, sweet juice filled her mouth. “Oh mmmm.” She finished chewing. “I’ve never had anything so sweet.” She reached for another.

“We always get local faire. Wait till we stop in Malta.” Nico’s eyes held excitement. And Jo loved how much he enjoyed showing her his favorite things.

He scooted closer and rested a hand on her knee, running a finger along the skin there. “I’m happy you’re here.”

“Me too.” She felt suddenly shy, embarrassed at her insistence to leave. Everything needed to be addressed. She didn’t know what she would do with him or without him. But she was seeing things with Nico with a little more hope.

They tore out across the sea for the better part of the day. They were heading toward a famous port and the buoys where they could tie off. Jo drank in every second. After about two hours, the motor turned off, and Nico pointed up. Jo gasped as the sails unfurled and tore up to the sky, filling their view with a billowing white triangle. For a moment, the wind whipped the sail in loud sharp flapping noises, but then the boat angled to the right, just slightly and the sail filled out. The boat tilted to the side as they moved forward by the quiet force of the wind. And Jo felt at home. A peace filled her. She closed her eyes and could feel her own boat back home under her feet.

Nico wrapped his arm across her shoulders. “We’re gonna have to get you your own boat.” He smiled, full of love into her face. “You belong out here on the water.”

She nodded. “I feel so at home.” She searched his face. “And it’s better with you here. It’s like my father once told us. You ground me.”

Hope lit his face. “I want to be that for you. I want to be everything for you, whatever you need.”

They went below after another hour out front, Jo wanting to freshen up a little bit and get settled into her room. They had left their phones at a docking charge station in the main living area, and as she walked by Nico’s phone dinged. A page full of texts from Monique appeared. She tried not to pry, but the third one down said, “Try not to think of the time we went on a similar trip.”embarrassed emoji.

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