Page 60 of Final Chance At Love (Chance At Love Duet 2)

“Don’t worry. This Croatianfjakawill get to you all as well. By the end of this month even, you will be relaxed and with deadlines out the window.” I motioned my head towards Rick, showing Betty with my eyes that his eyes dropped already. “Seems like it is exactly what Rick needs.”

His eyes flared open and we all laughed as I pulled out of the airport parking lot and sped down the highway towards the southern part of the country.

We spent the next two hours on the road, chatting. All the boys fell asleep, including Rick in the passenger seat.

“We should have made all boys sit in the back,” I told her.

“I know,” she replied chuckling. “But you know men. I’m surprised he had enough sense to refuse to drive us.”

“Me too, but he probably didn’t want me instructing him.” We both burst into a quiet laughter, careful not to wake them up.

As I pulled up to our destination, Betty exclaimed, “Holy shit, Gemma! This is gorgeous! No wonder you love this place!”

I smiled with pride. There was no place in the world like it.

I gently shook Rick who woke up with the jolt. “Hey buddy,” I spoke softly. “We are here.”

My girls and Jack ran out at that moment and Jonathan followed behind.

“What’s Rick’s boss doing here?”

“What’s Jonathan doing here?” Rick asked at the same time as Betty.

“I didn’t tell you?” I asked in surprise. “Jack and Sienna wanted to spend the summer together so his dad came along.”

Those two gave me a weird look, but thankfully didn’t say anything.

Everyone hugged each other and Rick shook hands with Jonathan.

“I guess now I know why you are working remotely,” Rick slapped him on the back.

“And I know why you needed a four week vacation,” he replied laughing.

We all chatted happily as we carried their luggage into designated rooms.

Once they were situated, I turned to Betty and asked, “So it is only five p.m. local time. I am sure you are tired. Do you want to go to bed or try to make it till at least eight? Rick took a power nap so I think he’ll be fine for a while.”

“Hey,” he interjected. “Not my fault you two have to chat all the time.”

We both ignored him.

“Well, the boys got a little power nap on the way here too. I think we should probably try and stay up.”

“I hoped you’d say that.” I pulled her by taking her hand. “Let’s go sit on the terrace and enjoy some food and the view.”

As we exited onto our second level terrace, we saw all the kids were already there, laughing and playing a ping-pong game at the table that was sitting on the lower level. Betty took a deep breath and gazed out over the horizon.

She asked with a sigh. “How can you stand going back to the States, Gemma? This is paradise.”

I took in the horizon too, enjoying the view and taking a deep breath, the scent of fresh sea and salt entering my lungs. It was the best medicine in the world.

“I love this place. I feel happy here. Unfortunately, we can’t live off beautiful views and happy places. The economy in this country sucks, and with me being gone so long, I’d not be able to get a good job.” I exhaled and then added, “But the view and location are amazing. I swear if there is heaven this must be it.”

The only thing missing would be Kristoff,I thought to myself.

She nodded and we both sat down; our eyes locked on the horizon with the sun on our skin. Rick and Jonathan joined us and followed suit.

“Darn it, beautiful,” Rick stated as he sat next to Betty. “You said it was amazing here but this is just… wow.”

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