Summer in Sorrento by Melissa Hill Page B

away outside the farmhouse when she and Jim had first moved in.  It was made of weather-beaten wood, and Maia had wanted to dispose of i t— but Jim said that it was nothing that a coat of varnish would n’ t be able to fix. But he had never got around to it, and Maia had barely given the table a second though t— until now.
                  She showed Jacob and Hal where the table was and they agreed to move it to the courtyard so they could all eat outside.  Within minutes, the two men had been able to create a makeshift dining room outside.
                  Hal went back inside to rejoin his wife in the kitchen with the rest of the group.  Maia had turned to follow him, but then was pulled back when Jacob called her name.
                  “ Maia, do you have a minute ?” the handsome New Yorker asked.  He looked tire d— Maia knew that he and Amelia had been out late the night before.  She also knew that they had ended their night at the hospital. But up until this point, she had n’ t a chance to speak with Jacob about what had happened.
                  “ Of course ,” she responded, halting in her path.
                  The young man ran a nervous hand through his hair and then smiled.  “ So, I just wanted to say thank you . ”
                  Smiling, Maia tilted her head, she was n’ t sure what she had done.  “ For what ? ”
                  Jacob straightened his shoulders.  “ I took your advice, and you were right.  I had a chance to talk to my father last nigh t— befor e… and well I told him that I forgave him.  For everything . ”
                  “ And he wa s… aware of what you were saying ?” Maia asked, wondering if the man had been conscious.
                  Jacob nodded.  “ He was.  He was luci d— I think he knew it was the end.  He was holding out to say goodbye to everyone.  Me included.  But I’ m glad I did it.  I’ m glad I did n’ t hold a grudge.  I’ m free of those feelings, and i t’ s because of you.  I do n’ t know if I would have done that without your encouragement.  I can be a bit stubborn . ”
                  Maia smiled.  “ Probably the Italian in you . ”
                  “ Probably . ”
                  Maia shifted her weight from one foot to the next.  “ So wha t’ s next for you?  Are you going to stay on for the funeral ? ”
                  “ I am ,” Jacob nodded.  “ And tha t’ s actually what I wanted to talk to you about.  I was thinking of staying a little longer after that too.  I thought maybe I would help my sister with some stuff, you know, settling things.  And I thought I might stay and see if I ca n’ t get to know some of my step-siblings.  I have another brother, two sisters, maybe we have something in common, outside of sharing the same father.  I figured I have vacation time that I never use, s o …”
                  “ Well, tha t’ s great.  So do you think then that you will head to your fathe r’ s house and stay with them ? ”
                  Jacob smiled.  “ Actually, I was hoping I could extend my reservation around her e— for a bit.  If tha t’ s okay of course, I do n’ t want to intrude.  But I am also happy to help out.  I mean, I know you have been doing things on your own, trying to get this place in order.  And you have done a hell of a job, but I do n’ t mind helping, if you could use another set of hands.  I was thinking too that if I did that, then I could take Camilla out, maybe get to know her . ”
                  Maia laughed.  “ I think tha t’ s an excellent idea.  You are most welcome Jacob.  I would love it if you stayed on for a bit . ”
                  Jacob looked relieved, as if he had been unsure what Mai a’ s response would be to his