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But getting together a group of unknown variables--actors--in the ti

"Would you like to see your roo all night--and then all day"

"Yes, of course, thank you," Stephanie said, rising She started to gather up her various bags, but he shook his head "No, no, we have help! Leave your things, and Giovanni will come for them"

She smiled, but took her backpack anyway She never left her passport lying around But she touched nothing else, determined that she wouldn’t let these people think that shecould co

"You are outside, in one of the beach houses--cottages, bungalohatever you’d like to call them

You have the best one, naturally, but since there are twenty-two of theot your cast in theh I chose them Yours is the best! And closest to the back, or theater side entry to the club Reggie thought you would like that,"

Arturo inforrimaced ruefully "Come this way There is a door that leads to the beach, and your little cottage It is delightful And you can slip back into the theater area without having to go around or coh the rest of the club You will love it"

He was so delighted with the arrangement that she nodded and forced a smile "Sounds wonderful"

She followed hie area There was a loading dock, and a regular doorway Arturo opened it and ave way to the beach and, not fifty yards away, a scattering of sht on the water The sea scent was strong on the air, but pleasant The breeze was light, wafting, and felt ht them to the door where Arturo handed her a key She accepted it, opened the door, and stepped into her little cottage

Reggie had done well It was delightful There was a living roas to e with soft blue sea patterns--mermaids, starfish, and other delicately drawn little creatures Steps led to the loft--the bedrooht into a dining area, and back past that, a kitchen with doors that opened directly to the beach She could faintly hear the fall of the waves against the shore

She turned to Arturo "Wow!"

He nodded, very satisfied "Brilliant, yes? Not so ht think, either! Of course, unlike the great structures in Rome, these little places will probably not stand for several thousand years But! They are new, clean, clever, and very nice, yes?"

"Very, very nice" Stephanie ie in her o up to the loft You will like it even better," he told her

"I’esture, he indicated the stairs "I’ll leave you to that exploration alone," he told her

"Giovanni will bring your things, and I will certainly be here first thing in theThe kitchen has a few basic needs, but if you wake and wish to have a truly fine espresso, therooave her a ether by then, but you need only ask, and I will be happy to join you"

"Thank you, Arturo You are very kind"

" Buonasera, e buonanotte!" he told her, and with a deep smile and lo, he left her

Stephanie looked up at the painted wrought-iron steps that led to the loft, then hurried up theht tones and decor had been used throughout the entire cottage, but here, there were more of the sea blues used in the carpet and bedspread There were ample pine dresser drawers, the bed itself was queen-sized, a half-wall looked down to the living area below, and huge sliding glass doors opened to a wide, railed balcony that looked directly over the sea

For several moments, she stood by the little ashed rail that surrounded the porch, just staring at the sea at night, hearing the lulling crash of the waves Then she turned To the west, she could also see the rise of the cliffs and hills and jagged, mountainous tors inland The summer sky was not truly dark, but a deep, beautiful blue The nificent frame around the darker rise of those cliffs, and the towns that sat upon the jagged, surreal landscape Breathtaking Here, the sea, and there, the

She was a beach person, herself She loved water, and everything to do with it Sun and sand, sailing, diving, fishing All of it

And yet…

As she stood there, just staring at the darkness and mystery of the inland area, she was surprised to feel a yearning to go toward theShe knew that the towns upon the cliffs were old, very old, and char The history of the area went back… well, probably forever

It was Italy

Stephanie closed her eyes The trials of the long day seemed to slip from her shoulders like a discarded cloak The air see She looked to the ht, they seeave herself a shake Giovanni would be bringing her things And she needed to get some sleep

But still…

She found it difficult to tear herself away fro touch of the sea breeze