White Sand, Blue Sea Read online

  Chapter Three

  OLIVIA SAT AT Bar de L’Oubli and nibbled melon and papaya. It was mid-afternoon and the cobblestone streets were filled with men and women in linen shorts and leather sandals. She sipped an iced coffee and felt like she had been in St. Barts forever.

  After Sebastian left, she swam laps at Shell Beach. The clear water was filled with Jet Skis and white sailboats and silver yachts. The air smelled of exotic perfume and the sky was a sheet of Tiffany blue wrapping paper.

  Now she watched the bright parasails and thought how she loved sitting at an outdoor table on the harbor. Couples strolled along Quai de la Republique and bought chocolate croissants at Boulangerie Choisy. Olivia tipped her face up to the sun and was glad she wasn’t in New York.

  She had been disappointed when Sebastian injured his foot and had to go back to the villa. She couldn’t wait for him to meet Finn; her father and fiancé would finally be together!

  But now she ate a slice of coconut and remembered when she took an English midterm in college. She’d studied for days but had worried that the professor wouldn’t like her essay. She never really knew what grade she would receive until he handed back the paper.

  Finn was the most loyal person she’d ever met. Whenever he visited his family in New Jersey he spent hours walking their fourteen-year-old golden retriever, Molly. Finn said Molly gave him so much joy when he was a boy; she deserved to have someone take care of her.

  She knew he didn’t approve of Sebastian missing her entire childhood. But it was impossible to not like Sebastian in person; he was like chocolate ice cream dipped in sprinkles. You couldn’t resist the brightly colored coating, and when you bit inside, the chocolate ice cream was even more delicious.

  Sebastian had swum at Gouverneur Beach and his stroke was as confident as that of an Olympic athlete. And he was so charming. He offered to take the pretty young lifeguard to lunch for bandaging his foot. When she declined he scribbled down her name so he could recommend her to her supervisor.

  And his French was perfect! He’d insisted on buying Olivia a cover-up and they sifted through the caftans at Lolita Jaca. He engaged the salesgirl in a conversation on silkworms in Tibet and the garment trade in India. They were about to exchange phone numbers when Sebastian noticed the price tag on a Hermès wrap and steered Olivia out of the store.

  They entered Bijoux de la Mer and Sebastian had a long discussion with the owner about deep-sea diving in Tahiti. Then Sebastian fastened a black pearl necklace around Olivia’s neck and told her to look in the mirror. She gazed at her and Sebastian’s reflection and her heart lifted. Did she ever imagine seeing their heads so close together?

  Of course Finn would be thrilled Sebastian was here. After all, he was her father. If she welcomed him back after twenty years, how could Finn possibly argue?

  “There you are.” A young man approached her. He had short blond hair and wore a polo shirt and tan shorts. “I’m sorry I took so long. A poultry truck overturned on the road back from Lorient and I helped collect the escaped chickens. And then I had to stop at the club and see your father.”

  “My father!”

  “I waited until he finished his tennis match.” Finn smiled. “Luckily he won or he would have kicked me off the court.”

  “Oh, you mean Felix,” Olivia said and felt relieved.

  “Who else would I mean?” he asked.

  Olivia debated waiting to tell Finn until he met Sebastian at the barbecue. But she’d spend the whole afternoon with a lump in her throat and an ache in the pit of her stomach.

  She took a deep breath and slipped off her sunglasses. “Sebastian is in St. Barts.”

  “Sebastian, your father!” Finn gasped. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “He showed up at the front door wearing a straw hat,” she continued. “I didn’t recognize him at first. But once he told me, I saw the resemblance immediately. I have his eyes and I get my freckles from his grandmother.”

  “Nobody has green eyes like you,” Finn murmured. “And everyone has freckles when they spend the morning swimming in the bay.”

  “He couldn’t wait to meet you.” Olivia fiddled with her napkin. “We drove down to the beach, but he hurt his foot and had to take care of it.”

  “Why is he in St. Barts now?” Finn asked. “He hasn’t seen you for twenty years.”

  “To celebrate my twenty-fifth birthday, of course. My mother invited him to join us at Maya’s.”

  “I suppose he can come to your birthday dinner.” Finn nodded. “What else will he do while he’s here?”

  “He wants to spend all his time with us.” Olivia’s eyes sparkled. “We can see the turtles at Lorient and windsurf at Grand Cul de Sac. And he’s a great chef; he learned to cook in Marseilles. He’s going to make us goat cheese omelets and café au lait for breakfast.”

  “I don’t think Felix and Hadley will let him take over their coffeemaker.” Finn drummed his fingers on the table. “But we can join him at his hotel for orange juice and scrambled eggs with bacon.”

  “He’s not staying at a hotel,” Olivia corrected. “He’s staying at the villa.”

  “Sebastian is staying at Sundial?” Finn choked.

  “I don’t think he has much money,” Olivia explained. “His paintings still sell; everyone wants a Sebastian Miller. But he has a lot of expenses: airfare and taxis and buying the correct wardrobe.”

  “He never paid a dime in child support and he let Felix finance your education.”

  “He gave my mother The Miller Girls. Not that she would ever sell it.” She paused. “It’s like Felix’s summer cottage in Nantucket. The roof always needs to be repaired and heating costs a fortune. But Felix wouldn’t dream of giving it up, it’s been in his family for decades.”

  “How does Felix feel about having his wife’s ex-husband sleep in the guest bedroom?”

  “I don’t know.” Olivia studied him. “She hadn’t told him about inviting Sebastian.”

  “Hadley invited Sebastian without asking her husband?”

  “This is the twenty-first century and it’s Hadley’s villa too.” Olivia straightened her shoulders. “I don’t know why you’re so upset. He’s my father, I’m the only one who has to forgive him.”

  “Of course, you’re right, you’re just so smart and beautiful. You juggle temperamental artists and demanding clients like a symphony conductor. And when you enter a room, everything seems brighter.” He touched her hand. “I can’t bear the thought of anyone hurting you.”

  “I wasn’t any of those things when Sebastian left,” Olivia said and bit her lip. “I was a five-year-old who planted daisies in Sebastian’s paint jar and made everyone eat plain spaghetti with butter for dinner.”

  “All five-year-olds get into their parents’ things and I’m sure your mother grilled chicken and vegetables after you went to bed,” Finn replied. “Raising children isn’t easy. You don’t board a plane and send a birthday card once a year.”

  “Artists have always been terrible husbands and fathers,” Olivia insisted. “Gauguin left his wife and children and lived in a treehouse in Tahiti. Sebastian did say he was sorry, he thought of me every night before he went to sleep.”

  “Sebastian convinced Hadley and Felix to let him stay in their private villa with a swimming pool and one-hundred-eighty-degree views of the island,” Finn said. “I doubt he spent the last twenty years living in a thatched hut and eating bread rusks.”

  “He does appreciate a fine bourbon.” Olivia smiled. “And he mentioned the week he stayed as the guest of a prince in Mumbai.”

  Finn leaned across the table and kissed her. His lips were warm and Olivia felt a shiver of excitement.

  “What was that for?” she asked.

  “I’m sitting at an outdoor café on a Caribbean island with the most beautiful girl in the world.” He took her hand. “I don’t want to spend the afternoon arguing about your father.”

  Olivia laughed. “What did you have in mind?�
��

  A chill ran down her spine and she wondered if he was going to propose. But Finn wasn’t the kind of guy who would ask her to marry him while she was wearing a swimsuit and halter top.

  Finn was right. When they returned to New York, Sebastian would be a fond memory, like the shells they collected at the beach. They shouldn’t spend their holiday arguing about whether he behaved selfishly or couldn’t have done any better.

  “We could drive to Flamands Beach.” Finn kissed her again. “It’s practically deserted and the sea is as warm as a bath.”

  Finn went inside to pay and Olivia saw a familiar figure leaning against the railing. Sebastian wore a patterned shirt and his dark hair was covered with a straw hat.

  “I was hoping you’d still be in Gustavia.” He approached her. “You look even more beautiful than this morning, your skin is a shade darker.”

  “I thought you had to rest your foot,” Olivia replied.

  “Some ice and a shot of bourbon and it was good as new.” He shrugged. “Felix and your mother were home, and I know when three is a crowd. It’s hard to find time for romance at our age, I thought they might appreciate being alone.”

  Finn walked toward them and Sebastian’s face lit up in a smile.

  “This must be the young man everyone is talking about.” He held out his hand. “You’ve received more glowing endorsements than a presidential candidate. I’m Sebastian Miller, Olivia’s father.”

  “Olivia told me you went up to the villa to rest,” Finn said, shaking Sebastian’s hand.

  “That makes me sound like a grandfather,” Sebastian laughed. “I could say I had a sudden urge to watch the hang gliders but the truth is I couldn’t wait to meet you.” He looked at Finn. “From the time Olivia learned to blow her first kiss, I wondered when she would fall in love. I’d stare at her when she was asleep and want to guard her from any guy who might trample on her heart.

  “Then Hadley told me about you and I knew I didn’t have to worry. It seems Olivia bypassed callous thugs and discovered a prince on the first try.”

  “I wouldn’t say that.” Finn’s cheeks flushed.

  “Princeton graduate, associate in a Manhattan law firm.” He paused. “And she mentioned you are a wine connoisseur.”

  “I spent a summer in Burgundy.” Finn nodded. “I learned about varietal grapes and the correct temperature to store wine.”

  “Young people today are more interested in microbreweries and Peruvian coffees that cost forty dollars a pound. But does anyone celebrate a silver anniversary with a bottle of pale ale or sip espresso while they recite Shakespeare’s sonnets?” He paused. “Wine has been the elixir of the gods since Homer wrote about Dionysius in the Odyssey. It’s a pleasure to meet a young man with my sensibilities.”

  “Are you interested in wine?” Finn asked.

  “When I was in Beijing, I stayed at the home of the French consul. I’d been living for weeks on bean pods and some kind of meat I couldn’t put my finger on.” He paused. “Jean-Luc poured a glass of Château Margaux and I suddenly had the wisdom of Confucius. I’m buying a bottle of wine as a housewarming gift for Felix and hoped you could help me.”

  “The local wine shops are terribly overpriced,” Finn said. “Are you sure you want to spend the money?”

  “I’m not a heathen, I know the value of a king-size bed and marble bath.” Sebastian took a cigarette out of his cigarette case and lit it with a pearl-tipped lighter. “Kindness is the most precious commodity of all, and everyone likes receiving a gift.”

  “I suppose we could visit Ceillier de Gouverneur,” Finn suggested. “The owners, Thierry and Frederic, know everything about wine and they have the best selection on the island.”

  They walked along the waterfront and entered a blue building with white shutters. Sebastian stubbed out his cigarette and took off his straw hat. He studied the wooden racks as if he were discovering the Magna Carta.

  “What a magnificent selection. I’m so tired of supermarkets that arrange the bottles by price.” He selected a Château d’Anglès. “People don’t understand that a great wine is like a piece of art. It’s difficult to describe and even harder to replicate, but when you find it you can’t buy anything else.”

  “I know what you mean,” Finn agreed. “Last year I discovered a bottle of Villa Antinori and it was the best thing I ever tasted.”

  “The Italians do spoil us,” Sebastian sighed. “They have the greatest sculptures and most delicious pasta and wine like liquid honey. I spent a week on the Amalfi coast and lived on seafood linguini and glasses of Chianti. But if we’re having lobster tonight, we might try a dry champagne or chardonnay.”

  “How did you know we are having lobster?” Finn asked.

  “Olivia told me but if there’s not enough I completely understand.” Sebastian waved his hand. “I can make do with salad and summer vegetables.” He patted his stomach. “I probably shouldn’t have tender lobster meat in drawn butter, at my age you have to watch every ounce.”

  “I can never finish a lobster and Esther is making tomato gazpacho with avocado and lemon tarts for dessert.” Olivia put her arm through Sebastian’s. “There will be enough for a small army.”

  “In that case I’d love some lobster.” He beamed and turned to Finn. “What would you suggest?”

  “We could try a Sonoma chardonnay.” Finn handed a bottle to Sebastian. “The Hanzell is excellent.”

  “A California wine is a safe choice but we want something more exotic,” Sebastian mused. “I had the good fortune to paint the fjords in New Zealand. They really are spectacular, better than anything you see in Sweden. I stayed in a fishing village and we had cracked lobster in a cream sauce with a New Zealand sauvignon blanc.” He gazed at the shelf. “How do you feel about pairing it with an imported wine?”

  The salesgirl poured three thimblefuls of wine and Finn inhaled the aroma. He sipped it slowly and looked at Sebastian.

  “It’s subtle and smooth but has a hint of aged wood,” he said eagerly. “I’ve never heard of the label, we’ll have to buy some.”

  “Sadly, it’s out of my price range,” Sebastian said, glancing at the price tag. “I’m sure we can find something more affordable, a pinot noir from the Hudson Valley.”

  “This is a special occasion.” Finn reached into his pocket and drew out his wallet. “I’ll pay for it.”

  Sebastian hesitated. “Are you sure?”

  “Quite sure.” Finn nodded. “I can’t imagine a better pairing with lobster.”

  “Hadley said you had a great nose.” Sebastian handed the bottle to the salesgirl. “It’s exhilarating to meet someone who understands the nuances so thoroughly.”

  “I thought you wanted to buy Felix a housewarming present,” Olivia said to Sebastian.

  “Of course I do. But if Finn insists on paying for the wine, I’ll choose something else. Your mother loved salted nuts.” Sebastian picked up a small bag of nuts. “I’ll get them a packet of macadamia nuts.”

  They walked into the sunshine and Olivia slipped on her sunglasses. She was thrilled Finn and Sebastian were getting along, but shouldn’t Sebastian have paid for the wine?

  Sebastian and Finn talked animatedly and Olivia relaxed. Finn made an excellent salary; he could afford an imported wine. What was more important than her father and boyfriend forming a bond?

  “That was more fun than I’ve had in weeks. The great thing about young people is they are willing to try things,” Sebastian said. “You bring a bottle of wine to a dinner party and unless the label is as recognizable as a Ralph Lauren shirt, no one will taste it.”

  “We’re going to buy the lobsters and take them up to the villa and then drive to Flamands Beach,” Finn replied. “Would you like to come?”

  “I don’t want to outstay my welcome on the first afternoon.” Sebastian laughed. “I’ll stroll down to Shell Beach and get a glass of lemonade.”

  “Are you sure?” he asked. “You’re welcome to join
us.”

  “For years I wondered what Olivia would be like when she grew up. She would be beautiful, of course, with Hadley’s genes she couldn’t miss. I hoped she’d like art because there is no greater joy than sharing the thing you are passionate about with someone you love.” Sebastian took out his wallet. “I still have the first drawing she ever made.”

  He handed Olivia a sketch of a vase of brightly colored flowers.

  “You kept this?” she gasped.

  “I wanted to keep everything you touched,” he explained. “Old books and dresses you outgrew and discarded teddy bears. But overweight luggage is more expensive than an extra seat. This piece of paper has seen more airport lounges than Taylor Swift’s entourage. I would as easily part with it as rip out my heart.”

  “I wasn’t very good but I do appreciate art.” Olivia clutched the paper and suddenly felt like she was five years old. She looked at Finn and her voice was wobbly. “We should go, Felix is expecting the lobsters.”

  “The one thing I didn’t know is whether you would be happy,” Sebastian continued. “After all, what kind of role model did you have? A father who abandoned the most important person because he didn’t know what he’d do with himself if he stayed.” He paused. “But look at you! Glossy blond hair and a smile as wide as the beach.” He turned to Finn. “I’m sure you have something to do with that, I can’t thank you enough.”

  “It’s nothing.” Finn shrugged, taking Olivia’s hand.

  “You are wrong,” Sebastian said and looked at Olivia. “It’s absolutely everything.”

  * * *

  Olivia stood on the balcony and inhaled the scent of fresh-cut grass and bougainvillea. It was late afternoon and a soft breeze rustled the gauze drapes. She loved the view at this time of day. Sailboats bobbed in the harbor and Jet Skiers jumped over the waves and the horizon was milky white.

  Felix and Finn made a last-minute trip to the market for Esther, and Olivia decided to relax at the villa. She remembered sampling wines with Finn and Sebastian and a warmth spread through her chest. It had been wonderful to see her father and boyfriend together. And they had so much in common! She had no idea Sebastian knew so much about wine.