After a few direct words of greeting, she’d led Sabina into the circle of the Pagano family, where she’d been, for the most part, welcomed warmly but as a curiosity. Their father, however, had ignored her, save a few considering glances in her direction. Shortly after Carmen had brought her over and renewed her introductions, Carlo Sr. had taken a beach chair and gone to sit with his feet in the surf, where he’d stayed until Trey had bounded onto the scene, that Yeti of a dog loping behind him.
Over the course of the two or so hours she’d been there while Carlo was not, Sabina had been able to turn that air of curiosity into one of comfort. Because she was adept at party chat, because she could read people, she had quickly found the right rhythm to be present in this group. Most of their talk was playful banter. Every now and again, one of the siblings would say something, and a couple of the others would roll their eyes at each other—private communications, in-jokes, and the like. None of it made Sabina feel excluded. Instead, she basked in the vibe of a fractiously loving family. She’d been a part of such a family, long ago. Not quite so large, and she had not had them quite so long. To watch the Paganos made her feel a kind of homesickness she’d thought had died in her ages before.
As she’d wended her way into their conversation, answering the questions they posed to her with friendly flippancy, when such was called for, and with openness when it was not, she began to feel an affinity for Carmen, whose wit was acerbic and whose smile was slower than the others.
Sabina thought the brothers were open books. Joey was youthfully bold, John was quiet and sweet, Luca was a rogue. All three were quick to smile and laugh. Carmen, though, seemed world-weary and cynical. Sabina thought they were of an age, or close to it—thirty-five or so—young for world-weariness. But Sabina understood. She did not have the luxury in her life of expressing such feelings, but she understood, and she felt that she might, given the chance, find a friend in Carmen, who could be charming but seemed to prefer not to bother.
It was Carmen who had been most direct in her questioning, as well. Sabina had been wearing a paisley pareo when she’d come to the group; it was now draped over the back of the Adirondack chair. She’d removed it when she’d decided that she’d like some sun on her legs. Carmen had instantly noticed the scabs on her knees and had just as quickly brought them up.
She’d asked, “Did he do that? Your husband?,” and Sabina had understood that there were no secrets among these siblings.
Sabina had answered just as directly, “Yes.”
“Your wrists, too, then.” Carmen had not asked, simply observed, and Sabina had nodded. After a pause during which Carmen studied her keenly, she’d nodded and dropped the subject. But Sabina felt Carmen soften a little after that.
The siblings had regaled her with family stories, and Carmen seemed to be watching her closely, checking her reactions. They clearly knew who she was, and Sabina understood that they might be suspicious, or at least cautious, about her interest in their brother, and his in her. She, too, was cautious. They were taking a dangerous route without much preparation for it.
By the time Trey had come running around corner of the cottage, Sabina had found her place in the group. She could tell because the way they talked to her had changed. They were no longer making a point to address her or to include her. They were all simply talking. That—such easy conversation with no apparent agenda—was yet something else unfamiliar to her.
And now Carlo and Trey were here. Also Rosa, who had not had the chance yet to get to know her, and who was casting the same almost-hostile glances her way that Carlo Sr. had been, until he’d been distracted by his grandson.
After some time of easy, aimless talk and laughter among them, Trey, still at the water with Carlo Sr., called to his daddy. Carlo turned to her, and she was touched by the conflict in his eyes. “You go. Play. I’m fine here.”
“Join us?”
Unwilling to push herself into that relationship, she shook her head. “I’ll stay here and ask for embarrassing stories about you.”
He grinned brightly. “There are no embarrassing stories about me. I’m perfect.” As he stood and headed toward his son, he flipped off Luca, Carmen, and Joey, who were all guffawing at his declaration.
Though she’d teased him about wanting stories, Sabina quickly stopped listening to the family chatter around her. Instead, she watched Carlo and Trey playing in the surf. Carlo Sr. had returned to his chair and seemed to be staring out over the water.