Chapter 177

*LORENZO* I lowered the heat under the bacon and hurried to the balcony doors to join Danica, who was jumping from foot to foot, incandescent with excitement. “Can we go down to the sea?” Her eyes were alive with delight as she bounced up and down like a child. “Of course. Here.” I unlocked the balcony door and slid it open so that she could go outside. A gust of glacial air caught us both by surprise. It was freezing, but she rushed out, not caring about her wet hair, bare feet, or thin T-shirt. Doesn’t this woman have any decent clothes? I picked up a gray throw that was draped over the back of the sofa and walked out after her. I wrapped my arms and the blanket around her, holding her as she admired the view. Her face was lit up with wonder. The Hideout and our three other holiday homes were built along a rocky promontory. A small winding path at the end of the garden led down to the beach. It was a bright, clear day. The sun was shining, but it was bitterly cold in the howling wind