Salt spray ran in the Pirellis’ veins. In 1923, Nick’s great-grandfather had arrived in Australia from Italy with a battered suitcase and a dream. Over three generations, the family had transformed from the physically rigorous life of professional fishing to the less demanding one of charter fishing and small boat rental. Five years earlier, they’d added luxury yachts and motor cruisers to the fleet. Tourists paid big bucks to sail them around the largest navigable inland waterway in Australia—the Gippsland Lakes. Nick ran the company with his father Rick, who was technically retired, although only during the off season. During the summer, he worked as many hours as his son and the rest of their staff.

Nick gave a contented sigh. “The water’s divine today and the breeze is just strong enough to make it fun. It’s been ages since we sailed together. Let’s go out for a couple of hours and kick back.”

Libby glanced through the glass doors, checking the girls, who were occupied with a water play set. “It sounds great but I’ve already defrosted some meat and invited Jess for dinner.”

Nick’s dark brows pulled down sharply, carving a furrow across the bridge of his nose. “Why?”

His question surprised her. Hospitality was Nick’s religion. Raised by two outgoing parents, he was always meeting people and inviting them round for a home-cooked meal or wood-fired pizza baked in the oven he’d built in the back yard. He regularly adopted the backpackers who worked for him, bringing them home and feeding them up before inviting them to lounge on the couch and use the laundry so they could pretend they were home for a night.

“Because it’s my half-day. I thought it was a good time to catch up.”

Nick drained the icy water, his Adam’s apple bobbing quickly. “Catch up? Jess comes to dinner every Thursday and Sunday. Plus, we saw her last night when she picked up Leo and stayed for a drink.”

“She moved down here to be close to us. We’re her family.”

“Yeah, but even with family, the fish goes off on the fourth visit in one week.”

“Your mother’s over more than that.”

“Yeah, but she’s babysitting.”

“You were the one who suggested at Christmas that Leo spend more time with the girls to offset the fact he’s an only child.”

A sulky look entered his eyes. “All I’m saying is you could have checked with me before you made plans.”

Irritation needled her—she hadn’t done anything out of the ordinary. “And if you wanted to go sailing tonight, you could have given me a heads up and texted at lunchtime.”

“Jeez, I thought it would be a nice surprise, okay?” Nick jerked his hand through his sun-bleached chestnut hair. “Remember spontaneity?”