They reached the hotel and Keira headed up to her room to pack her things, ruminating on everything she had learned that day, trying to think of ways to construct her article. When her suitcase was packed, she headed downstairs and met up with Cristiano in the foyer. He took her case and checked her out, then they left the hotel and emerged back out into the sun-baked streets.

“Are you ready to go to the most romantic place in Italy?” Cristiano asked her.

Keira nodded. She was excited to see more of the beautiful country.

“I hope you like boats,” he added.

“We’re taking a boat?” Keira asked, surprised.

“Didn’t you know?” Cristiano teased. “Capri is an island.”

Once again, Keira blushed at her ignorance. But she knew Cristiano was just teasing her, there was no malice in it. In fact, there was a twinkle in his eye. He seemed excited to show her this new place.

“You will need to prepare yourself,” he said. “It is a magical place. A fantasy land. Are you ready?”

“As I’ll ever be,” Keira replied.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Warm wind rushed through Keira’s hair as she stood on the dock of the ferry. Cristiano had been kind enough to carry her heavy case all the way down the hillsides for her and she’d found her ability to relax greatly enhanced as a result.

The waves sparkled beneath them. Keira felt alive as they cut across the deep blue sea, heading toward the distant land mass of Capri. The island looked very small, and could only be a few miles wide at most, Keira thought, but it rose dramatically above the Bay of Naples. It was a sight that took Keira’s breath away.

When they reached the ferry dock she was eager to dismount and take in more of the sights. Cristiano helped her from the boat, ever the courteous guide, and Keira glanced around her in wonder at the busy golden beaches and the beautiful row of houses along the shoreline.

Glancing up, Keira delighted in the sight of the white buildings set into the craggy limestone cliffs. Like Positano, Keira’s first impression of Capri was that it seemed utterly charming, with winding pathways leading up through the dramatic countryside.

Just then, a vintage open-top limousine careened past. Keira instantly thought of weddings.

“This is what we have here for taxis,” Cristiano told her.

She thought he was joking but realized from his expression that he was not.

“People take limos around?” she asked, her mouth agape.

“Capri is a very rich place,” Cristiano explained. “A playground, some say, for the rich and famous.” Then he added, with a shrug, “But normal people like you and I don’t take the limos. Instead, we will ride the funicular to the top.”

Curious, Keira followed Cristiano into a strange, sloped terminal building. It looked like a miniature train station, complete with tracks and platforms. The only difference was that everything was built on a steep slope. They joined the queue of people waiting for the next funicular to arrive.