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of a Bloody Mary and hard-boiled egg with horseradish. He pictured Juliet pursing her lips when he said he was taking a nap and groaned. The last thing he needed was some twenty-something do-gooder trying to improve his habits.
    He rustled through the pantry and found a packet of shortbread and a jar of lemon drops. He entered the living room and flicked through the stack of books on the maple side table. He opened Rudyard Kipling’s Just So Stories and began to read.

chapter three
    J ULIET STOOD ON THE BALCONY and gazed at the lush gardens of the Hotel Salvia. She saw the turquoise swimming pool and orange birds of paradise and trellises covered with pink and yellow roses. She inhaled the scent of citrus and olives and realized she was starving.
    After she left Lionel she strolled through the plaza and browsed in boutiques selling bright cotton dresses and leather sandals. She bought a wide-brimmed hat and a pair of oversized sunglasses. Then she sat in an outdoor café and ordered a salade niçoise and a glass of lemonade.
    She drizzled olive oil on artichoke palms and took a small bite. She thought about what Lionel said—that she didn’t believe in love—and bristled. Lionel was depressed and didn’t know anything about her.
    Finally she walked back to the Hotel Salvia and changed into a swimsuit. She swam thirty laps and wrapped herself in a fluffy white towel. Now she leaned over the railing and gazed at the port lined with billowing sailboats. She saw silver yachts and chipped wooden dinghies.
    She walked inside and saw her phone buzz. She picked it up and heard a male voice come down the line.
    â€œI extended your reservation but I haven’t heard from you or Lionel,” Gideon said. When do I get my songs?”
    â€œI’m working with Lionel every moment of the day,” Juliet explained. “I promise you’ll have them within two weeks.”
    â€œI sent you because you are the best senior executive I’ve had in a long time.” Gideon paused. “Make sure Lionel stays on task. He thinks he’s a bloody artist but this is a business. I paid him one hundred sixty-six thousand dollars to deliver those songs six months ago.”
    â€œI’ve made him completely aware of his obligations.” Juliet smoothed her hair. “I won’t let you down.”
    â€œLionel is brilliant at what he does but sometimes he acts like a pampered schoolboy,” Gideon grumbled. “If only accountants could write songs.”
    Juliet pressed END and shuddered. What would Gideon do if she couldn’t convince Lionel to fulfill his contract?
    Suddenly she remembered her delicious dinner at Casa Isabella with the baked sea bass and local cheeses. She pictured Gabriella’s navy dress and ivory pumps. She remembered standing outside the kitchen and hearing her high, clear voice.
    She walked to her closet and selected a floral dress and white sandals. She coated her eyelashes with mascara and spritzed her wrists with White Linen. She grabbed her purse and hurried down the staircase.
    *   *   *
    Juliet opened the gate of the Casa Isabella and saw a young woman standing on the patio. She wore a blue dress and oval sunglasses. She carried a basket filled with a head of lettuce and red peppers and purple asparagus.
    â€œGabriella!” she called. “It’s nice to see you; I don’t think I introduced myself. My name is Juliet Lyman.”
    Gabriella looked at Juliet’s brown hair and blue eyes and her face broke into a smile.
    â€œThe American! I told my father you enjoyed the sea bass,” she replied. “I’m sorry, we’re closed on Sundays, you’ll have to return another night.”
    â€œI wasn’t coming for dinner,” Juliet said. “I was going to take the train into Palma and visit La Seu Cathedral and Bellver Castle. I don’t know anyone else in Majorca and thought you might like to join