““Suddenly a canoe appeared and in it a young boy with dark hair and sad eyes rowed toward Aria. She looked up only once the boat was close enough and brought her hand to her heart with joy. “Maxime,” she whispered. With a gesture of his hand, he invited her to take a seat in his boat, which she promptly did. “I suppose you’ve heard by now that I was leaving.” Aria nodded without speaking. “I couldn’t leave without honoring my promise that I’d take you on a boat ride in the summer on the Grand Canal.” Aria””
