Dominic, an EMT from Michigan, travels to Italy to discover his heritage. But after visiting the small town where his great grandparents lived, he finds so much more. The historical treasures of Rome. The priceless artwork of Florence. And then on to Venice to explore the city billed as “Disneyland for Adults.”<br><br>But the city is battling a historic flood, altering his plans and setting him on a course he never could have imagined, a path that intersects with the lives of three others. Sandro, a handsome Italian actor, appears to be the man of his dreams. As they walk the flooded city, they meet the charming Maria and her energetic young son Massimo. A near tragedy soon binds their lives together forever as Venice tries to defend itself against encroaching waters.<br><br>Dominic vows to return to his lover in a few months. But February of 2020 proves to be a bad time for a reunion. Can these two men overcome a flood, a tragedy, and the perils of a pandemic to have a life together? Will their love survive until life someday returns to normal?

High Water Mark

“He should be fine,” Sandro reassured her. “An ambulance is coming to take him to the hospital, to get him out of the cold and into some dry clothes.”


The ambulance arrived and the attendants quickly put the boy inside. The woman hugged the two men. “Thank you. Thank you for saving my baby’s life.” She hopped into the ambulance with her son.


“What hospital are you taking him to?” Sandro asked one of the attendants. He nodded when he was given the answer. As the ambulance moved away, Sandro said to Dominic, “We’ll go to visit later. But now, we’d better get home and get out of these wet clothes.”


They stood in the shower a long time, warming up gradually in the hot water. Neither said much, but the hugs and embraces were long and intense. Both had seen their lives pass before them in the rescue, and it had left them quiet and introspective.


But they had also seen what they were capable of.


Chapter 24