Pia smiled and clapped her hands. “Magnifico!”
The tension I’d seen building in Tara vanished. “If I agree, you have to promise to tell me about Estancia Valentini. I’ve heard stories, but I’m sure they were greatly exaggerated.”
“No, they are all true,” said Pia, laughing. “My family has a very colorful history. Estancia was my seventh great-grandmother. She descended from the female line of the Medicis.”
Tara turned to me. “Sounds like you may have found a compelling story to write.”
We had far too much to drink, even with all the food Pia arranged to have delivered to the winery. When she noticed Tara yawning, she suggested she stay at the villa tonight, and tomorrow she’d get her settled in one of the small casinas.
I took the hint, stood, and said goodnight. “It was a pleasure meeting you both.” I turned to our hostess. “Pia, thank you for your generosity.”
“You are welcome.” She smiled, looking between Tara and I.
“I hope to see you around Valentini, Catarina.” Emboldened by the wine, I took her hand and brought it to my lips. “Buona notte. Sogni d’oro.”
“Buona notte,” she murmured in perfect Italian.
8
Tara
“He likes you,” said Pia as we walked up to the villa.
“He’s drunk.”
She shook her head. “I watched him all night. He couldn’t take his eyes off of you.”
“He was looking at you too.”
Pia shook her head a second time. “Not the same way.” She stopped when we got to the villa’s terrazza, and looked out at the vineyards illuminated by moonlight. “I’m glad you are staying, Catarina.”
“I am too. Thank you, Pia.”
“I’m the one who should be thanking you. You have a great deal of knowledge about wine. Someday, you will tell me how you acquired it. But not tonight.” She put her arm through mine and led me inside and up the stairs.
Something occurred to me. “Wait. I’m sorry. I can’t work here.”
“Why not?”
“I’m here as a tourist. I’d have to leave Italy to get a work visa.” I couldn’t tell Pia, but there was no way I could do that.
She shook her head. “Not to worry. We will pay you in cash. That will work, yes?”
It was the only thing that would work, actually. “Again, if you’re certain.”
“Sì, naturalmente. Now, come. You can stay in here tonight.” She looked at my bag. “I didn’t think to consider you wouldn’t have your things.”
“I don’t have much, but you’re right, I left them at the pensione in Sienna.”
“We can make arrangements to collect them tomorrow.” She tapped her cheek. “Hang on. I’ll be right back.”
When she was gone, I pulled out my phone like I did several times a day, hoping there’d be word from either my father or Brand. There wasn’t.
“I know that look,” Pia said, coming back to where I waited in the hallway, with towels and I guessed something for me to sleep in. “There are things that haunt you.”
“Several, in fact,” I mumbled, looking away from her.
“Me too.” She sighed and took my hand. “I am happy you’re here, Catarina. I think it’s where you belong. At least for now. I can tell already that we will be friends.”