“I’ll let you get some rest.” Lizzie went to stand when Massimo reached for her hand.
His grip was strong but not painful. But it was the look in his eyes that dug at her heart. “Promise me you won’t give up. Promise me you’ll see through our deal.”
“But—” She’d almost uttered the fact that Dante was opposed to the whole idea. “I’ll do my best.” It was all she could offer the man.
“My grandson needs someone like you.”
* * *
The following morning Lizzie hit the ground running.
She wasn’t about to waste a minute of her time at the villa. The big, brilliant ball of orange was still low in the distant horizon. She stood just outside the kitchen door with a cup of steamy black coffee in hand.
She wandered across to an old wooden fence and gazed out at the endless acres of grapes. The golden rays gave the rows and rows of vines a beauty all of their own. She’d never been someplace so wide open. She reveled in the peacefulness that surrounded her. And that was something she truly found amazing. Normally her nights were full of restless dreams and her days full of running here and there, doing this and that. But here she could take a moment to breathe—just to be.
Her thoughts trailed back to her unusual conversation with Massimo. Was the man some sort of matchmaker? But why? He hardly knew her. How would he know
if she would be good for Dante? And why would Dante need her?
The questions followed one after the other. The most frustrating part was that she didn’t have an answer for any of them. Dante was even more of a mystery to her now than he was before.
She’d noticed from the moment they’d arrived here that everything wasn’t so perfect in Dante’s life. Though she hadn’t been able to hear the conversation between father and son, she’d clearly seen the dark look that had come over Dante’s handsome face while talking with his father. There was a definite distance between him and his family. Was that what Massimo thought she could help Dante with? But how? She was here for only a matter of weeks, certainly not long enough to change someone’s life. And what did she know about the inner workings of families?
Still, she couldn’t get her mind to stop replaying the events from the prior evening. When his family grew boisterous talking of the vineyard, she noticed how Dante had become withdrawn as if he didn’t feel as though he fit in—or was it that he didn’t want to fit in? Either way, she couldn’t imagine Dante willingly walking away from such an amazing place.
There had to be something more to his story—something he wasn’t willing to share. But what could drive him from the peacefulness of the countryside and the bosom of his family to the city? Unless... Was it possible? Her mind raced. Could he have a passion for cooking that rivaled hers? Was it possible that they at last had something in common?
The thunk of the kitchen door swinging shut startled her. She spun around and there stood the man who’d filled her every thought since arriving here. The heat crept up her neck and settled in her cheeks. She realized that she was being silly. It wasn’t as if he could read her mind.
Their gazes met and held. His stare was deep and probing. Unease inched up her spine. There was no way that he could know that just moments ago, she’d been daydreaming about his grandfather’s suggestion that she and Dante might be a perfect fit.
“I didn’t know if you’d be up yet.” His voice was deep and gravelly.
“I set my phone alarm. I didn’t want to miss the sunrise.”
“And was it worth the effort?”
She nodded vigorously. “Definitely. I’m in love.” When his eyes widened in surprise, she added, “With the villa and the vineyard. With all of it.”
“I’m glad you like it here.”
“I was considering going for a walk.”
“Would you care for some company?”
Her gaze jerked back around to his to see if he was serious. “You really want to escort me around? I mean, it isn’t like I’ll be running into any of your family. You don’t have to babysit me.”
“I didn’t offer so I could play babysitter. I thought maybe you’d want some company, but obviously I was wrong.” He turned back to the house.
“Wait.” He paused, but he didn’t turn around. She swallowed down a chunk of pride. “I would like your company.”
He turned to her but his lips were pressed together in a firm line. He crossed his arms and looked at her expectantly. He had a right to expect more. She’d been snippy and he hadn’t deserved it. But it wasn’t easy for her. For some reason, she had the hardest time dealing with him. His mere presence put her on edge. And he always scattered her thoughts with his good looks and charming smile.
“Okay, I’m sorry. Is that what you want to hear?”
“Yes, it is.” He stepped up to her. “Shall we go?”
She glanced down at the almost empty cup. “I need to put this in the house.”