WHERE WAS ENZO?
Was he safe from the fire?
Sylvie sent up a prayer for his safety, as well as all the others out on the front lines. She’d just finished cleaning up after the midday food rush. In just a few minutes it’d be time to start preparing dinner.
She couldn’t help but feel she wasn’t doing enough. Her hand moved to her midsection; she had precious cargo on board that she had to make her priority. No one knew about the baby yet but Enzo. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to tell people—she did. She was so excited about the baby, but there was a part of her waiting until she’d worked out things with Enzo before she spread the joyous news.
As she stood on the veranda, her favorite spot in the villa, she noticed the smoke in the distance was practically gone. She squinted. Was that right? Was the fire diminishing? Hope swelled in her chest. For the past three days that was what she and everyone else at the Bartolini estate had been praying for. Had their prayers finally been answered?
But they weren’t the only ones praying. Bianca and Gia were, too. Both sisters had dropped everything and flown in immediately following Sylvie’s call. All three of them, along with Vito’s wife, had been working side by side in the kitchen, making sure everyone was fed and as comfortable as was possible under the circumstances.
“Did you hear the news?” Bianca rushed out onto the veranda, all smiles.
“News?” Sylvie hadn’t heard anything. As soon as the kitchen was squared away, she’d slipped out here for a little quiet time.
“The best news.” Gia stepped up beside her sister.
They may only be half-sisters according to biology, but their facial features were similar, from the set of their eyes to their pert noses and full lips. And their relationship was so close that they could finish each other’s sentences.
The news of Gia’s conception had undoubtedly been devastating, but it appeared the sisters had recovered and were closer than ever. Now, if only Enzo would come around, maybe he wouldn’t be in such a rush to put all of this behind him.
Anxious to know the news, Sylvie said, “Well, don’t just smile at me, tell me what’s happening. Is it the fire? Is it out?”
“Not out,” Bianca said, the smile slipping from her face.
“But contained,” Gia added.
“And the vineyard, was it spared?”
The sisters’ expressions creased with worry lines.
“We haven’t heard from any of the men,” Bianca said. “But they should be back soon.”
“And the evacuation order has been lifted so everyone is packing to head back home,” Gia said. “Except for us. We’ve talked it over and we’re sticking around for a while.”
“I’m sure Enzo will appreciate it.” Sylvie’s thoughts turned to Enzo, wondering if she should leave before he returned. “I know he’s missed both of you.”
Bianca glanced down at her clasped hands. “Yeah, we really messed up forgetting his birthday.”
“It won’t happen again,” Gia said emphatically. “We added it to our calendars on our phones.”
“No matter where we are, we’ll always remember,” Bianca said.
Sylvie nodded in understanding. “Well, now that everything is under control and you two are sticking around, I should go pack.”
“You’re leaving?” both sisters asked in unison.
Sylvie lowered her gaze and nodded. “I need to get back to Florence.”
“Stay,” the sisters said at once.
To be a part of this family would be like a dream come true, and it had nothing to do with their vast wealth or Bianca’s becoming a real-life princess or Gia’s living on a romantic island in the Mediterranean or the way Enzo cared for his sisters like some mother hen. No, it had everything to do with the love that abounded among the three siblings, keeping them together through their parents’ deaths, through a strange codicil to their will and through the discovery of an earthshattering secret. To be a part of a love that strong is something most people could only dream of.
Gia moved to Sylvie’s side and put her arm around her. “What’s wrong?”
“What?” Sylvie had been so deep in her thoughts that she hadn’t realized her distress had shown on her face.
“You’re crying.” Bianca’s eyes displayed concern.
Sylvie pressed her fingertips to her cheeks, feeling the dampness. She swiped away the tears. These pregnancy hormones had her crying at the drop of a hat. “It’s nothing.”
“Enzo might believe that line, but we don’t.” Bianca crossed her arms as though letting her know she meant business. “Talk to us. Is it our brother? Has he upset you?”
Maybe she should tell them. After all, they were the baby’s aunts. The urge to confess swelled within her until it was a loud roar in her ears.
“I’m pregnant with Enzo’s baby.” The words just came tumbling out.
Both women’s mouths opened and for a moment no words came. They looked at each other. And then their attention returned to Sylvie.
After a moment Bianca pressed her lips together as though she was gathering her thoughts. “Does Enzo know?”
Sylvie nodded. “It was a shock for both of us.”
“And what did he say?”
“Not a lot at first. Then he said he was calling off the sale of the estate. I told him not to. The baby wasn’t reason enough to change his mind—to remain someplace he doesn’t want to be. I don’t want him blaming me or the baby for his having to stay here.”
“He wouldn’t do that,” Bianca said.
“I never believed that he wanted to leave here,” Gia said. “When we were kids all he talked about was one day running the vineyard just like Papá.”
“Do you love our brother?” Bianca asked.
Without hesitation, Sylvie said, “Yes.”
They talked for a little more about the baby and Enzo. Both Bianca and Gia encouraged her to give Enzo some more time. They were certain once he got over the shock that things would look different for both of them.
“I can’t stay here and hope he’ll fall in love with me.” Sylvie took a step toward the doorway. “I have to go make a life for the baby and myself.”
Concern filled Bianca’s gaze. “Isn’t there anything we can say to get you to stay? I’m sure Enzo will want to see you and thank you for all you did.”
Sylvie shook her head. “It’s best I go.”
And with that, she walked away, feeling as though she were leaving a part of her behind—her heart. But Enzo had made his decision. When Vito had called to let her know the wildfire was threatening the estate, he’d told her that Enzo was meeting with the buyer to sign the sales agreement. Nothing had changed Enzo’s mind about staying here—not her and not the baby.