“CAN we swim a little longer, Mama?”
Ally checked her watch. “Ten more minutes. Then I need to get back to the house to feed the baby.”
Two months had gone by since their precious Marcello had entered the world. Now Ally was determined to get her figure back. At this point she was within five pounds of her goal, but it was hard with Bianca’s cooking always tempting her to eat more.
Gino had offered to come home at lunch to tend the baby. Father and son needed some playtime together.
If ever a man was made for fatherhood, it was her husband.
Little Marcello, who looked like his namesake, had already twisted his father around his baby finger.
The farmhouse was such a happy place, Ally felt like she was living in paradise.
When Gino had put it to a vote, no one wanted to live at the palazzo.
It would remain in the family until Sofia decided what to do with it.
The weather was already warm for the first of June. It was hard to believe that a year ago this month she’d come to Montefalco where Gino and a new thrilling life awaited her.
With Tomaso Castiglione behind bars for his crime, the horrific trauma of the past was over. Best of all, Sofia had been spared the details.
Feeling alive and glowing, Ally got out of the river and threw on a lightweight robe over her bikini.
Sofia’s naturally curly hair was cut short these days. It only needed a brisk toweling to look perfect.
In the last year she’d grown into a young teen who was starting to resemble Donata more and more.
Sofia kept pictures of her mother in her room. Donata had been a beauty all right, and her daughter was following in her footsteps.
The two of them got in the truck and headed for home. With Sofia being such an excellent tutor, they talked mainly in Italian.
It made a huge difference when Ally helped out at the flower stand. Of course it would take years to talk and sound like Gino, but that was her goal.
She loved the language and the country. She loved his family. She adored him.
Hoping he would be able to stay while she nursed the baby, she drove faster than usual.
“Look, Mama—there’s a taxi driving away from the house.”
“You’re right!”
Ally couldn’t imagine who’d dropped by. She slowed to a stop and parked the truck around the side, hoping their visitor wouldn’t be able to see her looking like this.
They hurried into the kitchen, then stopped. Ally’s mother sat at the table next to Gino, feeding the baby his bottle. Her husband trapped Ally’s gaze with a silent message before she cried, “Mom—”
Her mother’s dark blond head lifted. She wore a smile that transformed her.
“Oh, honey— I shouldn’t have waited so long to come. My little grandson’s adorable.”
Though Ally had invited her mother to come many times, she’d never taken her up on it. But with a new baby in the house…
Ally’s eyes filled. “He and Sofia are the light of our lives. Mom? I’d like you to meet my daughter, Sofia.”
“Come around here, honey,” her mother said to Gino’s niece. “I need to get to know both my grandchildren.”
“Just a minute, Grandma. I’ve got to get something for you.”
“For me?”
“Yes. I made it last summer and have been saving it for you. I’ll be right back.”
Ally had an idea where she was going. Taking advantage of the time, she hurried around the table and hugged her mom and the baby.
Her mother studied her. “You look wonderful, honey. Obviously marriage to this man agrees with you.”
With those words her mother had let her know she’d put the past behind her and was ready to move on.
“He’s the most wonderful thing that ever happened to me.” Her voice shook with emotion.
Gino pulled her onto his lap.
“Careful, darling, I’m wet after just getting out of the river.”
“I like you exactly like this,” he whispered, kissing the side of her neck.
Sofia came back in the kitchen and walked around to Ally’s mother. She carried a sheaf of dried flowers wrapped in cellophane and tied with ribbon.
“Lavender—” she cried. “Just the way my mother used to preserve it for gifts.”
Tears welled in her gray eyes.
Ally took the baby so her mother could hug Sofia. “Thank you, honey. This is a priceless gift.”
“Mama taught me how to do it. I have my own little sticker on it. See?”
Ally’s mother looked closer. “Sofia’s Scents. That’s brilliant.” She kissed her cheeks.
“Oh, Ally—” She turned to her. “I begged Edna to fly over with me, but she said I should come alone the first time.”
“There’ll be other times, Mom.”
Gino hugged her tighter around the waist, baby and all. At least he could reach around her now. The thought gave Ally no end of satisfaction.
“We’re hoping you’ll move here permanently,” Gino said to her mother. “You and your sister can have the run of the palazzo if you’d like.”
“I’d love it if you and Aunt Edna lived here, Mom. I’ve missed you so much. You’re the children’s only grandparents. You’d be so proud of Sofia.”
She turned to Sofia. “Darling? Go get your instrument and play something for Grandma.”
“Okay.” She ran out of the kitchen.
“My wife’s been teaching her the violin. I understand I have you to thank for Ally blessing this house with music.”
Her mother was genuinely overcome. “What a beautiful thing to say.”
Soon Sofia returned and played several pieces that showed she was no beginner.
When she’d finished, Ally’s mother got out of the chair to hug her. “If you keep this up, you’re going to be able to play like Ally.”
“I hope so.”
“Is there a piano in the house?”
Sofia nodded. “In the living room.”
“Then let’s take a look at your music and I’ll accompany you.”
Ally got to her feet. “While you do that, I’ll put the baby back to bed and get changed.”
Gino kept his arm around her shoulders as they climbed the stairs.
By the time she’d put the baby in his crib, the strains of Mendelssohn reached the third floor.
Gino had the shower ready and waiting for her.
She stepped under the spray, waiting for him to shut the door, but he kept it open and simply watched her.
No matter how intimate they’d been, she still blushed.
“You’re more gorgeous than ever. I never want to go to work.”
“I never want you to go.”
“I’m glad your mother finally came.”
“So am I.”
“This house feels normal, the way my parents’ once did.”
“Mine never felt quite normal because Mom was so unhappy.” She reached for the towel he kept just out of reach.
“Gino—” she begged.
He finally relented and wrapped it around her.
“I didn’t see any shadows in her eyes just now.”
“Neither did I.”
“The two of them are going strong downstairs, and our son is asleep.”
“The answer is yes,” Ally cried, so out of breath with longing, it was embarrassing.
He picked her up in his arms and carried her to the bed.
“This is what heaven is all about,” he whispered against her lips moments later. “When Marcello was diagnosed, I didn’t think I’d ever be happy again.”
His fingers tightened in her damp curls. “You came into my life when I least expected it.”
“You’ll never know how happy I was when you showed up on the train and whisked me away to the farmhouse.”
“Carlo had ordered me to make you go back to the States, but I couldn’t allow you to do that.” He devoured her mouth once more. “I couldn’t stay away from you, bellissima.”
“I hoped that was the reason,” she whispered shakily.
“Now no more talk or your mother will think we’re inconsiderate hosts.”
“She knows what we’re doing, Gino darling. I’m pretty sure she wants to make up for lost time, so let’s give her her wish. Maybe I can grant you your wish at the same time.”
“I have everything I want,” he asserted.
She smiled at him. “Not everything. I was thinking we could work on another bambino to keep Marcello company and help you on the farm.”
His eyes gleamed. “I believe in that kind of work. I’ll give you fair warning. I’m prepared to work day and night, plus overtime.”
“I think I’ll put that in writing,” she teased.
“You won’t have to, Ally. I’ll always come running home to you. Don’t you know that yet?”
Oh, yes. She knew. And for the rest of their lives, she’d be waiting…