The alarm woke Isabella from a deep slumber. Hardly able to open her eyes, she squinted at the digital clock. Five a.m. Time to get up and get ready for her long trip. Although her pillow beckoned and images of her delicious balcony interlude played in her memory, she forced herself to sit on the bed and collect her bearings.
No wonder she was tired. Jonathan had stayed until past midnight and she hadn’t had the energy or desire to ask him to leave, especially when she knew she wouldn’t see him for at least a week. He’d given her more kisses than she’d received in her entire life.
In and out of the shower in five minutes, she dried herself and rapidly dressed in a black pantsuit and white long-sleeve T-shirt. Without taking the time to dry her hair, she pulled it back into a ponytail and shoved her makeup kit into the beach bag where she’d packed a few necessities and minimum clothes.
Just as she sprayed her favorite perfume on her neck, a knock on the door startled her. She spun and froze at the sight of her grandmother all dressed and combed and scowling at her.
“Nonna, what are you doing here at this time?”
“I should ask you the same, but I already guessed what you’re up to.” Nonna crossed her arms over her chest. “I haven’t slept all night.”
“Because Jonathan was here?”
“No because it dawned on me that my granddaughter was trying to trick me. When I went to the kitchen to prepare a cup of coffee, I saw the light under your door and heard the shower. For a girl who likes to sleep late in the morning, you were up mighty early today. You were going to leave without taking me, right?”
Ridden with guilt, Isabella sighed. “The trip is too long for you. You’ll get tired.”
“We’ll go in business class as I’ve always traveled. I’m packed and dressed, and ready to go. When I couldn’t sleep I spent my time packing. Just in case.”
No one could ever trick her grandmother. “Oh Nonna, I hate to do this to you.”
“Listen, bambina. We have a mission to accomplish. Last night, I prayed God and my beloved husband to help me do the right thing, and I came to the conclusion that far from damaging your Nonno’s good name, getting Lorenzo out of jail will allow your grandfather to rest in peace. It’s my duty, not yours, to repair the damage done to young Lorenzo. The chief of police and his wife have been my students in Sunday school. He’ll listen to me.”
Isabella peered at her Nonna’s determined expression. “To be honest, I’d love to have you with me in Palermo.”
“At what time is your flight?”
“The one to New York leaves at seven-thirty a.m. The overseas flight to Rome is not until five p.m. I wanted to give myself plenty of time.”
“No, my girl.” Nonna snorted and shook her finger under Isabella’s nose. “The truth is you wanted to leave before I woke up.”
Isabella lowered her eyes and chuckled.
“Why going through New York and not Miami?” Nonna asked.
“The cross-Atlantic is two-hour shorter from New York to Rome. I hate sitting on a plane for so long.”
“It makes sense. Where is your suitcase?”
“I’m taking the beach bag.”
“You’d better add more clothes. If I have to cope with the long flight and connections, I may as well stay two weeks in Palermo, finish some business, and visit with my friends.” Nonna opened the closet and yanked a few outfits from their hangers. “Get me a carry-on. While I pack some extra clothes for you, call the airline and reserve a ticket for me.”
Not daring to upset the old lady, Isabella silently sat at her laptop and made the reservations.
“Are you staying at Emma’s house?”
“Yes.”
“Good, although I don’t know if that would keep you safe from Marco.”
“This will keep me safe from Marco.” Isabella raised her left hand to show the five carat solitaire diamond on her finger.
Nonna’s eyes rounded. “Your Mamma’s wedding ring? Are you completely nuts? A ring without a man has no meaning.”
“I have a man all right. Except he won’t know about it. I’ll tell Emma I eloped with Jonathan. She already knows I’m seeing someone. Marco wouldn’t dally with a married woman.”
Nonna kept shaking her head. “Santa Maria, protect this crazy girl.”
“Okay, Nonna, you’ll have plenty of time to pray on the plane.” Isabella called a taxi, collected their luggage, her laptop case and her beach bag. “Ready?”
“I have my passport, credit cards, and five-hundred Euros in here,” Nonna patted her purse, wrapped a shawl around her shoulders, and grabbed her cane.
“And I’ve checked that all the lights are off.” They quietly left and locked the apartment. During the elevator ride, Nonna asked, “When are you planning to tell your brother that we’re traveling to Palermo?”
Isabella grimaced. “I’d rather not talk to Dante. I’ll text him and Jonathan just before the plane takes off. This way they’ll have plenty of time to cool off.” She didn’t care much about her brother’s reaction once she was out of reach, but Jonathan was another matter.
After all the kisses they’d exchanged last night, would he dare be upset at her for neglecting to inform him about her trip?