she needed for that. “Where’s the Ferrari?” she asked as he helped her into the backseat.
After he gave the driver directions, he handed her a sandwich and a drink before sitting back to answer her question. “It’s out of sight for a variety of reasons.”
“That will drive the paparazzi crazy.” She took several bites of her sandwich. “I have to admit this tastes delicious. You’re spoiling me with good food again.”
He’d bought himself a fruit drink and drained most of it. “I wonder how many hundreds of times you shared your lunch with me at school because I was too busy doing some project to stop and eat. Your mother made the best lunches in Monta Correnti.”
A trace of a smile hovered on her lips as she continued to eat. “Our family carried around the excess pounds to prove it.”
He flashed her a sweeping glance. “Not any longer.”
She avoided his gaze and drank more juice.
“Does your mother know she kept me alive with her cooking?”
“I didn’t dare tell her.”
Valentino chuckled. “You’re lucky you’ve had her in your life all these years. Do you want to know a secret?”
Clara’s head turned in his direction. She’d finished the last of her sandwich. He was thankful she’d had an appetite. “What is it?”
“I was jealous you had a mother who fussed over you every day. You and Bianca always seemed so happy. You didn’t know it, but having two parents who were alive and loved you gave you a confidence I would have given anything to feel.”
Her expression sobered. “I understand that now, but you did have Luca.”
“Yes, and he indulged me without limits.”
“That was only natural. After your mother died, he would have tried to play both roles. He loved you, Tino. I know he did. Otherwise his marriage to your mother wouldn’t have worked out.”
“I guess he wanted her badly enough to include her excess baggage.”
In a surprise gesture she covered his hand with her own and squeezed it gently. “I’m so sorry you’ve carried this pain with you all these years. I often sensed something was wrong, but you never opened up about it.”
“I couldn’t.”
Her head was bowed. “None of us is exempt from problems, but somehow we deal with them because we have no choice, right?”
He marveled at her courage. “ì.”
She let go of his hand. “We’re almost to the farm.”
Valentino told the driver to turn onto the private road where you could see the sign advertising produce at the Rossetti farm. He told him to follow it all the way in to the farmhouse and pull to a stop.
The minute the taxi slowed down, Clara had the door open. He knew better than to ask her to stay with him and talk. She was probably craving her bed.
“Thank you for the food and the ride, Tino. You saved my life today.”
Would that were possible.
“I always enjoy being with you.”
She couldn’t meet his gaze. “Where are you going now?”
“Home to work on the Web site.”
“What did your father say about your ideas?”
“I’ve decided to wait until I have all the facts at hand, then present them in one go and see how he reacts.”
“I think you’ll be surprised how accepting he is of your ideas.”
“We’ll see. Your optimism gives me hope.”
“That’s good,” came her fervent reply.
He leaned toward her. “I’m going to come by for you in the truck after you’re off work tomorrow.”
Clara felt her pulse race. “What did you have in mind?”
“I thought we’d drive to Gaeta—we went there once, remember? We’ll enjoy a meal on the coast. It’s not too far. We’ll take it in stages. If you feel like sleeping on the way, you can.”
He still wanted to be with her?
“I’d love it!” she broke in. To go to the sea with him sounded divine.
His mouth broke into a satisfied smile. “I’m happy to hear it. Get a good sleep. I’ll be by about three.”
“All right. Ciao.”
Clara entered the kitchen feeling more lighthearted than she’d been in days. Who else but Valentino would have pretended to be her fiancé so he could gain access to the treatment room? She’d noticed that none of the workers at the clinic were immune to his compelling personality and looks. He’d been the talk of the place. Serena had been totally won over.
As for the taxi waiting for her, it might as well have been a golden coach whisking her away from the castle with her dashing prince while he fed her on the way. Because of his kindness, her body didn’t get a chance to feel depleted as it did when she had to walk down to the piazza and then wait for the bus.
She’d been utterly shocked to see him outside the doors. And grateful…He could have no idea how wonderful it was to just get in the car and be waited on as if she were a princess.
Though he’d told her earlier that he had no interest in knowing the identity of the man who’d had an affair with his mother, Clara couldn’t help but think his birthfather must have been an extraordinary person with exceptional looks and drive. Otherwise Valentino wouldn’t have turned out to be such a brilliant entrepreneur and heartthrob.
“What’s the great Valentino Casali doing bringing you home in a taxi?” Silvio had just walked in the kitchen. He wasn’t usually home this early.
“He was thoughtful enough to give me a lift from town.”
Her brother grimaced. “Did he think that by not bringing you in the Ferrari, the family wouldn’t notice?”
“Why would he be concerned about that?” she asked, attempting to control her temper without much success. “If he didn’t choose to drive it, it was probably because he was tired of the paparazzi following him every second of his life.”
“Why do you let him do it?” he demanded. “Don’t you get it?”
“You can stop worrying. It hardly smacks of the kind of attention you’re talking about. I’m a dying woman.”
“Don’t ever say that again!” he cried.
“But I am dying, Silvio. You have to face it. We’re all going to die some time. I just happen to know that without a new
