looked up. “I guess my parents are back. That’s a surprise. Mother told me they could be gone for several days.” She removed her preserver.
“I think that’s my helicopter.”
She blinked. “You sent for yours?” Did he see disappointment in her eyes?
“I chartered one to take us to dinner. Last night you turned me down. Tonight I decided not to take any chances on another rejection.”
Her eyes slid away from his. “Where are we going?”
Good. She’d decided not to fight him. “That’s my surprise. Bring what you need and leave the rest in the boat. We’ll retrieve everything later.”
“You don’t want to change clothes?”
“There’s no need.”
She nodded. “I’ll only be a moment.” Before long she came back up on deck having applied a fresh coat of lipstick.
Avoiding his help, she climbed out of the boat and they made their way to the helicopter in the distance. But she couldn’t refuse him when he opened the door to assist her into the back. Their arms brushed and he inhaled her light, flowery fragrance, which made him more aware of her.
Within seconds they lifted off and the pilot flew them due east. For the next little while her gaze fastened on the landscape below. When they started their descent to the city of a hundred thousand, she darted Rini an excited glance. “I love Lecce! It’s a masterpiece of baroque architecture.”
“I haven’t been here in several years, but I remember a restaurant near the cathedral and hope it’s still as good.”
He’d arranged for a limo to drive them into the city nicknamed the Florence of the South. They got out and started walking along the narrow, shop-lined streets to the square for their dinner.
Lots of tourists, plus music from the many eating places, put him in a holiday spirit, something he hadn’t felt in years. Alessandra stopped in front of every shop and boutique, all of which were made from the soft local limestone. The facades were a mass of cherubs. She delighted in their faces as well as the displays. He hadn’t felt this carefree in years.
“Oh, Rini. Look at that precious cat! It reminds me of Alfredo.” They’d stopped in front of a souvenir shop selling the famous Cartapesta items of saints and animals made out of papier-mâché and painted.
“I think you’re right. Let’s buy it for your housekeeper.” Without waiting for a response, he lifted the three-inch orange crouching cat from the shelf and walked inside to pay for it. The clerk put it in a sack. When he exited the shop, Alessandra stared up at him.
“She’ll be thrilled.”
He handed her the gift. “Will you keep it until we get back to the castle?”
“That was very kind of you,” she said in a quiet voice. After sliding it in her purse, they walked out to the square.
“If my memory serves me correctly, our restaurant is on the right, halfway down the colonnade. We’ll eat what they bring us. There’s no menu.” After the call to arrange for the helicopter, he made a reservation at the famous restaurant. When they reached it, the maître d’ showed them inside to a table that looked out on the square.
Mugs of caffé in ghiaccio con latte di mandorla arrived. She smiled between sips. “I’m already addicted to that wonderful almond flavor.”
“Agreed. How about the antipasto?”
She experimented. “These are fabulous. I could make a whole meal on the salmon-and-oyster bruschetta alone.”
“I like the little tortillas with olives.”
“There’s nothing not to like, Rini.” Soon they were served angel-hair pasta with sardines. If that wasn’t enough, they were brought mouthwatering apple crostinos for dessert.
“I’m so full, I don’t think I can move. Thank you for bringing us here. I haven’t had a meal like this in years.”
He loved it that she enjoyed her food. “It’s the least I can do after everything you’ve done for me. I’m in awe of your knowledge. Not only that, you’re a master sea woman.” He put some bills on the table, then got up and escorted her out of the restaurant. Night had fallen, adding to the beauty of the square.
“A sea woman? Sounds like a new species.” Her soft laughter charmed him.
“Until your father gets back, I’m hoping to spend a few more days on the water with you. It’s true I’m here on business, but I’ve decided to take a few days to mix pleasure with it.”
He led them through a street to find a taxi so they could head back to the helipad at the airport. Once on board they took off, then he turned to her. “Your scuba equipment has been calling to me. How about we pick up some gear for me tomorrow and you take us where you go diving. I’ll charter us a boat.”
“That would be ridiculous when we can use my boat.”
“I wouldn’t want you to think I’m taking advantage of you.”
“Can we just not worry about that?”
“That’s fine with me. What I’d like to do is camp out. I’ll be your buddy. Could I tear you away from your work that long, or would it be asking too much?”
After they reached the island and got in the car, she eyed him speculatively. “After the exquisite meal, it pains me to have to turn you down. I’m afraid I’m behind on my project, but you’re welcome to take the cruiser and go exploring on your own.”
He didn’t believe her excuse. She could be warm and engaging, but if he got too close, she’d retreat. After finally meeting a woman who thrilled him in so many ways, he couldn’t take the disappointment that she put other plans first. It was driving him crazy.
“If you don’t go with me, I won’t have a buddy. You’re so smart and know so much, a trip without you wouldn’t be fun. What if we go out early after your work is over for the day? Say two o’clock?”
“I’m not sure I can be finished by then.” She got out of the car and started walking to the entrance in an attempt to elude him.
He caught up to her. “Then we’ll play it by ear.”
“You never give up, do you?” But she said it with a smile. “All right.”
Those two little words gave him hope, but the minute they went inside the castle, Liona and her cat were there to greet them. “You have a visitor, Alessandra. He insisted on waiting for you. I’ve put him in the small salon.”
Him? Maybe Rini had been right and she was seeing someone.
“Thank you, Liona.” She pulled the sack out of her purse. “This is for you. Signor Montanari bought it for you.”
The older woman smiled. “Veramente?” She opened the sack and pulled out the cat. “This looks like you, Alfredo. You must have bought this in Lecce!”
