WAS DÉJÀ VU all over again.
“That’s my sister, Dea. I’m Alessandra Caracciolo.”
“Well, you’re both absolutely stunning.”
“Thank you.”
“I’m afraid my brother isn’t here. I’m Valentina Laurito. Was he expecting you?”
“No.” She swallowed hard. “I wanted to surprise him.”
A mischievous smile broke the corners of his sister’s mouth. “So did I. Bianca informed me he went fishing this morning and hasn’t come back yet, but she’s expecting him soon so I stayed.”
Fishing...
While she took in the disappointing news, an older woman appeared in the foyer carrying a darling blond baby boy, the image of his mother. She made the introductions. “Have you come far?”
“I flew in from Metaponto.”
“That’s quite a ways. Won’t you come in and wait with me while I give my son a bottle? We’re out by the swimming pool. Vito loves his Zio Rini and keeps waiting for him to walk out.”
Alessandra knew the feeling well. “If you don’t mind, I’d love to.”
“Tell your driver to come back for you later.”
She did the other woman’s bidding, then walked through Rini’s elegant villa. The patio furniture included tables, chairs and a large swing. Alessandra saw plastic toys in the water. Valentina took the baby from the housekeeper and settled him in his baby swing with a cover to shield his eyes.
“We have extra bathing suits if you’d like to change and take a dip.”
“Thank you, but no.”
“You might like it after your flight.”
“It didn’t take that long. Besides I get in plenty of swimming.” Valentina was so easy to talk to, Alessandra needed to be careful what she said to her. Rini was a private person who wouldn’t appreciate her getting too familiar with his family. Especially not after he’d left the castle permanently.
She found a lounge chair close to the swing to watch the darling baby. In a minute she heard rotors overhead and her pulse leaped. What would Rini think when he found her out here with his family? Maybe she shouldn’t have come, but it was too late now because moments later her gaze darted to the tall, dark figure striding toward them from the other end of the pool wearing jeans and a T-shirt.
“There’s your zio!” Valentina cried.
“Vito—” Rini called to him. The baby turned his head toward his uncle and lifted his arms.
That’s when Rini saw her and his eyes narrowed. “Alessandra,” he murmured.
Without missing a beat he came close and picked up the baby in his arms, kissing him. “What a surprise. Two visitors in one afternoon.”
“Alessandra has flown here from Metaponto, but I can’t persuade her to take a swim.”
“That’s because she scuba dives for the archaeological institute from Catania and probably enjoys a break from swimming.”
Valentina’s head swung toward her. “Rini’s a master diver, too!”
“I know. Your brother was instrumental in helping me make a find the other day. I’m indebted to him.”
“Rini,” his sister virtually blurted with excitement. “You didn’t tell me about that.” Her eyes took in the two of them.
With enviable calm he explained, “While I was looking for new oil fields, I tagged along with Alessandra. She lives on an archaeological treasure.”
“Zio Salvatore called me when he couldn’t find you at the office. You know how upset he gets.”
He played with Vito, avoiding Alessandra’s eyes. “I’m back from Calabria now and got in touch with him.”
“That’s a relief. So how was fishing?”
“Good. Guido caught two trout with the lure I gave him. We ate them for lunch.”
“Lucky you. I’m glad you came home when you did. Vito and I waited as long as we could, and now we’ve got to get back to Ravello. Giovanni will be wondering where we are.” She turned to Alessandra. “It was so nice to meet you.”
“You, too. Your little boy is wonderful.”
“Thank you. I think so, too. I have another son, Ric, but he’s with his birth mother today.” She took the baby from her brother’s arms and disappeared into the villa.
Alessandra was left alone with Rini. Her pulse raced at the way his eyes ignited as he studied her for a moment without saying anything. She was glad she’d worn her white dress with the blue-and-green print, a favorite of hers. For once she’d knocked herself out trying to look beautiful for him. She’d even worn some eye makeup and had spent time on her hair.
“I think you know why I’m here,” she said, answering the question he hadn’t asked. “You didn’t say goodbye.” Her accusation hung in the air.
His hands went to his hips in a male gesture. “If you’ll excuse me for a minute, I’ll be right back.”
“Promise?” she responded. He’d arrived dressed in outdoor gear with a navy crewneck shirt. With that hint of a dark beard on his jaw, she was almost overcome by his male virility. Alessandra had missed him so terribly, it hurt to look at him.
A nerve throbbed at the corner of his compelling mouth. “I swear it.”
He left the patio on a run. She found a chair under the umbrella table and took in the sight of his own private Garden of Eden. So many species of flowers and trees astounded her, as everything looked perfect. All her life she’d lived in a castle surrounded by sand and water. Alessandra loved the isolation, but being here in Rini’s home made her appreciate what she’d been missing.
The fragrance from the roses intoxicated her. She got up and walked around to smell the various varieties. Soon she heard footsteps behind her. When she turned, she discovered that the woman Valentina had introduced her to had come out on the terrace. She pushed a cart of food and drinks to the table. “Rinieri will be right out, signorina.”
“Grazie, Bianca.”
From the corner of her eye she saw a baby sandal left on one of the chairs. She started to retrieve it when Rini came out on the patio dressed in tan trousers and a silky black sport shirt. Freshly shaved, he looked and smelled fabulous.
Alessandra held up the sandal. “Your sister left this in her wake. I’m afraid her fast exit was my fault.”
“You’re wrong.” He took the little sandal and put it on the table. “She couldn’t wait to join her husband. They’re crazy about each other.” Rini held out a chair for her. “Sit down and we’ll eat. One trout apiece wasn’t enough for the appetite I’ve
