Ruby pulled out a chair for Ariana across from Alessandro, so she could hardly escape him, but after they’d talked on the terrace, she no longer minded. Once everyone began eating and toasting, Ariana relaxed and enjoyed herself.
“Will you visit Lago di Como often?” Alessandro asked.
“She might never leave,” Ruby interjected. “Who would want to leave this gorgeous place?”
Ariana shook her head. “I have to return to work, Aunt Ruby. While I still can.”
“Do you love your work?” Alessandro asked.
Lacing her fingers, Ariana thought about that. “I like the idea of what I do. But the person I work for isn’t very nice. And it’s not that he’s tough, though he’s that, too. He’s petty and vindictive.”
Ariana thought about the time Kingsley had fired a pregnant colleague because he thought her pregnancy would interfere with her work. He decided to give the job to a friend of his. When Human Resources told him it was an illegal termination and insisted that he hire the woman again, he did, but he proceeded to make her life as miserable as he could. He demeaned her, told her that she was no longer attractive, and required longer hours of her than others. Ariana often stayed, and after Kingsley left, she sent her colleague home and finished her work. Ariana shuddered as she imagined what Kingsley would do to her once she told him she was pregnant.
Thinking about returning to work for Kingsley lessened Ariana’s appetite. She put down her fork. “Allowing for flight time, I have to return in less than three weeks.”
“Are you sure you can’t stay longer?” Alessandro asked.
Ariana glanced around the lively scene full of excellent food and fascinating people. The wine was flowing, though she was drinking water, and she’d laughed more today than she could recall in months. And surprisingly—or not—the attacks she’d been having for so long hadn’t seemed to bother her here.
“I wish I could,” Ariana said.
Ruby smiled. “We still have a lot to do here.”
Alessandro picked up a bottle of wine on the table and offered Ruby more. After she nodded, he poured a little and then turned to Ariana and the empty wine glass before her.
Ariana swiftly covered the glass with her hand. “None for me.”
“You don’t like the wine?” Alessandro asked.
“I didn’t feel like drinking today,” Ariana said, which was partly true. The thought of drinking alcohol wasn’t at all appealing to her, even though she loved wine. She’d lost her taste for it, although she’d noticed she was craving other foods.
After they finished eating, the adults sat and talked while the children played in the garden. Everyone seemed so at ease enjoying the day and each other’s company.
Glancing at his watch, Alessandro said, “I lost track of time. I’m sorry to break up a good party, but we should go while it’s still daylight.” He motioned to Paolina and her husband.
After thanking Ruby and saying goodbye to everyone, Alessandro led his children onto the vintage wooden yacht. Paolina and her husband were getting them settled on the craft when Alessandro stepped back onto the dock. He gestured to Ariana and hurried toward her.
“I’ll be meeting a client nearby tomorrow,” Alessandro said. “When I’m free, would you have time to have coffee?” He named a time.
Although starting a relationship with Alessandro was definitely against her better judgment, she’d enjoyed talking with him today. And it was just coffee. “I’d like that,” she said, feeling Ruby’s eyes on her.
His eyes lit with delight. “I’ll call you,” he said, touching her hand before he left.
Ariana gazed after Alessandro. Once he was underway, she lifted her hand, waving at him and his children. Little Carmela waved the longest, and Ariana blew kisses to the little girl, who joyfully returned them. Ariana waved until they were out of sight.
As she walked into the house, she wondered why she’d been so quick to accept Alessandro’s invitation. It was a waste of time—hers and his. At the thought of that, a sense of disappointment rippled through her. Perhaps she should tell him about her pregnancy, but she didn’t want his pity. What was the harm in having a friendship with him?
Ruby caught up with her. “You’re seeing Alessandro again?”
“It’s just one cup of coffee,” Ariana said firmly. “I know what you’re doing, but it won’t work. I’ll soon be back in Los Angeles.” She had to be practical now. Still, as she glanced back at the wake Alessandro’s boat left in the lake, she felt a twinge of sadness. Why couldn’t she have found someone like him instead of Phillip?
Chapter 14
Lago di Como, 2010
* * *
Ruby glanced at the calendar on the desk in front of the window in her bedroom. “Less than three weeks,” she said, catching the scent of the creamy white roses she loved that Livia had placed on the desk. Ruby didn’t have much time left with Ariana here. Her niece was still determined to return to Los Angeles.
Ruby took a sheet of stationery from the drawer and picked up her pen. Mari. What could she say to bring her here?
Gazing across the lake, Ruby thought about her sister. Watching Patricia’s memory and essence slip away had been so painful that it was almost a relief when she’d finally died. Yet Ruby still missed her. Throughout life, her big sister had always been there, one step ahead of her.
Ruby couldn’t blame Mari for distancing herself from her mother. They’d had a tempestuous relationship as it was. Once Patricia was diagnosed, Ruby suspected that Mari’s guilt was more than she could bear.
Fearing that she wouldn’t have the capacity to put her affairs in order if she waited, the ever pragmatic Patricia had tended to almost all the details of her life. She’d asked Ruby to find a care home for her when she could no longer live on her own. Ruby had done so, covering all her sister’s expenses and sparing nothing. She wanted Patricia to be as comfortable as she could be.
Yet Patricia had left the most important task to Ruby. The first anniversary of Patricia’s death was almost upon them, and Ruby decided she could wait no longer.
Ruby put down her pen and picked up the safety deposit key she’d been carrying. The executor of Patricia’s will had given it to her months ago. Turning it over in her hand, she thought of what the box might contain. Patricia had been very clear about her instructions. Ruby glanced at the letter the executor sent her, though she knew it well.
Ruby is to decide when—and if—Mari is to receive the contents.
Only Mari can access the contents.
Mari must access the box alone.
What Mari decides to do after that is her decision.
Ruby had to swear—in writing to Patricia and the attorney who was acting as the executor—not to question Mari. While Ruby didn’t agree with this approach, she had promised her sister. In many ways, Ruby owed her success to Patricia. And so much more.
The only thing Patricia would say is that she was leaving a letter for Mari.
She would abide by Patricia’s wishes. If Mari wanted to talk about the letter or whatever else was in the safety deposit box, it would be her choice. Not Ruby’s.