The House by the Cypress Trees

by Elena Mikalsen

  “Smells like something died in there,” she said.

  “Probably someone. Mandy better get these out of here before my mother comes to stay.” He stood up. “Well, looks like we’re going in what we have on.”

  “That’s fine. I'd rather not look like we’re going to the Renaissance fair.”

  “What’s that?”

  “Don’t worry about it. Let’s get out of here. I need fresh air.”

  ****

  They heard the music as they walked up the hill from the parking area. A line of people joined them, snaking up the winding road to the castle’s entrance.

  “How large is this place?” Julia asked.

  “Enormous. It’s an old fortress, preserved well. They do this festival every year, as a fundraiser, I believe.”

  The stone steps led them through the arched entry and into the crowded piazza full of visitors, sales tables with leather goods, and entertainers.

  “Come, I want to show you something.” Daniel pulled her along.

  He assumed she’d love the sunset from the top of the hill. That’s where they always took the girls when they came here as young lads. If they were lucky, the girls would let them kiss them, outside the castle walls, in the bushes, as the first shadows settled in. He knew the best spot, the best archway. It would impress Gian that Daniel still remembered.

  “Here.” He pointed to the horizon. “If you stand in this spot, you will see the best view of the sunset.” He stood behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. He lowered his lips and kissed her neck in that spot he knew got her excited. Would she let him lead her to the bushes outside and kiss her thoroughly? The thought made him drunk with pleasure.

  He felt her small fingers on his chin as she grabbed it and lifted it off her neck. She turned around and faced him. “It’s beautiful here. You are very smooth.” Her eyes narrowed.

  “What?” His blood still raced from holding her.

  “Kissing in dark hallways, asking me to come to your bed, bringing me to watch the sunset. Trapping me here in Tuscany, with all this wine and medieval festivals and great food.” She put her sunglasses back on. “Very smooth. Very Italian. How many girls have you brought here to see the sunset with you in the past?”

  Guilt clawed at him. She saw right through this, didn’t she? He was trying to seduce her. “You think it’s a seduction scheme?”

  “I know it is.”

  She didn’t appear angry. But he was no judge of women’s emotions. “Are you angry?”

  “No.”

  “Why not?”

  “I rarely find myself in a situation where a handsome man tries so hard to get me into his bed.” Her eyes twinkled as she said it. Then she gave him a light kiss, teasing him. “Don’t look so shocked, Daniel.”

  “You surprise me.” He wanted to return the kiss but restrained himself.

  “I’m on the first adventure of my entire life. It’s my chance to have fun. I don’t want you to lie and pretend, or be sleazy. We’ve gotten—close. But it doesn’t mean I’m going to just throw myself at you. Yesterday—I had too much wine. That Chianti is dangerous. Today is a different day.” She took his hand. “Let’s go eat something, I’m starving.”

  He should’ve been hurt by her rejection, but he wasn’t, somehow. She’d caught him, but she didn’t mind being in his company. And he found that he loved being in hers. No matter what it entailed.

  And he continued to love her company. As they shared the breads and sausages they bought from the market. As the town descended into darkness and then lit up with fire torches and sounds of music. And as Julia leaned into his shoulder, watching the men on stilts do a dance with fiery ropes.

  By the time the fireworks started, he wasn’t sure what he wanted anymore. Was it to hold her all night with her head on his shoulder, or was it to kiss her until he felt himself completely lost? It didn’t matter much, as the festival ended and they walked down the hill, Julia placing her hand in his.

  “I don’t want this day to end,” she said as he opened the car door for her and she sat down.

  He bent down to her. “Me neither.”

  He drove slowly, but it wasn’t long before they got home.

  “More wine?” he offered.

  “I can hardly stay upright,” she said. “I’m so tired. But I don’t want to go to sleep, either.”

  “I have a solution.” He led her to the pool, where a large swing bed was near the rose bushes. “How’s this?”

  “Perfect.”

  “I’ll go get wine.”

  Julia sat down and rocked back and forth in the swing as he ran to the wine cellar. It didn’t matter what wine he got. All he wanted was to sit next to her and talk and find out everything about her. He acted like a young boy, she was right. He felt like one. All his worries forgotten, the only care in the world was this girl and the smell of her lovely skin and the way her eyes sparkled and the way her voice tickled his ears when she spoke next to his face.

  He grabbed a blanket, just in case, although it was still sweltering outside. When he returned, she was fully stretched out on the cushion, but she folded her legs enough for him to sit.

  “Look.” She pointed to the bushes.

  Little sparkles of light flew in circles around the roses. “Fireflies again,” he said.

  “I was thinking of the night we spent in the car,” Julia said.

  “Trapped on a hill.”

  “Drinking wine, just like this,” she said, sitting up and taking a glass from his hands. “We seem to go in circles, just like these fireflies.”

  “I like going in circles with you,” he said, filling the glasses.

  “It’s all an illusion. A dream we’re both having. No real lives or responsibilities. You have to be back to work soon. And I have to figure out the rest of my trip, finding my mother, and then return to my boring, lonely life.”

  “Your life can’t be that lonely, if you are a teacher.”

  “If I’m not at school, I’m always by myself.”

  “Don’t you have someone?”

  “Do I date? I had a boyfriend for a while. But he gave up on the relationship. Who can blame him? Why would anyone want to stay with a woman chained to an old dying mother?”

  “If you love a person, you take whatever comes with them, right?” He pulled her toward him and wrapped his arm around her. She fit perfectly into his chest, as he’d predicted she would.

  “Well, he didn’t love me enough.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t be. It’s all behind me now. I’m in beautiful Italia. What about you?”

  “What about me?”

  “Do you have someone?” She winked. “Besides the A-cup you dated in Rome.”

  “Jessica? No. I told you—she was hardly even a girlfriend. The truth of it is, I don’t think I make a great partner. I quite enjoy working and being with my family, and I don’t so much enjoy being told what to do by a girlfriend.”

  “That’s not how relationships work.”

  “Tell that to my last three girlfriends.”

  “No, thanks.” She laughed. “Do you have good friends you spend time with?”

  “Oh, yes. Cambridge friends. Work friends. Old school friends. A few guys from my apartment building I watch football with.”

  “So you are never alone, I guess.”

  “No. Don’t you have friends to spend time with?”

  “My friends are married and have young children to take care of. But yes, I have a few I can grab a coffee with. Mainly because they hope to talk me into babysitting. Nothing like a single friend to trap into watching your kids. More wine, please.” She held her glass out to him. “Don’t you just love sitting out at night? So quiet.”

  “Quiet? What about all the crickets?” He stood up to pour the wine.

  “It’s the music of nature.”

  “So they’re serenading us?”

  She looked at him, her brows raised. “Serenading? Are you back
to Shakespeare?”

  “Sure.” He set his glass down on a small table and stretched his arms to the sky theatrically.

  “Stars, hide your fires. Let not light see my black and deep desires.”

  Julia laughed. “And what would be your black and deep desires?”

  “To have you naked in my bed right now.”

  He was pleased to see her blush, visible even in the dark of the night.

  “You are persistent, I’ll give you that.”

  He sat back down next to her, aching to hold her again. “I was joking.” He took out his phone. “Here, let’s get a better serenade than cicadas and my poor attempts at Shakespeare.” He pushed a button. “Perfect.”

  His favorite Laura Pausini song echoed through the night. He kissed Julia’s cheek.

  “What is this song? It’s lovely.”

  “Italian pop. It fits the mood, don’t you think? ‘La Solitudine’ by Laura Pausini.”

  He snuggled her closer. “All right, jokes aside, my black and deep desire is to quit my job.”

  “Seriously?”

  “Yes. Being here, in this old house, seeing the amazing work Gian and Mandy have done, more than ever I’m convinced I want to abandon modern architecture. But I can’t imagine walking away from years I’ve put into my firm, either.”

  “Well, you are young. You can start over.”

  “What one desires is not quite what one should do. Read nothing into it. What’s your black and deep desire?”

  Julia narrowed her eyes. “A woman never shares her black and deep desires.”

  “Cheater! I shared mine.”

  She laughed and then rewarded his honesty by turning her head and planting a kiss on his lips. He grabbed the blanket and placed it around them, the wind getting chillier now. They rocked back and forth in the swing and watched fireflies, talking until he realized she was no longer listening, but rather sleeping peacefully in his arms. It didn’t matter. He could’ve held her for all eternity.

  Chapter 19

  Julia woke with a start, trapped by something heavy. Daniel. She’d spent the night on the swing, wrapped in Daniel’s arms. She struggled to shake the last of her sleep and slowly looked around. The sun was beginning to come up on the horizon, its rays turning the valley and the vineyard below different shades of gold. She didn’t remember falling asleep, just gently rocking with Daniel stroking her arm until it all seemed a sweet dream. Was it all a dream? The evening at the castle, Daniel’s kisses, his warm body behind her?

  She was tempted to go back to sleep, wrapped in the blanket with this big warm man next to her, until she looked back at the house and realized they were in plain view of many of the residents and guests.

  “Daniel, wake up,” she called out. She tried to untangle herself from his strong arms, but he only hugged tighter.

  “Just a minute,” he whispered sleepily, finally moving his arms.

  Oh, no, people would walk out and see them out there, together. A part of her strangely didn’t mind.

  Julia blamed her Italian mother she had never met.

  For everything.

  For the sunset she’d watched at the castle, that she refused to admit to Daniel was the best she had ever seen. For the man who held her all night and respectfully never asked her to have sex with him again. For the love she had developed for this place, with Daniel’s family being so kind and welcoming. Something must be in her genes. Otherwise, why would she be so in love with it all?

  A warm hand rubbed her back. “Good morning.”

  “Good morning. We have to get inside,” she said, turning.

  “No hurry.” Daniel stretched his arms, then legs.

  “Everyone will be up soon, Daniel.” Julia finally was free, and she got up and stretched.

  “They’re up already. It’s a farm. They start their day rather early.”

  “What will they think of me?” Julia was mortified. She looked up at the windows of the house. The guests were surely still sleeping. “Whose windows face the pool? When they see me, sleeping out in the yard with you, like…”

  “Like what?”

  “Like your other girls. Women. Whatever.”

  “I don’t make a habit of bringing women here. Or sleeping outside with them.”

  “Well, I’m sure I’m not the first. I’m going to my room.” She ran up the path, her heart in her throat. What if she bumped into Francesca on the way?

  “Wait, Julia, it’s not like that for me,” he called after her.

  She ignored him and ran all the way to her room, luckily avoiding his family. Once safely behind doors, she sat in the armchair, thoughts swirling. Why did he have such an effect on her? One moment, she wanted to kiss him and be held by him, and in another, she was furious with him and wanted him away from her. It was the wine. No, it was her lack of experience with men. She was hopeless. She had no clue how to have a normal relationship. Going on blind dates a few times with jerks didn’t count. And her ex-boyfriend Jeff didn’t even count. He was a man from work, as lonely as she was. He would’ve settled for anyone.

  Julia got up and ran the shower. Her entire body smelled of Daniel. She let the steamy water run over her for the longest time, until she no longer smelled him. But it was no use. She missed him already. She hadn’t realized how lonely she’d been until she had his company. Dad was right. She only stole the dog because she was lonely. She was pathetic. A pathetic geography teacher, who was lonely in a shower in the most beautiful place in Italy.

  As she got dressed, the sounds of the estate grew louder. The guests were arriving and departing. It would clearly be a busy day. She’d better see if she could be useful, if she wanted to hang around another day. A small voice whispered in her ear that she had a plan for her vacation and none of it included hanging in the hills of Tuscany, but Julia squashed it.

  The only voice she wanted to hear was Daniel’s. Julia had to stop herself from running to him. She had just rushed away, saying something rather stupid about other women. She’d lost all control of her words and emotions. Her heartbeat fluttered, like the butterflies in the garden, in anticipation of seeing him.

  It was clear even to the inexperienced Julia that she was smitten.

  “He is not here, mia cara amica.” Francesca looked up from peeling potatoes, smiling, when Julia entered the kitchen.

  “I’m only getting breakfast.”

  “Amore, it’s okay. Fall in love, enjoy your life. You are young. Daniel is a nice boy.”

  “You are his family. You have to like him,” Julia said, sitting down and taking a knife to help with the peeling.

  “Look, I know amore. Many years ago, when I am young, I love someone. I never forget. I do not love anyone else.” She spit on the floor. “Stronzo! He promise to marry me, but then he marry my friend.”

  “No! I’m so sorry.” Julia squeezed the old woman’s hand.

  “Si. Daniel, he is no like that. He love his mother. And his sister. He is kind. He take care of you. He help and work hard.”

  “But Francesca, Daniel and I are not trying to be together. I’m only here on vacation. I go back to Texas soon. And I’ll never see him again. We’re wrong for each other.”

  “Never know. Never know.”

  They finished peeling potatoes and shared an espresso. There was still no sign of Daniel, and Julia fidgeted. What if he avoided her all day? Should she leave then? It would be too awkward for her to hang around his family all day.

  “Francesca, Francesca!” Gian yelled outside the window. “Dobbiamo andare all’ospedale!”

  “Dio Santo. What is wrong?” Francesca gave Julia a worried look and beckoned her to follow.

  As they ran out to the driveway, the emergency became clear when they saw Mandy was tucking Mia into the back seat of the car.

  “What’s wrong, Mandy?” Julia asked.

  “She is burning up with fever. I’m afraid she’s got an infection. We’re driving her to the hospital.”

  Gian
started the car.

  “Should I come with you? I don’t know where Daniel is,” Julia asked.

  “Oh no, it’s unnecessary. Please stay and enjoy the estate. Francesca could use help, I’m sure, and I’ve asked Daniel to help with some things.”

  Daniel ran out into the driveway as Gian sped out. “What’s the matter?”

  “Mia is running a fever. Your sister and Gian are rushing her back to the hospital.”

  “What? Why didn’t they wait for me?” His face scrunched with worry. He looked around helplessly. “Francesca, why did you let them leave without me?”

  “Daniel, they were in a hurry. And they need help running things here, I think,” Julia said.

  Daniel paced in agitation. “I can’t be here if Mia is ill. I’ll go mental with worry.”

  Julia placed a hand on his shoulder. “You can drive after them, if it helps.”

  “No, no,” Francesca said. “We help here. Mia need her Mamma and Papy, not Daniel. We have many guests and much work.”

  He lifted his head and looked at her. “Fine. Let’s wait for some news, and then we’ll see. Mandy gave me a list of chores to do. What have you been up to?”

  “Peeling potatoes with Francesca.”

  “So they got us both working today, huh? And you worried this was all a vacation away from real responsibilities? How would you like to come help me paint the guesthouse for my mum until Mandy calls?”

  “Why not?” She shrugged.

  He took her hand and whispered, “Thank you.”

  “For what?”

  “For being wonderful. For last night.”

  She felt the color creeping up her neck and spreading to her cheeks. Standing in the middle of the driveway with Daniel holding her hand was awkward. Thinking of her feelings for him was even more awkward. She pulled away her hand.

  “Let’s go take care of the painting, then.”

  They carried the supplies from the shed to the guesthouse in a barrel and got started. Daniel swiftly removed the trunks with the rotten costumes out to the trash, and Julia opened the windows to air out the place. It was a lovely set of three rooms: a bedroom, a living room, and a small dining room with a stove, a sink, and a refrigerator. Daniel’s mom must enjoy the privacy when she comes here, Julia thought. The furnishings were old but beautifully carved.