“Vito’s been awake since four.”
“Ric finished off his three o’clock bottle and fussed off and on until ten minutes ago. He’s sleeping, but before long he’ll wake up looking for you. I don’t want to live through another day like yesterday.”
“I—I talked to Rini,” she stammered. “He thinks getting the babies together is a mistake, but he said he’d support me in whatever decision I make. If you meant it, I’ll take you up on your invitation to stay with you for a few days.”
“You just said the words that saved my life. Ric and I will come for you. I should be there by 10 a.m.”
“We’ll be ready.”
“A presto, Valentina.”
After rushing to shower and wash her hair, she dressed in another blouse and skirt. Next she got busy packing for herself and some of the outfits she’d bought for Ric. Bianca was in the kitchen when Valentina went downstairs and poured herself a cup of coffee.
The first thing she needed to do was phone Rini. His voice mail was on. She left the message that she would be in Ravello and be staying for several nights. “Call me anytime, Rini. Love you,” she said before hanging up, then drank most of the hot liquid.
“How can I help you?”
“I’ve got everything packed, Bianca. Thank you so much for all you do. You’ve been wonderful. All I can hope is that this experiment will help the four of us get acquainted. Hopefully the next time Signor Laurito brings me and Vito home, my baby won’t be so unhappy.”
She kissed Bianca’s cheek and carried a suitcase and the diaper bag to the front door.
When she went back up to the nursery, Vito was crying again. She dressed him in another outfit and put him in the carry-cot with the blue-and-white quilt Giovanni had bought him with one of Mondrian’s composition-type designs. He had wonderful taste.
“In just a minute you’re going to be with your papà, Vito.” She kissed his hot cheeks and carried him downstairs to the foyer.
Bianca had already opened the door. “The signor has arrived.”
Yes. He certainly had. Today he’d come dressed in a white polo crewneck and jeans that molded to his powerful thighs. To her chagrin she realized she felt an excitement that didn’t have anything to do with getting the children together. The man himself stood a class apart from other men. She’d scoffed all her life about the idea of love at first sight, but she hadn’t met Giovanni...
For the first time in her life she’d been struck by a physical and emotional attraction so strong, she astounded herself. The fact that he was Ric’s father only added to the attraction.
“Buongiorno, Valentina.”
“Ciao! It has to be a better day than yesterday.”
“Is there any doubt?”
No. There wasn’t, not now that he was here.
She felt his jet-black eyes wander over her, bringing heat to her cheeks, before he picked up the carry-cot and gave Vito a kiss. She followed with the suitcase and diaper bag. Once he’d settled Vito in the car seat, he stowed everything else in the trunk.
Valentina would have opened the rear door to give Ric a kiss, but caught herself in time. He wasn’t crying right now. If he didn’t see her, that would be better. She climbed in front and fastened the seat belt without a struggle.
“I see a smile on your face.”
Valentina studied his rugged male profile. “Almost three weeks ago I struggled to get the seat belt around me on my way to the hospital.”
Before he started the car he said, “No one would ever know you gave birth less than a month ago.”
“Though you’re a liar, I thank you.”
His kind of deep male laughter excited her. He drove them out to the road leading to the coastal highway headed for Ravello. “Have you noticed there’s no noise coming from the backseat?”
“Yes. I’m afraid to talk about it for fear I’ll break the spell.”
“Both my sisters have told me that when their children were babies, they often took them for a drive to get them to sleep.”
Valentina nodded. “I heard the same thing from my sister-in-law. Since it’s working right now, I couldn’t be happier.”
They followed the Amalfi Coast road beneath a golden Mediterranean sun. The car meandered five hundred meters above a turquoise sea. She could smell the fragrance from the lemon groves. Around each curb perched pastel-hued villas on the mountainside. No sight on earth could match it.
“You’ve got another smile on your face.” He noticed everything.
“Though I was born and raised in Naples, I’ve always thought this is the most beautiful place on earth.”
Giovanni nodded. “The locals call it ‘the footpaths of the gods.’ In my teens I rode my bike here with some friends from Naples. When we reached Ravello, I decided it was where I would live one day. Naples has a stifling effect on me.”
“You’re like Rinieri, who’s also allergic to the crowded city. Early on he loved to rock climb and dive with his friends. They explored the Amalfi Coast and climbed to the top of the cliffs. He saw the turn-of-the-last-century villa he lives in now and decided he’d buy it one day. I never saw anyone work so hard to make that dream a reality.” She looked away from him. “You must be a workhorse, too.”
By now they’d reached the town of Amalfi. To Valentina it was a beguiling combination of mountains plunging to the sea with crags of picturesque villas and lush forests that took her breath.
“You’ve just described my ex-wife’s reason for wanting a divorce.” The unexpected revelation could explain one of the major reasons why their marriage had failed, but there had to be more to it than that. “Now that I have a son to raise, I’ve got to take another look at my life. I don’t want him to grow up accusing me of never being there for him.”
She bit her lip. “Was your father absent a lot?”
“Almost constantly. I see him more at work.”
“I grew up in a family where the men were married to their work. Having observed my brothers, it’s apparent to me that successful men have a hard time balancing their lives. Business has a way of consuming them.”
“But it shouldn’t,” he bit out. “Since I’m going to be raising Ric alone, I’m going to have to change the way I do business.”
“The fact that you want to be a more involved father is commendable.”
He darted her a glance. “But you’re not holding your breath.”
“You’ve already been an amazing father to Vito or he would never have cried his heart out when he had to leave you. At the park his eyes followed you every second. Your bond with him is so strong, I’ll admit I’ve been jealous.”
“Then it shouldn’t shock you that I’ve felt the same way about Ric’s attachment to you. But if our plan works, our problems will go away.”
Heaven willing. “Does your family know I’ll be staying with you for a few days?”
“No. I’ve decided to proceed on a need-to-know basis. Of course, everyone knows about the switch.”
“Are you worried that my staying with you will get back to your ex-wife?”
“Not at all, but for the time being it’s no one else’s business. My two older sisters have a bad habit of getting nosy.”
Valentina chuckled. “My family is like that, too.”
“Then we understand each other.”
“Definitely.”
“I take it your brother knows you’re here with me.”
“Yes. We talked last night.”
CHAPTER FOUR
GIOVANNI DIDN’T COMMENT. Instead he made a left turn onto another road that climbed higher up the mountain. At the top sprawled the refined jewel town of Ravello with its dreamy gardens and magnificent views. Royals as well as composers like Wagner had stayed in the spectacular villas dotting the landsc
ape. Valentina could understand why.
They kept climbing through a grove of green olive and lemon trees. He slowed down at the side of a stunning two-story white villa with burnt red tiles built in the Mediterranean style. Pale blue shutters adorned the windows. She’d thought there could be nothing more fabulous than her brother’s ochre colored villa, but this place was spectacular.
Deep purple and red bougainvillea draped over the several terraces. A rock garden with palm trees formed a backdrop for the rectangular swimming pool. The profusion of flowers created poetry of such perfection, she wished she were an artist. Turning toward the sea, she gasped softly. “You live in heaven, Giovanni.”
“That’s what I thought when I first explored this spot years ago.”
“Your darling Ric will grow up in a virtual wonderland.”
Giovanni shut off the engine and levered himself from the car with a masculine grace he wasn’t aware of. She slid out her side and they both opened the rear doors to get the children. Ric was still asleep, but Vito had awakened. His gaze fastened on Giovanni.
She smiled at him. “See how he searches for you?”
While he kissed her son, she plucked Ric from the car seat and followed his father across a patio into a fabulous sunroom. She gasped softly. It was circular in design with a tall ceiling and tall rounded windows filled with light that looked out on the gardens and sea below.
He kept moving through the breathtaking house to the curving staircase inlaid with stone tiles, enhancing the earth-toned colors of the surrounding landscape. Once they reached the second floor, he walked down a hall with a balustrade that overlooked a portion of the villa below.
“Your room is right here with its en suite bathroom.” He opened the door and they entered a bedroom on the right. The moment she entered, she fell in love with the decor: oranges and yellows with cream walls and dark timbers overhead. An old armoire and an antique queen-size bed delighted her.
Over in another corner she spied a beautiful walnut crib all made up for the baby. She turned to him. “When did you get this?”
“After you phoned me this morning, I asked Paolo to run into town and get one that matches Ric’s. He bought all the things to go with it. While I was gone, he put it together.
“As you know, he and his wife are here temporarily, looking after the house. They fell in love with Vito and now they love Ric.”
“That’s because he’s made in your image,” she broke in on him. Ric was still asleep. One day he’d be a heartbreaker like his arresting father.
“I’ll bring up your things from the car and be right back.”
She put Ric on the bed and changed his diaper, and then explored the room. The dresser had a hand-painted flowered design in the citrus tones. On the wall above the dresser was a large reproduction of the Procession of the Magi in marvelous colors, a famous fresco by Gozzoli. If Giovanni was the one who chose the art work, then it told her he was a man with many admirable facets, not the least of which were his parenting skills.
To think Matteo didn’t even want to be told when the baby was born. For whatever deep-seated reason, Giovanni’s ex-wife hadn’t wanted to see her son. Both parents were missing out on the greatest joy of life and didn’t know it.
Giovanni was still holding Vito when he arrived with her suitcase and purse. “Bring Ric with you and I’ll show you the nursery. It adjoins my room.”
She picked up the baby and followed him down the hall past the staircase. His room was clearly a man’s bedroom. Through the open paneled doors she could see the charming nursery and an adult rocking chair.
The crib had a cute mobile of colorful fish. “How darling!”
“My mother helped decorate.”
“It’s wonderful.”
He put Vito in the crib and changed him. Out of the corner of her eye she saw a minifridge propped against the wall to hold the bottles. With Ric in the crook of her arm, she looked at the baby furniture and stuffed animals. She loved the little walnut rocking chair with Giovanni the Bear sitting inside it. In the bookcase several baby books were displayed, including her favorite, Papa Piccolo, the Cat.
“Oh, look, Ric. Elmer the Patchwork Elephant!” She drew it from the shelf and showed it to him. The toy seemed to distract him. “He’s pink and yellow and blue. And he’s soft.” She nudged his cheek with it, then walked over to the mobile and wound up the little music box. It started to turn and played “Giro Giro Tondo,” a cute tune. Both babies watched the little fish go round and round. The music stimulated them and their bodies grew animated.
“You’ve learned to like that, haven’t you, sweetheart.” She kissed Ric’s neck and cheek.
Giovanni’s smile filled her universe with sunshine. He moved closer. In a low voice he said, “Do you know how great it is to be in here with no noise except the sound of the music box?”
Her heart pounded hard in her chest. With the stress lines gone from his striking face, he was too gorgeous. She averted her eyes before he could catch her staring at him.
“Stanzie has fixed lunch and served it on the table in the sunroom. Let’s take the children downstairs and put them in the playpen while we eat. There’s a bathroom off the sunroom where you can freshen up.”
Together the four of them left the nursery. “I love the layout of your home. How long have you lived here?” They started down the stairs.
“Three years. Tatania and I were married soon after.”
She followed him past the living and dining rooms to the sunroom and put Vito in the playpen. “I’ll be back in a minute.” Valentina found the bathroom and freshened up. Once she’d washed her hands, she returned to see Giovanni leaning over the playpen. He was talking to their sons who appeared to be listening to him. The precious moment seized her by the throat and she fought tears.
This plan to help their babies get used to the change was a good plan. Everyone was happier. He must have sensed her standing there and turned around. “I finally have a chance to welcome you. The boys have told me they’re glad to be here.”
Giovanni... “I am, too.” She was filled with so many new emotions bombarding her, she could hardly talk.
“Our plan is working, Valentina. You feel it, too. I know you do.”
How could she possibly deny it?
When she would have found her voice, an elegantly dressed woman probably in her fifties with dark hair appeared outside the screen of the open double doors of the sunroom. “Giovanni? May I come in? I’ve brought a toy for the baby.”
He looked over his shoulder. “Violeta— By all means, come in. I didn’t know you were coming.” In a few long strides he opened the screen door so she could enter.
“I tried to reach you, but your phone was on voice mail.” She handed him a gift bag.
“I’m afraid I was too busy with the babies to check my messages. Violeta Corleto, I’d like to introduce you to Valentina Montanari. She’s the mother whose baby was switched with mine and Tatania’s.”
The lovely older woman was obviously shocked to see Valentina there.
“How do you do, Signora Corleto?” Valentina crossed the expanse to shake her hand.
Ric’s grandmother studied her with unsmiling eyes. Then she looked at Giovanni for an explanation. “I don’t understand.”
“The babies grew hysterical when we made the first exchange, so we decided to get together for a few days in order for them to get used to both of us.”
Her dark brown eyes looked haunted. “I can’t believe the hospital allowed you to meet each other.”
“The hospital director handled things the best way he knew how. But the babies were so upset, Valentina and I sought each other out so we could comfort them.”
“My husband is suing the hospital for what has happened.”
Valentina took a steadying br
eath. “I heard your daughter had a hard time. Is she getting better?”
“Yes.”
“I’m so glad. The odds of both of us being in a crash on the way to the hospital are astronomical. We just have to be thankful the babies are fine and thriving.”
Giovanni picked up Ric and showed him to his ex-mother-in-law. “Valentina named him Ric.”
Tears filled the older woman’s eyes. “Oh, Giovanni—he looks so much like you and Tatania.” She touched his face, but Ric didn’t like it and his chin wobbled. “Tatania needs to see him. Once she does, she won’t be able to resist him.”
Instead of a response Giovanni asked, “Do you want to stay to lunch? Hold him? Valentina and I were just about to sit down.”
“No. I only came by to see him and bring a gift, but I’ve upset him. I’ll call you later.”
“Let me walk you out to your car.”
“I’m so glad we met,” Valentina called after her. She nodded and left. Valentina’s heart sank to her feet to see the sorrow on the face of Tatania’s mother. When Giovanni came back inside, she said, “I feel so sorry for her. There’ve been too many shocks.”
“You were very sweet to her, Valentina. Seeing her daughter in the baby made it all the more difficult to accept the fact that Tatania doesn’t want anything to do with Ric.”
“It’s so sad.”
“Time will heal the wounds.” He put Ric in the playpen. “Shall we eat? Stanzie is a great cook.”
The rest of the day and evening turned out to be pure pleasure as they ate and played with the babies.
“How did Stanzie and Paolo come to work for you?”
“It’s an interesting story. Their last name is Bruno.”
“You’re talking about the same Bruno as my brother.”
He nodded. “They managed an advertising agency for his uncle Ernesto,” he explained. “Over several years I often ate lunch with them while we discussed ideas to expand the advertising for Laurito’s. They’re some of my favorite people.
“But Ernesto wasn’t a visionary man and the business was failing. Paolo had some brilliant ideas. Unfortunately his uncle wouldn’t listen and it reached a point where he let them go.”
The Billionaire's Baby Swap Page 6