Romancing the Wine: A Boxed Set of 9 Newest Novellas from Award-Winning Authors

by Jan Moran

  “We have the DVD.” She turned to Vincenzo. “Do you think we can watch it after dinner?”

  “Wonderful! Olivia loves fairy tales. Don’t you, Pipsqueak?”

  Olivia clapped her hands.

  Mina sat on the armrest of the love seat. “I’m starving. Is dinner ready?”

  Vincenzo stood, bouncing Olivia in the air and placing her on the couch. “Yes, I believe dinner is ready.” He sauntered in the kitchen and, taking the top off the saucepan, inhaled. “Smells delicious. A tavola.” He dumped the contents of the pot in a deep serving dish and placed it in the middle of the table. “A tavola, everyone. It’s time to taste Vincenzo’s chicken cacciatore.” He sat Olivia on a booster chair and served his guests then deboned a thigh for Olivia, placing olives and capers on her dish with some mixed salad.

  Olivia twisted her mouth and pushed the dish away. “No eat. Olivia bar.”

  “No, this is dinner time not snack time.” Vincenzo leaned over, speared a small piece of chicken, and moved it near her mouth.

  Olivia took the bite. She chewed, swallowed, and yelled out, “More.”

  Chapter 24

  Alicia

  The fresh morning air of the vineyard invigorated Alicia. She leaned forward in the saddle and petted Devil’s neck. “I wish you could help me. I don’t know how to approach Nonno. Vincenzo thinks he’s trying to set us up to fall in love. I just don’t know.” Straightening, she urged him into a gallop toward the stables.

  Did Nonno see love in Vinnie’s eyes? Why else would he play matchmaker? She never believed him to be the kind of man to push arranged marriages. He detested the idea.

  When Devil came to a stop, she jumped off and leaving him in the care of the stable boy, she barged into the house in search of her granddad. The small heels of her riding boots clacking on the marbled foyer, she marched into his study without knocking to find him standing near the window, gazing out. With his hands clasped behind his back, he turned to stare at her with furrowed brows.

  “What’s the meaning of this?” Anger smoked from his nostrils. Seeing her, his brow smooth over and he relaxed. “What’s wrong?”

  “We need to talk, an honest-to-goodness talk.”

  “Come, let’s sit down.” They sat on the leather couch facing the fireplace. He reached out and took her hand in his. “What’s bothering you?”

  She gazed into his eyes. “Please answer me truthfully. Are you playing matchmaker?”

  The warm smile spreading on his face surprised her. “My dear, I would never gamble with your life. You are too precious to me.” He squeezed her hand and pulled her into his embrace. “Did I mistake your glances? Or the way he stares at you when you aren’t looking? Did I imagine the feelings growing in both of you for each other?”

  Her mouth went dry. “How did you see all these things if I’m just realizing how I still feel about him?”

  He laughed. “Experience.”

  “What was the meeting with Mr. Grassi all about?”

  “I’m buying time for the two of you to acknowledge your feelings for each other.”

  “But the vineyard will be mine not Vincenzo’s.” She kissed his cheek.

  “Your children will bear the Grassi name.”

  “And the man is willing to wait for his grandchildren to change the name of the vineyard?”

  Her granddad let out another burst of laughter. “My dear, by then he’ll either be too old to care or six feet under.” He leaned his head against hers. “It will be up to the new generation to determine if a name change is in order.”

  She wrapped her arms around his neck in a warm hug. “What if Vincenzo and I don’t work out? You do realize he abandoned me with no explanation before.”

  “I did realize he was the boy who broke your heart first year of college, but I also see the expression you try so hard to hide. I don’t know the details of what went on between the two of you, but what is apparent now is the love I see in both of you for each other. Can you deny it, my dear?”

  “Again, what if we don’t work out?”

  “We’ll take it one step at a time. Right now, you need to concentrate and figure out how you feel about the boy.” He pulled away and stood, helping her to her feet. “Go work on your relationship because, at the end of summer, you will be returning to college for your senior year.”

  “If we don’t work out, are you going to keep him as one of your accountants?”

  He folded his arms, rocking on his heels. “Vincenzo is an honest boy with a tender heart. Yes, I’m going to keep him, and he will become my trusted bookkeeper. You still haven’t understood I keep him close to me because I trust him and he will keep all others under check.” He patted her check. “Now, run along and take care of whatever it is you do on your own time.”

  She walked out and closed the door. Leaning on it, she wondered what she should do.

  ~*~

  Dressed for dinner, Alicia headed downstairs. In the seating room, she found her mother and sister in deep conversation. She sat on the coffee table, facing them both. “What are you discussing in such hush-hush tones?”

  “Wouldn’t you like to know?” Mina laughed, rubbing her hands together.

  Mother gazed at Alicia. “Your silly sister was telling me all about Olivia. Seems she is very taken with the child.”

  “Did you go see her again today?” Alicia’s brow shot up. More likely she went there to ogle Vincenzo.

  “And why shouldn’t I? After all, I’m on summer break.”

  Alicia turned to her mother. “Shouldn’t she be getting a job?”

  “Don’t you think you should mind your own business?” Mina spat.

  “Stop your bickering before your grandfather comes in. You know how he doesn’t like to see you fight.”

  Alicia moved away and sat on an armchair at the other end of the room.

  “Good riddance,” Mina yelled after her.

  Alicia tightened her lips and stared at the door, hoping Nonno would walk in soon. Why did her mother behave so lenient toward Mina? Mother pampered Mina to no end. Dear God! Am I jealous?

  No. She wouldn’t change her life for anything in the world.

  A hand squeezed her shoulder. “A penny for your thoughts,” Nonno said.

  She smiled and shook her head. She slipped her hand in his, standing. “What do you think of my new dress?”

  He eyed her. His bushy brows came together and he tightened his lips. With his free hand he tugged at his ear. “Why do you women love dressing in black all the time? It’s summer for goodness sakes.”

  “Black makes women appear more slender—”

  “You already look like a sardine. How much skinnier do you want to look?”

  Alicia laughed. “You know what they say, ‘You can never be too thin, or too rich.’” Vincenzo arrived and they moved to the dining room.

  One side of his mouth curled, his eyes shone in admiration. “You look stunning.”

  Heat rose to her cheeks. “It’s a gift from Nonno.” She rested her hand on the arm he offered.

  “If Olivia knew I came over, she’d never have let me leave without her.” He caressed her fingers. “She’s really taken by your sister.”

  “She does have a lot of energy.”

  After dinner, leaning on Vincenzo’s arm, they went for a stroll in the garden.

  “It’s so peaceful this time of evening.” She moved closer to him. “So, my grandfather confessed he’s playing matchmaker. He made me uncomfortable with some of the things he’s observed.”

  Vincenzo stopped to face her. “Does it bother you I love you?”

  Her heart stopped beating for an infinitesimal moment before accelerating, pounding hard against her ribs. “He loves me.” The whispered words choked in her throat. He abandoned me once, would he do it again?

  “The one reason I introduced you to Olivia.”

  Confusion fluttered through her mind.

  He pulled her real close and lowered his lips on he
rs. A gentle kiss at first, becoming more insistent with time, until he found his way in to explore her mouth. When his fingers found their way into her hair at the nape, she moaned, wrapping her arms around his neck. He released her. “Yes, I’m in love with you, Alicia Contrino.” His warm breath tickled her nose.

  “I need more time….” Could she trust him again with her heart?

  “Take all the time you need. I’m not going anywhere this time.” The breath of the last two words puffed at the top of her hair.

  Returning to the gathering room, her granddad had opened two bottles of wine, a Pinot Noir and a Sauvignon Blanc. He was pouring wine in a flute when they came through the open French doors. Passing by, he offered a crystal stemware of Pinot Noir to Vincenzo and a Sauvignon Blanc to her.

  “Thanks,” she said, taking the glass. She sat on the sofa and placed the flute on the coffee table. When she went to retrieve it, she knocked her glass and Vincenzo’s, spilling wine.

  As the wines mixed together, Mina said, “They make such a pretty color together.”

  “Spilling wine brings good fortune,” Nonno added, beaming.

  Chapter 25

  Vincenzo

  Vincenzo stared at the rose color forming from his Pinot Noir and Alicia’s Sauvignon Blanc, a good omen. Even the wines joined them together. He glanced at Alicia. What are you thinking, woman?

  Mrs. Contrino stood.

  “Where are you going, my dear?” Granddad asked her.

  “To grab some paper towels and clean the mess.”

  “Mr. French should be here in…. Here he is.”

  The butler came in with towels and water and cleaned the coffee table. “Will there be anything else, sir?”

  “That’ll be all. Thank you, Mr. French.”

  “No harm done,” Mrs. Contrino said, sitting down.

  Mr. Contrino refilled the glasses. His eyes twinkled in a most satisfying way as he tried to hide the smile threatening to break through. The man was incorrigible.

  Mina yawned, stretched, and stood. “I’m going to my room. You guys are so boring.” Walking past Vincenzo, she let out an audible sigh of defeat while she checked out his body. The poor girl still crushed on him. He watched her drag herself out of the room.

  Sitting next to Alicia, he took her hand in his. She squeezed his and he leaned his head closer to hers. The pleasant evening came to an end all too soon.

  Vincenzo stood. “Good night.” He left for his apartment.

  Trying not to make too much noise, he unlocked the door and stepped into his home, closing the door. Mother, lounging on the couch, read one of her fashion magazines. He hadn’t expected to be home so late nor had he expected to find his mother awake. He hoped she hadn’t stayed up because of some bad news about his father. It amazed him Dad hadn’t stopped his notorious plans to take over the Contrino vineyards after she threatened him with divorce. “Sorry for being so late, Ma.” He kissed her cheek. “What are you still doing up?” Glancing at his watch, he refrained from whistling. It said ten past midnight. His mother was always in bed no later than eleven.

  “A mother never stops worrying about her children. I’ve been wondering how things went with Alicia tonight.” Swinging her legs off the couch, she placed the magazine on the coffee table and patted the space next to her. Vincenzo sat down. “Did you have an opportunity to talk to her?”

  “I did tell her how I feel, but it’s going to take time. I messed up, and now she has trust issues.”

  “You can’t blame her. But was she receptive?”

  “I think so, but really can’t tell. She needs time to sort things out.”

  “What about Mr. Contrino? Have you figured out what’s going on in his head? Your father seems to think the vineyard is already his.”

  Vincenzo leaned forward, elbows on knees, and buried his face in his hands. “Ma, he’s waiting to see what happens between Alicia and me….” He glanced over, watching a smile grow on her face. “What? Did you have another fight with Dad?”

  “Don’t you worry about us. Sometimes, your father needs a little reminder that marriage is a two-way street. I don’t bend to his will just because he wants it.”

  “You fought about me, didn’t you?”

  “The man needs a good scare, and my threat to leave for good is real. I won’t stand by while he tries to destroy innocent lives—”

  “Mom, you didn’t have to fight with him for me—”

  “You stop right there. I’m tired of your father playing god. Through the years, all we ever fight about is his stubbornness. Just because he wants it, he feels everyone should bend their knee and oblige. I have a will, a personality, needs, and wants, just like he does.” She reached over, caressed his cheek. “Always remember to treat your girlfriend, wife, whatever the case may be, with respect and kindness. Be considerate of her feelings, of her needs, of the things she wants in life. Don’t ever be selfish like your father. I taught you better.”

  Vincenzo leaned close and kissed her cheek. “I promise, I’ll never be that way again, Mom.” He stood and pulled her to her feet. “Come on, it’s time for bed.”

  “I can sleep on the couch. You have to go to work. Go sleep in your bed.”

  “Ma, the couch opens into a bed. Don’t argue with me at this hour. I’m too tired. You need privacy more than I do.” He walked away, coming back with a comforter on his arms. “Now, go to my room and get in bed.” The finality of his tone seemed to sink in. She kissed him goodnight and headed for the master bedroom. Every night since she moved in, he’d had to argue with her to use his bed. She’s just as stubborn as Dad.

  In the morning, the smell of fresh-brewed espresso woke him up. The wonderful aroma swirling around his nostrils became irresistible, and, throwing the sheets aside, he jumped to his feet and dragged himself to the kitchen area. “Good morning, Ma.” He kissed her cheek and then grabbed a demitasse. Seeing her fussing near the stove, he asked, “What are you making?”

  “Nothing much, just some scrambled eggs with toast.” She opened the refrigerator. “I’m going to need to go get more butter and jam. We’re almost out.”

  He showed her where he kept a generous supply of the butter, in the back of the freezer, hard as rocks. Afterward, he moved to the pantry, digging through the bottom shelf. “Here’s blueberry preserves.”

  Ma took the glass jar. “Good. I see many of your groceries are organic, that’s what’s healthy for Olivia.”

  Pitter-patter came toward the kitchen. “Nonna?” She ran the rest of the way to hug her grandmother’s legs. Mom picked her up and gave her a big hug before putting her down. Olivia shuffled to Daddy. “Up,” she said, raising her arms.

  Vincenzo picked her up. “How did Olivia get out of the crib by herself?” He examined her face for any bruises.

  “Jump,” she said, squealing and clapping her hands.

  “Is Olivia going to eat Nonna’s wonderful breakfast?”

  “Hungy.”

  “Good. Nonna, Olivia is hungry,” he said, dancing to the dining table and twirling a few times before sitting Olivia on her booster seat. He then went to the kitchen to help dish the food and carry the espresso pot. “Ma, from now on we need to keep the crib bars down so she won’t hurt herself, at least until I disassemble the crib bar and attach the smaller ones turning it into a toddler bed.”

  “They have this really cute princess one at the store. I can go get it today, and we won’t have to wait for you to do anything to the crib except take it down?”

  It was good to have Mom around and not have to scramble in the morning to make sure Olivia had a nutritional breakfast before hurrying off to work. “Then it’s settled, you and Olivia will get the toddler bed today.”

  Ma nodded. Sitting down and laying the paper napkin on her lap, she said, “I was thinking to take her to the children’s museum at Short Pump. She usually loves to go play there and purchasing the bed shouldn’t take much time.”

  “I love your energy.” Vincenz
o reached over and squeezed her hand. With the last bite in his mouth, he drained his coffee and stood. “I need to hurry before I’m late for work.”

  Olivia’s faint words reached him. “Nonna, more.” She always ate so much better with Nonna who didn’t rush her, but he couldn’t help it, he had a job.

  ~*~

  Arriving just in time, he stepped out of the elevator and into the receptionist area with two minutes to spare.

  “Good morning, Vincenzo,” John greeted him. “I’m going to make coffee. Can I bring you a mug?”

  “Yes, thank you. Is Alicia here already?”

  John stood. “Yes, she’s in her office.” He went to the mini kitchen to brew coffee.

  Vincenzo went to his office and took his jacket off then strode to Alicia’s office, knocking on the open door. “Good morning.”

  She looked up. “Good morning.” Her smile filled his heart with joy.

  “How many more hands did your grandfather hire on the vineyard?”

  “Four. This year the vines are producing more grapes. It’s going to be exciting for you in September. Too bad I won’t be here this year.”

  “When are you leaving for school?”

  “The last week in August.”

  He sank onto one of the chairs in front of her desk. “You still have time.”

  She raised an eyebrow. “I don’t rely on time because it seems to go by faster with the passing of years.”

  “It’s because we have no time to get bored anymore.”

  She laughed. “Isn’t that the truth?”

  Vincenzo loved being in her company so much, he dreaded having to get up and go to work, but duty and the books called. He stood. “Will you have lunch with me today?”

  Hesitation loomed in her eyes. “Sure.”

  Chapter 26

  Vincenzo

  Vincenzo whistled the tune “Just The Way You Are” as he splashed Alicia’s favorite aftershave on his face. He’d helped his mother move back to the house and had also packed all of Olivia’s things, letting her take the child with her. This gave him a few nights to be alone with Alicia before returning to his paternal home to make life easier for his little Oli and his mother who would continue to take care of her. His mother’s actions to push his father to do the right thing grew his appreciation for her and her ethics. He loved his mother all the more for standing up for what she believed. Yet, she never raised her voice or got in his face. Kudos to you, Mom. He sighed. Thank God they worked out their differences. It would have killed his dad if she had left him for good. Glancing at his watch, he realized he’d run out of time. She would be here in less than fifteen minutes.