He embraces me again, giving me the softest kiss. He lightly brushes his lips with mine as his tongue darts inside. When he pulls back, I see his eyes are the slightest bit damp.
He smiles and puts his forefinger and thumb to my chin. “I love you so damned much.”
* * *
Hours later we are on the ground at San Francisco International Airport. Nick comes out of the cockpit smiling and sends a questioning look at Sal. Where upon Sal answers with no words–just a slight frown and a shake of his head.
“Chicken shit. Alrighty then, moving on,” Nick says, how was the flight? Was it as good for you as it was for me?”
My eyes dart between Sal and Nick. I shrug guessing it is some inside secret service joke.
“Yes,” I answer with a smile. “Very smooth flight, thank you”.
“Well, I hope everything was satisfactory and that you and Salvatore had a most memorable conference.”
“Nick!” Sal scolds.
I feel my face blush, but a giggle escapes my throat despite my embarrassment.
“All in good fun, mates! Enjoy your holiday. See you back here in five days.”
CHAPTER 20
Taking in the surrounding scenery as we drove through Napa and Sonoma, I feel as though I’ve left the country. Row after row of vineyards spread out along the hillsides. I point out some famous wineries: Robert Mondavi, Francis Ford Coppola. I point at Mumms when we drive by. I smile at Sal and he winks back.
Turning off the main road, we arrive at a gate and Sal taps in the code Joe gave him at the intercom station. The gates pop open. I spot a huge sign that has a wreath with a big wine-colored bow attached to it. AMICI Winery of Napa Valley.
I point–“Friends?” I ask.
“Very good, caro. Si. Joe and a friend of-a-his bought the place years ago. It was in shambles–they got it for a steal. They re-built and learned the business. They do alright.”
As we drive through I see all the vines are bare, the harvest is done. There are only a few hands cleaning up the fields. We pull around a huge horseshoe driveway and stop in front of the main house, which appears to be somewhat Victorian with a big, wide, front door.
“It’s beautiful,” I squeal. “I can’t wait to see what it looks like inside!”
Sal honks the horn and Joe comes flying out the front door. Sal gets out and the brothers hug.
Joe is the same height as Sal, just not as muscular. His hair is dark and cropped really short. I get out of the SUV and Joe eyes me.
With the same big smile as Sal’s, he yells, “Gracie! Finally, a face behind the voice on the phone!” He gives me a big hug that lifts me off my feet. “Welcome! Mary can’t wait to meet you!”
The brothers help their father out of the SUV and Joe gives Antonio a hug.
“Miss you, Pop. It’s been too long.” He pauses a minute, taking in the sight of us all, smiling as he does. I noticed all three men had the same chocolate brown eyes and big smile, Joe didn’t have a cleft chin, but he had the Patroni Roman nose.
Toby runs ahead of us towards the door. “Toby! I yell but he keeps going. “I’m sorry, he’s usually a good dog.” I say to Joe.
“Oh no he’s fine. Besides, he’s had a long day, right? And he probably senses Bridget.”
“Bridget?” I ask.
“Our golden doodle. Come in, come in! Mary is waiting.”
We enter through the door and we’re standing in a huge parlor with a fireplace. Cathedral ceilings house a bridge from the stairway that must lead to bedrooms. A huge Christmas tree stands in a corner and almost touches that bridge.
“I see the love of huge Christmas trees runs in the family,” I say to Sal with a grin. This one is even bigger than ours.
“Yes–it’s stupid big! A voice bellows from behind me. I turn around.
“Gracie!”
A tall slender blonde with a little bump in her tummy marches over to me with open arms. “So nice to finally meet you! I have heard so much about you. And, I’m so happy to hear you and Sal are together.”
“Thank you for inviting me,” I tell her, returning the hug. Mary is taller than I am and has long blonde hair, dark blue eyes and a few freckles across her button nose.
She turns and gives Pop a hug. “It has been too long! I am so happy you’re here! Everyone come in. I just pulled sour dough bread out of the oven.” She turns to her husband and gestures with her hands. “Joe, open some wine for them.”
She puts her arm through mine and ushers me toward the kitchen. The smell of slightly sour, yeasty bread makes my stomach growl.
In keeping with its wholesome and warm mistress, the brick walls, huge, worn wooden table and light oak cabinets all work together to make a very welcoming space.
On the way through the house, I notice gingerbread-scented candles spread out and lit all through the rooms. Plush green laurels with tiny white lights entwined hang in the doorways and electric candles reflect in the windows.
“Your home is gorgeous! So warm and friendly,” I tell her.
“Thanks. I hear you live in a plantation-style mansion on the beach. Wow! That must be beautiful!”
I smile. “It is, but it’s too big for me and now that my divorce is final I’ll be moving.”
She hands me a glass of red wine and motions to the long table. The guys are hovering at one end of the kitchen island having a laugh. Mary and I take our seats. I sip at the wine and she drinks from a bottle of water. Joe comes over holding a small plate of bread and cubes of sharp cheese and places it on the table for us.
“How do you like that wine, Gracie? It’s our own Cabernet. What do you think?”
“It’s delicious!” I reply. “Very smooth.”
“Tell me,” he says, “what other flavors can you detect in it?”
I laugh. “Oh boy! I’m no wine expert, Joe, I don’t—”
“You can do it,” he says. “Here, hold the glass all the way up to your nose, like this.” He demonstrates. “Take in the aroma.”
I smell the dark red liquid. It’s bold.
He nods. “Give it a good swirl around the glass. Now, take a sip and hold it on your tongue for just a second. Good swallow–well? What do you taste?”
“Hey, that really does do something, doesn’t it? I taste a little cocoa?” He smiles and nods again.
“Umm, oak?”
“Yes, good. Keep going.”
“I wanna say cherry?”
He laughs. “Very close. You’re tasting a hint of plum.”
“Really? Wow!”
Sal comes over and sits next to me.
“Hey,” I say, patting his knee. “Did you see what I did there with the wine? I want to try that again!”
“You have time,” Joe says. Then he looks at Sal. “Take her around to some of the wineries, do a little sight seeing. Tonight though, I have a treat with dinner. A different wine with each course. I’ll show you how to recognize other aromas and flavors.”
After a bit more family talk, including Tony’s stories about Toby and me, I lose the battle with a yawn. Mary looks at Joe and gets to her feet.
“How about we show you where you’ll be staying? You can rest and get settled if you like.”
We grab our suitcases and follow them out the kitchen door. Outside is a circular garden courtyard. Teak patio furniture occupies the center, a matching table with place settings for eight is on the far end, closer to the outside kitchen and fireplace. A few trees adorned with tiny white lights surround the area making the lovely courtyard seem like it could be in the hills of France. We follow the walkway to a smaller house that also faces the courtyard.
“This was a detached garage at one time,” Mary noted. “We remodeled and converted it into a guesthouse. I hope you love it.”
We swing open the door and step inside. The living area has a couch and two wing-backed chairs and a coffee table. To the right, the fireplace is already lit and Joe points to a doorway beside it.
“The bed
room is through there. The fireplace is double-sided.”
“Romantic,” Mary whispers, poking me in my side with her elbow. I smile and agree.
“The kitchen area is straight back.” Mary gestures and I follow her. “A little dinette table for two and a full kitchen, microwave, coffee maker and fridge.”
This kitchen too is warm and cozy. Light oak cabinets against honey golden walls match the wood floors. Sage green and dusty rose accents were used throughout. Pillows and quilts tie it all together. I turn back to Mary. “What’s not to love? This is adorable!”
“Oh, I’m so glad. I want you guys to be comfy while you’re here.”
“I’m sure we will be, don’t worry.”
“Oh,” she says, holding up her index finger. “There is a half bath off the kitchen here,” she points to a door. “And, the full size bath is adjacent to the bedroom.”
“Great,” I gush. Mary, this is wonderful. Tell me, what can I help you with while I’m here?”
She pats my hand. “Not much. Joe and I prepped a lot of stuff ahead of time, and truly, he is the cook for the holidays.”
“Well, you just say the word and I’ll be happy to help out!”
Joe and Sal return from dropping our suitcases in the bedroom.
“Hon,” Joe says to Mary, taking her hand. “Let’s leave them to settle in. Dinner at eight, okay? Lets go see if Pop needs anything.”
“Where did you put Pop?” Sal asks Joe.
“In the house,” Joe answers. “The spare room is down stairs and he has a bathroom to himself–it’s big enough for the wheelchair. I remodeled it that way on purpose in case he needed to come live with us. This cottage also is wheelchair accessible for him.”
Just then we hear barking and two rambunctious big dogs come flying through the door.
“Toby! Hey, calm down!” I shout. He sniffs around and around while Bridget watches her new friend take in his new surroundings.
Toby finally circles and plops down on the round rug in front of the fireplace looking completely exhausted. Bridget joins him in a yawn. They look as content as I feel. As tired, too.
* * *
I awake with a gasp! I look around and focus. Forgetting where I am for a second, I sit at the edge of the bed, remembering I’d taken a shower and felt worn out from the day’s travels, so Sal told me to rest before dinner.
The fire is still burning warm and it’s darker out. I call for Sal but don’t get an answer. No Toby, either.
I get up and stalk around the room until I hear voices outside. I peek out the window and see Sal and Joe cooking on the grill while Mary sets the table in the courtyard.
Watching the two brother’s catch up makes me smile. Side by side, they look much alike, and yet the differences are easy for me to see, even at a distance. Sal’s posture is alert, never quite completely relaxed, while Joe, about the same build, stands more casually, like a man comfortable in his surroundings.
I decide to change and freshen up for dinner and join them in a little bit.
* * *
“What do you mean you couldn’t get the words out?”
I roll my eyes and give my brother Joe a smirk. “We were right in the middle of a… moment”
“Okay, and after the…moment?” Joe hesitates.
I glance back an forth between my brother and sister-in-law, “I just want it be special, she deserves that.”
“I agree.” Mary smiles, and whispers. “I have an idea Sal, but I’ll tell you later, she’s coming out.”
* * *
I walk out onto the patio and Sal, Joe and Mary all stopped their soft chatter.
“Sorry, did I interrupt a family conversation?” I ask, moving to Sal’s side. He slips his arm around my back and kisses me on my cheek.
“Not at all. And dinner is just about ready,” Mary says with a smile. “Are you hungry?”
“I’m starved!” I reply. Sal and Joe burst out laughing and it feels good to be in a safe and happy place.
Dinner is delightful, as promised. Joe’s five course dinner, paired with five different wines teaches me a lot about both the reds and the whites.
I learn that Merlot’s and Cabernet’s are blended with cocoa and ripe cherries or plums, and a Pinot Grigio or Chardonnay can have almond blossom, apple and pear tones, or even tropical fruits. As I’m helping Mary clear the table, Joe asks me what my favorite wine is.
“Well, I’ve always favored Chianti’s or a Sangiovise.”
Joe smiles. “I’ll see what I can do.”
I find as I chat with Mary that I really like her-she’s comfortable, gentle and strong. She fills me in a little on Sal and Joe’s mother, Marie–and how Antonio mourned her passing.
“Pop was so sad,” Mary says quietly, even though the men are outside and can’t hear us. “I thought he’d never get over it and then he got shot–and Sal was gone. I don’t know how you did it, getting them back in good graces.” She laughs and puts a hand over her mouth. “I guess your name fits you”
“Truly I didn’t do much. When Pop learned the truth about why Sal couldn’t be home for his mom, all the old barriers came down.”
“Oh I know, I’m just glad that somehow Joe persuaded his brother to go home. I think you being around helped a lot. Things happen for a reason, I always say. It was meant to be. Look, you and Sal found each other. He loves you, Gracie. He seems different–better, thanks to you.”
I smile at Mary. “Thank you, he seems to think the same thing.”
Mary looks at me closely. “Do you love him, Gracie?”
“More then words can describe,” I say, feeling just a little choked up. “It’s insane how much I ache for him.”
“Good, because I know he feels the same way. I’m so happy for both of you.”
Mary reaches over and gives me a hug. I feel comfortable with her, so I decide to share everything about the dreams, the psychic, and what Dr. Brooks told us about past life regression.
“Oh my god! See? Things DO happen for a reason. There’s always a plan, Gracie; sometimes we don’t always see it, but its there.”
I exhale. “Oh good, you don’t think I’m crazy then.”
Mary looks at me, her eye’s wide. “Crazy? It’s crazy not to believe it. How incredibly mind blowing. Tell me, what does Pop think?”
“Pop believes. Sal...” I squint, then continue,. “is having a harder time with it. He is still trying to let it soak in, I think. Hell, even Dr. Brooks is a believer after talking with us.”
“A real miracle, Gracie… Oh hell, I’m gonna cry.”
“Oh, please don’t cry–you’ll make me cry!” I say, chuckling as I feel tears sting my eyes.
“Yes, but I’m pregnant now,” she says in between her sniffs, “and EVERYTHING makes me cry! It’s so annoying!”
* * *
Later that night in bed, with the remnants of a fire slowly going out, the two dogs are asleep on the floor snoring. Sal and I are cuddling, waiting for sleep to come.
“Hey, you still awake?” I ask softly.
“Yeah,” he answers as he rubs my arm and places a kiss on my shoulder.
“I dreamt something this afternoon and it woke me up with a jolt.”
“What was it?”
“Water. I was in water. And it was so cold. I couldn’t see anything–it was dark and I was drowning, I think.”
“Was there anyone with you? Was I there?”
“No, ah, I don’t know–like I said, it was dark. I didn’t feel afraid though, like other times. I felt like I didn’t have the strength to swim or help myself–totally exhausted. I think it was the ocean. I think I heard the waves, but it was very fuzzy this time and out of focus.”
Sal splays his hand across my belly and draws me tighter to him. “Do you think it was a past life dream or a random one?”
“I’m gonna say random, mostly because I knew somehow it was me–in the present. The dream just startled me awake and I gasped for air. It didn’t give me
any lingering feelings of sadness or being frightened. I forgot where I was when I woke up,” I say with a little chuckle, “then I remembered.”
“That’s happened to me also,” Sal whispers into my neck. “I think you were exhausted from the trip. That confusion is scary stuff. The first few times we slept together, before we made love, it scared me to think I might have one of those dreams were I was back in the military – and I might have hurt you thinking you were the enemy.”
I roll on my back and he cradles me in his arms. “You haven’t done it yet,” I remind him.
“Yeah, thank god. I would kill myself if I hurt you,” he growls.
I can’t help but shiver. “Are you still afraid of this happening?”
“Not so much anymore,” he whispers. “It’s less of a worry now that we make love. Just in the very beginning of our relationship, I had concerns. It’s better but it always plays in the back of my mind.”
I put my hand to his cheek. “I believe that you could never hurt me, Sal.”
“I love you, Gracie.”
His lips find mine and as it always does, the passion drives our lovemaking, until completely exhausted, we sleep.
CHAPTER 21
I get up early the next morning and let both dogs out back. I supervise for a minute and watch as they sniff around and do their thing.
The sun is barely up and it’s chilly. Toby follows Bridget around through the courtyard, up the ramp, and through a doggie door that I just realize is there.
I laugh in spite of myself, shaking my head. I see Mary at the door and I wave.
She waves her hand, shooing me back to the cottage. “Go back to bed, sleep in. Toby is fine–really, go.”
I smile and give her a nod. “ Okay, see ya later.”
We sleep until eleven. Sal goes over to the main house and comes back with a coffee for me.
“Rise and shine, Princess.” He hands me the steamy mug and sits on the bed in front of me.
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