by Karen Aldous
Chiara tilted her head as she made a sad face. ‘You would risk everything you have?’
‘Does that sound crazy?’ Olivia bit her cheek, conscious this was the first time she had truly admitted all this even to herself. ‘But Hugh is my archangel Michael. He is such a caring person. I love the way he is protective, and he’s funny and like me, prefers the simple things in life. We can talk, joke, be stupid when we feel like it. We have more in common than Alberto and I.
‘And what’s helped, I think, is now having my own family. When I first met Alberto – besides the obvious – one of his attractions was his ease with children and the fact that he was part of a large family. He loved kids and was so different to the men I’ve known. But now I’m part of my own, I have all that and Hugh fulfils so many other needs in me, even those I didn’t know I needed. I now question what on earth I was doing with Will.’
She thought back to her relationship with Will. Will’s indifference, his lack of passion. His apathy towards children. He would sit back and allow her to struggle through a pit fight with a lion before taking action. Whereas Alberto and Hugh protected with passion. Alberto unfortunately guarded his own ego, which – along with his exacting high standards – unnerved her.
Hugh was more relaxed, which made her more relaxed, and his strength derived from pure compassion. He understood her fears, pre-empted them, had experienced fear himself, shown humility, felt empathy, wanted to help. Hugh was the hero: the greater person in her eyes. He couldn’t love another woman. She was sure he was serious about her and she would be devastated if she lost him to another woman.
Chiara locked eyes on her friend. ‘You have to follow your heart, Liv, and there’s nothing I can say. It’s you who has to decide. You’ve clearly been internalizing all those feelings and buried them in your heart whilst following what others want.’ She patted her chest, resting her hand on her heart. ‘No one can tell you what to do; it has to come from here. I loved Liam for lots of reasons, and I know I have my moans, but in here, it stays the same.’
‘Oh God, it feels like I’ve floated on some fantasy, got on the wrong boat, cruised in the wrong direction.’
Chiara widened her eyes.
Olivia could barely sleep. Tonight had been revealing. Her mind had been so preoccupied with finding her family, she’d not been paying attention to what was important. Hugh had helped her find herself, helped her unlock her heart and the instincts that allowed her to follow her own destiny.
Chapter 36
Olivia opened her suitcase again, just as the taxi arrived, and placed just one final item inside, putting it on top of a few tops, a pair of jeggings, a lighter jacket as she would wear the heavier one, and a pair of shoes. She locked it up, grabbed the handle, the jacket, and her handbag and plunged out the front door.
Signalling to the taxi driver with a wave, Olivia turned to lock the front door, then spun around dragging the cabin case behind her, careful not to catch the dew off the hedge.
‘Can I help you with that?’
‘I can manage …’ she said, her head suddenly registering the voice. ‘Hugh!’ she screeched whilst her limbs lost their strength and her pulse battered her veins. ‘Oh God, this is bizarre. I was coming to Italy to find you.’ Her handbag slid down her arm.
‘I came from Italy to find you,’ Hugh said taking her case and offering his arm before she collapsed.
Grabbing it, she hooked her bag back on her shoulder. He looked so handsome, his sun-weathered face against the grey London sky. ‘Oh, I hadn’t forgotten, you need money, don’t you?’ Her head spun in a frenzy of confusion. ‘For the valuations.’
‘That’s not what I’ve come for. Would I come all this way for money?’
‘Ahh, oh.’ Olivia glanced at the taxi driver as he leaned out the window. ‘I need to get to the airport. Can you ride with me? There’s something …’ She wrestled her other arm into her coat, then swallowed to regain her breath. ‘I’ve got to go and see Alberto. I’m going to tell him I can’t go ahead with the wedding.’ Trying to lift her heavy feet, she met his eyes, her heart hammering. ‘The thing is, Hugh, I’ve really missed you and was coming to tell you. I’m worried though that you have met …’
Immediately wrapping her in his arms, he whispered in her ear, ‘That’s music to my ears. I’ve missed you too, and that is so what I wanted to hear.’
Breathing in his familiar fragrance, and feeling his touch, she closed her eyes momentarily as all her senses fused. ‘You feel the same then?’
‘I’m crazy about you.’
‘What about that leggy woman you were with, in Malcesine?’
Hugh leaned back and, furrowing his brows, gazed at her quizzically. ‘Claudia?’
‘I don’t know her name.’
‘The only time I’ve been to Malcesine recently is with Claudia. We went to see one of her contacts there – knows a lot about cassoni and art. You saw me?’
‘Not exactly.’
Hugh sniggered. ‘What do you mean? Come on, let’s get in the cab. There’s nothing remotely romantic about Claudia in my eyes.’ He took her elbow and opened the door, then followed her in, sitting beside her. ‘Besides, she reminds me of a drag queen with all that make-up. What’s funny is we were only there for about thirty minutes, max. She’s the lady with the cassone I was telling you about. Anyway, what were you doing there?’
‘Alberto and I had been to Limone and then lunched there before we came home. Our last day together.’
Hugh pulled a face. ‘OK, too much information; you’re making one very cheesy smile turn sour.’
‘I didn’t actually see you. Rather randomly, my friend spotted you in one of my photos.’
‘Ha ha, very random.’ He guffawed. ‘Anyhow, it’s immaterial. Nothing nor anyone can steal my eyes from you. God, you don’t know how happy I am to hear that you’ve changed your mind about marrying Alberto.’ He pulled her close again and kissed her hair. ‘Shamelessly, I willed it since that day I stepped into the villa. I know I sound mean, but when a man discovers the woman he likes has just met the man of her dreams, he is in desperate need of a miracle.’
‘I thought you were going to say something profound then.’ Olivia chuckled.
His lips brushed her forehead. ‘It was.’
They both laughed.
Hugh’s smile wouldn’t leave his face. ‘Yes, to me you’re a miracle, and hearing that you’ve been thinking about me …’ he squeezed her tight as he kissed her ear ‘… and missed me, not Alberto … Well, it’s just way beyond my expectations. I was the same though. I couldn’t stop thinking about you when you’d gone – you left a massive hole, and that’s why after I spoke to you on Wednesday, I just had to come. I persuaded Gabriella, isn’t it, to give me your address. I told her I would need to bill you. I’d have got on a flight yesterday but I had to organize the SS to surround the villa whilst us criminals raided, sorry, valued the treasure.’
Olivia couldn’t stop giggling. ‘I’m just cautious, that’s all.’
‘I love that you’re careful, so long as you’re using those instincts. I’m glad you did with Alberto. When I heard you on the phone at your mother’s the other night – I mean, he was giving you a hard time about me helping out.’
‘I know. I wanted to disappear into a hole at that moment. His possessiveness is the main reason I couldn’t go through with the wedding. It frightened me to think that he’s like this now, and I’d have to go through life worrying about who I talk to. It would be awful. And what if I gave everything up here to live with him in Italy, and had no escape? No, what you and I have is special. And when we kissed that first time, I knew you had unlocked my heart.’
‘I hope you threw away the key.’
‘Err, yes! No keys, no lists for me any more. I will follow my heart and instincts going forward. Italy had changed me so much. And now thanks to you and the fact that you cared so much, I’ve got my own family. Since being h
ome, I’ve had time to think. So many things have travelled through my mind this week. I’m just so glad for that time. It’s amazing what has emerged.
‘I admit I was swept off my feet when I met Alberto, and maybe I fell in love, but to be honest, like you, he did bring what I consider something highly valuable to the fore. One of the reasons I believe he attracted me was that he came from a large family, he loves kids, and he watched me with them on the plane; we’d chatted to this toddler and briefly helped this woman who was travelling alone with her son and a baby daughter. Anyway, I’d told him I’d never wanted children because I wouldn’t make a good mother, and when Alberto, who has young children around him, told me I was a natural, I was stunned. I’d never thought myself maternal. The only child I’ve ever known is Sophia, Chiara’s child, and she will always be precious, but it turned out Alberto had a girlfriend, for several years, who, he said, did everything to stay away from his family functions and resented kids taking his attention. I know I’m not at all like that, so it was quite an extraordinary moment for me.’
‘Now that’s profound.’
‘I thought so too, so I’m really grateful we met in some ways. As for marrying him, I’ve got to know you so much more in just a short space of time, and there’s such a difference in how I feel about the relationships and what I instinctively feel is right for me.’
‘So, does that mean we can make babies?’
Spinning herself around, her eyes melted into his. Within seconds, she lunged across the cab and knocked on the cabbie’s window. ‘Could you turn around and take us back to my address please?’
With a tut, the taxi driver took the next side road and reversed the cab.
Sliding back into Hugh’s arms, she kissed his lips and grabbed his hand. ‘I don’t need to go to Italy. I can ring Alberto. I can ring my family and the property agent. The farm and villa only need the legalities finalized. Yes, we can go and make babies.’
‘I’m all for that. I like your instincts.’
‘I told you Italy has transformed me. I feel bad. Alberto’s family are lovely and I’ve asked my sister and niece to be bridesmaid and Landi’s sons too …’
‘Well don’t poo-poo the idea of a wedding. You can marry me. You might want to if you want my babies.’
‘Hugh, I wouldn’t hesitate to marry you, as long as it’s at the farm with both our families there. And I’d love to have your babies. I just hope I can. Of course, I’ll need to find someone to give me away.’
‘Can I let you in to a little secret?’
Olivia tilted her head. ‘Please.’
‘Landi will give you away.’
She furrowed her brows as Hugh grinned at her. ‘What do you mean? That’s not what he said.’
‘He told me he would never give you away to Alberto, but he said if it was me, he would.’
Olivia’s jaw dropped. ‘Really?’
‘Really.’
‘I thought Bella and Landi liked you better, Mum too. Oh, wow. I’m really touched. That makes it extra special. Oh, Hugh, I love you so much; it’s you that’s created this miracle.’
‘Well, thank God I did.’ Hugh grinned, stroking her face. ‘I’m not sure what I’d have done if you had married Alberto. I love you so much.’
‘You just telling me that,’ she said, her lips brushing his, and succumbing to his kiss. Even better than the first, she snuggled into his neck as he gripped her longingly against his chest, his smile palpable against her temple.
They both swayed as the cab rattled back through the London traffic. ‘That’s just unbelievable – all my wishes come true.’ He stroked her hair, his lips softly brushing it.
‘Well you certainly earned it. You have no idea how much you’ve impacted my life.’ Olivia closed her eyes, drinking in the moment; this was right. Her heart, mind, and body fused in one harmonious entity. Here in Hugh’s arms was where she belonged and wished to stay, for ever.
Again, Hugh stroked her hair. ‘And you can’t imagine how much you’ve impacted mine, and will do further when we start our own family. Our main dilemma now is where we settle.’
‘Well, I will be getting more staff for the clinic with Chiara taking maternity leave. Maybe I should think about increasing the staff more and cutting my hours. I could come to Italy with you on a regular basis then and get geared up for the future as well as see my family. That’s only if you want to live in London.’
‘I can live anywhere with you. And my business is flexible. I’ve got clients all over. Jack runs the warehouse in Sussex anyway.’
‘Well, I’ll come and look at the Italian house you’re buying and maybe leave Landi with the whole villa. Unless, of course, we keep it separate for Mum and Bella to stay when they visit, and Chiara of course. You must meet her. We’d have fun doing it up and pleasure in them staying there.’
‘I think it’s a perfect solution. I could also sell my Sussex place, spend the money on restoring the Italian one quicker. A win-win as far as I’m concerned.’
‘Well, I’d love you to help me renovate the apartment at the villa too. I mean, if we’re talking a future together, what’s mine is yours.’
‘Likewise – you’ll have to come and have a look. I think you’ll love it. It isn’t far away from Landi’s, so I’d be happy to help.’
‘And, I was thinking about my mum too. She’s not thought about herself at all in all this. I’d really like her to find happiness. She says she is happy and wants for nothing but I want to do something special for her.’ She felt Hugh’s hand dig softly in her ribs.
‘I think you have, already. Think how much you have brought to her by your … well your curiosity and passion to restore, physically and figuratively, the cassone. Not only did you want to restore the chest but it’s paid dividends in its contents too. It’s restored your family.’
‘Oh, Hugh, yes, you’re right.’
‘There’s a good chance it could pay more dividends too if you wanted it to.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘That other cassone Claudia sold me. It’s a confirmed a match for your nonna’s. I took the liberty of photographing the end panel paintings at your nonna’s on my phone and took one as a sample to show that guy from Sorrento. The original casing is covered up so restoring original artwork could make it quite rare and valuable.’
‘Ooh, exciting.’ Olivia, gently slapped the back of his hand. Your hunch was right.’
‘Well a worthwhile exercise as it happens. And …’ he dug her ribs again ‘… it’s a gift from me to you. Something you could begin to fill for our future.’
‘Hugh, that’s so romantic.’
Olivia kissed his hand and then reached up to kiss his lips. ‘That would make it very special. Thank you.’
‘You’re worth it, and I’ve had it confirmed: they were painted by that female Renaissance painters, so get them insured. They’re highly sought-after and as a complete cassoni are rare, it will increase their value. Remove the carved panels on your nonna’s and restore it to its former glory, and you have the original pair. They could triple in value.’
‘Oh, wow. Really? I don’t suppose we would sell them. Although, wouldn’t it be nice for Mum – no, I must call her mamma now – to have some money to treat herself. I feel she deserves a bit of self-indulgence.’
‘Lovely idea, but she’s hardly poor. You and your family can decide. And don’t think your mamma isn’t happy. Believe me, she has her family together now. She is happy.’
‘But not in the sense of having my dad, and having that personal happiness love brings, and all the things you can do together, but yes, she can make that call. I think they should stay because – and I’ll let you into a little secret …’
‘Oh?’
‘The farm and villa once belonged to the Medici family – it was passed to them by the Buondelmonte family hundreds of years ago.’
Olivia lurched back to watch his eyes light up
. ‘Ha ha, that’s surprised you.’
‘I don’t know why I didn’t make the connection. So it’s possibly that the family commissioned them.’
Olivia shrugged. ‘Who knows, but maybe one can stay in the apartment as our legacy to our children. We’ll fill it with photos. I have one already that Bella took. You’ll like it.’
Hugh tightened his grip, pulling her back to his chest. ‘You have the best heart.’
‘And you are amazing. Thank you.’ The taxi pulled up at her home. ‘Well, let’s go and make a start,’ she said, twisting herself around again to climb out of the cab. She met his eyes, the eyes and soul that she knew would remain in hers.
If you enjoyed this wonderful story from Karen Aldous, why not explore her other fantastic stories!
Loved Under a Tuscan Sky? Take a look at HQ Digital’s other wonderful destination stories, where more romance can be found …
Copyright
An imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers Ltd.
1 London Bridge Street
London SE1 9GF
First published in Great Britain by HQ in 2017
Copyright © Karen Aldous 2017
Karen Aldous asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work.
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.
This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.
All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of HarperCollins.