by Jan Moran
A wave of disappointment washed over Niccolò’s face. “Papà, I know this isn’t what you’d planned, but I thought you’d be happy for us.”
“Italy isn’t good enough anymore?” Dante asked quietly, flexing the muscles in his jaw.
“Papà, please understand.”
Dante rapped on the table. “Stay in Rome; have a good life. Raise your children with family they will know and trust. This is our way.”
Carolina looked up at Ruby with sadness. “Niccolò is our eldest son. I would love your children and help you care for them. We are family now.”
Hearing the pain in Carolina’s voice, Ruby twisted her skirt tighter. This is what she’d feared. “I can’t stay here. There’s a drought in Texas, and if I don’t return to work, my family will lose their ranch. I can’t do that to them.”
“See, Papà? We have to go.”
“We know what happens,” Dante said, his expression darkening. “People go to America, and they don’t return. We will never see you again. Is that what you want? To bring your mother such misery?”
“I don’t mean to hurt anyone.” Niccolò’s voice cracked. “But you have always encouraged me to follow my dreams.”
“Sì, a Roma. In Italia,” Dante said, shaking his finger. “Why do you want to live in America? It’s so far, so big. It’s not for you.”
“I want to act. The art business is yours, and even Valeria would be a better choice than me.”
“Valeria will have a family,” Dante said, slapping his hand on the table. “Your grandfather started this business, passed it to me, and now it is your turn. You should be thinking of your responsibility.” He swept his hand in a dismissive gesture. “But, if you must act, Cinecittà Studio is here in Rome. Why go to Hollywood?”
“But Ruby can’t work in Italy,” Niccolò said, grinding his teeth. “She doesn’t speak much Italian, and she must return to Hollywood. Besides, this is our dream.”
Carolina dabbed her eyes with the edge of her apron. “If it’s what he wants…” She shrugged, but her heart was obviously breaking.
“No, no, no.” His father curled his hands, raising his voice as he spoke. “I know my son. This—” Dante paused, gesturing between Niccolò and Ruby. “This marriage was a mistake. You didn’t even ask us first.”
Ruby couldn’t contain her heartbreak, and tears spilled onto her cheeks. His father’s response was worse than they had imagined.
Niccolò turned to her to wipe her cheeks, but she pushed him away. In her heart, she knew they’d done the right thing by getting married, but in the process, they’d alienated his parents, who had valid points driven only by love. Seeing their reaction made her dread telling her parents even more. What have we done?
Niccolò spread his hands in an appeal. “Papà, I’m an adult. I can do what I want.”
“I will not let you make another mistake,” Dante said, jabbing the table. “How would you live in America? You don’t even have enough money for your passage. No, you will stay here. You had your fun, and now I need your help in the business. That is final.”
Niccolò jutted out his jaw and rose from his chair. “I will do what I want.”
“You must get this marriage annulled,” his father shot back. “That girl,” he sputtered, pointing at Ruby. “If she takes you to America, then she is not the one for you. In Hollywood, you will forget your family. You will forget who you are.”
“That’s not true,” Ruby cried out. As anger erupted in her chest, her head grew light, and her limbs tingled. She couldn’t believe what she’d heard. Annul their marriage?
“No, no, non lo farò,” Niccolò said, putting his arm protectively around Ruby. “We will not.”
“Mio Dio.” His mother sucked in her breath and passed her hands over her face. “Ah, no, no, no…”
Niccolò smacked his forehead and muttered a few words in Italian that Ruby didn’t understand. But his father did. Within seconds, Niccolò and Dante were yelling at each other in Italian. Although Ruby didn’t know what they were saying, she could guess. Guilt gathered in the pit of her stomach.
“Quando è troppo è troppo,” Carolina cried as she tried to calm her husband, but to no avail.
“Finito,” Dante yelled, gesturing toward Ruby. A dark shadow drew over his face, and he clenched Niccolò’s shoulders. “If you disobey me, destroy your mother’s heart, and turn your back on your responsibilities here, then you are finished. Board that ship if you want, but you will never return here.”
As the argument escalated, Ruby’s heart split. She’d caused this. If she’d been an Italian girl, none of this would have happened. She had ruined Niccolò’s relationship with his parents.
With tears clouding her vision, Ruby pushed from the table and raced toward the front door. She grabbed her purse and flung open the door, desperate to get away from the anger and harm she’d inflicted on Niccolò and his family.
A taxi was dropping a passenger at the corner, and she ran toward it, stumbling on the cobblestones in the gathering twilight. When she reached the cab, she gave the driver her address and slid into the back seat, wiping tears from her cheeks. As the driver started, she heard a cry and turned around.
“Ruby! Stop!” Waving his arms, Niccolò raced toward the taxi.
“Don’t stop,” she said to the driver, motioning for him to keep going. “Andiamo, per favore, andiamo.”
Ashamed over leaving Niccolò, yet knowing it was the right thing to do, Ruby sank her face into her hands. Niccolò’s father had rejected her, and he was forbidding Niccolò from leaving Italy. Even if Niccolò left with her, she’d destroyed his family. She couldn’t bear that guilt.
Have I ruined Niccolò’s life? As the taxi careened through the night, she moaned and clutched the silver half-heart around her neck, her heart breaking just as surely as the one she wore.
Chapter 18
Lago di Como, 2010
* * *
“Here we are.” Ruby paused in front of Lorenzo’s café that overlooked the lake. Smiling at the young woman who stood at the reception desk, she said, “Please tell Lorenzo Pagani that Ruby Raines and her niece are here for lunch. He’s expecting us.”
The young woman’s eyes widened. “Signora Raines, what a pleasure. I’ll let him know right away.” She hurried toward Lorenzo.
While they waited, Ruby glanced at Ariana. Yesterday her niece had gone out for coffee with Alessandro, and Ariana told her that they had gone to Villa d’Este in Lorenzo’s yacht. Ruby studied the sparkle in Ariana’s eyes and the spring in her step that she could attribute to only one thing.
Alessandro.
Ruby smiled. She liked him for her niece, but she wondered if they would have enough time to get to know one another. Yet, as she well knew, true love could move fast.
“Ariana, dear, have you heard from your mother lately?” Mari hadn’t responded to the letter Ruby had sent, but then, it hadn’t been very long.
“She doesn’t even know I called off the wedding,” Ariana said softly.
Ruby felt sorry for Ariana that she wasn’t close to her mother. Had history doomed their family to repetition? “I sure would like to see you two reconcile.”
“It’s not as if we argued,” Ariana said. “Mom is so driven she doesn’t have time for me. Or anyone else.”
Ruby started to say that being driven had little to do with it, that one made time for those they loved. But that might make matters worse. Ruby wondered if Mari was capable of knowing how to love Ariana. Maybe she was missing the maternal instinct. Which was worse, Ruby wondered, to be shunned by your mother because she didn’t have time for you or because she couldn’t love you?
Perhaps Mari suffered from another, more deeply rooted cause. Fear of abandonment might be lodged deep in her psyche. But Ruby was not a therapist or a doctor.
Intruding into Ruby’s thoughts, Ariana said, “The café looks full.”
Across the way, Lorenzo motioned to a table with a white ta
blecloth and a reserved sign. The woman from the front desk quickly returned to Ruby and Ariana. “I’m so sorry to keep you waiting. This way, please. Lorenzo will be with you in a moment.”
As they followed the woman to the table shaded with a red umbrella, Ariana asked, “How do you know Lorenzo?”
The woman pulled out her chair, and Ruby sat down. Lorenzo had reserved the best table for them.
“I came by here yesterday on the way to the post office,” Ruby said. She didn’t mention that she had been searching for this particular café. On her earlier visit to Bellagio with the tour group, Matteo had taken her to several restaurants, but none of them was the one that she and Niccolò had gone to after their wedding. She glanced around now, envisioning how the café had looked then and where they had sat. What a wonderful evening that was.
Ariana picked up a menu. “I’ve been famished lately.”
“I’m not surprised.” Ruby smiled and touched Ariana’s hand. “I can’t wait to spoil a little one.”
“Like you spoiled me when I was young?”
“Like I still do, every chance I get.” Ruby laughed. Oh yes, this little one will have everything she wants. Or he. Ruby wasn’t picky. “If only you would let me spoil you more often.”
Ariana twisted her lips to one side. “Guess Mom drilled a no-spoiling attitude into my head.”
Across the café, Lorenzo made his way through the glamorous lunch crowd on the patio. He wore another expertly cut sport coat and an open-collared white shirt that showed off his trim, athletic figure. His sun-bleached hair was proof that Lorenzo spent a lot of his leisure time outdoors.
“Signora Raines,” Lorenzo said with a broad smile. “This must be your lovely niece,” he added, dipping his head in greeting.
“Why, yes, it is,” Ruby said. “Allow me to present Ariana Ricci.”
Lorenzo took Ariana’s hand and executed a perfect air kiss a mere breath above her skin. To her credit, Ariana took this in stride, although Ruby doubted that anyone in Los Angeles had ever done that. Including, and especially, her thankfully ex-fiancé, Phillip.
Ruby closed the menu. “What is your specialty, Lorenzo? Food-wise,” she added with a little smile. She noticed that Ariana was trying not to stare at Lorenzo, but her niece couldn’t help enjoying the view.
While Lorenzo was reviewing the specialties, which included trofie al pesto con gamberetti—one of her favorite pasta with pesto and shrimp—Ruby glanced next door at the vacant shop. Years ago, Ariana had once talked about opening a studio. An idea formed in Ruby’s mind. Perhaps her niece could be persuaded to stay.
After they ordered, Ruby rested her chin in her hand. “Why, look at that sweet little shop space. And with a beautiful view of the lake. Someone’s going to be lucky to have that location.”
Ariana turned toward the shop. “That is a wonderful location.”
“What kind of shop would be good there, I wonder.”
“Are you thinking of opening a business, Aunt Ruby?”
Ruby laughed. “Not really, but I can see the potential. Look how busy this place is. Wouldn’t that be an interesting location?” She glanced along the street. “Excellent foot traffic, too.”
“You’re too obvious.”
Ruby pressed a hand to her chest. “About what?”
“An idea that would keep me here.”
“Why, what a good thought.” Ruby smiled. At least Ariana wasn’t upset. In fact, she seemed to be considering it.
Ariana glanced around. “Yesterday, Alessandro brought me the most beautiful roll of silk fabric. It’s a soft mint green, with a delicate print of ferns and flowers. He thought it would accent my eyes. I’ve been thinking about making a dress or a blouse with it. Of course, whatever I make, I wouldn’t be able to wear long. For the obvious reason.”
“You won’t be pregnant forever,” Ruby said. “Or make something you can wear for a few months, and then alter to fit you again afterward.”
“I suppose I could.”
Lorenzo returned to the table with two glasses of champagne. “Welcome to Bellagio, and I hope you enjoy Villa Fiori.”
Ruby lifted the champagne in appreciation. “You must come and visit sometime.”
Lorenzo’s gaze lingered on Ariana. “I’d like that very much, grazie.” He chatted for a few minutes before moving on to the next table.
When Lorenzo was out of earshot, Ruby leaned toward Ariana. “I think you have another admirer.”
“Perhaps it’s the hormones,” Ariana said in a wry tone. “They’re attracting men to me like sticky pollen.”
“It’s nice to have a choice, isn’t it?”
“Auntie, I’m in no position to choose anyone. How would I explain my current predicament?”
Ruby shrugged. “If the man is truly in love, it wouldn’t matter. Don’t close yourself off to future possibilities.”
“I have to return to Los Angeles. I have to go back to work.”
Ruby tapped her fingers. “If only you had another option. It’s not as if Kingsley would miss you.”
Ariana glanced at the vacant space next door. “I couldn’t possibly start a new project while I’m in this condition.”
“Oh, to be young and full of energy,” Ruby said.
“I can’t imagine what I would do.”
“You’ve always had the most wonderful imagination. I think you could manage it.” Ruby gazed out at a ferry crossing the shimmering lake. “You’d be surprised what you can do while you’re pregnant. You certainly have more motivation.”
Ariana looked at her quizzically for a moment before returning her gaze to the vacant shop space. “Maybe some silk scarves with unique prints, a few simple designs. Casual wraparound dresses made of beautiful silk.” A smile curved on her lips. “Palazzo pants, halter tops, short shifts. Fun luxury.”
Ruby smiled and nodded. “Intriguing thoughts.”
“Oh, Aunt Ruby. Did you have this in mind all along?”
“Not at all,” Ruby replied, laughing. “Perhaps it was destiny.”
“And do you believe in destiny?”
Ruby gazed across the lake toward the bell tower in Varenna. “Crazy though it seems, I still do.”
After they ate, and Ruby had finished both glasses of champagne that Lorenzo had brought to the table, she motioned for him. When he joined them, she asked, “Lorenzo, darling, do you know anything about that sweet little shop next door that’s vacant?”
“You’re lucky. The owner is at another table.” Lorenzo gave a convincing act of surprise. “Shall I get him for you?”
“My goodness, imagine that,” Ruby said. “We’d love to talk to him and see the space.”
While Lorenzo hurried to another table, Ariana turned to Ruby. “Really? You’re going to tell me this was a coincidence?”
Ruby winked. “Absolutely. I’ve long believed in synchronicity.”
Lorenzo returned with a man he introduced as Cesare Gatti. Ruby invited him to join them and asked him to tell them about the shop space.
“Would you like to see it?” Cesare asked.
“Indeed, we would.” Ruby beamed at Ariana. “What luck.”
After they finished lunch, they walked next door to the vacant space. Cesare opened the door for them.
“This space was last used as a fashion boutique,” Cesare said. “It was very successful until the owner sold it to another person.” He shuddered. “The new owner had absolutely no sense of style, so the shop closed in six months.”
“I don’t think that would be a problem for Ariana,” Ruby said with confidence. She watched as Ariana walked the length of the small shop, scrutinizing the dressing rooms, the mirrors and shelves, and the decor.
While Ariana paced off the space and reeled off questions for the property owner, Ruby gazed from the front windows. Ferries and boats crisscrossed the lake. It was a happy sight, and people were clearly enjoying themselves on this sunny day. As Ruby gazed across the lake, the distant bell tower tha
t rose above the cathedral in Varenna drew her attention.
Ruby recalled the happiest day of her life. Whenever she closed her eyes, she could still see the look of love in Niccolò’s eyes for her. She could smell the white roses that he had chosen from the garden for her bouquet, and she could feel the blush-pink silk dress on her skin.
Pressing her hand against her heart, Ruby relived the emotion of that day. The love they shared had never died. And no other man ever compared to Niccolò. Was that the perfection of young love, or had he become perfect in her memory with the passing years?
Her wedding had been like a sweet dream. Ruby might have been naïve, but she’d fallen in love. That entire summer in Italy existed in her memory as if captured in a crystal orb.
Ariana stopped beside Ruby, jolting her from her memories. “This could be such a charming shop,” Ariana said. “And you couldn’t ask for a better location. With the café next door, the foot traffic from other shops, and the fresh breeze off the lake with a view that just goes on and on.” Ariana sighed. “If only my life was different.”
Ruby put her arm around Ariana’s shoulder. “What if it could be?” she asked, her words catching in her throat. If she couldn’t rewind her life and run it in a different direction, at least she could help Ariana change her trajectory.
She had watched Ariana for years; she’d seen the joy sucked from her soul. No job was worth that. “My darling girl, you have the power to do whatever you want. All you have to do is believe that you can.”
Ariana rested her head on Ruby’s shoulder. “Is that what you did when you decided to buy the Villa Fiori?”
“That’s what I’ve always done,” Ruby said.
Or was it? How many times had Ruby replayed parts of her life, wondering if she had done everything in her power? Yet nothing good ever came of examining decisions already made. The only thing she could change was her future.