by Jan Moran
This dilemma wore on her, and by the time filming wrapped, Ruby had a difficult decision to make. She was growing increasingly worried about Niccolò. This silence wasn’t like him. Unless he planned to surprise her in a few days at Christmas, she had to tell her parents soon and make plans.
Her waistline was beginning to thicken. By spring, she would be a mother.
Chapter 23
Lago di Como, 2010
* * *
As soon as Ruby opened her eyes, she saw the bell tower in the distance across the lake and smiled. When she’d first seen the villa’s interior, this view from her bedroom had been the deciding factor.
Time was a strange phenomenon; this view had not changed over the years. Yet, one glance in the mirror told her that although the love in her heart had not aged, its vessel certainly had.
Her phone buzzed on the nightstand. She reached for it, wincing as she stretched. Simple movements weren’t as easy as they’d once been. “Hello?”
“Good morning. I hope you’re up.”
Ruby smiled at her houseman’s voice.
“I am, and I’m enjoying the most spectacular view. You really must come for a visit. How are things in Palm Springs?” Still in bed and wearing a pink silk gown, Ruby stretched to relieve the nighttime soreness that had set into her muscles.
“The house and garden are fine,” Stefano said. “How is your Italian adventure redux?”
“Marvelous, darling. Even better the second time. On today’s agenda, I have a long walk by the lake, followed by a hot stone massage and a whirlpool bath. And after that, I’ll have a fine dinner and an excellent bottle of wine with my favorite niece. That’s the best prescription for a happy life.”
“You’re working terribly hard at enjoying yourself.” Stefano paused. “I wish you would tell me what’s wrong.”
Stefano knew her too well. She’d never spent large sums of money on a whim. Ruby sat up in bed. Where would she begin with the events that had changed the trajectory of her life? Instead, she said, “At my age, what does it matter?”
Stefano wasn’t giving up. “Didn’t you tell me some of your ancestors lived to be more than a hundred? If that’s true, you still have a long way to go. To live in style, you have to feel your best. Mentally and emotionally, as well as physically.”
“Plenty of stars have managed otherwise.” Ruby chuckled at her joke, but Stefano wasn’t laughing. “This is what I want, Stefano. Don’t deny me life’s simple pleasures.”
“That’s never my intent.”
Ruby rubbed her neck. “I promise I’ll relish this beautiful day. Just as I hope you’re enjoying the high season in the desert.” The peak tourist season in Palm Springs was between January and April, which meant that the snowbirds would soon leave town for their primary residences. “Better yet, why don’t you close the house for the summer and come to Lake Como? The weather is glorious. My travel agent can book a ticket for you.”
“Can’t do it,” Stefano said. “My employer insists I look after her botanicals, and I don’t trust the plant-sitting services.”
Ruby huffed over the phone. “You just don’t want to miss your Tuesday night poker games and Saturday morning tee-times.”
“And you just want an escort to social events.”
Laughing, Ruby said, “We know each other too well, Stefano.” The truth was, she missed him. “By the way, has Mari called or sent anything to the house?”
“If she does, I’ll let you know. Does she have your address in Bellagio?”
“She does.” Ruby sighed. What was taking Mari so long to address Ruby’s letter? She had sent it by express mail so that Mari would know it was important. Ruby had received an email stating that it had been delivered. Who waits weeks to reply to a clearly urgent communication? But Ruby couldn’t rush her or even question her. She had sworn as much to Patricia, and Ruby would not dishonor her in death.
After saying goodbye to Stefano, Ruby hung up the phone and rubbed her stiff neck.
As an actress, Ruby couldn’t let feeling bad get in her way. Pushing through discomfort to perform was part of the job.
She recalled the audition she’d had for Diary of a Pioneer Woman. She’d struggled through that audition with sheer fortitude even though she was desperately sick. Not only had she landed the part, but she’d also won a prestigious acting award for it.
After that film, her career had ignited. Her agent had been right about that, but she regretted following Joseph’s advice on personal matters.
A warm bath, a brisk walk, and a good massage followed by a glass of wine were all she needed. Ruby was sure that she could rise above any minor inconvenience. She had lived a long life—longer than many. Overall, it had been a good life, although she’d had her regrets.
Now, she had to tend to the family matters Patricia had left to her. Her sister had been the kind one, while the challenges fell to Ruby.
Patricia had always said that Ruby was more fit for the task. You’re the strongest of us all, Ruby.
That wasn’t quite true. Ruby’s strength was that she took action, yet she still suffered the heartbreaking aftermath of difficult decisions.
As for Patricia, she was the steady one. Unflappable in the face of any adversity.
With another sigh, Ruby pushed through her stiffness to swing out of bed. She put on her silk robe and slippers and padded across the floor to the picture window that opened onto Lake Como. As if she could touch the bell tower in the distance, she traced it on the glass, recalling that day, and how Niccolò had kissed her at the altar. They hadn’t let anything deter them from following their hearts.
In the garden below, Ruby saw Ariana seated at a bistro table in the gazebo, sketching on a tablet.
What was keeping Mari? Ruby needed her in Lake Como, but she knew better than to prod the stubborn woman too soon. Perhaps Ruby’s express letter had been carelessly tossed into Mari’s incoming mail stack. Or if she were lucky, the visit to the bank was scheduled on Mari’s calendar.
For now, Ruby had to ensure that Ariana would keep her baby and be free to live the life she wanted. Ruby saw so much of herself in Ariana. Having enough money wasn’t the issue, although Ariana would have that one day. Ruby had made sure of it—even if a stock market crash wiped out her mother’s portfolio. Ruby wanted Ariana to have the freedom to follow her chosen path.
After having Livia’s strong coffee and homemade yogurt with blueberries and honey, Ruby began her walk to the hotel for her spa appointment.
As Ruby passed the vacant space that Ariana has leased, she noticed a flyer in the window of Lorenzo’s café next door. Ruby paused and stepped closer. Translating the text out loud, she read, “This summer, see Roman Holiday on stage. Coming soon to Teatro Della Vigna.” A theater in the vineyard. Enchanting, she thought.
Lorenzo hurried toward her. “Buongiorno, Signora Raines,” he said, kissing her cheeks. “Always lovely to see you. Would you like a table?”
“Ciao, Lorenzo,” Ruby said. “I’m on my way to the spa, but this theater production caught my eye.”
“Teatro Della Vigna is one of our finest theaters for live performances,” Lorenzo said. “It’s a natural amphitheater tucked among the vineyards on a hillside overlooking the lake. The owner serves wine from the surrounding vineyard, as well as from his vineyard in Valtellina, the wine region just north of the lake. Valtellina wines are the nectar of the gods,” Lorenzo said, kissing his fingers for emphasis.
“Why is that?” Ruby asked pleasantly. After visiting the café several times, she’d found that Lorenzo loved talking about the wine and food of the region.
Lorenzo’s face lit with enthusiasm. “The Chiavennasca grapes are grown on steep, terraced hillsides just north of here. Those grapes are the same as the Nebbiolo grapes used for the coveted Barolo and Barbaresco wines from Piemonte. I’ll give you a good bottle next time you and Ariana come in. You will love it.”
“That all sounds fascinating,” Ruby said
, her interest piqued by both the stage production and the wine. Italy was a country of endless, enchanting surprises. “Especially the theater performance.”
“You’ve seen Vacanze Romane?”
“Of course.” Ruby smiled and touched Lorenzo’s arm. “We call it Roman Holiday in America. It’s one of my favorite films.”
“Then you must attend,” Lorenzo said with a broad smile. He reached into the window and gave her the flyer. “Here, take this. We have several.”
“I should bring Ariana,” Ruby said.
As memories of filming Roman Holiday warmed her heart, Ruby rolled up the flyer and tucked it into her purse. What fun it would be to see this production in an outdoor amphitheater, sipping wine under the stars and reminiscing. This is why Ruby had returned to Italy and bought the house in Bellagio. It was her last chance to reconnect with the happiest time of her life, even in the smallest of ways.
After saying goodbye to Lorenzo, Ruby continued on her way to the spa.
Later that afternoon, when Ruby returned to Villa Fiori, she felt revitalized. Nothing was wrong with her that a talented massage therapist couldn’t put right.
Ruby made her way to the kitchen for a glass of wine to cap off the day.
“Aunt Ruby,” Ariana said, looking up from the lemonade she was preparing. “How was your massage?”
“Enchanting,” Ruby said. The sound of children’s laughter floated through the open doors from the terrace. “I hear the sounds of happiness out there.”
“I invited Alessandro over to continue talking about what I should do with the shop.” Ariana’s eyes shone brightly. “He’s so knowledgeable, and business is a little different here in Italy.” She arranged a few chocolate chip cookies she’d made yesterday on a colorful plate. “Sandro and Carmela make me laugh, too. I just adore them.”
Ruby hadn’t seen Ariana so animated in a long time. Alessandro was clearly the reason. “I’m glad they’re here. Shall I have Livia make dinner for all of us?”
Ariana gazed outside. “That’s kind, but I think Alessandro and I will make supper tonight. He’s an excellent cook, and we had so much fun in the kitchen at his home.”
Ruby was glad to hear that. She opened her purse and pulled out the flyer from Teatro Della Vigna.
“What’s that, Aunt Ruby?”
“This is for an amphitheater production of Roman Holiday—under the stars and amidst the vines. I’d love to see it. Do come with me.” She glanced outside again. “You could bring Alessandro, too. The children are welcome, but they might grow bored and cranky. Perhaps Paolina and her husband would watch them.”
“It’s a date.” A smile played on Ariana’s lips. “Roman Holiday is your favorite movie, isn’t it?”
Ruby arched a brow. “I don’t think I’ve ever mentioned that to you.”
“It wasn’t hard to figure out,” Ariana said, laughing. “When I was younger, you used to watch the film after I went to bed. I’ve only seen it once, but I’ve heard it so much I think I know it word for word.”
“I didn’t realize you could hear it in your room.”
“Sound carries when it’s quiet at night. And I’d crack open the door to listen. It made me feel…safe. Closer to you.” Ariana angled her head. “Why is that film so special to you?”
Ruby smoothed out the flyer on an antique desk and placed a vivid, blue-and-green Murano paperweight on it in a place of prominence. A stack of old, leather-bound recipe books written in Italian sat next to the fanciful orb.
“Roman Holiday was my first film,” Ruby said, smiling. “Oh, but we had such fun filming it in Rome.”
Ariana drew up her brow. “I didn’t know you appeared in that. Wasn’t Diary of a Pioneer Woman your first film role?”
“That was my first credited role,” Ruby said. “But the summer before that, I had a small part in Roman Holiday. Unfortunately, that scene was left on the cutting room floor.” A small laugh bubbled through her. “Or perhaps it deserved to die there.”
“What a shame.” Ariana looked quizzically at her. “Is that where you met Audrey Hepburn?”
Ruby nodded. “I was also a stand-in for Audrey, and it was so exciting being on the set and meeting her and other members of the cast. The entire filming was like a vacation. That film changed my life.” Ruby paused as her voice caught in her throat, and tears welled in her eyes. “And it was, without a doubt, the best time of my life.”
“Aunt Ruby, are you all right?” With her brow drawn in concern, Ariana stepped forward. “Why haven’t you ever told me this story?”
“Oh, my darling girl, I’ve lived such a long life,” Ruby said, blinking away the sudden tears. “I’ve hardly had time to share everything I’ve ever done with you. But I promise we’ll make up for it this summer.”
Ruby hugged Ariana. “Now go back to Alessandro and the children,” she said. “And if you don’t mind, I’d like to relax and have a glass of wine in my room. Give my regards to Alessandro.”
Ruby made her way upstairs to her bedroom. After opening the doors to her balcony, she sat outside in a chaise lounge that Ariana had positioned to catch the sun. She pulled a lightweight throw over her legs. Sipping her wine, she watched Alessandro’s children play in the orchard and garden below. Carmela and Sandro were sweet children—and soon, Ariana would have one of her own.
Besides the children’s laughter, Ruby could also hear the soft chatter of Ariana and Alessandro as they leaned toward each other across a table. They were talking about the shop and the new collection. Enthusiasm was evident in Ariana’s voice as it rose in the air.
Ruby was pleased that Ariana had left the studio and was planning her future. She sipped her wine and smiled. That was one item Ruby could cross off her list. She leaned forward slightly so that she could see the pair.
As they talked, Alessandro reached across the table for Ariana’s hand, which she slipped into his in a small, natural movement.
Ariana had told Ruby about the supper she’d had with Alessandro and the children at his home. Although her niece had tried to downplay the developing relationship with Alessandro, the look in Ariana’s eyes gave her away.
Ruby sipped her wine in thought. Ariana had also told her that she had no intention of telling Alessandro about her pregnancy until later because they were only friends.
But what if Alessandro were the right man for Ariana? If she waited too long to tell him, he could be devastated by her lack of trust. Or he might be angered, feeling like he had been played. And if that happened, Ariana would be equally destroyed. Ruby couldn’t help but fear for Ariana if she broke her heart over Alessandro.
For all Ruby knew, babies might feel their mother’s grief. She wanted her niece to have a happy pregnancy. More than ever, Ariana needed people around her who loved her.
This much, Ruby knew for certain.
Chapter 24
Texas Hill Country, 1953
* * *
Gale force winds rattled the windows in Ruby’s bedroom at the ranch as a cold norther seeped through frosted glass panes, chilling the room. February in Texas was usually bitter cold. The wind whistled across the pastures, bending trees until their frigid limbs froze, forming awkward, akimbo skeletons listing to one side.
Footsteps sounded through the house. On the coldest of nights such as this in the higher elevation on the Edwards Plateau, Ruby’s father woke long before sunrise to make sure the animals were moving so they wouldn’t die from temperatures far below freezing. With less feed this year, the cattle had thin winter fur and less fat to insulate their bodies, so the risk was higher.
Even though Ruby had been sending funds to her parents and her sister, they were still suffering financial difficulties. Though her father had told her he was grateful to her, she could tell that Harrison Smith didn’t like accepting money from his daughter. He’d been sullen and on edge since she’d arrived.
Unable to sleep, Ruby pulled a robe over her nightgown and rose to lay a fire in the ki
tchen hearth. She put the coffee pot on the stovetop and struck a match to light the gas, turning a knob just so. While the coffee simmered, she touched another match to the kindling in the fireplace and sat on a bench to warm her hands.
Ruby had remained in Los Angeles over Christmas, claiming that she had to go on auditions, but she wanted to be there in case Niccolò arrived. She hadn’t heard from him and was growing increasingly worried. After her third film, Forever a Rebel, wrapped in mid-February, she’d decided it was time to go home.
As Ruby coaxed the flickering flames, she thought about how she would tell her parents about her pregnancy. She’d only been home a couple of days, and she’d managed to hide her expanding waistline beneath bulky sweaters. When she heard a noise, she looked up.
Her mother shuffled into the kitchen. “You’re up mighty early.”
“Couldn’t sleep.” Ruby glanced at her mother. Mercy’s hair was considerably grayer than it had been last year, and she’d lost weight.
“Anything in particular on your mind?” Mercy asked.
Slowly, Ruby nodded. She thought of Joseph, and how he’d told her to tell her parents. They’ll know what to do. She sucked in a breath and plunged in. “I’ve been keeping a secret. Several, in fact.”
Sighing, her mother gave her a sad smile. “You’re pregnant.”
“Did Aunt Vivienne tell you?”
“Well, I wish one of you would have.” Mercy poured two cups of coffee and handed one to her daughter. “To a mother, it’s easy to see. As thin as your arms are, you’ve lost your waistline. Yet your face is radiant. It wasn’t hard to guess.”
“Think Dad knows?”
“Men rarely see the signs.” Her mother frowned and sat beside her on the bench. Sipping her coffee, she asked quietly, “Want to tell me what happened?”
“His name is Niccolò, and we got married in Lake Como.”