“Yes,” Luigi said.
“Do you need me to do anything?” Kat asked.
Deborah smiled. “I can handle it. Please, you two, stay in Florence. Enjoy yourselves to the maximum. Squeeze in every little bit of enjoyment you can before you have to leave.”
So they did.
Deborah and Luigi returned to his estate in the Maybach which Luigi had driven from the airport. Kat and Blaine were to get a taxi when they were ready to return to Deborah’s.
They wandered the streets of Florence, not going anywhere in particular. They held hands and strolled, deeply relaxed. Whenever they saw a shop they liked the look of, they ducked inside. An antique shop, a second-hand book store, a clothing store… Kat loved to window shop, and everything she saw was done with exquisite taste.
Kat couldn’t remember the last time she’d been so completely and utterly happy. She and Blaine stopped at a gelateria. She had a coffee and mascarpone gelato combination, while Blaine opted for pear and cinnamon. They fed each other off the little spoons provided and watched people walk by.
Blaine laughed. “Well, it’s not been the most relaxing vacation I’ve ever taken, but it’s got to be the most eventful one.”
“I’ll say,” said Kat with a smile. “Thank you for always supporting me. That really means a lot.”
Blaine gave her a warm and loving smile. The one that still made her weak at the knees as his eyes crinkled. “That’s my job, honey,” he murmured.
CHAPTER 20
The weather could not have been more perfect for a wedding. The ceremony took place under a grape-wrapped arbor on the front lawn of Luigi’s massive castle, in the golden late-afternoon sunlight.
Like Deborah had alluded to, there was a huge turnout of Luigi’s friends and business associates. Deborah herself just had Kat, Blaine, and Primo there, but she and Luigi were planning a visit to the States soon, so all of her friends in Lindsay and beyond could meet the love of her life.
Kat beamed with pride as she walked down the aisle just before the bride made her grand entrance. Deborah wore a blush colored two-piece lace over satin, that glimmered gorgeously in the afternoon sunlight. Kat wore a complementing dress in rose, which hugged her curves and made her feel like a million dollars. As she walked down the aisle, Deborah turned towards Kat and gave her a wide grin. Kat felt tears spring to her eyes, she was so happy Deborah was finally getting the wonderful life she deserved. She hoped beyond hope that Deborah and Luigi would have a long, happy life together.
Luigi stood at the altar next to his best man, a close childhood friend who had been recruited at the last minute to fill Bruno’s spot. He had the biggest smile Kat thought she’d ever seen on anyone.
The ceremony was in Italian, but Kat didn’t need to understand the words. She felt them and the deep, abiding love as Luigi and Deborah said their vows, exchanged rings, and shared their first kiss as a married couple. People burst into applause and cheers as they made their way back up the aisle. White and golden confetti burst into showers above their heads as the guests scattered it all over them. Even Primo who was tied by his leash to the last pew in the back of the church basked in the joy of the moment, barking happily.
Then they all went to the vineyard’s tasting room for dinner.
Kat gasped as she stepped into the room. It was truly a banquet. There were huge long tables with white tablecloths, candelabras burning away, flickering shadows up against the stone walls. Staff stood at the edge of the room, next to an enormous table, packed to the brim with all kinds of foods.
Kat couldn’t resist passing by the food table before she went to her seat at the head table beside Deborah. There were so many delicious dishes, she didn’t know where to look first.
At the tables, they were served a choice of red wine, white wine and Prosecco, all from Luigi’s estate. Next came the antipasti – plates and plates of mozzarella, charcuterie, almond-stuffed olives, fresh grilled anchovies, salads that looked nothing short of rainbows, focaccia, orange glazed bread, and just about anything else one could think of.
“Don’t fill yourself up too much!” Deborah said. “There’s plenty more to come!”
And she wasn’t wrong. Next came the primo piatto. There was a choice between two dishes – ricotta and spinach ravioli, or paccheri with beef sauce. Kat was already feeling a little full from her ravioli, but she had to make more room for the main course. Again, there were two choices – guinea fowl with herb roasted potatoes and grilled asparagus, or lasagna – Deborah’s absolute favorite – with an aragula salad. Kat had the lasagna and enjoyed it as much as Deborah did.
Sorbetta came next, a prosecco-lemon flavored sorbet. Kat thought it was dessert, but it just turned out to be a palate cleanser before the main dessert event. Kat went for the classic Tiramisu (she just couldn’t get enough of it), but there was also an option of summer fruit and wild berry sauce on a caramelized biscuit base, with a marscarpone flavored gelato.
Soon, with everyone feeling as full as they’d ever been, the waiters went around and handed everyone a glass of Prosecco. Luigi stood up.
Deborah had to translate for Kat, and Kat was so glad she did, because Luigi’s speech was so moving and heartfelt.
“Thank you to everyone for coming,” he said. “Deborah and I are truly blessed to have so many people who wish us well and have come to celebrate our love. We appreciate that, from the bottom of our hearts.
“But everyone who knows me well will know that there’s one very special guest who is missing. My best friend, Bruno Lombardi. Bruno and I met in Florence, both as young men, who were being advised by our fathers to get into the wine business. Advised… or should I say, pushed?”
Everyone laughed.
“From there, complaining about our respective fathers, we formed a life-long friendship. Bruno Lombardi was not a perfect man. Who among us is? But he was hilarious, and strong, and truly dedicated to his profession, no, his art, as a winemaker. He was charismatic, and could be cutthroat. He was a man of darkness and light, like us all, and owned his shortcomings well. He would call me out when I took the wrong path, and I would try to do the same for him.
“He should be here, standing next to me. But he is now… in the ground.” A pained look touched Luigi’s face. He bowed his head for a moment, then lifted it again. “But that cannot be changed. That has happened, and there is no secret way to be able to go back in time and change things.
“However, there is still a right way to do things. And the right way to do things in this instance was to get him justice. As his best friend, I knew he deserved that. The police… well, we all know about them.”
Everyone laughed.
“While they can be wonderful, they may not always be. But friends? You know their heart is in the right place. My wonderful wife Deborah was involved in a murder investigation back in Lindsay, Kansas, where she comes from. And when the police failed to find the murderer, Kat Denham was the one who succeeded.” He gestured toward Kat.
Kat, slightly taken aback, made a quick wave to the sea of people in front of them.
“She is not an investigator by profession. Rather, she is a talented writer, who creates new worlds with her pen. But her heart is made of gold, and she hates to see justice not being served. So she stepped up in Lindsay, Kansas, and solved the murder. Then – as if God still gave us a consolation after Bruno’s death – she arrived just in time. Not one day after she had arrived, Bruno was murdered. And I thank God that she was here, and that she cannot rest until justice is done. Without hesitation, she decided to investigate. And she was entirely successful.
“My wonderful Deborah translated for her when the language barrier became too great, and Deborah’s dog, Primo, offered aggression just when it was needed. The result was the arrest of the person responsible for Bruno’s death. I could not be more grateful. Bruno’s body may be in the ground, but his soul is now at peace as he has received justice, and he can go on to be with the Lord.”
/> “Kat, thank you,” he said in English. “And I hope that we can host you and your husband for many future times to come. In much happier times.”
“Thank you,” Kat said.
“We’d be most honored,” said Blaine.
“And you’re welcome to visit us in Lindsay any time,” Kat added.
*****
While Deborah and Luigi stayed at his castle for the night, Blaine and Kat returned to Deborah’s home for their last night, with Primo tagging along. He had grown to love Kat, and nuzzled his head against her knee in the taxi. She stroked him on his head. “Aww. I wish you could meet Jazz and Rudy. Perhaps Deborah will bring you along when she comes to visit us in Kansas.”
The next day, the day they were due to leave, they awoke to something rather unexpected. Kat rubbed her eyes and opened the curtains to the balcony, and gasped.
“What is it?” Blaine said, concerned. He rushed to stand beside her, then his face broke into a huge smile. “Wow! These people…” He trailed off, speechless.
“So kind, aren’t they?” Deborah said.
Out on the balcony, there was the most beautiful scene, right in front of their room. The empty balcony had been transformed, with gorgeous potted flowers, and an ornate white table with garlands woven around its legs. On the table, there was a huge spread of breakfast – coffee, prosecco, bread rolls, pastries of every kind, and a gorgeous array of brightly colored fruit. There was also a wrapped gift on the table.
Kat padded outside in her slippers, and then Luigi and Deborah came into view. They were a little way down the long balcony, watching Kat and Blaine with excitement, like little children spying on their parents.
Kat broke into a grin. “You two,” she said as she pointed at them. “You’re spoiling us!”
“It is nothing,” said Luigi. “Nothing can repay you for how you’ve helped us.”
Blaine walked out of the bedroom, tying his robe and smiling. “This is really something.”
“Open the present, open the present!” Deborah said excitedly, like a little kid.
“Okay,” Kat said. She sat down at the table and unwrapped the gift, which was wrapped immaculately in white paper with a thick golden ribbon. As she opened it, she gasped. “Deborah, you didn’t!”
Deborah grinned. “Yep, I did!”
Kat held up the gift to show Blaine. “The Versace bag you liked,” he said. “Wow, Deborah, that’s really generous of you.”
“A gift for being the most wonderful matron of honor anybody could ever ask for,” Deborah said. She came up behind Kat and gave her a big hug. “Thank you, Kat. For everything.”
Kat got up and hugged her back. “You’re so welcome. And thank you, too. I was so happy to be a part of your wedding.”
They ate their farewell breakfast together, looking over Deborah’s garden and her small “starter” vineyard beyond.
“It’s a shame you didn’t get to do more in Florence, and see Siena, and all the other amazing things we’d planned on doing,” Deborah said.
“Well, we got to see a lot of Sardinia, and that was such a beautiful island,” Kat said. “Maybe next time we’ll do all the rest.”
Luigi grinned. “Does that mean you’re not put off for life?”
“Not at all.” Kat said. “Not in the slightest. I’m a bit tougher than that, thank you, Luigi.” she teased. Everyone laughed.
Soon it was time for them to leave. Luigi drove in the Maybach, while Deborah came along for the ride. When Kat was saying goodbye to Primo on the driveway, he whined and cried so much that Deborah said he could come along too, and say goodbye at the airport like the rest of them.
At the airport, everyone hugged. Kat knelt down and ruffled Primo’s head.
“We’ll see you soon,” Blaine said. “First in Kansas, then back here. Luigi, we’ll do some great golf when you come to Lindsay.”
Luigi gave him another handshake that led to a manly pat on the back sort of hug. “You got it.”
“Bye, Deborah,” Kat said. “Thank you for everything, and the bag.”
Deborah gave her a lovely smile. “You’re worth it.”
EPILOGUE – SIX MONTHS LATER
Salvatore handed Alessa the keys to the B and B. He smiled. Alessa hadn’t seen him smile very often. “These are for you,” he said. “You have done such an incredible job, and you deserve to have them.”
Alessa smiled. They were at Gianna’s bar and she was sipping on a Coke. “Thank you,” she said. “I’d love to continue being the manager.”
Salvatore grinned at his companion. “No,” he said. “Not the manager. The manager and the owner.”
Alessa’s smile disappeared, to be replaced by total and utter shock. “No… What? You mean… Seriously?”
Salvatore and his companion laughed. “Yes. Seriously.” he said. “The B and B is all yours. You are the one who has loved it back to life. Now, take it. Keep it forever. Cherish it.”
Alessa broke down and cried. “Oh my goodness. Oh, Sal, this is too much. Sal, you are too generous.”
“No,” he said. “You helped me so much when I was depressed. Not only with making the B and B beautiful, but by helping to heal my heart. I owe you much more than this, Alessa. More than you’ll ever know.”
Tears were running down Alessa’s face. She smiled, speechless.
“But don’t worry,” Salvatore said cheerfully. He put his arm around his companion, Chiari. “Chiari and I will come and visit often.” He winked. “You can prepare us the finest suite.”
They all laughed, knowing there were no fine suites in the B and B.
“And of course, you will be an honored guest at our wedding,” Chiari said.
*****
It was the best day of Lorenzo’s working life. He clutched the magazine to his chest, and ran from his office to the salon, where Vito was drinking a glass of his own wine, a raft of papers stretched across the coffee table, where he was planning for next year’s releases.
“Mr. Rizzo,” he said, bursting into the room. “Look at this. You placed 1st in the wines of the year!”
“Oh ha ha,” Vito said, not looking up. “Of course the Lombardi estate would…”
“No,” Lorenzo said, rushing over and thrusting the magazine at him. “Look. 1st place in the wines of the year… from the Rizzo winery!”
Vito skimmed the magazine, then threw it victoriously in the air. “Yes!” He grabbed Lorenzo and embraced him in a huge bear hug, the first time he’d ever done so. “Yes, yes, yes!” Then he dug into his pocket and pulled out his wallet. He didn’t even bother counting the money, just fished out a thick wad of bills and slapped it into Lorenzo’s hand. “Go. Take your wife and kids on holiday for two weeks, and I don’t want to hear anything from you during that time. Go, take a cruise, fly to America, go to England and see the Queen… anything you like!”
“Oh, sir,” Lorenzo said, incredibly taken aback. “Are you… are you sure?”
“Yes. Now get out of her before I change my mind.”
“Thank you, sir, thank you so much!” Lorenzo hurried into the office, grabbed his briefcase, and jumped into his car, excitement exploding inside his chest. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d been on a vacation with his family or relaxing with his family, without Vito calling him and demanding that he attend to something.
As hee drove home, his mind filled with the images of his children’s faces smiling up at him. Life was good.
*****
Rinaldo sat in his cell, thinking about how his life had gone so wrong. He’d been certain that Gabriele would be arrested for the murder, but Rinaldo realized maybe he wasn’t as smart as he’d thought he was. The police chief had gotten a search warrant for his home and found evidence of thallium. After much interrogation, Rinaldo admitted that a chemist friend of his who worked at a scientific laboratory in Florence had obtained it for him.
The friend had no idea what he was going to do with it. Rinaldo had simply said he was playing a
joke on a friend. He wanted it because it was odorless, colorless, and tasteless. In other words, the perfect poison to put in a bottle of wine. The deadly effects were instant. Rinaldo’s plan had worked.
But his ‘getting away with it’ plan had definitely not worked. Now he was facing a lifetime in jail. No future. No hope. All he could do was get on his knees every day and beg God, Jesus, Mother Mary and whoever else would listen, for forgiveness.
*****
“Well, who knew I would be finding love at the school gate?” Sofia said happily to her sister. She was standing in front of a mirror fixing her hair, her telephone call to her sister on speakerphone. She had been really close to her sister as a child, but as adults they’d drifted apart. Only now, since Bruno had died and Rinaldo had been locked up, had they rekindled their friendship.
Despite it being hard to get over Bruno, she had started to take on some of what Rinaldo had said, especially since her sister was echoing it. “You deserve to be a man’s one and only,” her sister had said. “Make sure to never get involved with a man with attachments like that again. You want someone who’s free and single and can show your beautiful self off to the world.”
Diego had a friend at school, Francisco, who had a little crush on Sofia. Turned out, his single father had a crush on her as well. Little Francisco blabbed all about it when he came over to play on the gaming console. “My father thinks you are very beautiful, Ms. Ossani,” he said. “He said your eyes sparkle, and you have a lovely smile.” The poor man would have been mortified if he found out what his son had said.
But that afternoon when he came to pick up Francisco, Sofia looked at him in a new way. Previously she’d only had eyes for Bruno. But now? Well, there was certainly something about the light in his eyes, and the way he looked when he smiled. Perhaps something could happen…
Francisco burst the bubble. “I told Ms. Ossani you think she’s beautiful, dad.”
He looked like he wanted the ground to swallow him up. “I’m so sorry, Ms. Ossani.”
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