Summer Wine (Callie & Rebecca Book 4)

by Barbara Winkes

  “Did you ever imagine this?” Callie asked.

  “Where my life is going in general, or this particular moment?” Rebecca shook her head. “Never. It’s not much better than anything I could have ever thought of.”

  There were moments a camera couldn’t capture, and that was okay, Callie thought, because they’d stay in her heart forever.

  * * * *

  Graciela and Marco assured them there would be separate sleeping quarters for Dina and Tomaso. She’d share with Bianca in her old room while another guest room was set up for Maggie and Angelica.

  Bianca whispered something to Tomaso that made him roll his eyes, then she urged him to translate. He sighed. “She says she has a very light sleep. No sneaking out.”

  “Perfect,” Rebecca told her, making Bianca and Graciela laugh. “Thank you so much for having us again.”

  Graciela answered, slowing her speech enough for Dina to understand. “You are welcome,” she translated. “This is your first time in Italy. You should enjoy some time to yourself as, maybe visit a winery in Chianti…Oh yes,” Dina stopped the translation, adding “that’s what they’ve been talking about all the time”, and Tomaso told his mother before anyone could stop him.

  “Great job you two,” Rebecca said. “Now you made it look like we just came for the alcohol.”

  Graciela burst into laughter. “Everyone else is coming for the wine. We don’t mind! When traveling with kids, there should be time for the parents as well.”

  “See, Mom?” Dina said triumphantly. “We’re giving you and Callie a day off.”

  As they gathered around the table once more, Rebecca regretted no deeper conversation was possible, now that Tomaso’s family had given them such a friendly welcome in their home country. She admitted to herself that she was curious about their point of view, as it had never been spoken about, not in the interactions David had had with them, or later, in her own. It was proof that the way you acted, reflected back on you in other people’s reactions. She was proud, of Callie, of what they had achieved together. Maybe the DeLucas could sense that. Maybe they were just a kind and friendly family without the hang-ups of people you could probably find here as much as at home.

  There weren’t so many words they could share when Bianca eventually drove them home to the B&B, but it was enough to express their gratitude, and for Bianca to say, “You are welcome.” Smiles and hugs ended today’s conversation with the DeLuca family, and then Callie and Rebecca were by themselves for the first time since they had embarked on this adventure.

  The evening was mild, the city not yet coming to rest, even though in their corner, it was quieter than it had been in the center of Rome. When Rebecca returned from the bathroom, Callie was lounging on the bed, looking at pictures.

  “When I show those to Asha, she’ll hopefully understand why I’m not yet done with the book,” she said without looking up.

  “She’s got a sample. That’s all she asked for, right?” Rebecca leaned back against the wall, watching her. She couldn’t believe how fast those days had already passed, the experiences resonating within her, everything from what could have ended in a shouting match with Dina, to the overwhelming feel of Rome, to Siena and the family who had welcomed them.

  Callie mumbled something in answer, making Rebecca smile at her absent-mindedness. It gave her an excuse to study—or unabashedly stare—at the woman in front of her. Her lover, soulmate, and maybe someday, her wife. The thought made her heart beat faster, and as if Callie was able to pick up on that, she looked up at Rebecca.

  “Is something wrong?” she asked, sounding worried.

  “No. No, not at all. I love you, you know that, right?”

  “I do. I love you too.” Callie laid the camera aside when Rebecca sat next to her. “Are you sure everything’s okay? Dina and Maggie will have a great day tomorrow. We will, too, for that matter. Finally, we’ll do all that wine tasting we’ve been talking about all the time.”

  “Yeah.” Rebecca inched a bit closer, wondering if there was any way to wrap those emotions into words. “I’m good, don’t worry. I’m so happy we didn’t change our minds, on anything regarding the trip.” Her fingers were tickling with want and the need to touch, so she reached out to brush her fingers over Callie’s hair, the soft skin of her shoulder. Callie’s breath caught even before Rebecca leaned in to kiss her. It took only a few heartbeats for their embrace to get even more passionate, and for her to end up on top of Callie.

  “I want you,” she whispered.

  Callie gave her a mischievous smile. “I’m not sure if I’m that flexible yet, because I’m still feeling every one of those stairs, but it’s fine as long as you do all the work.”

  “You are so funny,” Rebecca said, sitting back to take in the sight. Callie’s shirt was riding up, exposing more skin than it covered up, and her slip was halfway down her hips.

  “Yes, that’s why you love me.”

  “It’s one of many reasons. Believe me. You don’t want me to count them now, because we’d still be here tomorrow without—”

  “Without what?”

  Rebecca leaned forward to kiss her stomach, finding a comfortable position to move further down, slowly. Callie gasped, but she didn’t seem to have any further questions. Instead of reasons, Rebecca would make her count her blessings.

  Despite her claims of being tired, Callie had quickly gained her energy back.

  It was almost unreal, making love in a hotel room in Tuscany, on a summer night. Callie’s hand tightened in her short hair, each wave of pleasure echoing in her own body until there was stillness. Giddy, she smiled to herself. If there had been any doubt that the new cut was a good idea, it was gone now. Callie hadn’t been kidding when she said it was hot. Rebecca thought she’d never felt happier, or younger before, and not just on the outside.

  Chapter Nine

  In the morning, a little later than planned, they followed Graciela’s recommendation and took a bus to one of the wineries they’d found on the internet. They joined a guided tour, almost tempted into buying a couple of bottles for a special occasion back home. They’d probably spend more at the airport, Rebecca reasoned, but it would be worth not having to carry them around for the rest of the vacation.

  For lunch, they found a small restaurant in the same town. Undoubtedly the Italian cuisine consisted of more than pizza and pasta, but for a foreign tourist, those, along with the ice cream and tiramisu were what could get you hooked.

  They were drunk on summer, Rebecca thought with a smile. Sunshine, stunning views, amazing food and wine, and making love on an August night in Tuscany.

  “I hope you’re reminiscing,” Callie said. She had done her share of “work” after all, the memory sending a pleasant shiver down Rebecca’s spine.

  “Please tell me we’re never going to leave this place.”

  “We’re never going to leave.” Callie understood, instantly, that she wasn’t talking about any real, physical place. “I thought I was the writer.”

  “I can be poetic.”

  “I never doubted that.”

  On the table, their hands touched, a brush of fingertips against each other, a flirt, a spark.

  Wife.

  The thought came with a bit of melancholy. Even with David being conveniently on the other side of the world, the chapter of her life that contained their marriage being over without a doubt, it wasn’t so easy. She and Callie couldn’t get married on a whim here in these beautiful surroundings, because the law said so. They couldn’t get married in Autumn Leaves, because the law said so. The next time they’d go to New York would be for Asha and Gracie’s wedding.

  All of a sudden, Rebecca knew for certain that she didn’t want to wait much longer. Both she and Callie had seen how life could take a detour without warning, not always to the better. Waiting, for whom? It wasn’t like anybody could gain from that--certainly not Dina who had decided she’d live with Callie and Rebecca, and Maggie who had wanted t
o do so from day one. They loved David and always would, but they understood and accepted the way things were. Maybe they didn’t have to go to New York, a place that held too many memories, both bad and good, for Callie. Boston was an option, and there were more. Across the street from their B&B, she had seen a small jewelry store. Maybe that was a sign.

  “What are you thinking?” Callie asked.

  “I’m thinking about you,” Rebecca said, making her blush. She had no desire to correct the insinuation. “Oh, and dessert.”

  “Oh my God, stop it.” Callie laughed. “I can’t have these feelings in public.”

  “I’m talking about pastry and dessert wine. I’m pretty sure they make for some good feelings too--and then we take the next bus home?”

  “Oh yes. I can’t wait.”

  They were taking their time, dessert, a walk in town until they got to the bus stop and, fifteen minutes later, on the bus back to Siena.

  * * * *

  “We should go too. There’s still time,” Callie mused. Dina had sent pictures, together with an enthusiastic text, from Florence, the marketplace, the cathedral.

  “Hm. Sure.” Rebecca was glad Dina had checked in, but another day trip wasn’t on her mind at the moment, with Callie in her arms. They’d have to get up and get dressed at some point, as Bianca would bring back Dina and Maggie soon, find a place to have dinner.

  She was wondering if it was possible to sneak away for a moment, to check out the jewelry in the store downstairs. Of course, that endeavor would be a lot easier to pull off back home, but Rebecca had come to a conclusion. She wanted to find that courage before they’d go back to their everyday lives, when she’d be hunting after contracts and Callie would be working on her book.

  “We could all go together, maybe take Tomaso—and we should invite the DeLucas out for dinner too. They’ve been so generous.”

  There was no answer forthcoming, and she shook Callie gently. “Are you falling asleep?”

  “Totally. You exhausted me,” Callie murmured.

  Laughing, Rebecca leaned forward to kiss her neck, her shoulder, pulling her back from the verge of sleep. “You have no idea how much of a compliment that is to me.”

  “It should be.”

  Callie stretched lazily. “What’s even better, I’m actually hungry again. Where do we go tonight?”

  “Remember—where we went the first night? The pizza was to die for.”

  “You had pizza earlier,” Callie reminded her.

  “So?”

  “Come to think of it, you’re right. I don’t think Maggie or Dina will have any objections.” With obvious reluctance, Callie pushed back the sheet. Rebecca could sympathize. “I really need some motivation to get up. Are you going to wear the red dress?”

  “Sure. What’s my motivation?” Callie got up from the bed naked to walk to the bathroom door, where she gave Rebecca a prompting look over her shoulder.

  “Yes,” Rebecca said. “We should be responsible tourists and save water.”

  * * * *

  Skies were still bright. Maggie was beyond happy to have made a new friend and learned a few phrases in Italian as well. Dina was in seventh heaven. She had enjoyed herself with Tomaso, Bianca and her friends, and to Rebecca’s relief, sex didn’t seem to have crossed anyone’s mind.

  Rebecca thought with pride that as teenagers went, Dina was smart and responsible, and obviously, her choices reflected that. They had done more sightseeing and souvenir shopping. Tomaso and Bianca were proud to show their country’s art and culture. Dina obviously loved taking it all in. Any thoughts about the good-looking son of a tour guide were forgotten.

  “Really? Oh my God, Mom, I love you so much!” Those were her words when Rebecca announced that they had decided on another trip to Florence before the end of the vacation, and that Tomaso was of course welcome. Maggie giggled. The days of her being scared and brooding for reasons troubling to examine were finally gone. Unbidden, Rebecca thought of Andy. Had she ever felt truly happy in her life? If you had, how could you possibly want to take that away from somebody else?

  “You’re welcome,” she said dryly. On their way to the restaurant, she had caught a glimpse of a display of rings in the jeweler’s store window. Maybe she should let the girls in on the secret and make them distract Callie.

  “I take it the day was a success,” she said to Dina.

  “Oh yes. I could so imagine living here. Everyone is so cool. It’s the best summer of my life.”

  “I can understand,” Callie chimed in. “Mine too.”

  Maybe, if Rebecca could make it happen, those days would be even more memorable.

  * * * *

  The storm clouds were back two days later, in a strictly metaphorical sense. Sergio, unhappy about having been left behind in Rome, texted Dina, and eventually, Tomaso found out about the kiss, as Dina couldn’t keep quiet about it any longer. He was angry and hurt. Dina spent the afternoon crying on her bed, refusing any attempts at conversation or distraction.

  “He doesn’t want to see me, ever again!”

  Callie had wisely taken Maggie for a stroll to a nearby bookstore. Rebecca was left with trying to defuse the situation and relieve some of her daughter’s misery, somehow.

  “Did you apologize?”

  Dina just cried harder. “I want to go home!”

  Rebecca sat next to her, squeezing her shoulder gently. “I’m afraid we can’t do that. If we changed the flights now, it would cost us a lot of money. Not necessarily breaking the bank, but coming close.”

  Dina’s expression told her that she couldn’t care less. “I can’t be here anymore. Tomaso hates me, and he’s right.”

  “No way. He didn’t say that, did he?”

  Dina shook her head. “No, but I know it. I’ve texted him, and tried to call him, but he won’t answer. I hate my life!”

  “No, it’s not that easy,” Rebecca said, feeling uncomfortably like she was running out of ideas. “Keep trying. If he understands that you’re really sorry, he will forgive you, and if he doesn’t--none of it has to change your plans to come live and study here.”

  “I wish I’d never met Sergio.”

  Here they were back to the original subject, adultery, sin, decisions and consequences.

  “You’re going to meet many more interesting people, some of which you might be attracted to, but—” She leaned forward to embrace her distraught daughter, and they sat for a while, each hanging on to their own thoughts, chasing after words. At least, Rebecca knew it was true for her.

  “We’re back to the same old, ‘when you know, you know’?” Dina offered eventually, sounding miserable.

  “Actually, yes. Speaking of which, I know you’re having a tough time, but could I ask you a favor?”

  “Yeah, sure.” In her present misery, Dina hadn’t caught on the tone or wording of Rebecca’s question.

  “You know that jeweler across the street?”

  Dina nodded, still oblivious.

  “I’d like to buy a ring.”

  “Sure, why not? They have some cool stuff…Mom!” Her eyes went wide as Dina forgot about her own trouble for the moment. “Really? That’s so awesome! I’m so happy for you!” She embraced Rebecca, holding on tightly, and Rebecca allowed herself a moment of joyful surprise. She hadn’t expected Dina to object to the idea, but she hadn’t dared hope for that kind of enthusiasm either. Only last week, Dina had claimed to be born into a family of cheaters which gave her no chance to follow the lead. Obviously, she was over that thought.

  “Thank you. I don’t think we could make it happen before next year…and we have to see what happens in Autumn Leaves, too, with the law, but I thought while we’re here…”

  “Mom,” Dina said with affection. “You’re rambling. What do you want me to do?”

  “Okay. Tomorrow, before we go for dinner, maybe…if you could just distract Callie for a bit.”

  “Cool. I can do that.”

  Rebecca congratula
ted herself on her success, prematurely, as Dina’s eyes filled with tears again. “I don’t think I’m ever going to get married.”

  The sound of the key in the lock brought that particular subject to an end.

  “I can’t guarantee it’s going to be Tomaso, but call him one more time. Good luck.”

  Dina leaned against her with a tired sigh. “You too, Mom. Although you’ve got it good--of course, Callie will say yes. I’ll be an old maid.”

  * * * *

  However, Dina’s chances for a happy ending improved the next day when Tomaso showed up at the B&B, looking chastised and apologetic.

  “I need to talk to Dina, prego.”

  Rebecca immediately knew that her best laid plans were about to fall apart when she opened the door to Tomaso who, judging from his slumped shoulders and his fidgeting, had spent twenty-four hours as miserable as Dina’s had been. She hoped he didn’t plan to yell at her.

  “She’s very sorry, you know.” She probably shouldn’t insert herself any more into that conversation, but Rebecca was determined to keep an eye on how it would go.

  “Can I?”

  “Sure. I’ll get her.”

  “Thank you so much, Mrs. Lowman.”

  “I’m here,” Dina said behind her. “Mom, I’m sorry, I was supposed to—”

  “We’ll figure it out,” Rebecca interrupted her. “Don’t worry about it. I’ll be…over there, in the other room?” She was sure neither Dina nor Tomaso had heard her as they stared at each other, unsure what to do or say next.

  “Mi dispiace. I’ve been a douchebag,” he said.

  “Mi perdoni?” Dina asked softly, incredulous, as if she couldn’t quite believe what she’d heard.

  “Si, of course. Ti amo, Dina.”

  They were in each other’s arms the next moment, reuniting in a kiss that was Rebecca’s definite cue to leave the room.

  * * * *

  Time seemed to have accelerated after the tearful reunion and the subsequent trip to Florence, another city of stunning art and architecture. For their last evening in town, the DeLucas had invited them once more. This day was the last chance for Rebecca to move forward with her plan, so Dina tricked Callie into a last minute shopping session for the occasion, suggesting they could bring Maggie and visit the bookstore one last time.