Those Blue Tuscan Skies

by Marion Ueckermann

  “And this.” Rafaele drew her into his arms.

  Before Jayne knew what was happening, his lips brushed against hers, softly at first, increasing with fervor the moment she responded to his kiss. This was the last thing she’d expected to happen today. Thank heavens she hadn’t slid into bed an hour early and drifted off to sleep—she might’ve only experienced his kisses in her dreams. And that would’ve been a shame. No way would they have been able to compare to reality. Not in the slightest.

  Finally, Rafaele released her and offered a lazy smile. “Buonanotte amore mio. See you tomorrow.”

  Too stunned to answer, she merely nodded.

  After he’d vanished from sight, she closed the door and flopped back against it. She trailed a trembling finger over her lips. Had he just lived up to stereotype of the impulsive, passionate Italian?

  Oh my, how would she ever be able to sleep?

  Chapter Nine

  EXCLUDING ANYTHING TO DO WITH Jayne—especially her kisses—there was nothing on earth for Rafaele like having an early breakfast on the patio with his family. Especially this breakfast where Maria had pulled out all the stops in the kitchen. First thing they’d done when Nonna joined them was to sing “Happy Birthday” to her. They’d do it all over again tonight at the party when their other cousins and Alessa were there, but that didn’t matter. If it made her day special, he’d sing the old tune all day long.

  Raised voices, hands swaying this way and that expressing the speaker’s thoughts and words… He loved it. And only half of them were there. Imagine what it would be like tonight. Poor Jayne—she was in for a baptism by fire. Italian style.

  As was Rachel.

  “So, Rafaele,” Sienna stared at him over a pastry. “Where did you disappear to after dinner last night? I thought you were going to bed—you said you’d had a long day—but we all heard your car pulling out shortly before ten.”

  She glanced at Nonna. “Do you know anything about this mystery woman he’s dating?”

  Nonna had just dipped her fette biscottate into her steaming cappuccino. She bit into the rusk, now softened by the hot liquid. After she’d swallowed, she sipped her coffee and shrugged. “Hmm, I have met the young woman in question. Briefly.”

  “And… What’s the love of my big brother’s life like, Nonna? He won’t tell me anything…despite it being ‘tomorrow’ already.” Tiny lines formed between Sienna’s eyes as she narrowed her gaze at Rafaele.

  With seemingly all the time in the world, Nonna picked a nut from her biscuit and popped it into her mouth. She chewed, and Rafaele couldn’t help thinking she was carefully choosing her words.

  “She’s English,” she finally announced.

  Rafaele sighed. He thought they’d dealt with this issue. Well, Nonna didn’t have much time to dispose of her attitude toward English women. He prayed her dislike would not be evident to Rachel and Jayne. A little chat with her might be necessary before the two British women arrived, even if she was the birthday girl.

  He gazed at Sienna then chuckled as he rose. “Where I went is none of your business, little sister.” What fun it was to have her around again to torment.

  “Now where are you going?” Sienna’s raised hands spoke of her frustration at Rafaele’s covertness about his comings and goings.

  “To collect Alessa at Chiusi-Chianciano station, remember. It is a forty-minute drive, and she arrives at ten, so I need to get going soon.”

  “Bet you’ll get there in under thirty, brother.” Ric rose too. “Need some company?”

  Rafaele tipped his head. “Sure. Anyone else want to go for a ride?”

  Nonna shook her head. “I’m getting too old to scurry around the countryside. Besides, I want to visit with my grandson and granddaughter who live so far away.” Her eyes flitted between Sienna and Marco. “You didn’t want to go with Rafaele and Ric, did you?”

  They shook their heads.

  “It’s not every day we get to see you, Nonna,” Sienna replied.

  Nonna leaned forward and cupped Sienna’s cheek. “Mia bellissima nipotina. My beautiful granddaughter.”

  “Arrivederci.” Rafaele and Ric waved goodbye as Sienna offered Nonna another cappuccino.

  Rafaele kept the conversation with Ric focused on his brother’s heroic firefighting efforts in the UK, avoiding the subject of a certain young lady. Perhaps he wanted to keep her just to himself for a little while longer. It was probably best anyway to introduce her to the entire family all at once.

  Rafaele parked the silver Lexus outside the station. He glanced past the steering wheel to the clock on the dash. Ric was right. He’d done the trip in twenty-nine minutes. At least they’d be waiting for Alessa and not the other way around.

  Ten minutes after they strode onto the platform, the train from Roma slowed to a chug as it pulled in. A handful of passengers climbed off, but Rafaele was only interested in the one with long, auburn hair. Spotting Alessa, he shouldered Ric. “There she is.”

  Ric broke away from Rafaele and rushed toward their sister. “Elfo…” He scooped her up in his arms.

  Alessa laughed and her red curls swirled as Ric swung her around. “Buongiorno, Riccardo Giovanni.”

  As much as Alessa hated Ric calling her an elf, Ric hated being called by his full names just as much. Alessa never failed to retaliate. Mind you, Alessa wasn’t crazy about being called Alessandra either. She’d always said it was a waste of the alphabet. Not to mention ink. She preferred Alessa—short and sweet like her she’d often said as a perky seven-year-old.

  But she was no longer seven. And she was no longer short. Her frame petite, yes, but those Rossi legs went on forever. Rafaele was certain many women would kill for a pair like his little sister’s. His gaze shifted to the high-heeled sandals she wore. And then she went and made herself even taller with shoes like that.

  “Rafaele!” Alessa wrapped her arms around his neck, standing as tall as he. She kissed him on both cheeks and squealed. “This was such a good idea of yours to get the family together for Nonna’s birthday. I can’t wait to see everyone.”

  “It’s good to see you too, little sister.” Ridiculous they didn’t see nearly enough of each other, except when he had business in Roma. Perhaps now they’d make more of an effort since he’d be based in Tuscany for a few months. It made the distance between them a little shorter. Hard to think there was a time when he didn’t want to let Alessa out of his sight. But she’d grown up and moved away from home the moment she could—went to study archeology in Roma. Now that Papà was gone, maybe she’d consider moving back from Roma.

  “And I can’t wait to see this mystery lady of yours.” Alessa beamed a wide smile.

  Ugh, Sienna had told. Of course she would have. Seemed the fact that he finally might have a love life was as exciting as having the family back together again.

  A gentle breeze wafted in through the open window of her living room, cooling Jayne just a tad. Bending forward, she leaned her elbows on the wide windowsill where she usually loved to sit and gazed across the countryside. Her heart swelled. It hadn’t taken her long to fall in love with this view—something akin to how fast her feelings for Rafaele had developed. In her defense though, those feelings did have two years to brew. She sighed. She would miss this place so much, but she would’ve had to move out on Monday anyway. And she was certain the view from her room at Villa Rossi would be even more breathtaking. It had to be—Rafaele would feature in that picture.

  She glanced over her shoulder at her two packed suitcases standing beside the front door. She really could have taken them to her car already, but she didn’t want to deprive Rafaele of his moment of chivalry.

  Propped against the wall behind the cases was his grandmother’s birthday gift. Please, Lord, let her like it. And let her like me. The painting had cost more than she’d hoped, but with all the money she’d be saving not having to pay for accommodation, she’d willingly spent the extra. Besides, she didn’t exactly have the luxury of
time on her side to go shopping for something else. And she was the worst gift buyer when faced with choices.

  Rafaele’s knock was louder than last night’s, the sound exhibiting an eagerness to its sharp rat-a-tat-tat. At least, she hoped that’s what it was.

  Jayne pushed away from the window and hurried to the door. She opened to Rafaele’s smiling face.

  He leaned closer and Jayne’s breath hitched. He kissed one cheek then the other before glancing down at the two suitcases. “You’re ready to go?”

  “I am.” Except for you not kissing me hello yet. Properly. Would he? “All I have left to do is drop the key at reception.”

  “Good. We can do that first.” Ignoring the fact that the suitcases had wheels—or perhaps he’d just not noticed—Rafaele wrapped his fingers around the handles and lifted. His arm muscles bulged beneath the white T-shirt he wore.

  Jayne traced the contours with her gaze—up his arms, inching across his chest. She paused to note the sunglasses hanging on his shirt’s neckline before continuing her journey up that gloriously tanned neck to the neatly trimmed facial hair outlining his perfect features. Last stop, his chocolatey gaze.

  Mercy.

  “Are you coming, cara mia?”

  Huh? “Oh, yes.”

  Jayne reached for her handbag on the kitchen counter and the large, floppy hat lying beside it. The memory of the day she’d met Rafaele at the bottom of his road wearing that hat, surfaced. Was that really only four days ago?

  She hooked the bag’s long handle over her shoulder then propped the hat on her head. She gave the lounge and bedroom a final roaming glance from where she stood, despite already having checked three times that she’d packed everything or the fact that her belongings had been waiting at that door for over two hours. Then she grabbed the wrapped painting and the keycard and shut the door behind her as she exited for the last time.

  Rafaele seemed eager to get going, and she hurried to follow a step behind him.

  He glanced over his shoulder and flashed a dashing grin. “I like your dress. Bellissimo. Like a sunflower.”

  And I love those fancy foreign words. So romantic.

  “Thank you.” It had taken her half the morning to decide which one to wear before she settled on the bright yellow one, the same Hepburn-style as the one she’d worn on Tuesday. Would probably take her the rest of the afternoon to decide what to wear tonight. Should she ask him about the dress code? No. It’s just dinner with the family—can’t be anything too fancy. If it were, Rafaele would have surely told her. She should get by with a nice summer dress, or those wide-leg pants she loved so much. Yes, that with a lacy top and high-heeled sandals should do the trick. Smart but not over the top.

  Brigida sat behind the reception desk, nose glued to the computer screen, tiny earphones blocking her ears.

  When she didn’t notice them, Rafaele set the suitcases down. Looking at Jayne, he placed a finger over his mouth and then palmed the bell on the counter. Hard.

  Brigida’s head snapped up at the “ding.” She laughed and pulled the earphones out before rising from her chair. Her mouth curved into a wide smile.

  “Rafaele Rossi! Ciao. So good to see you again. It’s been a while since we last bumped into each other.” She leaned forward to give the customary pecks on the cheeks, and Jayne couldn’t stop the twinge of jealousy that needled her insides.

  “You know each other?” Did that sound as hostile to them as it did to her? Stupid—she shouldn’t have asked the question. Obviously they knew each other.

  Brigida smiled. “Who in this area doesn’t know the Rossis? Best olive oil south of Firenze my mammà always says. And I agree.”

  “Jayne came to return her key. Sorry to steal her away from you, but—”

  “No…” Brigida’s eyes widened and she clasped a hand to her mouth. She giggled and pointed to Rafaele, her gaze oscillating between the two of them. “This is your handsome host without a name?”

  Jayne’s cheeks stung. “I…” If she’d just told Brigida Rafaele’s name, she could’ve spared this embarrassment.

  “See, even you know the Rossis and you have barely arrived in Tuscany.”

  “Handsome, hmm?” Rafaele waggled his brows at Jayne, and a smile tugged the corners of his mouth.

  By now her face scorched.

  He slid his sunglasses from his T-shirt and popped them onto his face before patting the counter twice. “Arrivederci, Brigida. I will bring some olive oil for you and your mammà when I pass this way again.”

  Jayne slid the keycard over to Brigida. She stepped closer and pulled her only friend in Italy into a hug. “I’ll miss you.”

  “I will miss you too, Jayne Austin.” Brigida eased from Jayne’s embrace. She lowered her voice. “I hope I didn’t embarrass you. I was just…surprised.”

  “Pfft, no,” Jayne lied.

  “Well, you will be the envy of many, many Italian ladies. Catching the eye of Rafaele Rossi...”

  Difficult not to wonder if Brigida was one.

  “And if the decades-old rumors are true,” Brigida continued, “Rafaele won’t be the first Rossi to be swept off his feet by an English bell–a…”

  “Belle.” Jayne glanced around. Rafaele was already in the parking lot, loading her suitcases into his car. “I–I need to go.”

  Brigida waved. “Arrivederci, Jayne. Enjoy your time at Villa Rossi. And do not let Rafaele’s nonna frighten you.”

  Goodness, did everyone in this area know everyone’s business? How did Brigida know that Isabella Rossi was an intimidating force for Jayne to reckon with?

  Chapter Ten

  RAFAELE GLANCED IN HIS REARVIEW mirror at the cream Fiat 500 following close behind. The sunroof down, Jayne’s blond hair swirled with the wind.

  He chided himself for not having kissed her hello. What must she be thinking? Last night he’d arrived unannounced at her door and kissed her, and today he simply ignored the previous evening’s events. Yes, she did kiss him back, but what about after he’d left and she’d had time to process his actions? And hers? Would she have had regrets for returning his kisses? Or was she, like him, longing for their lips to touch once again?

  After all, that was her following him in her rental. If she’d had regrets, would she still be coming to stay at Villa Rossi?

  He just didn’t want to do anything that would ruin things between them. He really wanted to explore what had started two years ago. This time he wouldn’t let her slip between the cracks of time and distance and other stupid excuses.

  Rafaele pulled the Lexus to a stop outside the villa. Jayne parked beside him. The small car already standing in the driveway—a clone of Jayne’s, except black—confirmed the arrival of his twin cousins while he’d been away fetching Jayne. Not that Nick—he only allowed Nonna to call him Nicoló —and Piero looked alike, being fraternal twins. Most people had a hard time believing they were twins. Sometimes he couldn’t believe it either—they were so different, in more ways than just their physical appearance.

  Inside, the house was quiet. Laughter and squeals drifted up from the garden.

  “They must all be down at the pool,” Rafaele said as he carried Jayne’s suitcases to her downstairs bedroom, glancing over his shoulder as she followed behind. “Why don’t we change and join them?”

  “Is your pool warmer than the hotel’s? I just couldn’t get past dipping my toes. Brrr.” Jayne gave a tiny shiver.

  Rafaele laughed and set the cases down beside the first of two single beds. “Probably not. Most swimming pools in this area are still rather cool, but isn’t that what swimming is all about? Cooling off?”

  Without offering a response, Jayne’s eyes roamed the beds. “Am I sharing with someone?”

  “No, cara mia.” If Rachel had been staying at the villa, they would have had to share. But as she wasn’t, Jayne got the room to herself. And although he would’ve loved having his newly found cousin stay, part of him was glad she wasn’t. For Jayne’s sake.
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  “I can get Maria to push the beds together and make it up as a double…if you prefer to have the space, that is.”

  He should go. What if she thought he’d meant something else by that suggestion?

  Rafaele rubbed his hands together. “So, swimming? I’ll change into my shorts and meet you back here in, say, ten minutes? Quick swim? Meet the famiglia…”

  “Uh, I’d like to unpack first. If you don’t mind. Otherwise I’ll be attending your nonna’s party in crushed clothing.”

  “Of course. Take your time. Can I get you something to drink? To eat?”

  Jayne shook her head. “I’m fine. I’ll see you in a little while. You go on down in the meantime. I’ll see you there. I think I can find my way again.”

  Her blue gaze drew him in. He brushed a hand up her arm and swallowed hard. Before he did anything stupid, he tipped his head then turned. “See you there.”

  He strode from the room, closing the door behind him. A cold swim would really go down well right now.

  Jayne sank into the firm mattress and sighed. She’d thought he was about to draw her into his arms and had eagerly awaited his kiss. Then he suddenly left.

  “Rafaele Rossi, you confuse me,” she whispered. But it was early days, and she was here in his grandmother’s house. That had to count for something. Had to indicate some interest in her.

  Unless he was merely looking for cheap labor to help with the lavender harvest and pruning his olive trees. Maybe a summer holiday romance. Or perhaps he just didn’t want to be at this party on his own tonight with all his family in attendance, so he picked up the first pretty girl he could find.

  Her thoughts drifted to the note he’d placed beside her bed the other night and what he’d written. Surely any ulterior motives were purely figments of her wayward imagination. His words had spoken of wanting to get to know her.

  My goodness. What was she still doing here in her room? She should unpack as fast as possible and get down to that swimming pool, daunting as it was to meet the entire family all at once.