Liam dropped his head back against the seat’s headrest. He’d been a breath away from kissing her, from shoving his fingers into all that rich chestnut hair and devouring that belligerent mouth of hers. Jesus! What if he’d given in?
It was physical, purely physical. He was human. Only human, and probably hornier than normal because he hadn’t slept with a woman in over a year. Kind of hard to arrange when you were a single parent with a four-year-old daughter.
He needed to remember who she was. She may have looked vulnerable when he stood over her, staring down into those big doe eyes, and when she asked him what she’d ever done to earn his dislike. But Caterina Bonavera was no innocent.
She was one of Mitch Gregory’s women. The same bastard who’d been screwing Sylvie behind his back and gotten her hooked on the pills she eventually OD’d on.
From what Antonio told him, Caterina had dated the guy for almost a year and had been pretty broken up when it ended. If she’d been mixed-up with a guy like Gregory, it didn’t speak well for her character. The man was scum.
No, she was no innocent. She might come off as smart and confident, but for all he knew, she was just as screwed up, just as irresponsible, as his wife had been. He didn’t care how hot she looked, or how tempted he’d been to find out what those lips tasted like. Acting on the desire would have been a huge mistake.
If it happened again, he just needed to think about Riley because no woman would ever be worth putting his daughter’s happiness at risk the way Sylvie had.
“WE SHOULD REALLY try to find out more about Rosa,” Marcella said the following week after Caterina and her sisters finished their Tuesday update meeting.
She glanced at her twin. “In case Cat failed to mention it to either of you, Rosa paid her a midnight visit after our girls’ get-together last week.”
In response to Lucia and Eliana’s inquiring looks, Cat filled them in.
“All we know about Rosa is what Mom told us.” Marcella picked up where Cat left off. “And that’s not much. If we knew more, it might help us figure out why she’s here and why she’s showing more interest in us, when she never did before.”
“You mean become more meddling,” Lucia said.
Eliana, who sat next to Cat on one of the library’s sofas, leaned forward and poured herself a cup of coffee from the silver carafe that had been their mother’s. She took a sip and glanced at Lucia. “And if Rosa hadn’t meddled and locked you and Antonio in the kitchen the night you got engaged, who knows how long the two of you would have danced around each other instead of kissing and making up? You should be grateful she forced you to deal with each other.”
Lucia conceded. “You’re right, and I am. And I agree that we should try to find out what her story is, so count me in. I’m sure Antonio would be game too.”
“Game for what?” Lucia’s fiancé strolled into the room from the hallway.
“Oh, hey,” Lucia said. “We were discussing Rosa. Marcella suggested we make a more concerted effort to find out more about her. I said we’d be on board to help.”
Caterina brought her knees up and tucked her feet under the throw she and Eliana were sharing. “I know I used to be a skeptic, but it’s hard to ignore her presence or that she’s taken a stronger interest in our lives. It would be nice to know why.”
Antonio stopped behind the couch where Lucia sat and rested his hands on her shoulders. “I’ve been curious about your aunt since I first heard she might be haunting the place. I know she was murdered here, but there’s got to be more to it than that.”
“I think you’re right,” Marcella said. She stood up and set her cup down on the coffee table. “Sorry, but I’ve got to get over to the barrel room. I’m not sure where to start with Rosa, but since we all agree we should try to find out more, I guess the next step is to think about how we do that.”
“Why don’t you let me spearhead this,” Caterina said, volunteering. “I’ve got more time than the rest of you right now. I’ll come up with a plan to get us started, and if any of you have ideas, let me know.”
“That’d be great since planning and organizing are right up your alley,” Marcella said. “You don’t mind?”
“No. Like I said, I’ve got the time, and I’ll enjoy having something to do that I might be able to sink my teeth into.”
“Okay, I’ll catch up with you guys later.” Marcella grabbed one of the cranberry scones Cat had baked for their meeting from the platter on the coffee table and headed out.
Antonio patted Lucia’s shoulder. “We should get going too. I need to stop at the site and talk to Liam about something before we go spend another exciting hour looking through wedding invitation books.”
“I’ll make it up to you later,” Lucia said with a promising, suggestive smile.
Caterina rolled her eyes, and when they walked off, she turned toward Eliana. “Any chance you don’t have something pressing like everyone else?”
“I’ve got a phone meeting at four but nothing before then. Why?”
“I’m feeling restless, like I need to get out. Want to get some lunch with me at Twining Vines?”
Eliana studied her a moment, then rubbed a hand over Cat’s knee. “Sure, sounds like a great idea. Your car or mine?”
IT WAS ONE of those beautiful November afternoons that flirts with seventy degrees, making one forget winter lies in wait around the corner. Caterina and Eliana decided to take advantage of the temperate weather and eat outdoors. There were several space heaters set around the patio, unnecessary that day, and with no breeze to speak of, the day begged for dining alfresco.
A few roses still bloomed on the arbor stretching over the length of the patio. A curious squirrel ducked in and out from behind them and the knotty wisteria vines twined around the structure’s frame, checking out Caterina and Eliana from above.
Lucia’s best friend, Jenna, who managed the restaurant, saw them as she made her rounds and waved. She stopped by to chat for a few minutes but excused herself when their orders arrived. “It was great to see you both. We need to do another girls’ night, and I’ll host next time. Enjoy your meals,” she said, “and thanks for coming. Tell Luch I said hey.”
After Jenna left, Cat zeroed in on Eliana. “So, what’s the story with this Drew guy? Marcella said you went out with him again Saturday night. What’s that, like the fifth time?”
“Third.”
“Okay, third. That’s twice more than most of the guys you go out with. Any chance this one’s a keeper?”
“I don’t know.” El crossed her legs, kicking her foot back and forth. She looked around the patio, smiled at one of the waitresses who passed by carrying a tray of food, and then picked up her spoon and began tapping it against the table. “He’s very sweet. And he’s got these beautiful blue eyes that if you did nothing but gaze into them could easily make you lose your train of thought.”
“But?” Cat lifted a brow. There was always a but with Eliana.
Her sister sighed. “I don’t know if it’s going anywhere. I hoped it would. I keep telling myself, he’s such a nice guy, give it a little more time, but…there’s just no zing. I want the zing. I want to meet someone and fall in love, without even thinking about it, without having to talk myself into it.”
“Ah, the zing.” Cat nodded knowingly. “I wish I could tell you it’s not important. If you just wanted a friend, it wouldn’t be, but a friend and lover—you need some zing.”
“Right, and I’m not faulting him, but the chemistry just isn’t there. Maybe it’s unrealistic to think the man of my dreams is out there somewhere, but I don’t want to settle for just liking someone. I want love—a deep, heartwarming, satisfying love.”
“Have you thought about what this dream guy needs to be like?”
Eliana nodded. “He’ll probably be a blond-haired, blue-eyed hunk. Smart, great sense of humor, kind. He’ll love how I love him, think I’m the sugar in his chocolate, and whenever we look into each other’s eyes—
” A slow grin lifted the corners of her mouth. She looked across the table at Cat. “Zzzing!”
Cat laughed. “Okay, well, good luck with all that.”
Eliana’s smile faded. “You think I’m being too picky?”
“No.” Caterina shook her head. “I think you have every right to want what you want. And I’d never suggest that you continue in a relationship if you’re not feeling it. But you may need to be a little more flexible with your criteria. Like not crossing someone off the list if he’s got brown eyes instead of blue, for example.”
“Yeah.” El’s grin returned. “I could do that. Seriously, you know looks aren’t the most important thing to me. That’s what he’d be like if I could special order him. But if all I wanted was a blond, blue-eyed hunk, I could walk down the road from the winery and cozy up to the one who’s building you a restaurant.”
Caterina stiffened. “He’s the last man I’d want you getting involved with.”
El flicked a hand through the air. “Don’t worry. He’s a pretty one. That’s a fact. And he seems nice enough, if a little on the quiet side, but the chemistry’s off. It’s like with Drew. I enjoy looking at him, but that’s not enough. So really, no worries.” She shooed away a bee that seemed to have a taste for chardonnay. “I’ve got no interest in Liam, sis, if that’s why you’ve been holding back.”
Cat furrowed her brow. “Holding back from what?”
Eliana picked up her fork and speared one of the pear wedges from the autumn salad she’d ordered, held it in the air as she spoke. “From making a move on him. I like him as a person, but that’s the extent of it. So, if you want him, go for it. He’s all yours, Cat, with my blessing.”
“What?” Caterina couldn’t believe Eliana thought she was interested in Liam Dougherty. “You’re joking, right?”
“Why would I be joking?” El popped the fruit into her mouth, chewed and swallowed it, then said, “It’s obvious you two flip each other’s energy switch.”
“Oh, we flip each other’s switch all right! But not the way you’re suggesting. All that energy…it’s got nothing to do with attraction. We’re more like two opposing magnets, forced into proximity, but wanting nothing to do with the other.”
“That’s not what I’ve observed.”
Cat snorted in disbelief. “Really? Have you ever seen the way that man looks at me?”
Eliana caught the tip of her tongue between her front teeth and grinned. “Oh, I’ve seen it. Heat, honey. There’s a whole lot of heat burning in those smoldering, aquamarine eyes when they’re set on you.”
“Humph. That’s not heat, not the kind you’re implying. The man doesn’t like me. And I can’t believe you don’t see it.”
“Well…” El took a sip of wine. “I’ve only seen the two of you together a few times. There might have been a little negative tension, but I’m pretty good at recognizing when a man is attracted to a woman.”
Eliana leaned in toward the table. “And believe me, honey, whether he likes it or not, Liam Dougherty wants to do more with you than review appliance dimensions for Serendipity.”
Caterina shook her head. “I’m not doubting your talents, but as good as you might be, in this instance, you are so off base that you’re not even on the playing field.”
Eliana started to object, but Cat raised a hand to cut her off.
“No. Trust me on this. Liam doesn’t want anything to do with me. But even if he did, it wouldn’t matter because I don’t want anything to do with him.”
Her sister didn’t look convinced, but it didn’t matter what El or anyone else thought because Caterina knew Liam would probably rather eat a bucket of nails than spend a minute more than he had to in her presence.
“So, now that we’ve cleared up that misunderstanding, let’s talk about something more pleasant.” Cat clutched her fingers around the stem of her wineglass. “What ideas have you come up with for Lucia and Antonio’s wedding?”
“All sorrows are less with bread.”
Miguel de Cervantes, Don Quixote
Caterina pulled a white silk cami out of her lingerie drawer, put it on, and tucked it into the waistband of her jeans. She then sat down on the edge of her bed and pulled on the blue suede UGGs she’d bought the prior fall. She didn’t know how long she’d be out today or where her research might take her if she stumbled upon anything interesting, so she’d dress for all-day comfort.
She went to the closet to select a sweater. Her clothes were organized by item first, then by color—lightest to darkest—tops and pants on one side, skirts, dresses, and overcoats on the other; purses on the top two shelves against the back wall, shoes on the middle four, and boots lined up on the floor just below.
Her sisters teased her about being obsessively organized, but a good system just made sense. She knew exactly where everything was, could put her hands on whatever she needed within minutes. Having a place for everything, and everything in its place, wasn’t just a way to simplify one’s life, her line of work demanded it. What if she needed to whip egg whites and couldn’t find her ball whisk? They’d be flat, not airy. What if she advertised butter-poached lobster tails with Dijon mustard sauce as one of the evening’s specials, only to find she had no Dijon mustard? She would disappoint her customers.
She chose a sweater with a front zipper, almost the exact slate-blue color as her boots, slipped it on, and zipped it up halfway. If she ended up spending several hours holed up in a stuffy, third-floor room of the library, scouring through old newspapers, and got too warm, she could pare down.
She didn’t think she’d need a jacket since she’d be back before evening, and they’d been enjoying a smattering of warmer days. She got a navy down vest anyway and tucked it under her arm to bring it along. If the day decided to turn cool, she’d have it. If she didn’t need it, she could roll it up and put it into her backpack.
Exiting the closet, she went into the bathroom, put on a little makeup, brushed out her shoulder-length bob, and then, after checking the list she’d made the night before to ensure she hadn’t forgotten anything, grabbed her purse and her backpack, and went downstairs.
Marcella, Lucia, and Antonio were in reception.
“Where are you off to?” Lucia asked when Cat strode into the room.
“Starbucks for a cup to go, and then to the library in Purcellville to scour over old newspapers and anything else I can dig up that might shed some light on Aunt Rosa or Uncle Gino’s lives.” Caterina hiked her backpack up on her shoulder. “Not sure how long I’ll be gone. It’ll depend on whether I find anything or not.”
“I admit I’m kind of jealous,” Marcella said. “I’d love to spend the day bumping about in a library, surrounded by books and all that glorious quiet.”
“You should have all the quiet you crave holed up in the barrel room,” Cat said. “I’ll admit, though, even though it wouldn’t typically be my kind of thing, I think I’m going to enjoy delving into this project.”
“I’ll be too busy this week, but I’m looking forward to helping out when I have some spare time,” Antonio said. “After all, if it weren’t for Rosa, my future bride here might never have given me the chance to persuade her to marry me.”
Lucia bumped her hip into his, and he grinned down at her. “Speaking of busy,” he said, “I’ve got to run. I have a meeting with Shawn in half an hour, and I promised Liam I’d drop off these revisions this morning.”
Antonio glanced at his watch, then shook his head. “Probably should text Shawn to let him know I’m going to be late.”
“I can drop those off if you want,” Caterina offered. “I’ll be driving by the site, and the library doesn’t open until ten, so even with a Starbucks run, I’d probably still be standing outside waiting for them to open.”
“If you don’t mind, I’d appreciate it.”
“Don’t mind. As long as I don’t have to explain anything about them.”
“No. If Liam’s got any questions, I can go over them with
him later.” Antonio handed her a rolled-up drawing.
“Thanks.” He swooped down and gave Lucia a quick kiss that, for its brevity, sizzled.
Some girls had all the luck, Caterina mused. Maybe someday she’d be fortunate enough to meet a man who would fall as crazy in love with her as Antonio had with Lucia.
HE’D BEEN PUNCHY all week—out of sorts—and he had a good guess why. Liam poured a steaming cup of coffee from his thermos and took a sip, scorched his tongue, cursed.
The sound of gravel crunching under tires made him glance over his shoulder to see a shiny red Jeep Grand Cherokee pull up beside his truck.
Liam frowned. Think of trouble, and she appears. What did she want now? Last week he’d given her the stupid schedule she insisted on getting every two weeks, so she shouldn’t be bugging him for another one yet.
He set the thermos down on the foundation’s ledge, stuffed his free hand in his pocket, then turned around and watched her get out of the Jeep. For once she’d had the sense to wear a pair of shoes to the site that didn’t make him worry she’d fall and break something he’d have to file a claim for.
Caterina opened the back door and leaned inside. Liam had an unobstructed view from where he stood. He swore under his breath and glanced away. Trouble and temptation—a bad combination—one that, despite certain body parts that lacked a brain were trying to convince him otherwise, he wanted no part of.
He heard the door shut and watched her again, blew on his coffee, took another sip. She glanced around, saw him, and hiked her nose in the air. She looked down it at him, the way she always did, as if he didn’t meet her standards. He didn’t really give a shit. He wasn’t trying.
Liam narrowed his eyes, met hers. She narrowed hers back. Oil and water. Let’s see which one of us looks away first, sweetheart.
Neither did. Tough—he had to give her that—and damn sexy. He wouldn’t lie to himself. Too bad it wasn’t enough. He imagined he could find a whole lot of pleasure between those mile-long legs.
Caterina Page 4
