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.It wasn’t just the way she followed him through the vines as he shot pellets at the boars instead of watching from the window like any other woman would do.It wasn’t only her pride in making coffee in an old kitchen with nothing but a few packets.It was her determination in the face of obstacles and the fact that he could not let her face these obstacles alone.It was all of these things put together.And something more.Something he refused to analyze.That night he was back at the Azienda, telling himself and her that the boars were likely to come again.It was true, they were determined and hungry beasts.He wasn’t the only one who thought so, all the growers were on alert.It was only prudent to be prepared.This time he was so prepared that he brought steaks, potatoes and a bottle of Chianti.“I owe you a dinner since you shared yours with me at the hotel,” he explained.The smile she gave him made him regret the nights he’d stayed away.He could have been here with her, feeling the warm radiance of that smile.They cooked outside at the fire pit.There was plenty of old firewood stacked in the barn.He was being a good neighbor.It was a tradition.In Sicily you don’t let your neighbor go hungry.They ate on the weathered oak picnic table behind the house.In the middle of the table was a pitcher with the pink fragrant Queen Isabella roses his sister had given her.How aptly named, he thought.Isabel was like a rose, so pink and lovely he wanted to inhale her fragrance.They talked about the harvest and the grapes, then he asked about life in California.She told him San Francisco was full of fit, bright young people who enjoyed the outdoors, ate salads and fresh Dungeness crab out of the ocean.“California sounds like paradise,” he said.“What made you leave? I know, a miracle happened and you inherited a vineyard.But what really made you leave? Was it because of your boss? The one who lied to you?”Isabel turned her wineglass around in her hand before she spoke.“That’s right.I was ready for a big change after I got fired for breaking the company rule, no inter-office dating.”“You were fired? I thought no one knew.”“I thought so, too.”“What happened to him?”“Nothing at all.He’s still there.”“But he broke the rule, too.”“I know what you’re thinking.It’s not fair.But if I have learned anything it is that life is not fair.Was it fair my parents died? Was it fair the foster families didn’t want me? But my luck changed when my uncle left me this place.Was it fair he left it to me and didn’t sell it to you? I don’t know, but I’m not going to complain, not about anything.” She folded her arms across her waist as if she was still protecting herself from any more hurt.He leaned across the table to brush a tendril of red-gold hair from her cheek.“I have no excuse for what happened between me and him.After years of telling myself not to believe, not to trust anyone but myself, I knew I was on my own and always would be.Then I forgot it all and made a huge mistake.I thought I’d never get over it.”“But you did,” he insisted.“You’re back on your feet.You’ve got gumption and drive and you’re the hardest worker I’ve ever seen.” And you’re beautiful, bright and courageous.She blushed at the compliment, her cheeks turning pink.She was the most amazing combination of modesty and confidence.The thought of anyone hurting her filled him with rage.“Thanks to my uncle and this vineyard, which gave me something to do.A reason to try.A new place, a new job.Everything I needed but didn’t know it.That’s the miracle I was telling you about.When I got the letter from the lawyer I thought it was a message from heaven.It was my ticket to a new life, a life I could live without help from anyone.” She stopped and looked at him.“Except you.I don’t know what I would do without you to help me.”He wanted to take her in his arms and tell her he’d always help her, that she’d never be alone again.But he couldn’t say that.He couldn’t make any such promises, not to her, not to anyone.“Anyone would have done it.I just happened to be around.” As if he would be there with dinner if it had been someone else.She’d broken through his reserve the way no one else could have.“Next thing, you should learn Italian,” he said.“I know.Every day I realize how difficult life is when you don’t speak the language.I can’t even read the newspaper.”In a moment she was back with the local newspaper.He opened it up and together they translated an article.He couldn’t help laughing at her pronunciation of certain words in Italian.He was afraid he’d hurt her feelings, but she laughed with him.What a woman.What a remarkable woman.She seemed to be without an ego.Yes, he knew she was wounded and vulnerable, but tonight she seemed happy and relaxed and so sexy with her tousled hair and her sunburned face.Keep it neighborly, he told himself.Unless you can be sure she’s ready for more.“I think you’re ready for advanced Italian tomorrow,” he said.“I need advanced Italian, but first I need running water.I got motor oil and gasoline and diesel for the pump, but…” She trailed off.“Let’s have a look at it.” He got up and stretched.It was a good excuse to stop staring at Isabel, watching her lips as she pronounced the words in Italian, knowing how her mouth felt pressed against his, knowing how she felt in his arms and how she smelled like wildflowers
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