Page 36 of Evan
“I am not. But I am always browsing in the liquor store. They have this quaint one, the inventory is ever extensive. It’s on Canal Street.”
He knew where the place was of course and had been there a couple of times. “We own a vineyard in Tuscany. It’s something they are experimenting with and will be on the market in time for Christmas.”
She stared at him in surprise. “It’s yours?”
He nodded. “There is a villa on the property which is located in Castelmezzano.” He wanted to suggest that they take a trip there but had to bite back the invitation.
“Sounds lovely, she mused.
He took a sip of the wine as he contemplated the scenery before him. “You haven’t asked me?”
“Asked you what?” She asked, puzzled.
“About my life. I have been delving into yours, so I would expect you to be asking me about mine.”
She shrugged. “I figured you will tell me if you have a mind. I am not here to pry secrets from you, Evan.”
The sound of his name on her lips had him turning to stare at her. They hadn’t talked about what had happened in the parking lot of the fast-food place and he was afraid to bring it up. They were in seclusion in this out of the way place and he found himself wondering if she had brought him here for a specific reason.
“Just like that?”
She nodded; her expression soft. “Just like that.”
“I am not comfortable talking about my past.”
“Okay.”
He stared at her for a moment before looking into his wineglass. “After my mother passed, my life became unbearable. My dad and his brother were of the same mindset. They cared little about hurting people and had no qualms about using anyone. They trained me to be like them.”
“But you weren’t.”
Her soft nonjudgemental voice had his heart twisting inside his chest. He wanted to be good for her, but it was too late.
“I was.” He had great difficulty admitting it, but he was never going to lie to her.
“I wanted to please them.”
“You were a child.”
He smiled slightly at her determination to make excuses for him.
“I haven’t been a child in a long time.” Putting away the glass, he drew his left leg up and wrapped his hands loosely around his knee.
“I will pray for you.”
His head jolted so suddenly that his neck popped. “Pardon?”
Her smile was angelic as she stared at him. “I will pray for you, every night and in the mornings as well.”
His expression was oblique and left her wondering what he was thinking. “What do you pray about? My immortal soul?”
“I pray you will find happiness.” He felt a shiver all the way into his heart when she reached for his hand and lined her fingers with his. “I pray that you will come to know Jesus as your Lord and Savior and realize what a joy it is to belong to Him.”
Her eyes were windows into her soul. He had heard the expression and scoffed at how ludicrous it sounded. But suddenly he was a believer. He went still when she continued. “I also pray for guidance and direction…”
Ducking her head, she stared at his strong tanned fingers gripped in hers. Lifting her head, she looked at him and the expression on her beautiful face had the breath strangling inside his throat. “I have been asking the Lord why you and I…,” she shrugged and swallowed. “He is not responding.”
“Why me?” His thick voice was hoarse with emotions he could not interpret.