Page 9 of Gary

“I spent five years in Tuscany, living a simple life. I already knew the language, so I fitted in just fine. The vineyard was small, but a it was thriving, and I woke up each morning looking forward to an honest day’s work and mixing with simple people.

I got to hear stories of my mother and the kind of child she was. I was happy there. In that little village, no one knew who I was and even if they did, they did not give a damn. It was pure bliss.” He looked at his uncle. “By the way, I rehired the gardener.”

“Ah.” Graham gave him an approving look. “I should have thought of it myself. Your mother’s gardens were always a showpiece. It brought her a sense of purpose.”

Gary nodded. “I could never live there again.”

“Neither could I. That house has been in our family for several generations and it reeks of unhappiness and misery. I couldn’t wait to leave.”

“You stayed because of mother.” Gary gave him a curious look, “I have no idea how you did it.”

“Simple.” The smile was wistful. “Your mother needed me, and I could not bear to leave her. It was a sacrifice that I was happy to make.”

Gary stared down into his cooling coffee. “What’s it like?”

“What?”

“Loving someone to the point where everything else takes second place?”

Graham put his cup down and leaned back in the chair. “Encompassing.” He admitted quietly. “Scary as hell and exhilarating at the same time. I would have done anything for her and there wasn’t another woman for me. Not even now.”

Gary stared at him in surprise. “You are not seeing anyone?”

“On and off. Nothing serious.” He shrugged. “She left a distinctive mark on me, one that can never be erased. I mourn her and I have my memories to take out and play with when I am alone. I feel her in here.”

He lifted his hand and placed it over where his heart beats. “She is inside me and will always be.” A smile touched his lips. “I hope one day you will find something like that.”

“No.” Gary shook his head decisively. “It sounds too scary and damned lonely.”

“Don’t tell me there was not even one signorina that didn’t make a dent.” His uncle teased.

“None.” He was told firmly. Stretching out his long legs, he crossed them at the ankles. “Now tell me about the latest project.”

*****

Grant stared at the financial report running on the screen without much interest. His doctors had tried to dissuade him from staying actively involved in the business but had been unable to sway him.

He was not actively involved in the running of the company, but he was damned if he was going to stay away entirely. He was determined to know what was going on.

He was not dead yet!

But he could not concentrate on the screen. His son’s visit had upset him, leaving a bitter taste inside his mouth. He was not good at being humble, never good at apologizing and he was forced to do both. To no avail. The boy was determined to beupset. He was determined to delve into the past instead of letting it go.

Yes, he had not been a good father. Hell, if he was being honest, he had not been a father at all. He had never been there and when he was, he was not really there either, except to issue orders.

He did not blame his son for being so antagonistic. But he wanted peace. The company now belonged to him, and he wanted him to take his rightful place.

Graham was doing an excellent job, and he was grateful and pleasantly surprised. But the company would eventually go to Gary. Closing his eyes wearily, he leaned his head back and allowed the memories to consume him. It was self-flagellation, but he deserved nothing better.

Chapter 3

Gary could not help but admire the architecture. He had not said anything to his uncle about coming but decided to check out the latest Moretti’s effort. The plaza was redolent of a little village he was familiar with in Tuscany, with similar quaint little store front shops. And it was large.

There was a familiar food store, an antique shop, a hair, and nail salon, two fast food enterprises, a gym and a dental office on one side. On the other, a medical clinic took up the rest of the space. The parking lot was large enough to accommodate all the patrons.

He was making his way back to his vehicle when he noticed it and wondered why he had missed the place before. It was a coffee shop.

Normally, he would have gone on his way, but there was something about the place that caught his attention. There was a huge pumpkin at one corner of the glass exterior and several smaller ones surrounding it. ‘Coffee and books.”