Deborah Mello - Tuscan Heat

Graham smiled ever so slightly as he and Franco exchanged a look. “The girls should be out in a moment,” he said. “You know how women do. It takes forever to make sure their faces are just right.”

Donovan nodded his understanding. “I have four sisters. I understand perfectly.”

“If you are like my husband and my father, then I’m sure you exaggerate,” a warm voice chimed from the other side of the room. “We really are not that bad.”

Donovan turned, his eyes skipping anxiously in the direction of the voice. He was greeted by a bright smile, the young woman moving quickly to his side. “Donovan, hello. I’m Carina Martelli-Porter. Gianna’s sister. Welcome!”

“Carina, hello!”

“How was your trip?”

His head continued to bob up and down. “It was good. Very good. Thank you for asking.”

Carina moved to her husband’s side. An awkward silence suddenly filled the space, the family watching Donovan anxiously. They all seemed to take a collective breath, heavy sighs blowing around the room.

Carina pressed a palm to her husband’s chest. “Darling, pour Dr. Boudreaux a glass of wine!” she said, her voice quivering ever so slightly. She shifted her gaze in Donovan’s direction.

“Dr. Boudreaux, please, have a seat!” she said as she gestured toward the couch with her hand.

“Thank you, and please, call me Donovan.”

He suddenly remembered the bottle in his hand. “This is for the family. It’s...”

Carina interrupted. “Strawberry vinaigrette! You must be staying with Signora Rossi.”

He smiled. “I am. How did you know?”

Carina held up the bottle he’d passed to her. “This stuff is pure gold and hard to come by. I’d recognize it anywhere. We are always trying to copy her recipe, and no one in the village has ever been able to get it right!”

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