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CHAPTER FIVE

“I WAS BEGINNING to think that I’d never find you.” Jules strode up to Stefano. She’d just about given up when she spotted him checking the vines.

He furrowed his brow. “I thought you’d be inside making wedding plans with Lizzie.”

“She canceled it.”

“The wedding—”

“No. It’s still on.” Heat rushed up and filled Jules’s face. “I meant she canceled our plans for today. She said that she had to stick around the restaurant for a video conference with the people at the studio. Something about finalizing some details for next week’s taping. They sure have a lot of meetings for a reality show.”

Stefano stepped away from the grapevines and joined Jules in the rutted dirt path. “That show seems to take up more and more of their time. When my brother started coming home less and less on the weekends, he blamed it on filming conflicts. Me, personally, I thought it was because he wanted alone time with Lizzie, but it seems now he’s been telling the truth.”

“That’s too bad. But at least they’re happy. And I suppose it won’t last forever. This is their fifteen minutes of fame.”

He dusted his hands off on his faded jeans. “I was just heading back to the barn.”

“The barn?”

He pointed to a large building off in the distance with a stone facade. “It’s where we produce the wine. Beneath it is the barrel cellar.”

“Do you mind if I tag along? There’s something I want to ask you.” Since Lizzie couldn’t drive out to the vineyard, she’d asked if Jules would mind meeting them in Rome the next day. It sounded important, but Lizzie had been very closemouthed and said they’d talk at dinner.

“Sure. Come on.” They fell in step, side by side. “What’s on your mind?”

The thought of begging him for a ride into the city didn’t sit well with her. She didn’t like relying on others. Lizzie had said to bring Stefano along, but with all the work he had to do, would he want to drive all that way just to have dinner? She decided to put off asking him. She was enjoying his good mood, and this was her chance to get to know him a little better.

“It’s big.” She pointed to the wine barn. “Really big.”

“It wasn’t always that size. My father and I have done a lot to expand the business. Although we made a point of keeping the outside looking traditional, the inside has been totally modernized. We want to grow DeFiore winery into a household name. Hopefully it can be passed on from generation to generation.”

“I’m sure your children will appreciate all of your efforts—”

“I don’t have kids.” His quick response caught her off guard.

“I kinda guessed that. But you will as soon as you meet the right woman. Isn’t that what all of this is for?”

“No.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “Maybe Dante’s kids will take an interest in the business.”

Jules glanced over at him, noticing the strained look on his face as he kept his line of vision straight ahead. She wondered about his strong reaction to the thought of having kids.

Maybe it had something to do with her surprise in finding that she was the only woman aside from Maria living at the villa. Where were the women? Stefano was very handsome. In fact, if she were looking for fun beneath the Italian sun, he’d be first on her list. Was he still mourning his wife? Not that it was any of her business. But still she was curious.

“How about you?” Stefano’s voice drew her out of her thoughts.

“What?”

“Are you interested in having a family?”

He was the first person to ask her that question. Not even Lizzie had asked her. And she supposed she owed him some sort of answer since she’d brought up the subject in the first place.

“Do I look like mother material?”

“Sure. I guess.”

“You aren’t even looking at me.”

He stopped walking and turned to her. Silence ensued as he stared at her. “I think that beneath all of that makeup lies a beautiful woman who can have whatever she sets her mind on.”

Her heart stopped. He thought she was beautiful? This was yet another thing that no one had ever said to her. What did she say now?

She moved her tongue from where it was stuck to the top of her mouth, hoping her voice would work. “Thanks. But you don’t have to say that just to make me feel better.”

“I’m not.” His eyes darkened as he continued to stare at her as though he was truly seeing her. “There’s something special about you.”

A fluttering sensation filled her chest, and all she could think about was sinking into his arms and finding out if his kisses were as romantic as the ones she watched in the black-and-white movies that played late at night when she was alone while her friends were out on dates.

“I’m out of the loop on what’s in style as far as women’s fashions. I suppose that the makeup and dark clothes are a fashion statement.”

Jules glanced down at her black-on-black ensemble. She never really stopped to think about her appearance. She’d been dressing like this for so many years that it was just natural for her. It hid the ugly scars that lurked beneath—a reminder of a part of her life that was best left hidden and buried.

“Actually, it’s just my style.”

“I see. It...it’s different from how the women in these parts dress. In the village, things are more simplistic than you’ll find in Rome or Milan.”

Normally she’d have taken that as an insult, but he’d already said he thought she was beautiful...beneath the makeup. So maybe he was just stating a fact. She stood out around here. But she didn’t have anything else to wear—anything that would make her fit in better. Not that she planned to—fit in, that is.

She toyed with a loose thread on the hem of her top. “It’s just so different back in New York. It’s like a melting pot of styles and trends.”

“I can imagine. But I’m confused. What does your appearance have to do with you becoming a mother?”

Back to that subject—the one she didn’t want to delve into. “I’m not having kids.”

“As in ever?”

“As in never ever. I wouldn’t have a clue how to be a good mother.” And there she’d gone and blurted out more than she’d intended to say—more than she normally shared with anyone.

Stefano started walking again toward the barn, and she fell in step beside him, waiting and wondering what he’d ask next. They moved along quietly for a few minutes. A gentle breeze brushed over Jules’s face and made her pigtails flutter. But it was the man to her left that had her chest all aquiver. He really thought she was beautiful? Her heart tumbled.

As they neared the large stone structure, Stefano cleared his throat. “You’d be surprised at what people are capable of when their hearts are involved.”

She shook her head. “Trust me. I didn’t have a good role model.”

“I’m sorry to hear that.”

Not as sorry as I am.

Just then she heard something. A squeak? A squeal? A cry?

She stopped walking. “Did you hear that?”

Stefano stopped and glanced back at her. “I don’t hear anything. What is it—”

“Shhh...” Her gaze darted around the foundation of the building, where the grass was higher.

If it was a rat, she was going to scream and jump on Stefano’s back. She may be pushing to gain her independence from her foster sister, but that didn’t mean she didn’t have a weakness or two. And rodents gave her the willies. Still curiosity drove her on.

Squeak.

“Did you hear it that time?”

He nodded. “I wouldn’t worry about it. I’m sure it’s just some sort of wildlife that can take care of itself. Come on. I’ll give you the unofficial tour of the winery.”

“We can’t leave. Not yet. What if it’s hurt?”

Stefano arched a brow. “Didn’t you just get done telling me that you weren’t the motherly type?”

“I’m not.” Though deep down she wished someday she could be the kind of mother that she’d dreamed of. “But that doesn’t mean that I’m heartless. The creature might be starved or worse.”

She didn’t want to think about the worse part. She’d always had a tender spot for animals, even though she’d never been able to have a pet. Her foster homes wouldn’t allow animals. And then the apartment lease forbade them. But now that she was moving, perhaps she’d look for a pet-friendly apartment.

She hunched over and started searching around the shrubs and through the greenery along the side of the building. When she glanced over her shoulder, she found Stefano standing there staring at her.

“Don’t just stand there. Help me.” She didn’t wait for his response as she turned and continued her hunt.

There was a distinct sigh from Stefano followed by the sound of his approaching footsteps. She wished whatever it was would squeak again. She couldn’t see any signs of life. What was it? And where was it?

“Is this what you’re searching for?”

Jules immediately straightened and turned. Her gaze landed on a fuzzy ball of orange fur. “What is it?”

Stefano chuckled. “Don’t you city girls know a kitten when you see one?”

“A kitten?” Her mouth fell open, and she forced it shut. She moved closer. “Is it yours?”

He shook his head. “Not mine.”

“Then how did it get here?” She glanced around, not seeing any nearby houses.

“Sometimes when people don’t want animals, they drop them off. I don’t know why they think this is a good place to leave animals, especially cats. It isn’t like we’re a dairy farm or anything.”

She stuck out her hand to pet it, then paused just inches from the ball of fluff. “Is...is it okay?”

“I’m no vet but...” He lifted the little thing up and gave it a once-over. “I think it’s scared to death and starved. Otherwise, I think it’s okay.”

Jules blew out a breath she hadn’t known she’d been holding. “Can I pet it?”

His brow crinkled. “Sure. It isn’t that fragile.”

Her fingertips stroked the dirty and tangled fur. She could feel its little ribs as they moved in and out with each breath. And then it turned to look at her. Its crusty little blue eyes peered at her. In that moment, Jules’s heart melted. How could anyone dump such a sweet little thing?

“Do you want to hold it?” Stefano held out the kitten to her.

“Sure. But...but I don’t want to hurt it.”

“Trust me—you’ll be fine.”

She held out her hands, and then there was a little pile of fur in them. She didn’t know that anything could be so featherlight. Her fingers instinctively stroked the fur. She could so relate to this kitten. She knew what it was like to be abused by those who are supposed to care for you.

“Aww...it’s so sweet.” She lifted the kitten until they were face-to-face. “Don’t worry. You’re safe now.”

As she started back toward the house, Stefano called out to her, “What about the tour of the winery?”

“It’ll have to wait. Apricot needs some food.”

“Apricot?” There was a pause and then the sound of him catching up to her. “What are you planning to do with...Apricot?”

“Feed her, of course.” What did he think she was going to do with the poor little thing?

“I meant after that. Do you really think it’s such a good idea to name it?”

She saw the concern in his eyes. What was he worried about? That she didn’t have a clue what she was doing? That somehow she’d hurt Apricot? Maybe he was right. She didn’t know what she was doing, but she was willing to learn.

“We can’t keep calling her ‘it.’ That’s not a name. And I may not know anything about cats, but I can learn. That’s what the internet is for.” And then a worrisome thought formed. “Or are you worried about having the cat in the house?”

“The cat in the house is fine. It’s a big place, and if you keep it in your suite of rooms, no one will even know it’s there.”

As they walked on in silence, Jules’s nerves kicked up. She really didn’t know what she was doing. What if she did hurt the kitten? After all, she’d never taken care of anyone but herself, and even then Lizzie had always been around.

This is why she wasn’t having children—ever. She didn’t know thing one about taking care of others. And judging by the worried expression on Stefano’s face, he agreed. She glanced down at Apricot. Someone had to do his or her best for the kitten. And for the moment that was her.

“What did you want to talk to me about, you know, before the whole cat thing?”

That’s right. She still had to spring the idea of a trip into the city on him. “What exactly are you doing tomorrow?”