Mom only married again for security. I know this because I asked her about it once.
“Sometimes, Joy,” her mother had said, “you marry for security and not romantic love. I had romantic love with your father. Now? With Weston, I have security. That’s all that matters to me.”
All that matters.
Joy sighed and rested her head back on the headboard. Is that true? Her heart raced, causing a hot flash. This is ridiculous. She closed her journal and placed it on the side table. I’m not going to let things of my past ruin my present. She closed her eyes. I’m in Venice, Italy, for crying out loud. I’m not here for romance. I don’t want romance anymore. I want adventure. She smiled. Then she reached over and turned out the light.
Clattering sounds of dishes mixed with soft voices deep in conversation provided the soundtrack for Joy’s breakfast inside the hotel dining room.
As she munched on her butter croissant and sipped her cappuccino, she glanced around the room and found the young couple holding hands and gazing lovingly into one another’s eyes. Again.
Joy chuckled. Young love.
A loud crash coming from outside startled her. She craned her neck to see what the noise was. Alessandro pushed a cart stacked with boxes filled with a variety of colorful flowers.
A rush of excitement energized Joy. She set down her cappuccino, grabbed her purse, then headed out the door.
“Buongiorno, Alex,” she said when her eyes met his.
But her greeting was met with a frown. He shook his head and lowered his eyes.
“What’s the matter?” she asked.
But he conversed in Italian with a merchant, complete with wild gestures revealing his frustration. The merchant argued back with equally animated hands.
Joy stepped aside, gripping her purse as if a shield to protect her from the conflict before her. As she scooted away, Alessandro waved to her.
“Prego. Please do not go just yet.” He used his apron to wipe his hands, then finished the conversation with the merchant, who took the cart in a huff and then wheeled the flowers inside his shop.
“Buongiorno, Joy.” He exhaled and tossed up his hands. “It’s been a hectic morning.”
“I’m so sorry.” She walked toward him. “What’s going on?”
“Nothing worth discussing. All is well.” He made his way over to another cart filled with empty boxes.
“You had an early start this morning.”
“Yes, and now I am finished with my deliveries.” He stood with hands on his hips. “What are your plans for today?”
Joy glanced left, then right. “Honestly? I hadn’t thought about it. The Leonardo Da Vinci Museum, I suppose. Maybe a boat ride to Murano to see the glass factory.”
“Ah, yes. Murano.” With his hands behind his back, he rolled back and forth on his heels.
Joy squinted as though suspicious. “Why?”
“Huh?” His eyebrows rose.
“You look like you have something on your mind.” She grinned. “What is it, Alex?”
He tauntingly placed a finger to his chin and glanced upwards. “Well . . .”
“What?” She playfully nudged him. “Tell me.”
“Perhaps after your jaunt through Murano, you could join me on my trip home to Caorle? I need to pick up some orders and bring them to Dina and Vito.”
Joy’s eyes widened. “Really?”
“You could meet my children and the rest of my family. They are visiting for the week.” He placed his hand on his chest. “They will prepare us a hearty meal, and then I could show you the farm.”
Joy’s heart raced, making it difficult to answer. “I would be honored.”
“Good. I have to stop by a friend’s restaurant, and then I can meet you in Murano after your visit to the glass factory?”
Joy nodded. “That would be wonderful.”
“There you are,” Vito said as he approached, gesturing wildly. He spoke Italian with such speed, spittle flew from his mouth.
Alessandro held out his hands to calm Vito down. “He says he needs our help with a funeral. It seems a friend of his died suddenly, so the family wants to have a quick service with flowers.”
“Oh my.” Joy clutched her chest. “How tragic.”
Vito lowered his eyes and nodded.
“It was a very close friend of his,” Alessandro explained. “Can you assist us?”
Joy’s eyes widened. “Of course I can. Where do we go?”
