“I’m serious. Dina and Vito are here, and so am I. Who’s watching the shop?”

After he composed himself, Alessandro gently patted her shoulder. “No worries. Okay? Today they closed the shop for mourning.”

Joy raised her chin. “Ah . . . yes. Mourning. I completely forgot.”

He chuckled again. “I thought perhaps you saw a snake.”

Joy strolled along. “No. I was just wondering about—” She froze in mid-step. “A snake?” Jerking left, then right, she frantically searched the area.

“I am kidding.” He laughed even more. “I’m joking. There are no snakes here.”

Joy clutched her chest yet again. “Oh, good. I cannot stand snakes.”

They continued on their stroll toward the garden until they reached its entrance.

“Well?” Alessandro stood at the archway and waved Joy through.

Clasping her hands, she stepped into the sanctuary of the garden about a quarter of an acre long. “This . . . is magical.” A rush of peace flowed over her, calming her spirit.

The air was perfumed with the delicate scent of gardenias, their creamy blossoms greeted Joy with a fragrant embrace. Towering above the gardenias, gladiolas stood proud in hues of bright pink, orange, and yellow, their petals swaying gently in the breeze as if welcoming old friends to their sanctuary. Joy’s eyes settled on a tapestry of snow white freesias, their blooms nestled among clusters of sweet alyssum. She sighed. “They’re like friends to me, these flowers.”

The flowers beckoned her forward, leading her along the verdant pathway toward the various roses, pink azalea bushes, and cypress trees that framed a wooden bench.

The rustic wooden bench invited them to pause and drink in the beauty of the Italian countryside.

She slowly spun around, trying to memorize each flower and plant before her. I don’t want this to end. Tiny white fairy lights turned on as the shadows covered them. “It’s like a dream, this place. You put a lot of work into this space, didn’t you?”

He shook his head. “Not me. Gianna.” He smiled proudly. “Gianna helped create this garden.”

“Really?” Joy stooped to smell the freesias. Her heart grew within her. “I feel at peace here. She’s remarkable.”

“She’s Anna.” Alessandro glanced down the path he casually walked along until he sat on the bench with a climbing jasmine vine behind him blocking out the sun.

Sitting beside him, Joy wondered what to say. The realization of her curiosity brought the words to mind. “Tell me about her.”

“Anna?” he asked without taking his eyes off the view.

“Please.”

He exhaled and set his hands on his knees as if needing support in order to reflect on his late wife. “She was exceptional. Graceful, kind, considerate. All the things I am not.” He chuckled.

“Nonsense.” Joy playfully nudged him.

“She loved to cook and garden, so she would tend this garden with Gianna and the herb garden over there, patiently teaching her all she knew about flowers and herbs.” He pointed to the area behind them. “Over there is the vegetable garden.”

Joy turned in her seat and craned her neck to see it. Her heart pounded like a young girl in love.

“We’ll walk by it on our way back to the house.”

“Good.” Joy smiled. “Tell me more about Anna.”

“Well, she loved to cook. She would make pasta for all the workers at lunch.” He shook his head. “Quite the undertaking.”

“Wow.” Joy thought about what it would take to feed fifty or so men. “I admire that.”

“Anna loved music and dancing, but I was usually too busy to take her to dance. One of my biggest regrets.” His eyes shone with tears and regret. “I was too busy,” he whispered.

“I’m so sorry, Alex.” Joy sighed. “Life does go by quickly, so if we don’t slow down to enjoy it, it passes us by.”

“So true.” He stared into her eyes.

She trembled and began to speak, but hesitated.

“What is it?”

“I’m glad I’m learning to enjoy life and all it offers.”

The breeze tossed a few strands of hair across her face. Alessandro reached up and gently moved them away. He leaned in to kiss Joy’s waiting lips, but paused.

Joy swallowed the knot in her throat and glanced away.

Alessandro slapped his knee, startling Joy. “Well, enough of that.” He chuckled. “What did you think of my children?”

The corners of her mouth rose into a wide smile as tingles raced across her skin. “Wonderful. They both are so kind and articulate.”

“Gianna is the image of her mother. Well . . .” He thought about it. “Except taller. I don’t know how she became so tall.”

“Did you check the mailman?” Joy joked.

Alessandro’s smile disappeared as he thought about it.

“No!” Joy raised her hands. “I’m kidding. I’m only joking.”

He tossed back his head and laughed heartily. “I know. So am I.”

They sat on the bench, laughing together until tears flowed.

“She is tall like her grandfather was.” Alessandro wiped the laughter tears from his eyes. “He was a good man.”

“Well, I enjoyed cooking with her. She is a delight.” Joy glanced around the garden. “And very expressive and creative.”

“She is brilliant. Without her financial knowledge, I do not know if this farm would still be here, let alone be successful.” He sighed. “And Rocco. He collaborates with other engineers all over the world. He brings his knowledge here to help us with organizing the farm business and workflow. Brilliant ideas that have helped us succeed.”

“How remarkable.” Joy nodded as she listened.

“Tell me about Jaime.” He faced her.

With her face beaming, Joy thought of her daughter. “She, too, is brilliant. She is a very talented photographer who won a trip to Rome because of her photos.”