Joy’s eyebrows rose. “Really? How wonderful. That sounds amazing, but I—”

“You come to the farm with us? Matteo, her fiancé, is back from traveling, so we put together an engagement party at the house at the last minute.” He handed a box of flowers to Charlie.

Joy paused.

“What’s the matter, Joy?” He tilted his head.

Wringing her hands, Joy’s skin warmed. “I, uh . . .” Her mind stopped working around Alessandro whenever he looked at her that way.

He stepped toward her and held her shoulders. “You look pale. Are you all right?”

As she glanced into his large brown eyes, Joy realized she’d rather be with Alessandro at his home in Caorle than with Tony in Venice. But it wasn’t possible.

What she wanted would have to be set aside . . . again.

“Hurry,” Dina urged as she passed by carrying a box of vases.

“I can’t go to your farmhouse today. I’m so sorry. I just can’t.” She cringed.

With those words, Alessandro lowered his hands and backed away. “I see. You have plans for today with Tony.”

Joy nodded.

“You cannot come with us?” Dina shook head.

“No. I’m sorry. I made plans for the day and . . .” But Dina’s downturned mouth hurt Joy’s heart. After all Dina had done for her while in Venice, Joy just couldn’t refuse. “Unless . . .”

Dina straightened.

“If I can be back by three, then I can go. Is that possible?”

Dina smiled and hugged Joy. “Si. Charlie can bring you back by the boat.”

Alessandro clapped his hands. “Andiamo.” He helped Joy into the boat, and before she could change her mind, the boat backed away from the dock. A beaming Joy sat in the boat, speeding along the lagoon toward Caorle Beach once again with Alessandro and her friends Dina and Vito.

The live music at the farmhouse echoed around them as Joy and the others sang along to campy Dean Martin songs and traditional Italian songs that Joy could only pretend to sing.

“Volare, oh, oh,” the lead singer belted out.

“I know this song.” Joy clapped along. “Cantare, oh, oh, oh, oh.”

The spicy aroma of the food caught Joy’s attention. The table, adorned with various platters of food and baskets of bread, called to her and her empty belly. The maple wood table, reached over fourteen feet long, was placed underneath the patio draped with white lights for when the sun went down.

A few minutes later, the entire group sat at the table, eating, laughing, and telling stories about Gianna and Matteo. Joy heard a few Italian words and phrases she understood, but mostly she watched the faces and gestures of Alessandro’s family and friends as they shared tales.

“Manga,” Dina ordered as she passed Joy a plate of pasta.

Platters of Spaghetti Bolognese, mussels, clams, and prawns, made it around the table. Joy inhaled each one, then served herself small portions.

Her glass of wine never emptied, Dina made sure of that. Joy suspected Dina wanted her to relax. The delicious sparkling wine worked its magic.

“More food?” Dina asked Joy.

“No, thank you. I am stuffed.” She laughed.

“It’s good to see you again, Joy.” Angelina sat by her and hugged her shoulders.

“It’s good to see you too.” She looked her over. “Stunning as usual. Chanel? Armani? Or Versace?”

“Prada. Mille grazie.” Angelina scooted her chair closer. “And I never wear Chanel. I prefer Italian designers. So because you are here, does this mean you are staying for a while to be with . . .” She nodded toward Alessandro.

“Uh, well, not exactly.” Joy frowned. “I need to return to New York. My flight out is tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow?” Angelina jerked back. “So soon?”

“I’ve been here for a month. I need to get back and help with my daughter’s wedding. It’s in a few weeks.”

“I understand.” Angelina’s downturned mouth revealed her heart and her thoughts about Joy’s leaving.

“I wish I could stay, believe me.” Joy sighed and squeezed Angelina’s hand. “I love it here. It’s been a long time since I’ve been around a large family.” She blinked back tears. “Too long.”

Gianna and her fiancé, Matteo, stood in the middle of the grassy area in the backyard with Alessandro waving them over.

“To Gianna and Matteo.” Alessandro raised his glass, and everyone followed suit, toasting the young couple.

Joy studied Gianna’s lovely face. So young, so beautiful. Glancing down at her own empty ring finger, Joy sighed. So at peace with her decision to marry.

As Alessandro spoke, Angelina translated for Joy.

“He’s saying that he is so proud of his beautiful daughter. She reminds him of her mother, Anna, every day, and he knows Anna is looking down at them from heaven and smiling.”

Joy swiped away a tear from her eye as everyone clapped.

“He is telling Matteo how proud he is to have him as a son, and he wants him and Gianna to have a blessed life together.” Angelina sniffled. “So beautiful.”

“How special.” Joy wept quietly into her napkin. “Excuse me.”

She stood and made her way through the busy kitchen and into the foyer of the house. Grabbing her purse, she headed out the front door.

“Joy? Where are you going?” Angelina followed her.

“I, um. I need to head back to Venice now. I’m seeing Tony soon for dinner and I—” She shook her hands. “I’ll be late.”

“All right. But how are you going to get there?” Angelina laughed.

“Charlie. Alex said he’d give me a ride on the boat back to Venice.” Joy turned to leave, but Angelina stopped her.