My body loosened, and it was as if my breath settled deeper into my lungs; a lightness flowed within my muscles and bones that had never been there before. To finally share my inner soul with my daughter was a priceless gift. I’d forgotten how freeing it felt to have the person you loved finally see who you are and accept you truly. Flaws and all.

That was the true power of family. Of love.

“I know I never told you this before, but I realize now, as much as I loved Daddy, he wasn’t my rock. It was you, Mom.”

My heart stitched and healed as I sat at the table in Tuscany and held my daughter for a long, long time.

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

Francesca

The moment Enzo climbed out of the car and walked over, my entire body hummed with sweet anticipation.

The last two days we’d fallen into an easy rhythm. We all slept late, had a light breakfast, and went for a walk. Exploring the massive grounds had become like a treasure hunt—we discovered something new down each path: a hidden shed filled with dusty bottles of wine, ripened lemon trees heavy with fruit, and a small lake with one lone rowboat floating on the surface. When we came across a small family of bunnies living in the brush, Allegra insisted on leaving carrots for them every afternoon like they’d sprung from a Bugs Bunny cartoon.

Then we went into town for lunch and picked a new sight to see. We’d lingered at the small museum Mom had wanted to check out, and spoke with the locals who knew we were here for the week. Then we’d head back to the villa, take a nap, and spend the evening hours cooking, drinking, and talking late into the night.

But I’d been looking forward to seeing Enzo, who’d agreed to wait till midweek so we could both settle in first. He was dressed in mustard-colored shorts, a cream button-down shirt, and a straw hat tipped low over his brow. His olive skin was dark and tanned, and he walked over with a purposeful male grace that made all my girly parts wake up and sing.

When he reached me, he pressed a full kiss to my lips. “I missed you,” he murmured, his lilting voice caressing my ears.

“I missed you too.”

“I’m glad your mama and Allegra are okay with me staying.”

I gave a small laugh. “They actually seemed thrilled. I think they both realized it had been way too long since I was interested in a man. Plus, they like you already, so we’re past the awkward meet-and-greet stage.”

His slow grin made my belly flip-flop. “My sisters would love you,” he said. “They’d adore your honesty and feistiness.”