“Hello, I’m Ellen.”

The man turned and smiled broadly. He offered his hand. “You’re the artist. I’m Stan. It’s a pleasure.”

“It’s my pleasure.”

“What a gift you have. You really have some beautiful pictures here. My partner and I bought a couple of them already. We would like to purchase this one as well, but the woman up front said it’s not for sale.”

“Thank you, but no, it’s not.”

“It’s a shame. If it’s about money, we’re willing to talk.”

“No. I’m sorry.” She looked at him more closely.

There was something familiar about him. “Have we met before?”

“No. This is my first time in Utah. Besides, a pretty lady like you I definitely would remember.” He looked back at the painting. “Do you mind me asking what’s so special about this painting?”

“It’s just personal.”

He nodded again, then looked back at her. “Isn’t all art personal?”

“Vero, I mean true. It’s a portrait of a friend of mine.” She paused. “It’s all I have left of him.”

“I’m sorry to hear that. He passed on?”

“No. He’s just gone.”

He took a step toward the painting. He gazed at it silently then spoke without turning back. “I think the real reason you won’t sell this painting is because it’s not really yours.”

“I beg your pardon?”

He turned back to her, pointing at the picture. “It belongs to him. You gave it to him.”

For a moment she was dumbstruck. “How did you know that?”

His smile widened and he turned and faced her head on. “Because, Eliana, he told me. He’s my brother.”

“Your brother . . .”

“Ross is my brother.”

“Where is he?”

“Well, he said he couldn’t come to you on account of a promise you made him make. The truth is I think he was just plain chicken—so he sent me to get you. But I guess he changed his mind.” He looked up over her shoulder.

Eliana spun around. Ross stood behind her in the doorway. He looked at her, his face a mixture of anticipation and joy. “Ciao, bella.”

“Ross!” She ran to him and threw her arms around him. They kissed. After a few minutes she pulled back to look at his face as tears streamed down her cheeks. “But you said there was nothing in America for you.”

“That was true when I said it,” he said, smiling. He gently pushed her hair back from her face. “I’m sorry it took me so long to find you. As soon as I found out you had left Italy, I came.”

He looked over at his brother, who was getting teary-eyed at the reunion. “Let me introduce you. Eliana, this is my—sentimental—big brother Stan.”

Eliana looked at him.

“Forgive me for having a little fun with you, but you’re all Ross has talked about for the last three months. I thought I deserved a little payback.”

“Thank you for looking out for Ross.”

“Actually it’s the other way around. But I’m glad you’re back together.”