“Sounds delicious.”

“I hope so. It’s my first time making it. But there’s a good restaurant near here that serves it and they gave me the recipe. It’s traditional Tuscan cuisine.” She straightened out her napkin. “Do you mind if I say grace?”

“Of course not.”

She bowed her head. He watched her, then bowed his as well. She said the prayer then crossed herself, looked up at Ross and smiled. “Okay, I think we’re finally ready. Buon appetito.”

“Buon appetito.”

Ross rolled the noodles on his fork and took a bite. He smiled with pleasure.

“Is it all right?”

“It’s delicious.”

“Thank you.” She took a bite herself. “So, where are you from?”

“I was born near St. Louis, a suburb called Charlestown. But I call Minnesota home. Or I did.”

“What brings you to Italy?”

Ross hesitated. To her surprise he looked slightly uncomfortable with the question. “I guess I just needed a change.”

She smiled reassuringly. “We could all use a little change.”

“How about you? Where in the States are you from?”

“You’ve never heard of it.”

“I get around. Try me.”

“It’s a little town in eastern Utah called Vernal.”

Ross’s brows came together in thought. “I’m pretty sure I’ve heard of Utah. What state is that in?”

“Stop it.”

“You’re right, I’ve never heard of Vernal. What is Vernal famous for?”

“Famous?”

“Every town in America has something they’re famous for. It might just be chocolate pecan pie or big potatoes or Bruce Willis slept there or something.”

She smiled. “Vernal is famous for dinosaur bones. We have a big excavation site. It’s where they found the Utah Raptor.”

“Dinosaur bones,” he repeated. He lifted the bottle of wine. “Wine?”

“Yes, please.”

He poured the red wine into her glass.

“How long are you planning to stay in Italy?” she asked.

“Forever.”

She gazed at him in surprise. “Forever? So you really meant a change.”

Ross nodded. “How about you?”

“I’d go back to America tomorrow if I could.”

“You don’t like Italy?”

“I love Italy. I love Tuscany. But after six years it still doesn’t feel like home.”

“Why don’t you go back then?”

“My husband doesn’t want to go back. He doesn’t really like America. He thinks we’re a cultureless society. What we call a melting pot he calls mongrelization. Anyway, his job and property are all here. Besides it’s all I can do to take care of Alessio most of the time.” She forced a smile. “But it’s not so bad. If you’re going to get stuck somewhere on the planet, it might as well be here. The people, the scenery and the food are all great.”

Ross put his fork back into his pasta. “This food is certainly great.”

“The secret to carbonara is making sure the noodles are hot enough when you pour on the raw egg. Do you usually eat at home?”

“No, I eat in cafés or trattorias most of the time. But I’m teaching myself to cook. I bought myself a pasta machine a couple days ago.”