“I noticed that there’s a lot of coming and going around here.”

“The villa is pretty open. Our home is what the Italians call a porto di mare—a harbor. Everyone just walks in: Anna, Manuela, Vittorio, Luca. In fact you’re about the only one who knocks.”

“Does that bother you? Not having any privacy?”

“Not really. I have three uncles in America and they never knocked before walking into the house.” She grinned in remembrance. “We’ve had a few embarrassing moments. Once I came walking out of the shower to get some underwear and one of my uncles was sitting there reading the paper. I don’t know who was more embarrassed. He was so shocked he started stuttering. But that’s just Vernal. Even our neighbors don’t knock when they come in.”

She stood up again, went to him and ran her fingers back through his hair, messing it up a little on the top. “There, it looks a little fuller. The heat flattens everything.”

Ross liked the feel of her fingers through his hair.

“So when you’re done what are you going to do with the painting?”

“Give it to you. Maybe. Then again I might just decide to keep it.”

He looked over to the other portraits. “To add to the stack.”

“No, I’ll frame this one.”

She stopped talking as she sketched. After another twenty minutes she set her pencil down.

“I think that’s enough for one night.”

“May I move?”

“Not yet. Let me take some pictures.” She brought out a disposable camera and snapped a few shots. “That’s so I can work on this while you’re not around. You can move now. Let me get the lights.”

Ross exhaled, yawned. He stretched, raising his arms above his head. “Modeling is tougher than it looks.”

Eliana turned on the lights. “In a college art class we were sketching a nude model when he passed out. Not enough circulation, our instructor said.”

“Should I be worried?”

“It’s okay, I know CPR.”

She put away her brushes; then she followed him down the stairs.

“I hope that wasn’t too boring.”

“Not at all.” Then he said, “It’s nice being with you.” Eliana was suddenly quiet. “You too,” she said softly. They stopped at the door.

“So when is the next sitting?”

“Is Saturday good for you?”

“Anytime Saturday is good.”

“Good. Then we’ll just play it by ear.”

For a moment they just looked at each other. Both of them were unsure of how to punctuate the evening. Finally Eliana said, “How about if we just hug?”

“That would be good.”

She leaned forward and hugged him. “Buona notte, Ross.”

“Buona notte.”

As he left her, her thoughts lingered pleasantly on their conversation. Then she thought again about the scar on his wrist. After an evening together she was left with more questions than answers. What had happened to this man?

CHAPTER 14

CHAPTER 14