“May I offer you a cookie, Senhora de Jesus?” Garibaldi held out one of the blue-trimmed plates to me. The sugar cookies looked innocent enough sitting there. However, as I looked into the hopeful face of the man before me, I felt that they were agents in an evil plot.

Manuela’s head snapped up. A guest, and a man at that, serving during the tea service was a grave misstep. I could feel the blush creep up my neck all over again.

Taking the plate from him so as not to cause further embarrassment, I mumbled, “Obrigada, senhor.” He released the plate gently, brushing his fingers against mine. His touch sent a sharp jolt of energy up my arm. “And please, call me Anna.”

“Anna.” The sound of my name coming from his lips caused heat to rise.

Hector took a sip of the mate and passed it to Senhor Garibaldi as they resumed their discussion of Laguna’s politics. I did my best to keep my nerves under control as I tried to hide the emotions that flowed through me like a rushing river. All the while, I chastised myself for my foolishness.

“How do you like Laguna, Senhor Garibaldi?” Manuela asked. “I’m sure it’s much different from your home in Italy.”

“Oh, I find Laguna to be quite lovely,” he said. “Perhaps the most beautiful town in all of South America.” He looked at me over the rim of the communal gourd as he said the words. “Senhora Oliveira, this mate is unlike anything I have tasted. What did you do differently?”

“I added dried oranges. They’re a favorite of Anna’s.”

“Is that so?” He passed the gourd to me. “I believe it will be a favorite of mine now as well.”

I tried to keep the blush from spreading anew as I took the gourd from him. It was next to impossible not to think about our lips being in the same place, on the same straw.

Throughout our conversation I attempted to resist every urge to look at him. Failing, I slyly spied him out of the corner of my eye. His gaze quickly moved away and back to our hosts.

“Tell me, Anna, are you at all interested in politics?” Garibaldi asked. I met his chocolate eyes for the first time that evening. His gaze held me, momentarily causing me to forget how to form words.

“Anna had the most interesting perspective on the rebellion. Go ahead and share it,” Manuela said with a smile.

I tried to brush off my friend’s compliment with a wave of my hand. “No, really, it’s nothing, I’m not a politician like the men.”

“Please, I would like to hear what you have to say.” His face looked hopeful as he waited for me to speak.

“A handful of gentlemen became impetuous children because the king isn’t giving them their way.” I sipped my tea, trying to collect my thoughts before going on. “There are justifiable reasons to be angry, but is it truly enough to break away from the rest of Brazil?”