Praise for the novels of Peter Pezzelli
VILLA MIRABELLA
“A pleasurable, effortless read. The feel-good story line is well thought out and well written, and warrants a spot in this summer’s beach-read bag.”
—Publishers Weekly
ITALIAN LESSONS
“Pezzelli tells an engaging story that is as leisurely paced and satisfying as a fine Italian meal.”
—Library Journal
“Pezzelli makes readers want to believe in love at first sight, and his earnest storytelling should win over its share of readers.”
—Publishers Weekly
“Poignant and emotionally revealing, Pezzelli’s latest will have you laughing, crying and simply enjoying a first-rate novel.”
—RT Book Reviews
FRANCESCA’S KITCHEN
“Home cooking, good pasta and traditional family values conquer all in this amusing and touching story.”
—Publishers Weekly
“Pezzelli will bring a smile to anyone’s heart with Francesca’s Kitchen.”
—The Albuquerque Journal
“Filled with warmth and humor, Pezzelli’s latest novel entices. Readers won’t want to put down this richly detailed novel.”
—RT Book Reviews
“This sweet story plays out in kitchens with descriptions of home cooking and delicious pasta.”
—The Post-Standard
EVERY SUNDAY
“A sweet, brave, and funny novel—with a heart as big as the entire state of Rhode Island.”
—Claire Cook, author of Must Love Dogs
HOME TO ITALY
A BookSense Pick!
“A beautiful novel . . . Peter Pezzelli captures the warmth of Italy—family, friendships, and food—invites us into the world of his wonderful characters, and takes us full circle on a journey of life and love.”
—Luanne Rice, New York Times bestselling author
“A warmhearted novel, perfect for an autumn evening in front of the fire.”
—Litchfield Enquirer
Books by Peter Pezzelli
HOME TO ITALY
EVERY SUNDAY
FRANCESCA’S KITCHEN
ITALIAN LESSONS
VILLA MIRABELLA
Published by Kensington Publishing Corporation
Francesca’s Kitchen
PETER PEZZELLI
KENSINGTON BOOKS
http://www.kensingtonbooks.com
For Andrew and Gabriella
CONTENTS
CHAPTER 1
CHAPTER 2
CHAPTER 3
CHAPTER 4
CHAPTER 5
CHAPTER 6
CHAPTER 7
CHAPTER 8
CHAPTER 9
CHAPTER 10
CHAPTER 11
CHAPTER 12
CHAPTER 13
CHAPTER 14
CHAPTER 15
CHAPTER 16
CHAPTER 17
CHAPTER 18
CHAPTER 19
CHAPTER 20
CHAPTER 21
CHAPTER 22
CHAPTER 23
CHAPTER 24
CHAPTER 25
CHAPTER 26
CHAPTER 27
CHAPTER 28
CHAPTER 29
CHAPTER 30
CHAPTER 31
CHAPTER 32
CHAPTER 33
CHAPTER 34
CHAPTER 35
CHAPTER 36
CHAPTER 37
CHAPTER 38
CHAPTER 39
CHAPTER 40
CHAPTER 41
CHAPTER 42
CHAPTER 43
CHAPTER 44
CHAPTER 45
CHAPTER 46
CHAPTER 47
CHAPTER 48
CHAPTER 49
CHAPTER 50
CHAPTER 51
CHAPTER 52
CHAPTER 1
There was no point in taking chances, so the first thing Francesca Campanile did after boarding the plane and finding her seat by the aisle was to open her pocketbook and take out her rosary beads. Rolling one of the dark, smooth beads between her thumb and forefinger, she whispered a quick Hail Mary and made the sign of the cross, while ahead of her, at the front of the cabin, a smiling stewardess was just beginning to give her cheerful recitation about what everyone should do in case the cabin lost pressure in flight or the plane plummeted into the ocean or crash-landed after takeoff. The knowledge that there were little air masks that popped out of the ceiling and flotation devices under her seat did little to reassure Francesca that she hadn’t been completely out of her mind just stepping on board. In truth, as whenever she flew, which wasn’t often, it almost seemed as if the stewardess was telling them all these things just to make the passengers like Francesca feel even more scared out of their minds before takeoff—if that was possible. It was like a cruel joke.
Francesca sat there, pondering her rosary beads, until the jet engines began to whine and the plane suddenly lurched forward, giving her a start. As the plane pulled away from the terminal, the stewardess up front babbled on, pointing out all the emergency exits, while one of her coworkers marched up the aisle, telling everyone to put their seats in the upright position. Francesca reached into her pocketbook, pulled out a set of photographs, and placed them on her lap next to the rosary beads. The plane taxied toward the runway, the cabin gently bouncing to-and-fro. It was a crystal clear January day outside, perfect for flying. Just the same, the motion of the plane and the anticipation of their imminent takeoff was profoundly unsettling to Francesca. She clutched the photographs to her heart and looked anxiously about at the people all around her.
The plane was packed, not an empty seat to be seen. It had probably been a mistake taking the seat by the aisle,