His brother’s words were pointed and needled at his guilt. “That’s not fair. I’ve lent you money for the vineyard—”
“This isn’t about you writing out a check. I’m talking about you personally investing yourself—your time—in something that’s important to your family.”
Angelo turned to Marianna, looking for support, but she moved to Nico’s side. When he sought out Kayla, she was busy studying her iced tea glass with such intensity that it was as if she’d never seen glassware before. He was alone in this. He knew what he should do, but it was so hard to just hand over the reins of the company he’d built from the ground up.
Three weeks was a long time to be away. And yet it wasn’t much time to create a compelling campaign for a wedding—a royal wedding. It had just started to sink in what a big deal this really was for his brother and sister, and the village, plus it would be amazing for his company—that is if they won the pitch.
Angelo raked his fingers through his hair. Letting go of the reins at Amatucci & Associates went against every business instinct. Yet, he couldn’t turn his back on his siblings again. “Okay. I’ll stay.”
Marianna turned to Kayla. “Will you stay, too?”
“Yes, Kayla,” Nico chimed in. “Will you help my brother? I get the feeling that he won’t be able to do it without you.”
Kayla’s eyes flashed with surprise. “I don’t know that I need to stay in Italy to do it.”
“It’d be most convenient,” Marianna pointed out. “I’m sure Angelo will need your input. After all, we’re talking about a wedding. And my brothers, well, they aren’t exactly romantic.”
“Hey!” Nico and Angelo protested in unison.
Both women burst out in laughter. Angelo supposed the dig was worth it as his sister’s face broke into a smile. And when he turned to Kayla, the happiness reflected in her eyes warmed a spot in his chest. She was a very beautiful woman. Why, oh, why did it have to be now when they were practically attached at the hip that he truly realized his attraction to her?
When she caught him staring, the breath hitched in his throat. He should glance away, but he couldn’t. He was in awe of her. Was it being away from the office that had him more relaxed about the proper conduct between employer and employee? Nonsense. He knew what he was doing. He could keep this together.
He gazed directly at the woman who took up more and more of his thoughts. “Well, don’t keep us in suspense. Will you remain in Italy and lend a hand?”
THIS WAS A very bad idea.
But it was so tempting. How could she let such a rare opportunity pass her by?
Kayla worried her bottom lip. Though she wouldn’t be working directly on the royal wedding, she’d be close at hand. Perhaps she could add an idea here and there. Oh, what she wouldn’t give to actually work on the project itself. Yet, she understood with the magnitude of a royal wedding that only the best of the best would work on the project, and that meant Angelo.
But she was needed back in New York. The ICL fund-raiser was quickly approaching, and seeing as it was her idea—it was her responsibility to make sure it went off without a hitch. However, she had put Pam, an associate at the after-school program, in charge while she was gone. And how much could possibly go wrong in three weeks?
“Please say you’ll stay.” Marianna looked so hopeful. “I could use someone on my side against my brothers, who think they know everything.”
That sold her. Marianna could definitely use some help keeping her brothers in line while she figured out her next move. “Okay, I’ll stay.”
Everyone smiled except Angelo.
Aside from the fund-raiser, there was nothing waiting for her back in New York, not even a goldfish. When she wasn’t at the office, she was at the after-school program helping kids with their homework followed by a game of dodgeball or basketball or volleyball. She wasn’t very good at any of the games, but she gave it her best effort.
For the moment, she was giving herself permission to enjoy Italy before she set to work. And this was the perfect place to start. She’d love to see more of the vineyard, and it’d give Angelo some private time with his siblings.
“Would you mind if I had a look around the vineyard?” Kayla’s gaze met Nico’s.
“My apologies. I should have offered to give you a tour earlier. I’ve had other thoughts on my mind—” his gaze strayed to his sister and then back to her “—with uh...the royal wedding.”
“That’s okay. I totally understand.” Kayla got to her feet. “I’ve never been to a vineyard before. I’ll just show myself around.”
“Nonsense. Angelo can give you the grand tour while I make some phone calls and spread the good news. And make sure he shows you the chapel.” Nico turned a smile to Angelo. “You can handle that, can’t you, brother?”
Angelo’s jaw tightened, but he didn’t argue. Kayla took that as progress between the brothers. Not wanting to give Angelo time to change his mind, she set off for the vines, hoping Angelo would follow.
He did, and he proved to be quite an insightful guide. He explained to her the difference between a larger vineyard and this boutique vineyard. While Nico produced fewer barrels of wine—less than five thousand cases a year—it was carefully processed to the highest quality with the least amount of oxidation.
As much as the history and current production of wine interested her, it was the bell tower in the distance that drew her attention. She headed for the weathered building that sat on the other side of the wall that lined the edge of the vineyard. “Is this the chapel your brother mentioned?”
“Yes. Nico and I explored it as kids. We considered it our castle. I was the king and Nico was the daring knight fighting off dragons.” Angelo smiled at the long-forgotten memory.
“You and your brother must have had a lot of fun.”
“Now that I think about it, we did have some good times.”
She smiled. “This looks like a great place for an adventure. Can we go inside the chapel?”
“It’s nothing you’d be interested in.”
“Sure I would.” Her steps grew quicker as she headed for the opening in the wall that led to the little chapel. Maybe this was her chance to let Angelo know that she’d be more than willing to help with the wedding pitch—in fact, this was the opportunity of a lifetime. Now, how did she broach the subject with Angelo?
She stopped next to the four steps that led to two tall, narrow wooden doors. It looked as though time had passed it by. Okay so it needed a little TLC, but it had a charm about it that transcended time. “Your brother is so lucky to have this piece of history on his land. Imagine all of the weddings and christenings that must have taken place here.”
“Technically it’s not on Nico’s land.” Angelo pointed over his shoulder to the wall. That divides the vineyard. The other side is Nico’s.”
“So who owns this land, then?”
“This is Palazzo di Comparino. Its owner, Signor Carlos Bartolini, recently passed away. From what I understand, there’s a young woman staying there now.”
“You know this chapel gives me an idea—it’d be perfect for the royal wedding.”
“I don’t know.” Angelo rubbed his chin. “It needs work.”
She pulled open one of