Cyprian the Fair Read online

  “Of course you don’t!” scoffed Gabri, and Stefano tried not to copy it in his translation. “I am the one who could have helped you with everything! Even now, I have to tell you things you should know!” He fumed. “Another thing, how long have you known her? How many times has she brought you to visit Italy? You make no effort to learn her language or about her home or appreciate where she comes from and her heritage. You just walk through life wanting things handed to you and everyone to make life easy for you! Maybe this is the reason she is searching for the real reason you were so willing to leave her and think badly of her. She is not easy for you to be around anymore. You have to think about her too much, and it is inconvenient.”

  Eden gawped at Gabri in horror of what he was saying. He couldn’t mean those things. She didn’t want him telling Rafe those things. She calmed herself and could only think he was saying such horrible things to get the result he wanted and for her to leave without seeing Rafe. She was not going to let it happen no matter how much he hurt her with his words and tried to scare her.

  “I hope you really don’t think those things are true,” she said holding in her anxiety. “I would never intentionally hurt Rafe.” She took a breath and let it out slowly to control her emotions. “I’ve brought Bronte to see her,” she revealed. “I know she wouldn’t want to miss seeing her. Will you tell Rafe we’re here, and we’d like to spend time with her? Or just tell me where she is so we can visit her?”

  Gabri frowned and shook his head as Stefano translated her words. He should have known she would use the baby for leverage to see Rafe. He also knew if Rafe found out Bronte was here, and he prevented her from seeing the baby, Rafe would be angry.

  “You are selfish and cruel,” Gabri said in heavily accented English, “to do this to Rafaella now and to use the bambina in this way.” He nodded to Stefano then let him translate the rest.

  “He says he will talk to Rafe. Leave your information and where you are staying,” relayed Stefano.

  Eden felt a surge of hope as she tore off a page from her notepad with her hotel information and her phone number.

  “Thank you, Gabri.”

  “Don’t thank me,” he said through Stefano. “I want you to think about what you’re doing. If you can’t see her and not look at her with pity, or if you can’t stop yourself from emotionally pressuring her to get what you want from her, or if you can’t stop yourself from doing things she asks you not to do, then you should not see her. If you can’t think about her instead of yourself, you should let her see the baby, but you should not be there.”

  Eden swallowed and forced back the pain of his words then stood up understanding she was being dismissed. “I am thinking about Rafe. She’s all I’ve been thinking about for months, whether you believe it or not.”

  “Mr. De Angelis says the discussion of Rafaella is now over and asked me to tell you not to come here again without an invitation,” said Stefano.

  “Of course,” said Eden shakily as she walked toward the office door.

  Gabri motioned for Stefano to follow her and make sure she found her way out then went back to his desk and picked up the phone to call Rafe’s doctor. He had to make sure all was ready if Rafe became lost again.

  Stefano led Eden from the office down to the front door. She was determined to hold back her tears as she walked down the path toward the car waiting to take her back to the hotel.

  9

  JULIA HAWTHORN DECIDED to pass the time while she waited for Eden by going through the Uffizi Gallery. She didn’t know how long Eden would be gone, so since Bronte was with the au pair and finally taking a nap, she took the opportunity to get out of the hotel. She walked through the long hallway looking at statues on her way to find the next gallery room free of a crowd of tourists. She didn’t like bumping elbows while looking at her art.

  As she approached one of the art-filled rooms, a large crowd filed out, and Julia thought she caught sight of someone familiar. She stopped and looked again to be sure and knew then that she wasn’t mistaken.

  It was Rafe.

  Rafe’s hair had grown longer, and she looked a lot healthier than when Julia had last seen her. Rafe was dressed in black leather pants and a red V-neck T-shirt with cap sleeves with ‘Ciao Bella’ printed on the front, and she was carrying a drawing pad. Julia shook her head in wonder at the fact Rafe would dress in such a way to come into the gallery. She looked like a tourist or worse—a poor college student.

  As the group of tourists walked down the hallway, Julia followed along at a short distance. She wasn’t sure if she should talk with Rafe or wait to make contact. Julia knew at that very moment, Eden was probably asking Gabri about seeing her. Julia imagined, if she could talk to Rafe, she might be able to go around Gabri. On the other hand, if Rafe didn’t want to see Eden, it might be better not to let Rafe know she was here, too.

  Arriving at the next room, most of the tour group filed inside. Rafe stopped just outside the room. She spoke softly to a lovely dark-haired woman while a more matronly woman looked on. Julia presumed the older woman was the mother of the younger. After a moment, Rafe shook their hands. She then tore out a page from her drawing book, handing it to the beautiful dark-haired girl. As the pair went into the art-filled room, Rafe continued down the hallway alone.

  Julia discretely followed Rafe. Soon, they approached the exit. Rafe began speaking with a girl at the information desk. After the girl handed Rafe some things from behind the desk, Rafe walked out of the museum. Following her outside, Julia watched as Rafe put on a black leather jacket matching her pants. Rafe put away her notebook in something similar to a messenger bag that she slung across her body then started walking across the plaza.

  Julia decided to keep following her for a while, hoping Rafe would stop somewhere. Finally, Julia decided she shouldn’t waste the opportunity to talk with Rafe—just in case Eden got nowhere with Gabri.

  “Rafe!” Julia called. “Rafe Salvaggio. Is it really you?”

  Rafe turned at the sound of her name, and the smile on her face twisted into a frown of confusion. “Julia?”

  Julia caught up with Rafe and gave her a hug. “You look really good. What are you doing here?”

  Rafe squinted suspiciously and backed away from her. “What, did you think I’d be locked away somewhere spinning around a lightbulb?” she asked defensively.

  “No, no,” she said holding her hands up. “I didn’t mean any such thing. I’m just surprised to see you here.”

  “Really?” asked Rafe as she crossed her arms. She wondered why it would be so surprising to see her in the city where she lived now. “Well, I’m here, and I have to go. It was nice seeing you. Hope you enjoy Florence,” she said with a wave then turned and walked away.

  “Hey, Rafe, wait,” Julia called out and went after her. “It’s been a long time. Don’t you want to talk?”

  “Not really,” said Rafe as she walked. “I left to get away from you and everyone for a while. I’m not sure I’m ready to deal with you.”

  “Deal with me?” asked Julia offended by Rafe’s attitude and trying to keep up with her. “I’ve been your friend half your life. You could show me some courtesy.”

  Rafe stopped and scowled at Julia. “I thought I did. What do you want?”

  “I just want to know how you’re doing and what you’ve been doing,” said Julia earnestly. “You know, catch up.”

  Rafe held her arms out from her sides. “As you can see I’m doing fine. As for what I’ve been doing,” she shrugged indifferently, “getting better.” She could tell Julia was expecting more. “Why are you in Italy?”

  “I’m here with... a friend,” she said not wanting to mention Eden just yet.

  “Oh,” said Rafe when it was plain it was all the response she was going to get. “Well, be sure to take your friend to Pisa and Siena. It should be nice weather for a visit.” She turned and began walking away.

  Julia watched Rafe walk away for a moment then began follo
wing her again. “Is that all? Don’t you want to talk to me? Maybe we can get coffee or lunch.”

  “I don’t know what you want from me, Julia,” said Rafe as she stopped to look at her. “I’m not sure what you want me to say. I wasn’t expecting to see you, and I really do have to be somewhere.” She walked up to a motorcycle and unlocked a saddle bag, retrieving a helmet.

  “I guess I just want to talk,” said Julia as she watched Rafe climb on the bike, put on the helmet, and then begin to buckle it. “I’m just as surprised to see you. I’m happy you’re doing better, and you look good.” She looked closer at the bag slung across Rafe’s back and could see it wasn’t a messenger bag but a compact paint box and easel.

  Rafe glanced over at Julia and gave her a forced smile. “Thank you,” she said politely and turned the key to start the bike. “Hope you have a good vacation,” she said and pulled out of the space and sped down the narrow street.

  Julia watched Rafe ride away and shook her head. “Typical hard-headed Rafe,” she mumbled to herself then began walking toward her hotel. At the very least, she could tell Eden that Rafe was healthy enough to be out running around on a motorbike and going to museums.

  Across the Arno River, Eden was being driven away from the villa and down the narrow street leading them back to the city and over the bridge to get to the hotel.

  Unknowingly, Eden watched Rafe on her motorcycle as she went past her car headed in the direction of the villa.

  10

  RIDING HER MOTORCYCLE slowly down the smooth garden path, Rafe Salvaggio pulled up in front of the small cottage on the professionally landscaped and picturesque villa grounds where she now lived. She moved from the villa into the cottage a few months ago for privacy, and to get away from all the commotion always going on in the main house. Cutting the engine to the motorcycle, Rafe took off her gloves and shoved them into the pocket of her black leather jacket. She got off the bike, took off her helmet, stowed it in the saddle bag, and then made her way into the cottage.

  Inside, she took off her jacket, depositing it on the table by the door, and then took her paint box to the room she was using as an office and painting studio. She went into the modest but efficient kitchen and made a glass of water. Sitting down at the small wooden kitchen table, she looked out at the garden as she sipped her cold drink.

  The unexpected run-in with Julia was still on her mind. She knew she may have been brash with Julia, but she was surprised. She was worried Julia might be there to try to talk her into going back to America before she was ready. Plus, she promised Gabri she wouldn’t see anyone from home until they both thought she was ready. At the right time, they would talk to the doctor about whether or not Rafe was prepared to add more stress to her life or not. Until then, she was to focus on working with the doctor and spending time doing small projects to keep her mind busy.

  She finished her water and took the glass to the sink. Through the open window, she heard the echo of laughing and splashing from the direction of the pool up at the villa. She smiled and went to her room where she put on her bikini and grabbed a towel to go join everyone for an afternoon swim.

  “Ciao!” said Rafe cheerfully as she made it to the pool and put her towel on a chair. She saw Gabri and Stefano were already in the pool playing. Sitting in one of the loungers, Nora was watching them and laughing.

  Nora turned and smiled as Rafe walked over to her. “There you are! How was your day?” she asked in Italian.

  “It was so hard,” answered Rafe in her childhood language. She loved the fact Nora was an American who could speak fluent Italian. Rafe gave a false pout, and Nora’s eyes sparked with mischief. “My eyes saw so much art, I’m exhausted.” She chuckled unable to stop her smile. “But now I get to look at you, and I’m healed,” she said to the dark blond woman with sparkling brown eyes.

  “You’re such a charmer!” Nora laughed and blushed. “No wonder everyone loves you.”

  Rafe smiled at her as she bent down and kissed her on the lips then kissed her pregnant stomach. “Hello, my little one,” she said and kissed Nora’s stomach again. She looked up at Nora and winked. “Did they take good care of you while I was gone?” she asked then looked over at Gabri as he swam.

  “I don’t think I was too much trouble for them,” she said and added a roll of her eyes. “Will you show me what you did today?”

  Rafe gave a short laugh and smiled at her sheepishly. “I gave it away.”

  “Rafe!” Nora chastised her. “You’re always giving away all your beautiful work. I hope it was appreciated.”

  “I think it was,” said Rafe with a nod. “I like giving it to people who see beauty in it.”

  “You mean you like giving it to beautiful women,” she teased with a knowing smile.

  “She was very beautiful!” Rafe laughed and held out her hand to Nora. “Are you getting in?”

  “No, I think I’m sitting out for now,” she answered. “I’m having a nice cool lemonade, and Gabri said lunch would be out soon. Go play,” she said tapping Rafe’s nose with her finger playfully.

  “Okay!” Rafe ran, hurled herself forward, and dove into the pool. Coming up from under the water Rafe swam over to Gabri. “I need to talk to you after lunch,” she said softly, wiping the water from her face with her hand.

  Gabri frowned with concern. “Is everything okay?”

  Rafe avoided his eye contact. “I think so. Let’s talk later.”

  “Okay,” he agreed. “I need to talk to you about a few things too.”

  “Great!” said Rafe as she held on to the side of the pool. “Let’s race. Ready. Set. Go!” They were off freestyling across the pool as fast as they could swim.

  After exhausting themselves in the pool, lunch came, and they all enjoyed eating and talking with each other until Gabri signaled to Rafe that they should go talk.

  Rafe helped Nora up from her chair. It wouldn’t be long before Nora had her baby, but it seemed she was still not slowing down though she looked tired. “Are you going to take a nap?” she asked softly.

  “You read me so well.” Nora smiled and kissed Rafe as they passed then made her way inside to take a nap.

  “Let’s go change then walk in the garden,” Gabri suggested. “Stefano, you can take care of things here and continue the work in the studio, okay?”

  “No problem,” he said with a nod as they all went their separate ways.

  11

  GABRI DE ANGELIS FOUND Rafe already waiting for him in the garden sitting on a wooden bench. He was still not sure how he was going to break the news to her about Eden being at the house and bringing Bronte to Italy for an unplanned visit.

  Gabri had made a call to the doctor right after Eden left his office. He told the doctor what was happening. She advised short visits or if they needed to be longer, monitored visits to make sure Rafe was not put into a position that might derail her progress. Rafe had made great strides since she got back home to Firenze. On the outside, it looked like Rafe was back to her old self, but Gabri knew looks could sometimes be deceiving. Right now, Rafe had no pressures or stressors to cause her problems. No so-called friends who might cause her problems, Gabri thought.

  When Gabri brought Rafe home in November, she was very weak, so she spent time keeping her mind busy with positive things. She read books from the library, looked at art, and took paints and notebooks to paint or draw in gardens. Rafe loved talking to the workers in the olive grove. As she gained strength, Rafe helped the workers lay out nets and shake the branches of the olive trees in the olive grove. She began wandering the vineyards, tasting wine with the winemaker, and watching him test the soils and wines. She even tried helping with the beehives and collecting honey and watching the beekeeper make candles from the honeycomb. On good days, she would exhaust herself helping with jobs around the estates. On other days, she would spend her time working with her therapist and drawing to help chase away the demons.

  The nights and days Rafe didn’t have posit
ive thoughts were agonizing. There were times when Rafe wouldn’t sleep for days because of dark thoughts and dreams. Gabri and the doctor tried several things to help her sleep and finally had to resort to medication. It was a difficult decision because of the worry Rafe would become addicted. They even agreed that Gabri would hold the pills to make sure Rafe didn’t take them too often.

  Eventually, Rafe ventured out of the estate holdings and into the city. She walked the streets of her childhood again and visited the shops and museums. Rafe even traveled to construction sites that interested her to look over and talk to the people on the sites. This inspired her to write a paper and a couple of articles she said she might let someone actually look at someday. So far, Rafe would only show them to Nora. She spent a lot of time with Nora, and it was clear to Gabri they loved each other, which made him very happy.

  Rafe had even been out to a few parties and made some new friends. But there were still days when Rafe did nothing and couldn’t get out of bed without help and encouragement. It had been a long time since she had such a day, and Gabri hoped it meant she was out of the worst part of her illness and back to her bright life and future. Then today, with the appearance of Eden, his hope was put on hold. He was worried the situation would pull Rafe back down again.

  Gabri sat down next to Rafe and sighed as he patted her leg. “This garden is inspiring,” he said with a slight smile.

  “I think you’re right,” said Rafe thoughtfully as she looked out over the beautiful garden. “I’m thinking of painting it for Nora,” she said softly. “Do you think she’ll like a painting of it?”

  “I think she would love anything you gave her,” he said, knowing it was true. He chuckled. “I think she is even more in love with you than I am.”