A frown pulled at his face. He knew the answer. She would leave here. She would return to the beautiful rolling hills of Tuscany and the boutique hotel that she ran. Her whole life was far from here. And everything he’d ever known—ever wanted—was here.
And he wasn’t going to fool himself about a long-distance relationship. His assistant had tried that once before she’d met her husband, and it had been nothing but misery and loneliness. No, he wasn’t going to subject himself to that.
“We’re here!” Gia practically had the car door open before he pulled to a stop in front of his uncle’s villa.
She didn’t wait for him. She jumped out of the car, calling the dog’s name, and running to the back of the house. He was only a few steps behind her.
As much as he wanted to portray that he was strong and didn’t get attached to people or things, there was something about Gin that had gotten to him. He didn’t know if it was the sadness in the puppy’s eyes when he wanted attention or the rapid swish of his tail when they were playing ball, but that dog was special, just like the woman who loved him—loved the dog that is.
And Ric was silently praying there was a reunion tonight. Because he didn’t want to think of how crushed Gia was going to be if they went home without Gin. He refused to consider how he’d feel. He would be fine. He was used to people coming and going from his life. Oh, who was he kidding. He was worried. He missed the little guy.
He turned the corner of the house in time to hear, “Gin, there you are.”
Gia was headed for the back corner of the garden that was only now partially cleared. What in the world would Gin be doing back there again? Ric would have thought the puppy would never return to the garden.
Gia knelt next to the spot where Ric had originally freed Gin from the wire. “Aw...”
What was she fawning over? The puppy? Ric stepped up behind her and peered over her shoulder. He couldn’t believe his eyes. He blinked, but it was still there.
A mirror image of Gin.
There were two of them.
“Where did he come from?” Ric asked.
“It’s a she.” Gia lifted her head and glanced around the yard that was still very much a work in progress. And then she pointed. “It must have come in and out of the hole in the fence. It’s why no one has seen her until now.”
Ric looked at Gin. “You didn’t tell us you had a sibling.” Then he frowned. “Do you think it has a home?”
She shook her head. “Nothing about her appearance says that she has a home. But the vet can check for a chip just to be sure.”
“So we’re keeping her?” Ric asked, already knowing the answer.
Arff. Arff.
Gia smiled. “Okay, Gin. We’ll take her home too.” And then realizing she hadn’t actually consulted Ric, she glanced over her shoulder at him. “You don’t mind, do you?”
His formerly quiet, spotless home was quickly being overrun by one messy but beautiful woman and one—scratch that, now two talkative dogs. Oh, boy!
“No, I don’t mind.” What was he saying? Of course he minded.
His home was his oasis from the craziness at the office. It was his sanctuary where he regrouped and strategized. And since Gia and Gin came into his life, he didn’t know how lonely he’d been.
“Here.” Gia held out Gin’s red leash. “Can you hold on to him while I try to catch her?”
Ric took the leash. Gin came over to him and sat down without being told. He was a smart little guy. Now they’d see if his sister was smart enough to let Gia get ahold of her. That little dog had no idea what treats were in store for her. If she did, she’d leap into Gia’s arms instead of running from her.
It took Gia a little bit, but finally she had her arms around the barking puppy. It was dirty and a bit on the thin side, but other than that she looked okay.
“Let’s go home.” Gia smiled.
He’d never seen her look happier. Who knew finding not one but two strays could make someone so happy? He supposed they both were rather cute. He smiled. And then he realized that Gia was rubbing off on him.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
RIC WASN’T THE only one with contacts.
Gia had some of her own.