‘You remember something else, don’t you, Ally?’ His voice was coaxing and gentle tears prickled the back of her eyes again. ‘Your grandmother?’
She inclined her head. Of course it was Gran. Every memory she’d had until now had been linked to her.
‘She died.’ Ally’s voice was harsh, the words sticking to her tongue so she had to force them out. Her chest ached as she drew air into tight lungs. ‘She was driving the tractor while I was out. They say she had a heart attack at the wheel and died instantly, probably before the tractor overturned on an embankment.’
‘Ah,tesoro.’ Angelo gathered her close and somehow she was sitting on his lap, her head tucked beneath his chin. The warmth of his big frame and the steady beat of his heart against her ear were reassuring in a world suddenly fluid with broken images and shocking hurt.
Another painful breath, another painful memory. ‘I came home and found her and Belle lying there.’
Her words ran out. The memory was too vivid.
‘Belle?’ Angelo’s voice was sharp.
‘Our old border collie. We’d had her since I was young. She was devoted to me and Gran.’ Ally bit her bottom lip, willing it not to wobble, though the anguish had reached an unbearable level.
‘A double tragedy, then. When Rocco, my childhood dog, died it almost broke my heart.’
Ally nodded, suppressing a snuffle. She could picture Angelo with a dog. He had a kind heart, she’d discovered. She could imagine him loyal and loving.
‘It seems silly, but losing them both together made it more devastating.’
Especially as she’d been confronted with the sight of them both—She sucked in a sharp breath and forced her thoughts elsewhere.
Ally barely had any memories of her parents. It was Gran who’d looked after her when she was sick, listened to her dreams, encouraging her and laughing with her. As for Belle, Ally remembered her as a puppy, her raspy tongue licking, and as an older dog, slowed by arthritis but still faithful and loving. Still insisting on riding the tractor though she needed help to get up.
‘It’s not silly at all. It makes perfect sense.’ He paused. ‘No wonder you took a holiday to get away for a while.’
‘It’s not quite like that.’
Ally straightened in his embrace and immediately his arm slid away, releasing her and giving her the chance to move away if she wished. She didn’t wish. She wanted to stay in Angelo’s arms for ever, but it was enough to remind her it was time to look after herself, not turn to him for comfort.
She forced herself to rise, swaying a little before finding her balance. She sensed him stand behind her, felt his body heat.
‘What is it, Ally? There’s more, isn’t there?’
It was as if he read her emotions, despite her determination to control them.
Ally gave a strained shrug. ‘I had to leave the farm. Gran and Uncle Ben were joint owners and when Gran died...’ She took a deep breath, staring across the beautifully manicured garden. ‘Uncle Ben lost money on a separate business deal, an investment gone wrong. He’s badly in debt and his family lost their home. They needed somewhere to live.’
Angelo’s voice was hard. ‘So they moved onto the farm and forced you out while you were grieving?’
‘They didn’tforceme. It made sense to move out.’
Besides, it wouldn’t be the same living there without Gran.
‘Don’t you have a share in the property? Especially if you were helping to run the farm?’
Angelo stepped in front of her, his face sombre, and she saw the businessman in his expression, looking for leverage on her behalf.
Warmth trickled through her cold body at his earnest look. He really was concerned about her. She reckoned he’d be an indomitable ally should she need one.
But the sad truth was that the sooner she got away from his orbit the better for her peace of mind. He tied her in knots and made her long for what could never be.
‘I inherited a minority share of the farm. But Uncle Ben can’t afford to buy me out at the moment and I’m not pressing him for the money.’ She forced a smile to stiff lips. ‘As for sharing a small farmhouse with my aunt, uncle and four rambunctious boys under ten, that’s not an option.’
Angelo didn’t smile back. His brows contracted in a scowl.
‘Look, Uncle Ben isn’t trying to cheat me. He’ll buy me out when things turn around. Meanwhile Gran left me a bit of cash. That’s what I used to travel here. I’m on my way to the south of France, to visit the lavender fields and the perfumeries. But I wanted to see this place that Alexa raved about. That’s why I flew to Rome first.’