“You look fried.” Vinni found me out back sipping a glass of prosecco as I relaxed on a lounge chair.
“I had a meeting with Piero.”
“Yeah, that’ll do it.” He chuckled. “Oh, by the way, this came for you. It was sent to the newspaper, and Wyatt had it sent on to you.”
He handed me a big envelope, and I tore it open to find a letter inside. I examined the writing trying to place it.
“Oh, my God!” I cupped my mouth and sat up with excitement.
“Everything all right?”
“Yeah, um…” I wanted to be alone. “Would it be okay if I went for a walk? I’d really like to enjoy this alone.”
“Sure, I don’t see the harm.” He smiled as I raced out the side gate.
I took the path and strolled through the sunflower field. I wanted to take my time. I savored the handwriting on the envelope as I walked. I stopped when I found just the right spot and settled in to open the precious letter.
Dearest Sienna,
I hope this letter finds you well and happy. It took me nearly a lifetime to find you. I read the article about your life journey, and I cried once I realized how well you’re doing now. There are some people in this world who deserve happiness, and one of those is you. I often dream of meeting you again and us becoming lifelong sisters. I have to know, are you still in contact with the boy from the pond? Elio, I believe, right? I’m living in Florence now, and how I wish we could meet up. Please do reach out. We have a lifetime to catch up on! I have included my address and cell number.
Sincerely, your sister, Cara
P.S. I hope you finally got to run in that field full of sunflowers.
If she only knew! I looked around at the smiling yellow faces that surrounded me and dried the tears that had raced down my cheeks as I read. I threw back my head and laughed with pure happiness. How I’d missed Cara. I always wondered if our paths would link up again. I couldn’t believe how many people the article had brought me. I snapped a photo of the letter and sent it to Wyatt with a crying emoji, and somehow my mother crept into my thoughts.
With my newfound high, I moved to the road and started to walk up the hill, only to be greeted by a car that slowed and lowered its window.
“Good afternoon, Ms. Sienna.” Gain—an odd name—was one of Elio’s soldiers. He gave me a warm smile and a wave. “Do you need a ride?”
“I’m heading to the Hill House.”
“So am I. Hop in.”
“Thanks.”
Within thirty seconds, we arrived in the driveway, and I hopped out, spotting Elio in the doorway. He looked at me oddly, then at Gain.
“Were you just in the car with Gain?”
“Hello, dear.” I rolled my eyes at his lack of greeting. “Yes, your soldier spotted me coming up the hill and offered me a ride.”
“But I thought Vinni got you.”
“I’ve already been home, but then I went for a walk.”
“Why?”
Seriously, I hadn’t seen him in three days, and he was questioning me like I was up to no good.
“I was posing for my photoshoot.” I smirked.
“Sienna,” he growled in warning, and I was instantly turned on. He waved Gain to move on, and we were left alone in the driveway. “I will take you upstairs and prove to you just how wrong that comment was.”
“Is that a promise, Mr. Capri?” I raised my eyebrow playfully. “Because if that’s the case,” I stepped closer, lowering my voice, “I was in a black lace corset with a red thong and matching heels.” My fingers traveled down my beloved necklace, and I fingered the crow pendant between my breasts.
His hand cupped my jaw as he grinned his interest and lowered his head to mine. “The only one who’s going to see you naked is me. If I find out you accepted that deal, we will have a problem. I will show you my darker side, and,bella,” he paused, “you won’t like it.”