Page 44 of Ciao Bella
“They will remember you,” said Lissa, kneeling in front of the boys so they could see her lips clearly as Father Nicholas translated. “Remember I told you that I have a deaf son. It wouldn’t matter how old he was, how old I was. I would know him anywhere. A love between a mother and her son is unlike anything in the world. Go now. Go home to your families and be at peace.”
Nico gently reached out, his cool fingers touching her cheek. He signed the word ‘bella,’ and Father Nicholas laughed at him as the little boy gave a wink to Lissa.
“He’s a charmer. He says you are beautiful, and I would agree,” he smiled. The boys turned in the darkness and walked down the rows of grapes, disappearing into a fine mist. “You should feel great pride. You’ve done the impossible for those children.”
“Whatever was left behind is in one of those caves,” said Erin. “Tomorrow, we have to find it, or those overgrown children up there on that veranda are going to become suspicious.”
“You will succeed,” said Father Nicholas. “I have it on good authority. For now, let us turn and walk back together, laughing and feeling good about what you’ve accomplished this night. I do believe, other than my son, it is the greatest thing I have ever been witness to.”
“It might be the same for me, Father,” said Lena.
Approaching the cigar smoke of the veranda, the men laughing, the women knew that their adventure was not quite done, but they were getting there. What was really wonderful was to see the men so relaxed, laughing and enjoying themselves like they hadn’t seen in years.
“Maybe this vacation was more for them than us,” laughed Erin, nudging Faith.
“I don’t know,” she smiled. “I’m sure getting a lot out of this one. I can’t wait to see what we find tomorrow. I understand now why the men get hooked on all this. Finding the answers to a mystery, solving a crime, giving someone a sense of peace. It’s addictive!”
“I agree,” Erin laughed. “Maybe we start She-Wolf Security. You know, only taking cases that have anything to do with children or women. We solve purse snatchings, lunch money thieves, easy stuff.”
“I tell you what. If you can convince the men of that, I’ll be your first employee. Otherwise, I’m happy to be support personnel.”
CHAPTER THIRTY
Father Nicholas stayed long enough to enjoy breakfast with the team, then Enzo took him into town to catch a train where he would return to his home. The girls were sad to see him go. So were the guys, but they were ready to get to the Lamborghini playground.
“Have fun,” smiled Erin.
“What will you all do today?” he asked suspiciously.
“Oh, Aldo said there are some cute shops in the small village down the road, a few great cafés, chocolate shops, so much more. We’ll be just fine and stay busy.” He kissed her and turned with the others headed to the vans. Truth be told, for once in their lives, they weren’t really concerned about the wives and what they were doing.
Waving goodbye, they turned to see Aldo standing behind them. He had a basket of flashlights, smiling at the women.
“Are you ready, bellas?” he asked.
“As ready as we’ll ever be, Aldo. This is making me very nervous after our conversation with Father Nicholas,” said Lauren.
“Yes. Italians are all connected in one way or another. His grandfather had factories in this area, and he ran that deaf school. I did not know this. Men like him would have taken what they wanted. Land, women, even children.”
“We’ve all known men like that,” said Erin. “Let’s go. We need to find whatever is in those caves.”
They walked through the vineyard, headed toward the two caves that Aldo was aware of. Deciding to stay together and explore one at a time, they illuminated the flashlights and entered the dusty, spider-filled cave.
“Still a lot of barrels out here,” said Adele. “Is there wine in them?”
“I doubt very much,” said Aldo. “The barrels are cracked from weather and can be moved.” He nudged one with his hip, and they all nodded at him.
“In my grandfather’s time and great-grandfather’s time, the wine would have been stored here until it was ready to be sold. The caves would have kept it cool even in the heat of summer. It was a simpler time back then. Now we have fancy machines and scientists that tell us when the grapes are ready,” he said, waving his hand in the air. “It’s all too technical.”
“But you’re a chef,” said Sara, smiling at him. “Being a chef has changed over the last decades. We have lots of machines and technical equipment to help us in the kitchen. You have a standing mixer, a microwave, all of it.”
“Some, yes. The ovens are different. More powerful, easier to use. But the cooking part, the creation is the same. That doesn’t change. The pasta that Enzo and I make for you is the same recipe that my great-grandmother used. That hasn’t changed. I still roll the noodles by hand, just like she did.”
“Well, I applaud you,” said Sara. “Too many people don’t feel the need to preserve that kind of art and culture. I’m going to have to vow to do that more often.”
“You are a great chef,” he said to her. “I watched you roll the meatballs the other night. Your elegant hands, careful and attentive. There is love in your food. That’s what makes a good chef.”
“Thank you, Aldo,” she smiled.