“At the very least.”
The drive from the village to Valentini was short. Tara was quiet the entire way. So much so, I wondered if she’d fallen asleep.
When we pulled through the gates, the lights were on in the villa. Instead of stopping at the farmhouse, which I would’ve much preferred to do, I drove straight up the hill.
“Thank you,” Tara murmured when I parked near the terrazza.
“I’ll walk with you.”
Before we got to the front door, Lucia came outside. “Pia tried to reach you. There was an accident in the winery, and she was called away.”
“Is everything okay?” Tara asked.
“She’s at the hospital now, with the man who was injured.”
“Is there anything we can do?” I asked.
“I don’t think so.”
“I’m sorry to ask, but did she mention anything about where I should stay tonight?”
Lucia shook her head at Tara’s question. “She didn’t.”
“You can stay at the farmhouse,” I told her. “There are three bedrooms. Plenty of room, and we can sort this all out in the morning.”
She bit her bottom lip and looked into my eyes with her deep blue ones. “You’re sure?”
Since Lucia was hanging on every word, I didn’t tell Tara it would be my pleasure, although it very much would be. Even if nothing happened between us tonight, just having her stay with me at the farmhouse would make me happy.
“I left my bag…”
“I’ll bring it to you,” Lucia offered.
I wondered if the woman’s rude treatment of Tara was due to my unpleasant exchange with her at our meeting earlier. One would think that the very least she could’ve done was place a call to Pia to ask if Tara should stay at the villa again tonight. Barring that, let the woman get her own belongings. The puzzled expression on Tara’s face told me she was likely thinking the same things I was.
“Are you okay?” I asked when Lucia delivered the bag and I carried it to the car.
She nodded, but her expression didn’t change. “I get the impression she doesn’t like me very much.”
“I’m sure Pia will be very unhappy at the way Lucia handled things.”
“I don’t want to cause trouble between Pia and the other employees.”
I tried to appear casual when I put my arm around her shoulder and kissed her forehead, but all I felt was awkward. “You know what? It’s been a long couple of days, far too much to eat and drink. We’ll get a good night’s sleep, and I’m sure by tomorrow, this won’t seem like a big deal.”
“Ben…I…”
“A good night’s sleep, Catarina. That’s all.”
“You’re sure?” she asked for the second time.
“Absolutely.”
I would’ve much rather let Tara have the larger bedroom, but since my stuff was scattered all over, even taking her in there would’ve given her the wrong idea.
“The other bedrooms are smaller,” I started to explain.
“I’m fine wherever. Honestly. I can sleep on the sofa.”