"Last night there were a lot of people at the party that don't need to know my business, so I did what was expected of me. I gave the daughter of one of my employees a small necklace for her birthday." She looked over at Zaira with a smile. "Today, I have given my friend and valued employee a much more fitting present."
"And what exactly is that?" Nikki asked.
"Trust." Everyone looked over at Zaira. She swallowed nervously and looked to Alex for approval. When she nodded she continued. "With this gift, Alex has proven she has faith in me, and trusts me to become the next vintner of Perfetta Armonia." She wiped a tear from her cheek and took a shaky breath. "Over the years, Alex has given my father a percentage of the vineyard as thanks for his work and loyalty. This is very unusual. No other owner in the area is so generous."
Alex stood and quickly walked over to the counter where she began to prepare more coffee.
"Alex's generosity has allowed my family many opportunities others do not have. But what my father has is on paper only, a piece of the business. You understand?" She looked around the table and smiled at the women nodding back at her. "Alex has given me a piece of the vineyard, not just the business." She stood, walked over to Alex, and put her arms around her. "I won't let you down."
Alex pulled her close and whispered in her ear. "I know you won't, honey. I have faith in you to lead this vineyard in the future, and take it in a positive direction." She pulled back and looked into her eyes. "But first you will go to school and learn everything you can, having a bit of fun along the way of course." She winked and placed a kiss on her forehead. "Now go. Tell your parents all about it, and then go oversee the plowing of your fields."
Zaira grinned. "Yes, ma'am." She grabbed the paperwork from the table and practically ran out the door.
Alex spent the morning and early afternoon walking around Lucca with Nikki, Dani, and Rachel. They visited the botanical gardens, walked through the Cattedrale di San Martino, and had lunch at a small sandwich bar. They stopped at several small shops on their way back to the car to do some window-shopping.
Dani settled into the soft leather seat, leaned her head back, and closed her eyes with a sigh. "This country is amazing. So beautiful, and the people are so friendly." She looked up and caught Alex's eye in the rear-view mirror. "I can see why you love it here."
She smiled and nodded her agreement. "It's an amazing place. I've been very fortunate."
"How did this come about for you? Your love for Italy, purchasing the vineyard, and the relationship with Zaira and her family?" Nikki asked.
Alex reached over and placed one hand on Nikki's thigh, and gave her a smile. She turned back to focus on the road as she replied, "The short version is that Maria and Ilario brought me here on a vacation one year. We stayed with Sophia, Dante, and Zaira at the vineyard. I fell in love with Tuscany and Maria's family. While we were here, I learned that Dante was afraid he would lose his job, and that the vineyard was for sale." She turned off of the main road and drove through the small village that bordered the vineyard. "I applied for citizenship and arranged the purchase before we went home."
"Did I hear that correctly? You are an Italian citizen?" Dani asked.
Alex laughed. "Yes, you heard correctly. I hold dual citizenship." She pulled into the garage and turned the car off. "The only good thing my father gave me was my Italian heritage."
They walked into the house and settled into the living room, glad to be off their feet. "How does a glass of tea sound?"
"Lovely," Dani said with a sigh.
Alex chuckled and stood. "I'll be right back." She headed for the kitchen and was startled to see she wasn't alone. "Viviana?"
The woman cleaning her kitchen screamed and dropped her mop. She looked over at Alex, her hand on her chest and her eyes wide. "Alexis. I did not expect you so soon. I'm sorry I have not finished yet."
"It's okay, Viv. No worries." Alex picked up the mop and handed it to her. "Where is your mother?"
Viviana's hand shook as she reached for the mop handle. "Momma is home. She is…" She paused as she searched for the words.
"Is everything all right, is she ill?" Alex asked and smiled when Viviana's eyes widened at the comfortable way she spoke Italian.
"She has been very sick for several days. I am worried."
Alex frowned. "Has she been to the doctor?"
Viviana shook her head. "No. You know how stubborn my mother is. She refuses to go."
Nikki leaned against the doorframe and watched the two women for a moment before finally speaking up. "Is everything okay?"
Alex turned and looked at her, the frown still marring her features. "Viviana's mother is ill and will not go to see the doctor. Viviana is worried about her."
Nikki walked up to her and smiled. "Then what are we waiting for?"
Viviana looked between the two women, her brow furrowed. "I do not understand."
Alex smiled and took the mop away from her. "If your mother will not go see a doctor, then a doctor will go to your mother."
Less than fifteen minutes later Alex and Viviana were in the living room of Viviana's home while Nikki examined Patrizia. Alex looked around the cozy room and smiled at the pictures of a smiling little boy at various ages. "You have a lovely home, Viviana."
She smiled and shook her head. "It's not much, but I do what I can with what I have."
Alex frowned. "I seem to recall your husband had a very nice job in the city when you married. What brought you back here?" She watched as
