Death in Florence, page 19
“Are you sure I can’t help?”
“Yes, of course,” she said, motioning faster to her. Then she winked. “The whole town is abuzz with news of the murder that was solved at the arena last night. Your daughter said you had something to do with it?”
“Not very much,” Diana said, but it was reason enough for her to move quickly outside. After all the questions she’d had to answer for the police last night, she really didn’t want to go into it anymore. The chapter of Marcello Camillo’s murder had come to an end, and soon, so would her adventures in Italy.
When she slid open the door, Evan dipped the newspaper in his lap and looked up. A smile appeared on his face. “Good morning, love.”
The poor fool was happy to see her. Maybe he really had thought that all of them being together would be harmless, a way to get together all of his family while making sure Diana was taken care of. He’d done silly things like that before, things that defied logic. Even though he never seemed to think things through, his heart had always been in the right place.
Folding his paper and setting it aside, he pushed out a chair next to him and said, “Sit. Gaia’s making breakfast. I’m famished. How about you?”
“I could eat,” she said, sitting. “I’m surprised to see you up. You were never the early bird, from what I remember. Turning over a new leaf?”
He shook his head. “Honestly, I couldn’t sleep at all last night. I realized early this morning that it was because I haven’t said what I need to say to you.”
Gaia came out and poured her coffee, topping off Evan’s. Diana dragged the cup and saucer to her and said, “Oh?”
“Well, yes. I know you must have all sorts of feelings about me and Tillie, marrying. And I understand them. They’re warranted. I don’t for a second think that what she and I will have will be anything like what I shared with you.” He sighed. “The thing is, I think of the times you and I used to curl up on the couch together and read. That was nice. Tillie’s more likely to drag me out to a dance club.”
She stared at him. Did he think he was going to shock her by stating that she and Tilda were nothing alike? That was something she’d known from the first moment. “I’m sorry, I don’t understand.”
“I guess, well . . . I know you can take care of yourself just fine, Di, and you’ll probably be better off without me. That was just my excuse. The reason I came out here with the family is because, well . . . I miss us.” His face reddened with embarrassment. “All of us, together, as a family.”
Her eyes widened. “Evan . . . you’re marrying Tilda.”
“Yes, I know that, I know that,” he said quickly. “And I love Tilda. But I thought back to the times we were all together and I love that, too. I guess what I’m saying is that even though I’m happy to be creating a life with Tilda, it doesn’t mean I want to leave you all behind. You’re all still my family, even you, Diana. I will always care for you.”
Diana put a hand on his. “Evan—”
“I’m not an idiot. I know what people say about Tillie. I know she will likely run me ragged and that in a lot of ways, we’re night and day. I know it won’t be easy for you all to accept her, and I probably shouldn’t be asking you to, considering what I put you through. I promised ’til death do us part, and I failed. So you have every right to hate me. But of anyone on this Earth, Diana, it was always your opinion that meant the most to me. So I guess what I’m asking you, what I’m hoping, is that you can find it in your heart to . . . not hate me?”
She let out a sigh. “Evan. Please. I don’t hate you. Not even a little bit,” she said honestly. “At first, yes, I was a little shocked. I think I do know you better than most people, and someone like Tilda, well . . . I suppose I never saw her fitting in your life. But I see she makes you happy, now. And that’s great. If this marriage is what you want and will continue your happiness, then I think it’s wonderful. We must all chase our happiness, right?”
He nodded. “That’s right. And I want every happiness for you, too, Di. From the bottom of my heart. Part of me thought that you might have been running away from something because of what I did to you, but now I see, this trip has been good for you. I see you’ve changed, become more of your own person. And yes, I think you’re happier. That’s what I want for all of my family. And you’ll always be my family.” He held her hand. “So I was hoping that you would come to the wedding? Possibly this Christmas, but I’m not sure. Tilda’s in charge of the planning.”
Diana shrugged. “Well, I hope to still be touring Europe, but that’s around when Lily’s baby will be due. I’m planning to come back to the States for that. So put me down as a definite maybe?”
He nodded and smiled. “A definite maybe. Yes. I think that will be good, Diana. Though I’m afraid that another few months out here and maybe you’ll never want to leave.”
“You’re forgetting . . . in another few months, I’ll have a grandchild to come home to,” she said as Gaia arrived with their food, plates full of eggs and pastries and tomatoes from the vast garden on the side of the villa.
Yes, she had changed. A few months ago, she couldn’t imagine being a grandmother. The thought of aging with a failed marriage while Evan went off and experienced a second youth was almost too much to bear. But now, it seemed right. She no longer felt like she was being left behind while everyone else moved their lives forward. And now, she felt excited about that chapter of her life.
Just as excited as she was to continue on with her next chapter in her European journey.
CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN
Two days later, after a nice, relaxing time enjoying the togetherness of her family, it was finally time to separate. No, it hadn’t been all sunshine and roses, and yes, Vidal had created quite a few eyeroll-moments, but their lives together never had been perfect. The days of strolling around Italy with her family, enjoying shopping and sights and dinner with them, had been memorable, though, something she would never forget.
She laid her open suitcase on the bed and began to pile it with her belongings, thinking about her next voyage. What country should she tackle next? She knew she’d go north, but there were plenty of places on that bucket list. As she gathered her things and spied her itinerary, she smiled. It was full of all the things she’d wanted to see, but now, as she tucked it into her carry-on, she realized that seeing things in the guidebooks wasn’t the most important part.
Not even close.
The old cliché, It’s not the destination, it’s the journey, hung in her head. But it was true. Yes, she’d wanted to see David in Florence, but what would it matter if she had? If she’d decided to go north in town to the Accademia to gaze upon it, she might never have run into Evan on the Ponte Vecchio.
And it had been worth it, because at that moment, when she saw him with Tilda, she’d known: She was truly over him.
Whatever thoughts she’d harbored about him realizing his mistake and coming back to her on his knees were gone. She no longer wished that would happen. It had taken a long time to arrive at this place, but now, she knew that while she would always still care for him, whatever she’d had with Evan was truly over, and she was better for it.
It was time to move on to a new adventure. Maybe not one that meant falling in love with another man. Whatever it was, she would be ready for it.
As she was tucking her itinerary away, there was a knock at her door. She turned around to see Bea, holding her duffel bag. “Mommy,” she said with a pout. “I have to go. Daddy’s driving me to the train station. I have to get to the airport.”
Diana went over to her and embraced her tightly, then pulled away and held her innocent, freckled face in her hands, kissing her nose. “I love you, Bea. Please have a safe trip. And please, try not to worry about Hai.”
She shook her head. “I haven’t been.”
That was a lie, but Bea was always one to hide her feelings like that. “All right. Be safe. I will see you again soon. Who knows? Maybe you’ll come and visit me again?”
She nodded, her eyes glassy, as if she was going to cry. “Maybe not soon. But I’ll definitely be going back to America in December. I have the whole month blocked off! I told Lily I’m coming back to meet my new niece or nephew. And Dad’s going to want me there for the wedding.” She rolled her eyes.
“Oh, come now,” Diana said with a laugh. “Your father is happy. That’s all that matters.”
Bea gave her mother a surprised look. “Yeah. I guess so. I just wish he hadn’t chosen for me a stepmother who thinks Shakespeare wrote Hamilton.”
Diana laughed. “Definitely December,” she said with a smile. “I will miss you. Make sure you call me the second your plane touches down.”
“I will. And I love you, too, Mom.” She hugged her tightly again. “Bye, Mommy. It’s been fun, hasn’t it? I mean, aside from nearly being killed and arrested, I had a blast!”
“I did, too.” She smiled, her heart heavy with the thought of losing her again. This was the first time she’d seen her daughter in a year, and yet, she’d never felt closer to Bea. It was as if they’d shared more than an adventure together. She learned so much, not only about Italy, but about her daughter and herself, and that was what this trip had been about, after all. “I’m going to miss you, Watson.”
Bea giggled. Diana walked her downstairs and outside, where Evan took her bag and put them in the back of the little clown car. She hugged Bea again as she got into the passenger seat, then watched the car as it rode down the driveway and out of sight. The second she was gone, she already missed her.
When she went back upstairs, her heart heavy, she set to the task of finishing her packing. She opened the dresser and pulled out her slacks and shirts, setting them in her bag. She had some of her things in the laundry downstairs, with hopes that she could go on to the next country with a bag full of clean clothes. As she reached into one drawer, pulling out a pair of warm woolen slacks she hadn’t worn yet because of the weather, she felt something heavy inside the pocket.
Reaching in, she pulled out her iPhone.
She blinked. How had that gotten there?
She suddenly had a vague memory of putting it into her bag before she’d gotten out of the taxi at the castle in Florence. She’d looked there numerous times, but it must’ve fallen between her folded clothes and gone into the pocket of her slacks.
I’m so silly, she thought, shaking her head, staring at the dark screen. Of course, the battery was dead. I’ve had it with me the whole time.
For a moment, she was exhilarated, like she usually was when she used to pick up her phone after a long time of not looking at it. That excitement of, Who is trying to get in touch with me? What have I missed? sent adrenaline coursing through her veins. She’d never been off the grid for this long. The news of the day, updates from friends, calls and texts and who knew what else? She grabbed her charging cable from her carry-on and quickly plugged it in.
As she waited for it to boot up, that excitement drained. Actually, life had been pretty good without that cell phone. Her little flippy thing, while pretty useless, was all she’d needed. It had allowed her to stop and smell the roses, to see the things she sometimes took for granted. And she’d liked that.
She never thought she’d admit it, but she did. She actually liked the idea of letting things go. And maybe that was what this trip was all about. Learning to let things go.
She patted her trusty little flip phone, smiled, and went to yank the cord on her iPhone. As she did, a few missed calls and texts appeared on the display. Mostly unrecognized calls, probably from spammers. But one message stood out among them all. It was a message from Sean, the handsome Irishman she’d met in Paris. He was a drifter, set out upon Europe like a feather on the wind. How is my American friend’s journey so far? Heading north right now to Vienna. Hoping we will connect again soon. Until then, may the wind be at your back!
She smiled, typed in, I hope so too! and stuffed the phone deep into her case. She quite liked having the flip phone by her side instead. Of not driving herself insane preparing for every possible outcome. Of leaving some things to chance and letting the wind take her where it may.
Maybe she would meet Sean again. Maybe not.
But whatever happened, it felt like fate. Meant to be. And even if things went wrong for a time, in the end, everything would be all right.
*
The following morning, bright and early, the four travelers left the villa—Lily, Tilda, and Evan headed for the Verona airport, to catch a flight back to America, and Diana, bound for the train station, to catch a route up north.
“Mom, look at this,” Lily said to Diana from the back seat, thrusting her iPhone in front of Diana’s face.
It was a text from Bea. It said, Called Mom but she didn’t answer on that little toy phone of hers. Just touched down twenty minutes ago. Show her this!
It was a picture of Bea’s hand, adorned with a lovely, tear-shaped diamond engagement ring.
Diana smiled. “I knew it.”
Lily gasped. “Bea and Hai are getting married!” she shouted, mostly so her father could hear. “I can’t believe it. I thought she said that it was over between them.”
Evan smiled. “Good for them. One day, we’ll have to meet the lucky man.”
Tilda said, “He’ll be at our wedding. I hope they don’t decide to tie the knot before we do.”
Diana shrugged. All bets were off with Bea, her wild child, the one she’d never been able to predict. Maybe it was hanging out with Bea, these past few days, that had helped Diana to let loose a little. To have fun, even when everything was upside down. She didn’t put it past Bea to get married tomorrow, if the mood struck her. On a Ferris wheel. Right before bungee jumping.
She smiled from ear-to-ear, just thinking about how excited and relieved her daughter must’ve been. Funny how when good things happen to your children, it’s almost more exciting than if they’d happened to you.
When the car stopped at the train station, Diana popped out, ready for the next leg of her journey. She grabbed her bag and hugged Lily tightly, then patted her stomach gently. “Take care of that little peanut. And yourself, okay?”
She smiled. “I love you, Mom.”
“I love you, too.”
She turned to find Tilda there, holding a shoebox in front of her. Diana hadn’t realized she’d gotten out of the car. She looked a little apprehensive as she pushed the box into Diana’s hands. “Here. I bought these for you. I saw you struggling a couple days ago, at the Shakespeare Festival, and I thought you could use them.”
Confused, Diana opened the lid and looked at them. They were a lovely pair of new shoes. Diana looked up at her, hardly knowing what to say.
“I checked your shoe size while you were out. And Gaia said they’re the most comfortable shoes in Italy,” she explained.
For the first time, Diana was truly speechless. She was even more so when Tilda wrapped her arms around her and said, “Thanks, Diana. It’s been fun. I hope you can make it to our wedding. Until then, have a great trip, and by gawd, don’t run into any more murderers!”
Still stunned, Diana murmured a thank-you. Evan opened the trunk, and Diana reached in and grabbed her bag before he had a chance to. He looked at her, as if he was about to say something.
She knew this drill. He was going to ask her if she could manage. “I’ll be fine,” she said, before he could.
“I have no doubt of that,” he said with a smile. “Enjoy the rest of your trip. Send us a postcard and let us know where you are.”
She laughed. “That depends. Will you follow me there?”
He smiled. “I think I need to be saving up vacation days for the honeymoon. Tillie wants Hawaii. Take care, Di.”
“You, too.”
Hefting her carry-on over her shoulder, she gave them one last wave. Then she turned, dragged her rolling suitcase down the concourse, and stood in front of the outdoor Departures board. Time to make the all-important decision.
She thought it would be a difficult one. The old Diana would’ve gone back and forth with the what-ifs. But the answer came to her almost at once.
Vienna, Austria.
Yes, that would be absolutely perfect. She’d always wanted to see the great city where Beethoven, Haydn, Brahms, Schubert, Mozart and more were moved to create some of their greatest works. To revel in the opera in one of the most architecturally significant opera houses in the world. To enjoy a Strauss waltz while immersing herself in the culture of the city.
And maybe she would even see her friend Sean again.
That would be interesting.
She rolled her case toward the ticket counter, purchased the ticket, and boarded the train, which seemed to have been sitting there, waiting just for her.
As she settled into her seat, she pulled out her journal and looked at her bucket list item: Fall in love in Italy.
No, that hadn’t happened. But did it really matter?
Diana decided that it did not. In fact, she’d gotten so much more out of the trip than a romance would’ve given her.
She crossed out one word and replaced it with another, so that it now read: Fall in love WITH Italy.
Yes. Been there, done that. And it had been absolutely everything she’d wanted it to be.
On the next blank page, she wrote the date, and: On to Vienna, Austria!
Underneath, she wrote her first bucket-list item for the city: Be moved to tears by beautiful music.
Not an easy task. Diana didn’t cry much anymore, not after the chain of disappointments in her life. But on this trip, she felt like she was rediscovering the part of herself that she’d deliberately hardened in order to deal with life’s upsets. The part that could find enjoyment and pleasure, even through pain and difficulty. The part that could be emotional for good reasons, like art or music or beauty.
Yes, she liked that idea very much.
As the train pulled away from the station, Diana took a deep breath and gazed out at the sight of the Italian Alps in the distance. It was breathtaking.
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