Second Chances in Chianti (Escape to Tuscany Book 2) T.A. Williams (early reader books .txt) 📖

‘Hi, Alice. Have you been for a run this morning? Guinness and I went for a twenty-kilometre hike yesterday and I’m feeling lazy today.’

‘Hi, Matt. Guinness, get off, you weigh a ton.’ With the bribe of a little piece of doughnut, she persuaded the dog to settle on the ground at her feet. ‘Yes, I needed a run after two days in London.’

‘How did the interview go?’ So he had been listening. ‘Was it for a job?’

‘Yes, but I didn’t get it.’ She had no intention of going into detail about why it had gone wrong.

‘Shame. Still, I’m sure there’ll be others. Can I get you anything? I’m getting myself a coffee.’

‘No, I’ve got all I need, thanks – besides, I owe you a drink. Come and join me.’

He glanced down at his dog who was now stretched out on his back at Alice’s feet, four paws waving in the air, grunting happily to himself. ‘It looks like Guinness has already settled in. I’ll just get a coffee and be right back.’

He returned seconds later with a little espresso in his hands and took a seat on the other side of the table. ‘So, can I ask what sort of job you’re looking for?’

‘Art history. It was in an auction house in London.’ She went on to tell him about her studies and he looked impressed.

‘So it’s Doctor Alice I’m talking to. Good for you. But you don’t look like any art historian I’ve ever seen.’

‘Too young?’ She rather hoped this might elicit some sort of compliment from him, which would at least signify that he had noted her appearance, but she was to be disappointed.

‘I don’t know… maybe if you had glasses – on a chain hanging round your neck. A cardigan would probably help as well.’ She was delighted to see him grinning and maybe sounding a little bit cheeky.

‘I must remember to add a cardie to my wardrobe.’ She did her best to put him on the spot in return. ‘And what about you, Matt – what do you do, apart from going for long walks with your lovely dog and pottering about in the garden?’

‘That’s about it, really.’ She hoped he’d say more but she waited in vain for almost a minute, before deciding to give it one more try.

‘And when you aren’t walking and gardening?’

‘It’s quite a bit more than a garden, really. I mend a few fences, chop down a few trees, and look after my vineyard and my olive trees.’

‘That sounds a bit technical. Do you have an agricultural background?’

He laughed. ‘Very much the opposite. I’m a city boy, born and bred. All I know about farming comes from the internet and from Virgilio. With his help I’ve taught myself to prune the vines and the olive trees, and so far the results are looking pretty reasonable.’ He swallowed the last of his espresso and stood up. ‘And now I’d better get back to my vines.’

It was pretty clear he didn’t want to talk about what he did, but it would have been nice to sit and chat a bit longer. A feeling of disappointment came back again, but she suddenly remembered the dog’s collar.

‘By the way, I was in Florence yesterday and I picked up something for Guinness. If you can wait two minutes, I can pop back and collect it for you.’

‘That was kind of you. Where is it – back at your place?’

‘Yes, it’s just a few doors along that road over there, beyond your car. I’m here until the beginning of August.’

‘In that case Guinness and I will come over with you.’ Seeing her heading for the café door he added, ‘And don’t worry about my coffee. I’ve already paid for it. Don’t worry, I promise you can buy me a coffee next time.’

‘Next time’ sounded good to Alice and she gave him a smile before ducking her head through the doorway and waving goodbye to Rita, catching a distinct twinkle in the old lady’s eye as she saw the two of them set off together. Alice resolved to break the news to her the following morning that it wasn’t necessarily what it looked like. They walked back across the piazza, with Guinness trotting alongside his master without the need for a lead. When they reached her road, she pointed along to number 5.

‘It’s the one with the green door. Do you want to come in or will you wait here?’

‘We don’t want to disturb you. Guinness and I can wait here.’

Alice nodded and set off for her house to get the collar. However, Guinness clearly hadn’t understood the plan, as he came running along after her and, as she opened the door, he slipped inside. Alice looked on indulgently as his Labrador appetite for food led him unerringly to the fridge, where he wedged his nose against the crack of the door and wagged his tail hopefully.

‘Sorry, Alice, he’s always been a nosy dog – especially if there’s food involved.’

Alice looked round to see Matt at the front door and felt a naughty shiver of lust at the thought of inviting him into her house. No sooner did the thought occur than the realisation dawned that a large black Labrador would be on hand to observe any developments. A sudden vision of the dog, head tilted to one side as she and Matt collapsed into each other’s arms, banished the shiver of lust and replaced it with a grin. ‘Come in, by all means. Guinness doesn’t stand on ceremony and that’s just fine.’

She hurried upstairs to her bedroom, where she had left the collar, but neither the dog nor his owner followed her – which was probably for the best. She picked up the little brown paper bag and took it back downstairs.

‘Here, Matt. I hope you like it. Seeing as you’re English and we’re in Italy…’

He opened it and a genuine smile appeared on his face. ‘That’s so kind, but you shouldn’t have.