Backup Wife (The Jilted Wives Club Book 4) by Bethany Lopez

Author:Bethany Lopez [Lopez, Bethany]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Bethany Lopez Author
Published: 2022-03-27T18:30:00+00:00

TWENTY-TWO

DAMON

“I’ll never get over how gorgeous this drive is,” Charlotte said. Her head was turned as she watched the lush landscape through the window, and her hand was cradled in mine. “Driving around back home is going to be so boring after this. All of those city buildings and pavement … blah.”

I chuckled, relaxed and happy as I drove down the winding road.

“I get what you’re saying, but as an architect of those city buildings, I must take offense,” I teased.

“It’s just so busy back home. I find myself really enjoying this slower pace they have going here. The Italians really know how to squeeze every ounce of enjoyment out of life.”

“This is true.”

“Oh,” she cried, sitting up suddenly. “There’s a sign for Cortona.”

“What’s that?” I asked, not having heard of it before.

“Haven’t you ever watched, or read, Under the Tuscan Sun?” Char asked, watching me intently.

“I’m almost afraid to say no,” I said with a grin.

“It’s a beautiful movie based on a memoir. The author traveled to Italy and ended up buying an old house that needed a lot of renovation. It’s a story of self-discovery and made millions want to travel here.”

“Would you like to stop in Cortona?” I asked, already turning that way.

Charlotte bounced in her seat and said, “Yes, please.”

I chuckled at her enthusiasm. “We aren’t on any type of schedule. We can do whatever you want.”

She did a little seat shimmy in response.

“They have this museum there, it’s in an old church, and they have a prestigious collection of Renaissance paintings. And Cortona itself is enclosed by stone walls. It’s small, but I bet it’s beautiful.”

Just then she gasped, and I followed her gaze to the hilltop town that almost looked like a fortress with that surrounding wall, clustered buildings, and steeple serving as a beacon. Past the town you could see the rolling hills below and what looked like some kind of farmland or groves.

“You were right,” I said, enchanted by the view. “Even this much is worth the detour.”

I found a place with free parking, and we got out to explore the town of Cortona.

We walked down the cobblestone paths, which were slightly overgrown, yet somehow still charming, toward the center, making our first stop Cortona’s Diocesan Museum in the Piazza Duomo.

As with anytime I was surrounded by the creative works of the great artists of our past, I felt a sense of contentment that I rarely felt in any other place.

We took our time enjoying some beautiful masterpieces by Beato Angelico, Lorenzetti, Bartolomeo della Gatta, and Luca Signorelli. Once we’d looked our fill, we wandered outside to find our stomachs once again calling out for food.

We picked one of the cafés with outdoor dining and enjoyed the local favorites, Ciaccia and Ribollita. The first of which was a delicious focaccia and the second an earthy bread soup made with local produce.

We decided to split the lunch so as not to be so stuffed we couldn’t enjoy our exploration.

Wanting to stretch our legs

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