Return to Bella Terra by MaryAnn Diorio

Author:MaryAnn Diorio
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: TopNotch Press
Published: 2018-08-20T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

Hours later, Nico found himself standing in front of Sofia’s house. His knees shaking, he knocked tentatively at the front door. It was already early evening. The sun neared its descent toward the western horizon, casting long shadows across the surrounding hills of Ribera. In the distance, a blackbird sang the familiar song heard by locals during the waning days of winter called Blackbird Days.

Nico had decided that, on the way back from Milano to Bella Terra, he would visit Sofia. He had to see her one more time before his departure for America the next day—a departure the thought of which now caused his stomach to sicken. If there were any way to avoid returning to Brooklyn, he would do so in a heartbeat. But he must see his mother safely home. Love and duty demanded it. Once back in America, he’d arrange to return to Sicily as soon as possible.

His stomach tied in knots, Nico waited for someone to open the front door. His gaze scanned the property. The house was larger than most in the area. It was constructed of beautifully veined beige and green Perlato di Sicilia marble and located on an expansive, rectangular plot of land just outside Ribera. Around its perimeter stood shrubs of fragrant, winter daphne, their pale pink, tubular flowers surrounded by glossy, yellow-trimmed green leaves. It was obvious someone took great pride in maintaining the gardens.

Just as Nico considered knocking a second time, the sound of approaching footsteps from within the house made his heart lurch. His breath caught as he waited and rubbed clammy palms against his coat.

The heavy oaken door swung open, revealing a short, stocky, bald-headed man who looked to be in his mid-forties. His face was kind yet suspicious. “Yes?” The man knit his eyebrows into a question.

Nico’s mouth grew dry. “Hello. You don’t know me, but I know Sofia.”

The man’s eyes narrowed. “Oh, you do, do you?”

Nico swallowed hard. Not a very good start to a relationship. Apparently, this man was Sofia’s father.

“And who are you?” The man’s voice was gruff.

Nico took in a deep breath. “I am Nico Tonetta, the son of Maria Tonetta. My mother and father are old friends of Teresa Monastero, Sofia’s mother.”

The man’s demeanor softened. “I see. So, your parents know my wife, Teresa.”

“Yes. My mother and I are visiting from America. My grandmother, my mother’s mother, died recently, and Teresa and Sofia came to the funeral to pay their respects.”

The man nodded. “Yes, I remember now.” His demeanor warmed as he extended a hand in welcome. “I am Sergio. Sergio Cosenza. Teresa’s husband and Sofia’s father.” He opened the door all the way. “Come in. Come in, please.”

“Thank you.” Nico’s heartbeat thundered in his ears. He needed to make a good impression on the father of the girl he loved.

And, one day, hoped to marry.

Nico entered the spacious foyer. An ornate fountain stood in one corner and a mid-sized flowering aloe plant in another.

Sergio closed the door. “Please. Follow me.

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