The Madonna of Pisano by MaryAnn Diorio

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

Chapter Thirteen

“Buon giorno, Franco.” Luca spoke first in a quick attempt to spare Maria more embarrassment. He’d sensed that her earlier surprise encounter with Giacomo had humiliated her enough to last a lifetime. Now he wondered at the look of shame that had risen to her face the instant Don Franco appeared at the door. Was it a sign of her guilt, as were her twitching hands on Nico’s shoulders while she held the child close in front of her?

“Come in.” As he motioned to the priest to enter, Luca’s mind whirled with a single question. Why was he here?

Don Franco walked in, his wide-brimmed hat clasped tightly in both hands. Deep furrows lined his brow. “Hello, Luca. I came to inquire about Maria Landro and her son Nico.” He glanced at them. “I see they are safe and sound.”

How did Franco know he’d find Maria and Nico here? Why would he care enough about them to stop by?

Luca gestured toward them. “Yes, thank God they are both well. They sought shelter here on their way home from school.”

Don Franco’s gaze shifted toward Maria and Nico. “Yes, yes, I see. I thought they might have done so, since Maria works for you.” He cleared his throat and addressed Maria. “I’m glad to see you are both all right.” He hesitated. “When you left the school yesterday in the storm, I worried you would not make it home.”

Luca’s gaze flitted back and forth between Maria and Don Franco. Why would a rapist be concerned about the woman he’d raped? Was Franco’s behavior merely a front to hide his guilt, or was he innocent of Maria’s accusations? Had she actually seduced him?

“We were forced to take shelter here.” Maria’s voice broke through the awkwardness of the moment. “Luca was kind enough to take us in.”

“Yes, fortunately they were still in the village when the storm hit. There would have been no place to find shelter on the road to Bella Terra.” He might as well get it all out in the open right away. It would help stem the tide of gossip that had already begun with Giacomo, he was sure.

“I slept in Luca’s big bed, Padre.” Nico wriggled free from his mother’s grasp and moved toward his teacher.

Don Franco raised an eyebrow. “I see.” His hands fumbled with his hat.

“Mama slept there, too.”

Maria’s face paled.

Luca was quick to reply. “Yes. I gave them my bed and slept in the cot in the back room of my shop.” Why did he feel the need to explain?

Don Franco nodded. “The damage has been extensive. The Monasteros’ house has been destroyed by fire. Both the DiMinos’s’ house and the Taorminas’ house suffered a good deal of fire damage.”

Luca started. “How are Teresa and her parents?” As much as Teresa annoyed him, she was still a close friend, and he felt her loss.

“They have left for Ribera where they will be staying with her uncle until they can rebuild their house.”

Luca shook his head. “I am so sorry.

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