Toasted in Tuscany (A Nina Brown Paranormal Cozy Mystery) by Cat Green

Author:Cat Green [Green, Cat]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-06-27T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 15

The sun beats down as Nico leads the way to his old truck, its faded blue paint peeling and rusted edges glinting in the light. The air is thick with tension as Holly sternly scolds a squirming Jasper, his little paws frantically pushing against her shoulders to break free and run back to Fabio.

“What is it with that opera singer?" says Holly as Nico opens the passenger door of the old truck for us. “He’s like the pied piper of pampered pooches or something. All the fat man needs is a magic flute.”

I squeeze into the middle of the truck, sparing Nico from the wildly squirming Jasper. It’s a tight fit, but as Nico starts up the engine, I enjoy being so close to him. His sun-bronzed skin exudes a fresh, pleasant scent like pine, but even more delicious-smelling, evoking the warm, reassuring scent of a bonfire in the woods.

Once we’re on the rural highway, Nico's hand brushes my thigh as he shifts gears. With Holly, me, and Jasper crammed into the front seat with him, there isn't much room for Nico to maneuver. But I feel a slight thrill at the subtle intimacy of his accidental touch.

By the time we reach the winery, Holly and Jasper seem to have formed an uneasy truce. Jasper's petulant tantrum has evidently tuckered him out. He lies with his head leaning on Holly's shoulder in a state of peaceful exhaustion.

“Upsy-daisy,” says Holly to a sleeping Jasper. As he awakens, he rubs his snout against Holly's shoulder, uttering a yip of delight. At last, his good mood has returned.

As soon as I step foot into the vineyard, I pause a minute to take in the pristine beauty of the ancient-looking winery. Beside me, Jasper leaps down from the truck. He looks ready for an adventure among the vines, with his straw hat slightly askew and his vibrant grape-picking shirt fluttering in the gentle breeze.

Vincenzo waves at us as he emerges from the farmhouse. It boasts a stone facade, but the house seems relatively modern in structure. Colorful red and yellow flowers blossom from all the windowsills, a surprisingly feminine touch for two men living alone.

“Good day," he says to Holly and me. He is dressed in faded, well-worn jeans and a clean white shirt. His outfit is topped off by a well-worn peasant’s cap with a low brim.

“That cap looks familiar," I say after greeting him in a traditional Italian style, with a kiss and a brief hug. "You wore the same cap in the picture of you in my wine textbook.”

“Of course. My coppola, my lucky cap. We’ve wintered many storms together. Welcome to my winery, Casa Nobile.”

“Beautiful,” I say, my eyes taking in almost every stone of the ancient structure. “How long have this farmhouse and your winery been in your family?”

Vincenzo shrugs. “Centuries. It's a long story filled with tales of this land and our family's dedication to it. Would you like to see the vineyards?”

“Of course.”

I like the feel of the earth beneath my feet.

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