Page 180 of Play of Love
Chapter 10
Evie
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"That was the caretaker for one of the Vanessa's." Lucy beamed. We'd just sat down to eat around the dining table when the phone rang.
I brightened up when she came back with a smile on her face.
"What'd he say?" Gage asked.
"Not a lot but enough to give me some hope. He said she lived in Rome during the war and has an older brother who's still alive. He didn't mention Anna but said Vanessa just turned eighty-five. That's about the right age for the Vanessa I knew. She is however currently away visiting family in Prague. She won't be back until Saturday. Guys, I have a good feeling about this. I know it's not a lot of info, but it could be her, right?" Lucy beamed.
"Yes, it could." I gasped.
"Did he say anything else?" Gage asked.
Lucy shook her head and sat down. "He said he's new so didn't know too much. He helps Vanessa run her bakery. The Vanessa I knew loved to bake."
Please God, let these be the right people,I silently prayed. It really would be amazing, but Saturday... That was a long time to wait when today was only Monday. That was almost another week, but hey, it was the best lead we'd had and gave us hope.
"I still want to call the other people on the rest of the list, and the Angelo list too," Lucy stated. We still had a number of people on the Angelo list to get through.
"Of course. It's good to be sure. That way we cover all bases," I offered.
"Yes, I agree," Gage added.
Lucy started telling us about Vanesa's baking, but I could feel Gage's eyes on me. The whole time Lucy talked excitedly about sugar buns and pies and all sorts of fine pastries Gage stared at me. His eyes studied me with a curious intensity undressing me as he scanned me, and darkening with emotion when I looked at him. The invitation in the smoldering depths enthralled me sending me private messages with just the looks he gave. It made my cheeks flush, and I had to look away.
"How about I make some punch?" Lucy offered.
"Yes, we'll go make it," Gage said a little too quickly. I looked at him and saw the heat that filled his gaze. "Come on Evie."
"Okay," I replied.
"There are pineapples in the cupboard," Lucy called out with a smile.
I followed Gage into the kitchen with caution. Caution for myself in being all alone with him, again. I had to keep my thoughts together. Last night was ...
Well, I didn't know what it was and until I was sure I should be careful.
As soon as the door closed he reached for me and smoothed his lips over mine. At first, I pressed against him and allowed myself to melt into his kiss but then I pulled away.
"Why?" he winced. "Woman, I swear your mission in life is to make me crazy isn't it?"
"Gage we can't just come into the kitchen and make out."
"Okay. Let's go outside then, or upstairs." He smiled reaching out to run his fingers along my cheek. The glint in his eyes told me he was serious.
But I was too. "No, we should talk."
He sighed with frustration and rested against the wall. "Why do we need to talk Evie, can't you just try something new and see what happens?"
"You're not even the least bit concerned that over a week ago we hated each other and now we're making out in a kitchen in Tuscany, while your grandmother thinks we're in here making punch?" I had that out of control feeling again.
He shook his head. "I never hated you. We just had our differences."
I supposed I didn't exactly hate him either, but over a week ago I could honestly say my feelings were closer to hate than I liked.
