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They remained next to each other in shared uncomfortable silence. “The place is decorated beautifully. I’ve never actually been insideMelanzana.You know how Giovanni is about bringing women here.”

“Actually, I don’t. I’ve stayed here for the past week, by his request of course.”

“Ah yes!” Gabriella exclaimed. “He brought you here to design the wedding dress. I heard all about it.”

Mira cut her eyes and didn’t bother responding. She knew Gabriella was fishing for something, and she had no intention of giving it to her.

“Are you enjoying your stay in Italia?” she pressed. “How long are you here? In Italia I mean.”

“For as long as he likes.” Mira smirked. “Excuse me.”

“Of course.”

Mira walked straight for Fabiana and Lorenzo.

“Hi!” Fabiana said.

“Lorenzo. How are you?”

He chuckled. “I’ve had better days.”

Fabiana touched his arm. “He’s much better than he looks.”

“What happened?”

Lorenzo sipped his juice and placed it back on the table. “I fell. Clumsy in this big ole place in the dark.” Mira glanced to Fabiana who pleaded with her eyes to drop it. She looked away. Giovanni was with Catalina now. He had her in his arms laughing. She considered Catalina’s secret. Her fear that Giovanni would kill his surrogate brother if their affair was ever revealed seemed like a real danger.

Catalina held his hand. They walked across the lawn toward the garden path. Two tents were erected for the family but most crowded the terrace. He glanced once more to Mira who sat at a table with Fabiana and Lorenzo. He had the boys teach Lorenzo a lesson but forgot to remind them not to make it so damn obvious by pounding on his face. The Minettis were present. He could see Franco with his brothers laughing and talking. Franco wasn’t allowed to speak to his bride, so they were kept separated, heavily monitored by Signora Clara, but Giovanni could see Catalina and Franco exchanging shy smiles and glancing to each other often. His father had chosen well. Franco would be a good husband for his sister.

“How are you Catalina?” Giovanni asked her during the stroll.

“A little nervous.” She rested her head in the crook of his arm, sliding her arm around his waist.

“I want to talk to you.” Giovanni began. He stopped and turned her to face him. “You know I love you.La mia principessa.”

“I love you too, Giovanni. You have taken such good care of me since Mama and Papa died. I’m happy.”

The love he had for her consumed him. She was his mother’s daughter. Had her beauty, and spirit. She made his ache for his sweet Mama lessen each day. He could never let her go, and he spoiled her rotten to ensure her love for him remained unchanged. “Are you sure you’re ready for this step?”

Catalina nodded. “I trust you Giovanni, I understand why Papa wanted me to marry Franco. He’s nice and I like him. This is what I want.” She rose on her toes and kissed him sweetly on the lips.

Giovanni stared at her in amazement. His kid sister was a woman now. He saw it in her eyes and heard it in her voice. She was barely a teen when they lost their parents. Other than Zia, Catalina had no women in the family really willing to take her in and teach her tradition and their ways. Yet she bloomed into the belladonna that she was supposed to be, and he couldn’t’ be more happy. He had at least got one thing right, protecting and preserving her innocence, keeping her untouched from his world.

“Do you know that Mama and Papa would be so proud of you?” He touched her cheek.

“Yes, I do, and Papa would be proud of you too, Giovanni. You have taken care of us all, and I know it mustn’t have been easy. Now it's time for you to take care of yourself. After I’m gone, I want you to start a family of your own. You love her, don’t you?” she asked.

Giovanni looked past her to the dining area and thought of Mira. Looking back into his sister’s eyes, “I believe I do.”

“She’s great. A little pushy, but I think she’s great.” Catalina chuckled.

“Enough about me. Today is your day. It’s time I give you your wedding gift,” he said. “I’ve also spoken to Franco, and he has accepted on your behalf.”

Catalina grinned. “What is it?”

“My gift to you and him is your own villa here in Sorrento, plus your dowry will provide for him to expand his father’s bottling business in Napoli. You won’t be going to Palermo.”

Catalina leapt at him, and he caught her in his arms. She hugged his neck tightly.“Grazie amore di I esso!”