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J ulia and Courtney followed a cobblestone walkway lined with charming stone rowhouses with shutters in dark green, light blue, and mauve. Magenta bougainvillea climbed their facades, and fragrant wisteria dripped from wrought iron balconies.

Courtney began taking pictures. “I want a garden.”

“Me, too.”

“You have a vineyard.”

“A psycho vineyard.” Julia walked along and spotted a café at the top of the street, with outside tables. They were mostly full, and she noticed her realtor Franco sitting at one with some other men. She turned on her heel. “Uh-oh, let’s go back.”

“Why?” Courtney stopped taking pictures, turning around.

“I don’t want to run into my realtor. He’ll start in.”

“Don’t blame him, it’s the sales mentality. We’re about commissions, quotas, and sex, in that order.”

Just then Julia’s phone rang in her purse. She retrieved it and checked the screen, recognizing the number instantly. It was Gianluca’s, which meant it was Raffaella. “Hello?” Julia put the call on speaker so Courtney could hear.

“Julia, this is Sherry, Gianluca’s mother.”

Julia felt a bolt of alarm. “Is he okay?”

“None of your business!” Sherry snapped. “Raffi told me you think someone’s trying to kill my son, even the carabinieri . She told me you suspect the doctors and nurses, too. I can’t imagine why you would say such ridiculous things. I’m sorry we trusted you. Stay away from my family.”

Julia’s heart sank. “Wait, I can explain—”

“Raffi told me you intend to visit. Don’t even think about it. I told hospital security, and they’ll throw you out. Do not text Raffi anymore. Do you understand?”

“Yes,” Julia answered miserably.

“Goodbye.” Sherry hung up.

Julia pressed End, stricken. “Damn! I’m so mad at myself. I never should’ve told Raffaella.”

“You were trying to help him. You didn’t do anything wrong.”

“I didn’t do anything right. If I could see him, maybe I could communicate with him like before.” Julia’s throat felt tight. “If I can even touch his hand, maybe the physical contact will help heal him—”

“What?” Courtney looked at her in disbelief. “You’re not responsible for healing him, Jules.”

“Why not? I’m responsible for endangering him.”

“He has doctors. This is about science, not superpowers.”

“Maybe it’s not only about science. He’s in a sleep state, and if I could communicate with him—”

“You can’t cure him.”

“I know, but I want to do what I can.”

“Overfunction much?” Courtney took her by the elbow. “Let’s eat. You’re driving yourself crazy.”

“And you, too?”

“Never, I’m ride or die.” Courtney grinned. “Now. Think ketchup.”

The late-day sun shed a burnished gold on San Giovanni, another small Tuscan town, and Julia stood with Courtney in the parking lot of its elementary school.

They’d spent the afternoon visiting four more schools, but they hadn’t found her birth mother.

Julia felt on tenterhooks about whether they’d succeed, and her worries about Gianluca gnawed at the back of her mind all day, too.

“Court, I think we should call it a day, don’t you?”

“Yes. The offices are closing.”

Julia checked her phone. “We’ve done eight schools, about half on the list.”

“Agree, let’s go home.” Courtney looked at her, sympathetic. “You okay?”

“I’m fine, but I hope Gianluca is.”

“They’re doing everything they can.”

“I know.”

“There’s nothing you can do, Jules.”

“Right,” Julia said, but she wasn’t so sure.

She was wondering if there was one last thing she could do.

And only she could do.

After dark.