Chapter 54

It had been a few days since I came to Napa. After attending Richard's funeral, it all was more than I could handle. I had been feeling a bit guilty about his demise. I had helped get him charged with murder, after all, but I couldn't think like that.

The funeral had been a discreet affair that I could not have put together without Martha and my friends. I toyed with the idea of not doing anything. But I did it for me, for closure. Barely anyone showed up, which was what I expected. After all, no one wanted to be seen at the funeral of a murderer.

But Alejandro…he came.

He came and held me in his arms while I cried for his brother's murderer.

He told me he loved me.

He loved me.

His words, not my imagination. I burned to tell him the same, but the idea that I would put my heart in his hands took over, and I couldn't say it. I asked him for time, and he gave it to me.

I had established my place on my company's board, with my eyes on a position in the executive office when I had enough experience under my belt. For now, there was a close-to-clean slate of the board of directors and officers.

I also had decided to sell the house. It was way too big anyway. I had sort of started to search for my dream house. I would get something smaller, more my style, somewhere by the beach, and Martha would come with me.

But for now, I was on vacation, by myself, enjoying all the wine Napa had to offer. I had booked a nice villa in a five-star, all-inclusive resort that was associated exclusively with my favorite California vineyard, Robledo Estates.

I had arranged a few wine tours and visits for the week. I was having brunch with Francesca, a wonderful woman I had run into on my first day in Napa. I had met her in the lobby as I was checking in. We instantly connected and spent the last few days drinking and eating together. Francesca had explained that this was her third escapade in three months to Robledo Estates. She enjoyed the solitude, and the scenery was perfect for when she needed inspiration.

As an artist, she spent hours a day in her own villa, with a backyard and breathtaking view, painting the wonderful images and sensations nature had to offer. She promised to let me see her work soon.

"Come on, what better way to spend the afternoon than sampling some cold wine and eating some cheese?"

"I know, I know, but I told Nico to meet me here at three."

"Then cancel" she insisted.

"I can"t just cancel for no reason! He is only in town for three days," I said, laughing.

"A wine tour with me seems like the perfect excuse. Just tell him to come tomorrow! He works for you, not the other way around," declared Francesca with a final tone.

In the past couple days, I had quickly learned that Francesca did not take no for an answer, and I liked that about her. Francesca was a woman in her early sixties with impeccable style.

She loved wearing linen dresses accompanied by gorgeous pearls of all colors and sizes. She always walked around with a large hat to protect her eyes from the sun. She had long black hair that went all the way down her back. She was beautiful, with a straight nose and sensual lips, but at times, when she got lost in her thoughts, her eyes looked sad and distant.

I did not dare ask what was haunting her. So far, we had very fun conversations about politics, philosophy, music, wine, and food, but I avoided anything having to do with my kidnapping. Francesca had told me she avoided the news like the pest, and thankfully, since she didn't live in California, she had no idea who I was.

Her ignorance made her the perfect friend that I needed. Someone to talk to and confide in without the baggage of knowing everything I had been through.

"Fine," I said, caving to Francesca's now shining eyes, "since you insist."

Francesca was basking in her victory as I took my phone out to reschedule my appointment with Nicholas.

"There, it's done," I added after finishing texting. "He was bummed, but now he wants to take me to dinner tomorrow instead, so it worked out."

"Oh," teased Francesca, "do you think he wants to date you?"

"Hmm, I'm not sure. I don't think so. We used to date. He was my first crush…but we were younger. It"s been so long. I am not the same person I was before, and neither is he. I am most certainly not ready for any type of relationship right now."

"Because of George?" inquired Francesca.

"No, not because of George…"

"Well, then, is there someone else?" she pushed.

I couldn't really explain to Francesca that I had fallen for my irresistible captor.

"Something like that," I responded, fighting the sadness I felt every time I was reminded of Alejandro.

Francesca put her hand on mine, shaking her head in silent understanding.

"Seems like the wine tour with me is just what you need to cheer you up, then," said Francesca smiling, trying to help me fight the tears she could see rising in my eyes.

"Indeed!" I said, wiping a tear. "So, shall we meet here in, say, forty minutes and head there together? I can believe it's already 1:50!"

"We can"t be served all this wine and be expected to keep track of time!" joked Francesca as we got up. "See you in forty minutes," she said, giving me one of those long, warm hugs that instantly reassured me. "I promise you, everything will be okay. You just need some time to heal."

I hugged her back, taking in every one of her words as if it was my faith. I then walked to my villa.

I had been lucky to find a perfectly secluded villa very close to the water when I was looking. It was a highly coveted spot that I had tried to book a few times before without any luck. I was told this villa was almost always reserved by the vineyard owner's family, so when they told me it had just gotten released for reservations, I jumped on it.

It was a gorgeous three-bedroom, three-bathroom, luxurious, two-story villa with balconies and state-of-the-art amenities. It reminded me a bit of Alejandro's beach house. The colors took me back to the room Alejandro and I had shared, the memories mending my heart and breaking it at the same time. I could live here forever.

I quickly changed into a bright-red dress that buttoned in the front. I added a thin gold decorative belt and made sure to grab my glasses and floppy straw hat after I put some sunscreen on. The hat was a gift from Francesca who clearly wanted to share her love of hats with me. I had welcomed the gift and really enjoyed feeling like a ‘madame,' as Francesca described it.

I ran my fingers over the bracelet I always wore, now not only a reminder of my mother but also a reminder of the man I loved.

We met in the lobby by the villas and walked together to the parking area. A golf ca driver was waiting there to take us to the specific vineyard where the tasting was to take place. I loved it here—the smell, the air, the sun. Everything was perfect.

"I can understand why you come here so often," I told Francesca as I got out of the golf cart. "It"s paradise. I wish I could just stay here forever."

"It really is."

"I would love to partner with Robledo Estates for Hotel Estrellas. Maybe serve their wine in the restaurants of our hotels or something. I just love this place so much."

"I think that is an excellent idea! You know, I could help with that. I know the owner," explained Francesca with a smile.

"Welcome to our wine tasting this evening, ladies and gentlemen," greeted a man as he came out of the building and approached the small group of eight people that had gathered. I will be your tour guide this evening, and we are going to have fun."

"He is my favorite," said Francesca with the excitement of a first timer.

Her joy and passion were intoxicating, and I decided to relax and enjoy the feeling of the buttery chardonnay one of the guides was distributing to the crowd.

These tours were always very informational, with the guide taking the group through the winery and showing us the vineyards used for the wine we were enjoying.

"Everyone, come closer," said the guide as we followed his instructions. "I have a wonderful surprise for you."

I kept myself slightly turned to the side as I was texting with Nicholas a bit to pin down our next meeting.

"I have such a treat for you today! I was just told that the man who made Robledo Estates what it is today decided to join us for the rest of our evening together, so without further ado, I want to introduce you to Mr. Alejandro Robledo Carvajal."