Crossing Destinies (A Pretender Story) #Wattys2019 #Wattys2021

Chapter IX: Allegro Appassionato Part 1

Chapter IX: Allegro Appassionato Part 1

Thursday, July 4th, 09.00 a.m.

Jarod and Erin started on Thursday morning, heading for Frank and Maureen De Rossi's ranch, where they arrived about half-an-hour later. The weather was fine and there was a sweet scent in the air as they covered the last miles of the private street that, from the state road, led to the house; all around, as far as the eye could see, there were vineyards and pastures.

Spotting the large house, Jarod didn't hide his appreciation:

"It's amazing!" he cried, "And big: how many rooms are there?"

"Counting the lodgings for the servants, 26 rooms", Erin explained, "Besides, there are the independent guest houses, which accommodate up to twelve people."

On Erin's advice, Jarod parked his Corvette under a massive wooden carport sheltering a number of other cars; in the meantime, a woman with short hair of a warm titian red had appeared on the threshold, simply dressed in jeans and cotton shirt. She approached them smiling and Erin, getting out of the car, ran to her, hugging her.

"Erin, sweetie!" the woman cried; she hardly looked in her early fifties, but she was about ten years older, "I am so happy to have you here!" she turned and watched Jarod in appreciation while he was walking towards them, "And in good company, I see!"

Erin introduced them smiling:

"Mom, this is Jarod O'Donnell. Jarod, my mother Maureen."

Maureen shook hands with him:

"Irish! Céad mila failta."

Jarod put on an embarassed look:

"I'm sorry, Mrs De Rossi, but I don't speak Gaelic."

Maureen's smile didn't fade, on the opposite, it even widened:

"Thousand times welcome, Mr O'Donnell", she translated.

"Thank you", he answered, grinning at her and deciding he liked her, "But please, call me Jarod."

"And I'm Maureen", she said, taking him and her daughter by the arm, "Come in, the rest of the clan wants to meet you."

On the doorway, the butler, impeccably dressed in a dark suit, was waiting for them.

"Carl, this is Mr O'Donnell, my daughter's guest. Please, take care of their baggage", Maureen ordered him graciously. The butler nodded, then he bowed to the newly arrived couple:

"Welcome home, Miss Erin. Welcome, sir."

A little uncomfortable because he wasn't used to such deference, Jarod gave him only a friendly nod, but Erin answered easily:

"Thank you, Carl. How's your family?"

"They're fine, thank you. Jasmine finally chose the wedding day: September 15th."

"Good! Remind her that I promised her wedding gown as a present."

"I'll do it, Miss Erin. Thank you."

Maureen took them to the elegant drawing room, where a very old woman was sitting in a chair, her short hair white like snow; she was reading a book, but hearing them arrive, she lifted her glance and smiled, recognising Erin:

"Erin, cuore della nonna (grandma's heart)!" she cried in Italian, standing up and approaching them, arms wide open, "Come stai (How are you)?"

"Benissimo, nonna (I'm great, grandma)", Erin answered in the same language, hugging her, "May I introduce to you Jarod O'Donnell? Jarod, this is my grandmother Francesca."