Page 65 of A Family Of His Own
She stood and turned and saw Toby approaching, bringing two of the large men from the shed and a barrage of curious glances with him.
Toby winked reassuringly at his family as he halted before them. “My dears”—he waved to the men at his back—“these gentlemen are Giorgio and Giuseppe Grosso, and they’ve agreed to row us out to the island in one of the larger boats. I’ve explained that the rest of you don’t speak much Italian.”
Grinning, Giorgio put in, “And we don’t speak much of the English, but we will manage, no?”
Evelyn beamed her widest smile at Giorgio. “Hello, Mr. Giorgio.”
Toby thought he’d never seen his old friend look quite so besotted. Seeking to keep control of the situation and move things along, he caught Diana’s eye. “I’ve arranged for the cart and horse to be taken into the stable here. When we’re ready to leave”—he freed Henry’s reins and handed them to the third and oldest of the three brothers, Gio, who came up at that moment—“Gio here will provide us with a carriage, suitable horses, and a driver to see us on our way.”
Diana nodded her understanding, and the children insisted on saying goodbye to Henry.
Once that was accomplished to their satisfaction, Toby and Giorgio helped get all the luggage out of the cart, then Gio saluted them and led Henry and the cart to the stable. Meanwhile, Toby and Giorgio ushered “Toby’s new family” onto the dock, where Giuseppe was tying up the large rowboat.
The children’s excitement and enthusiasm buoyed them all. Everyone was grinning as they handed bags and cases down, then stepped into the lightly bobbing boat.
Eventually, they were all seated on the benches, and Giorgio and Giuseppe took their places on the rear bench, grasped the oars, and sent the boat slowly skimming across the lake.
Watching the island loom ever larger, Toby felt all potential dangers, all threats, fall behind. He’d always been safe there and had complete confidence in the security the island offered.
Giorgio and Giuseppe propelled the boat across the water, then turned the bow into the dock on the southwestern corner of the teardrop-shaped island. Toby stood, leapt up to the dock, and tied off the bowline, then helped each of his party onto the wooden planks. Once they’d emptied the boat of all their possessions, he released the bowline, and they waved Giorgio and Giuseppe off on their return to the mainland.
Toby reclaimed his bags, gathered his troops with a glance, and nodded up the paved walkway. “That way. The villa’s not far—it’s on the corner of the island that faces Orta.”
Given Heinrik’s appearance and, even more, the dogged pursuit of the Prussians, Toby wasn’t surprised to feel relief slide through him as, safe and free from pursuit, they walked through the narrow entranceway that gave onto the path that led to the island’s small piazza.
Diana was walking beside him. He felt her gaze on his face, then she looked forward. “Does Heinrik know about this place?”
Toby shook his head. “I doubt many—in fact, I’m not sure any—would know I come here.” He met her curious gaze. “It’s been my secret hideaway for years.”
Her lips curved. “A secret hideaway. That’s nice to know, especially as it means that we should be safe here.”
“Indeed.” After a moment, he admitted, “Previously, I’ve only come here to… catch my breath, as it were. More or less between missions, simply to relax. So I haven’t really used it as a bolt-hole as such, and there’s no reason anyone would think that this is where we’ve disappeared to.”
“Ah.” After a moment, she glanced at him. “So to you, this is really a holiday place. Is it your favorite?”
He thought for a moment, then replied, “I’m honestly not sure I have a favorite place, but if I had to choose, this place would certainly be in the running.” That was a truth he felt in his bones.
Running between stone walls, the narrow, paved lane twisted this way and that and, ultimately, led them to the small piazza. The children looked around curiously.
Toby paused and pointed over his shoulder at the basilica’s tower, which rose above the western end of the piazza. “In case you get lost, that’s the most easy-to-spot landmark.”
After all had taken due note, he led them on, along the front of a large building. “And this is the seminary, which is the largest building on the island.”
“What’s a seminary?” Bryce asked.
Toby thought for a second, then replied, “It’s a boarding school for priests.”
They reached the stone well at the center of the piazza, and Diana, Helga, and the children paused to orient themselves, taking the basilica tower as their landmark.
When they finished looking around and glanced questioningly at Toby, he smiled and gestured them on along the paved path that led from the piazza’s eastern end. “Our destination is just along there.”
Two minutes later, they stood before a huge wooden door set in a high stone wall. Confidently, Toby opened the door and ushered the others into the small garden beyond. As always, the garden was lush yet scrupulously neat. “This house is called Villa Giordano. It’s the home of Giovanni Giordano and his widowed sister, Giulia.”
Toby looked up at the sound of footsteps approaching from beyond the house’s open front door.
A second later, Giovanni appeared. His round face lit with joy. “Tobias!” His gaze took in the others. “And you have brought friends!” Advancing with outstretched arms, beaming, Giovanni declared, “Welcome! Welcome to our humble abode.”
Drawn by the loud greeting, Giulia rushed out, wiping her hands on her ever-present apron. “Toby! You are here. And with others! And children! Ah, the bambini!”
