“Maybe,” I whisper.
I hear another laugh from him. “Well, we have nothing to do, so go for it. There’s plenty of eyes here to watch the kids.”
I start to drift asleep until I hear Drew’s voice. “Who wants a tour?”
I giggle and raise my hand. Bray slaps it down. “We can tour later. Take a nap.”
I push up from his warmth and look into his eyes. “I want to walk barefoot through grapevines,” I announce.
He grins. “Well, OK, then.”
He stands and helps me up as others stand. I kick off my shoes.
“Are we stomping grapes?” I ask.
Vito starts laughing. “Uh, no. I hate to inform you, but we don’t do that anymore.”
Frowning, I cross my arms. “Can I at least walk barefoot through the vineyard?”
He shrugs. “I guess so. But if you hurt your foot, that’s on you.”
“Cool beans,” I say with a hiccup. Cam giggles and links arms with me.
“I’m going barefoot too, then,” she announces as she spins us in a circle.
I plant my feet on the patio, bringing us to a stop. “No spinning,” I announce.
She sways and giggles again. “Fine. Party pooper.”
The older family members and Al, Margie, Cornelia, Jessa, and Troy decide to stay and watch the kids. But Ava sees me leaving and runs after me.
“Mom, where are you going?” she asks with a look of concern. Damn. This kid has massive separation anxiety.
“Just going on a quick tour of the property. You can stay and play with your new friends if you like,” I suggest, crossing my fingers that she’ll take the bait.
“Oh, that’s OK. I’ll come with you,” she says with a smile.
I force a smile, and she takes my hand as Vito starts to show us around. He tells the story of how his great-great-grandfather bought the original land for the price of two goats, which became the name of their wine.
We walk leisurely through vineyards, tasting rooms, a cavern where they store barrels of wine, and then down a hill along an old stone wall that is against the steep incline, seemingly holding up the giant mound of dirt. When we come across a small door, Vito stops.
“This is the mystery of Due Capre,” he says as he waves a hand over the door. “Since our family has lived here, no one has been able to open this door.”
“Mr. Vito?” Ava says with her hand raised.
Vito smiles. “Yes, Miss Ava.”
She grins. “Why don’t you just knock it down?”
Vito chuckles. “Many people have suggested that, but our family believes a story a local told us. So, we never have.”
“A story?” she asks.
“Well, sort of a legend. It goes that whoever finds the key and unlocks the door shall bring through it a wealth of love that unites two souls. So, keep a lookout, because you never know,” he explains.
“Are there any princes here?” Ava asks.
Vito shakes his head, and Ava frowns.
