Um…
"Just give it a try." With those words, he turns the music up so loud that the bass vibrates in my chest and rolls down the car window.
In the corner of my eye, I see the wind gently tousling his hair. His expression is filled with happiness as he sings and moves his feet to the beat. He exudes something that I want to feel too.
Joy. Freedom.
On impulse, I start humming softly. Even though I can barely hear myself, it feels wonderful. Without any effort, my head nods to the rhythm, and my fingers dance on the steering wheel. For a few moments, I enjoy just being in the moment. But soon, the last notes of the song fade away.
Smiling, Vico lowers the volume of the radio. "You can park up there by the hill."
I'd much rather continue cruising through Tuscany a little longer, enjoying the view and feeling the emotions the music stirred in me. But no sooner do I see the parking lot ahead, reminding me why we're here and making me realize I forgot once again. Reluctantly, I put on my business facade and step out of the car.
"Now it's getting hot," Vico teases. Raising his eyebrows, he leads me toward a weathered wooden fence, the kind you'd find in Tyrol around horse pastures.
"I can't see any fire." Besides, no visitors are here, which makes me suspicious.
Chuckling, he raises his index finger. "Not so fast," he says, coming closer. Suddenly, he's so near that the gentle breeze carries the fresh scent of his skin to my nose. "Close your eyes."
With this uneven ground, you'll only stumble and scrape your knees, my mother warns
"Maybe not." Dammit, I sound like an insecure girl. I can't let him throw me off balance like this.
Abruptly, I turn away and walk to the fence. But once I get there, I'm again struggling with myself.
"Wow," I whisper in awe, as before me lies a world unlike any I've seen.
The shades of green on the gentle hills glow in the sunlight while soft cumulus clouds drift lazily across the horizon. I spot houses with terracotta roofs partially hidden behind small forests. On the slopes, vineyards grow. Amid this scenery, mist rises, giving the view a sense of mystery that once again makes me forget why I'm here. The white veils embrace tree trunks and glide along the tall grasses in the meadows.
I'm at risk of getting lost in this spectacle, wanting to surrender and let my imagination take control. I want to hear what music suits this place, see the colors light up, and feel as if I'm a part of this natural paradise.
But I can't do that.
Frantically, I pinch my forearm, realizing too late that Vico watches me. He frowns inquisitively. To prevent him from even bringing it up, I sling the backpack off my shoulder and pull out the checklist. I don't like it, but it helps me now.
I clear my throat. "What's the name of this place?" My voice is clear and sober, just as it should be.
However, Vico doesn't seem to like it. He looks at me as if I've just turned into a monster. Hands in his pockets, he kicks a stone aside. "Sasso Pisano."
While searching for the name on the checklist, I ask the next question. "And where does this fog come from?"
"Geothermal activity."
Geo-what?
This place is definitely not listed on Florian's checklist. Should I call it off? What would Florian do?
"Come on, let's take a closer look." Vico points at a path leading down the hill from the parking lot.
"With these shoes?" I gesture to his feet in confusion.
"I like living dangerously." His inviting gaze meets mine, then he turns around and starts walking.
What else can I do but follow him? Eyes fixed on the ground, I descend the rocky path. I fear I might be wasting my time here, as this place probably isn't what tourists first imagine when they think of a Tuscan vacation.
Suddenly, he comes to a halt so abruptly that I run into his back. Again, his scent fills my nose. So fresh. And so light. He smells like a vacation.
My eyes drop. "You smell like your homeland."
