Free Romance In The Tuscan Hills: A New Beginning by Jenniffer Cardelle Page A

sofa.   She closed her eyes.   Closing her eyes made the world go away.  She could block out all the reports needed on Big Boss Man Robert's desk by tomorrow, the crowded subway rides, and lonely, empty apartment.  Maybe she should just get a dog – someone guaranteed to be happy to see her at the end of the day.  A dog wouldn't complain if she spent too much time at work or seemed distant and distracted.  A dog would just give her infinite loyalty and love.  Dani hadn't felt that since her mom died.
     
    “Nothing has been the same since you've been gone, Mom.”
     
    Sometimes Dani imagined she was on a dating show where everyone was vying her her attention.   She may be at the top of her game job wise, but she was on the bottom of the dating totem pole.  Besides that semi-stalker James, no one had really shown interest in seeing her as a desirable woman instead of a great employee and co-worker.  Maybe she really did spend too much time at work.  Maybe she needed to put herself out there and make things happen dating wise instead of waiting for it to happen.
     
    “Maybe, maybe, maybe....Always maybes and what ifs,” Dani sighed.  “I could really use your advice right now, Mom.  You taught me so much about how to get ahead in the world, but not about relationships.  I can't relate to people.  I'm too closed off.  I see the problems, but I don't know how to change it.  How do I change it, Mom?”
     
    Dani frowned and grabbed the TV remote control.  Enough talking to herself.  That wasn't going to solve anything.  She was a doer, not a complainer.  It was time to start doing and stop complaining about all the maybes and what ifs....
     
    Starting tomorrow, she decided.   Mom always said everything looked better in the morning with a fresh pair of eyes and clear mind.  Mom's advice had never steered her wrong.  Tomorrow wouldn't be any different.
     
     

     
     
     

5. Chapter Three
     
     
     
    Morning brought a clear head and fresh perspective.   It was crazy to be down in the dumps over something she could change with a little will power and tenacity.  She had a beautiful townhome and an amazing, high paying job at one of the top firms in the city.  What was there not to love about her life?  So what if there was no romance.  Romance was over-rated.  Companionship would be okay but it wasn't the be all end all, the TV shows and romance novels wanted you to believe it was.  What was wrong with being a strong, independent career minded woman? 
     
    “Absolutely nothing,” Dani said out loud and she grabbed her briefcase and headed out the door.  “There is nothing wrong with me.  My life is great.  Perfect even.  Amazing.  Wonderful.”
     
    But it wasn't.  Not really.  She could rattle off all the positive-thinking clap trap she wanted, but it wouldn't change the fact that there was a hole in her life since her mom died.  That hole was love.
     

     
     
    Dani sat at her desk trying to focus on the stack of reports Robert needed in an hour.  She glanced at the clock and then her desk calendar.  Nonna always called at this exact time every Tuesday.  Maybe she was running late or forgot the time different from New York to Italy – Nonna was getting up there in years – but it wasn't like her to not call.  Dani contemplated calling herself when her cellphone rang.  She clicked the green 'talk' button and unloaded before Nonna even had a chance to say 'ciao.'
     
    “Oh, good, Nonna, I was starting to worry about you.  How are things?  If you need help with chores around the villa, let me find you someone.   You shouldn't worry about all that.  You're 87 years old.  You deserve a break, don't you think?”
     
    There was silence on the other end before a heavily accented, unfamiliar voice said:  “I am trying to reach Miss Danielle Vierra.  May I speak to Miss Danielle Vierra?”
     
    “This is Danielle,” she said.  “Forgive me for asking, but who are