Mountains of Dawn

"It's easier to buy the truffles in specialty shops nowadays," Luigi Amedeo said. "Cheaper, too, when you consider the cost of the care and feeding of the dogs."

He turned to Tanya and gestured at her locket. "That's a very old piece, is it not?" he asked. "It's a refined piece of Florentine craftsmanship, perhaps from the eighteenth century?"

"I really don't know. It belonged to my mother. I remember her wearing it on special occasions."

"Does it open?" he asked. He rose and walked behind Tanya. "May I?" he said, and touched the side of the medallion. It sprang open. Within were two pictures, one on each side, a young boy and a young girl.

"The girl must be you," Luigi Amedeo said with a smile. "She looks just like you."

Tanya smiled back and relaxed. Luigi Amedeo seemed like an old friend. He had been a thoughtful, considerate host. He had done nothing to concern her. She enjoyed the remainder of their visit.

"Kevin, I had a very nice time. How did the business part go?"

"It went well, too. We agreed, in principle, to a joint venture. Our lawyers will work out the details." He sighed and smiled down at her. "And Luigi Amedeo didn't make a pass at you, did he?"

"No. Nothing out of the way at all, no mention of a portrait, no mention of a guest wing." She frowned, puzzled. "Why do you think that might be?"

"I have no idea. Maybe he knows you're hopelessly stuck on me."