AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“It was a handmade journal from the markets, I think.” A wistful smile crossed Amanda’s face.
“I wrote I wanted to be married and have kids by the time I was twenty-five.” I screwed up my face and went to drink more wine and found my glass empty. Horrified laughter bubbled up. “Fifteen-year-old me was an idiot.”
“We were both dreamers and romantics at fifteen. And I think the twenty-five-year-old you still is and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that.”
I wasn’t convinced. Not by a long shot. Maybe I’d been gaslighting myself since I was fifteen about what love was and should be.
“There’s nothing wrong with wanting love,” Amanda added. “You’ll find someone who adores you, desperate to please you, Rosalba Zanetti.”
“Maybe I need to please myself for a change rather than trying to please everyone else.”
“Now that sounds pretty great to me.”
Amanda wrapped me in another hug, and I held on for dear life, terrified and exhilarated, and then panic quickly followed.
“Oh Amanda, Italians don’t just do things by themselves. Their families have opinions about their lives. ‘What happens when you marry, Rosalba?’” I said in a tone mocking my mother. “When you start a family, who will be there to run the business while you have babies? You need a man in your life.”
Amanda chuckled. “All families have opinions about their family members. Don’t get me wrong, your family is intense, but it’s because they love you. I’m sure of it.”
“They’d love me more if I had a dick between my legs.”
“That’s not true.”
But I’d heard them only a couple of years ago, talking to each other at sunset on the old garden bench overlooking the vineyard. Her mother had wished they had had a son liked Tom, and my father agreeing, and adding he’d be a suitable heir for the vineyard.
“They continue to avoid talking about succession for the family business. And they’ve invited my cousin, Gianni, over next week to discuss the vineyard.”
“The only male Zanetti of the cousins.”
“Dad is hung up that a man needs to take over the family vineyard. No matter what I do, it’s not enough, Amanda. And now I look like an even bigger fool in front of them after tonight’s scandal.” I sighed, slumping into a kitchen chair. “I should’ve left my toxic, absurd excuse of a relationship with dignity ages ago.”
“But you did. Tonight. Epically at that.”
“I should’ve talked to you more.”
“I was in London, and I should’ve reached out more to you. Enough, Rosie. You’re not to blame. What you did tonight was truly brave. You took control back.”
“Right now, I’m a vigilante with a flamethrower making accusations at an institution determined to protect him, and all I want to do is help wombats with mange and grow grapes and make the best damn wine in our region, if not Australia!” I sobbed again. “I’ll be an excellent maid of honour, I promise. This won’t affect your day—”
“Oh Rosie, hush. This isn’t about me. This is about you.” Amanda straightened. “Where are your parents right now?”
I shrugged. “Probably in their car, hot on my heels from the dinner. I came straight here. I hope I didn’t get booked for speeding.” I poured more wine. “I can’t go home. I can’t be in the same house as them tonight.” Or tomorrow, or the next day.
“Stay here. We’ll make up a bed somewhere. Maybe in the shearers’ quarters if the house is full. We’ll take care of you.”
I nodded, my shoulders sagging with relief. “What have I done?”
“You did the most amazing thing anyone could do. You’re a warrior queen, Rosie. And you’re safe here.”
Amanda enveloped me again, and my tears flowed harder. “But what if I’ve lost everything I’ve ever wanted and loved?”
“You’ll find someone else,” Amanda said, mistaking my distress for ending my relationship with Richard.
But her words made me think of how I’d lost Tom, his rejection cutting so deep.
I shook myself. My parents had been so disappointed this evening. Taking Richard’s side. I’d lost my chance to lead my family’s legacy and my dream into the future.
“Darling, Rosie!” Mrs Turner floated into the room in a distinctive linen skirt, wrapping her arm around Amanda and me. “Tom said you were here and needed me. What on earth—you broke up with him?”
