Page 55 (1/2)

So it ith delight that Fra Silvestro welco that she would ressive charity

When the Emersons arrived, they were met by the director; his assistant, Elena; and an assee froht, addressed Julia as Zia Julia and presented her with a bouquet and a series of drawings they’d ht colors and featured s in the center

For a moment, Gabriel was overwhelmed In the eyes of the children, especially the older ones, he saw a gli in the waiting roo to get so round to check under the machine for lost coins

Gabriel tamped down the memory If Grace hadn’t come upon him that day, his life would have turned out very, very differently

Julia greeted all the children, crouching down to their level She see with them in Italian

After the introductions were made, the Ee’s children, ages one to twelve, had gathered The staff brought out the infants, so that they too could join the party

Gabriel had been unable to rent a petting zoo but had secured the services of four ponies and their handlers The ponies were tethered at the far end of the yard, surrounded by a crowd of excited children

There were balloons and ga castle There were tables of food and desserts, and a large pyraift is for which child?” Gabriel pondered aloud

Julia glanced at the pyraift is labeled”

“What if they don’t like the present they receive?”

“Elena asked the children what they wanted and we bought it” Julia squeezed his hand “Stop fussing The children will see you frowning and you’ll scare thened but cautiously adjusted his expression

He watched as she played ga around balloons A dark-haired, dark-eyed toddler took a shine to her, and soon Julia was carrying the boy on her hip and wresting her hair froht trickle of drool

Gabriel was seized with a realization so strong it hurt

Julianne was born to be aand patient She has what ical mother lacked, and what Grace had in abundance

Maybe she even has enough to cos

To keep hischildren on and off their saddles Julia had been correct The ponies were the highlight of the event Children lined up to pet and feed them in between rides

When it was tiift table with Julia

Brother SilvestroZio and Zia Eenerosity Gabriel and Julia nodded to polite applause Then Julia began handing out the presents, still holding on to the toddler

Gabriel would have joined her, but a little boy pulled at his trousers in an effort to secure his attention

“Hello,” said Gabriel, in Italian “How are you?”

“Are you hiave the child a puzzled smile “Why do you think I’m Superman?’

“You look like him Can I see under your shirt?” The boy pointed to Gabriel’s white oxford button-down