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She didn’t stop to answer him She was a lady on a mission But she could hear his footsteps behind her She ca one, so he likely had stepped into the back

Enzo leaned close to her “Why are you interested in an apartment?”

“Why do you think?”

“Well, I knohat you do with an apartment, but what I don’t understand is why you would want one here I thought you’d return to Patazonia”

She shook her head “I don’t have any reason to return My one, I’m on my own I like it here and I’veto be able to find a job here”

Enzo grew noticeably quiet Did he feel bad that she had to search for a new ho man, who said the apartment was vacant The sales clerk handed over the key and told them to head upstairs to have a look

And that was exactly what they did The apart fancy, not at all It was older and could use a fresh coat of paint, but it was clean and with a little work it could be cozy enough

“You know the kitchen faucet is going to need replaced,” Enzo pointed out

“I’ll mention it to the landlord”

“And the bedroom door sticks”

She didn’t say anything as Enzo continued to point out the apartment’s faults, but all she could see was its possibilities She needed this to work out She needed a plan—a way to move forward

There was a ledge above the kitchen sink where thesun would co room where she could place the framed photo of her mother and a picture of her favorite spot by the stream on the Bartolini estate Little by little she could put her personal sta it feel houesthouse

Thoughts of leaving the estate made her sad She couldn’t believe how quickly she’d felt so co or azetocoffee out on the veranda and their talks

Tears rushed to her eyes She blinked them away She was not a crier, but ever since she’d learned she was losing her home and business, her emotions had been harder to conceal

“Are you ready to go?” Enzo asked