Second Chances in Chianti (Escape to Tuscany Book 2) by T.A. Williams (online e reader .TXT) 📕

he didn’t feel the same way. She wondered if he didn’t want to, or maybe he didn’t feel strongly enough about her, or even if something or somebody else was holding him back. Whatever it was, it was disappointing and highly frustrating. Still, she walked with him along the white gravel track, the outline of the bushes and trees around them becoming ever clearer as her night vision improved, until they reached the unmistakable sight of an unexpectedly large field of vines stretching off down the hillside.

‘This is it, the place where I’ve spent the last couple of years on and off. In the light of day the view’s spectacular, all the way along the valley.’ She could hear that he was searching for words and she decided to help him – and herself – out.

‘Matt, now that I’ve shown you mine and you’ve shown me yours, can I ask you something?’

‘Anything.’

‘Is everything all right?’

‘Everything’s great now.’ He sounded surprised. ‘Why do you ask?’

She decided that honesty was the best policy. ‘Well, I’ve just been wondering why it’s taken you so long.’

‘So long to do what?’

‘To decide whether you like me or not. I haven’t been in any doubt for weeks now.’

He stretched out one arm and hugged her to him. When he started speaking, his voice was full of emotion. ‘For the record, I’ve known the way I feel about you since that first time I saw you by the broken fence. The delay’s been tough, but I needed you to know that I’m not like Justin in the book. You mean far too much to me for there to be any doubts in your mind.’ He leant down and kissed her softly on the top of the head. ‘This isn’t just a fling. I’m in it for the long haul, Alice, if you’ll have me.’

She reached up towards him with her arms and her lips.

‘I’ll have you, Matt. Oh yes, I’ll have you.’

Epilogue

‘And this year’s Emmy for Outstanding Documentary Series goes to…’

Up on the stage, the glamorous presenter took her time opening the envelope, deliberately heightening the tension. Alice glanced around the table and gave Antonia an encouraging wink. She felt Matt’s hand catch hold of hers under the table and squeeze.

‘…Wonders of the Renaissance.’

Alice felt a surge of delight. They had done it! This year there was no need to fake a smile as she beamed at Antonia and saw her beam back.

‘You did it, Alice, you did it!’ Antonia had to shout to make her voice heard over the applause and she couldn’t have sounded happier. ‘Go on, up you go.’

Alice turned to Matt, threw her arms around his neck and kissed him. He grinned at her and echoed what Antonia had said. ‘I knew you could do it. Off you go. They’re waiting.’

Alice rose to her feet and went round to hug Antonia.

‘We did it, Antonia. I couldn’t have done it without you. You made it happen.’

Alice straightened up and gazed around at the sea of faces, all looking in her direction, and felt a rush of pride. As she weaved her way between the tables towards the stage, people called out her name, shouted congratulations and reached out to shake her hand or high-five her.

Up on the stage, she took the award from the presenter, gave her a grateful kiss on the cheek and stepped up to the mike.

‘Thank you, thank you so much.’ The applause subsided. ‘I’m so very grateful to the Academy and to all the viewers out there for choosing Wonders for this award. I’m delighted to accept it on behalf of the whole team, led so ably by Antonia.’ She pointed down towards her and blew a kiss. ‘There are so many people to thank.’

She had rehearsed the names in her head time and time again, just in case the series would be chosen for the award and she was pleased to see the pleasure on the faces of her colleagues as they were mentioned. Once she had given credit where it was due, she allowed herself a few more personal comments.

‘As some of you may know, embarking upon this series was the culmination of five hard years of study for me and it involved a major change of direction in my life. I owe a lot to Zoë and all my friends at Pals Across the Pond for helping me to cut my teeth in the wonderful world of television. As for Wonders, my fervent hope is that this series and the subsequent ones will introduce more and more people to a subject that has become so dear to me.’ She brandished the golden statuette in the air. ‘Thank you once again.’

Amid more applause, she made her way back to her table and went round hugging everybody, before returning to Matt’s side and kissing him again. As she did so, she felt a tap on her shoulder and turned to see Fliss standing there, looking predictably stunning in a pale blue silk dress that fitted her like a glove. She, too, was beaming.

‘Brilliant, Alice. Really well done and richly deserved. I’ve watched all the episodes and I was so impressed.’ She kissed Alice warmly. ‘I’m looking forward so much to working with you when shooting of our movie starts next month.’

As she went off, her place was taken by Millie, who had more important things on her mind.

‘Hi Al, massive congrats and all that. Now then, let’s see the ring.’ After her mother, Millie had been the first person Alice had called with the big news.

Alice grinned and brandished her left hand. ‘Before you say it, I told Matt I didn’t want a damn great rock.’

‘Wow, Al, it’s gorgeous.’ While Millie took her hand and studied the ring, Matt leant across and confessed. ‘As I know nothing about engagement rings, I just asked them for the oldest one they had.’

Alice gave him an affectionate peck on the cheek. ‘What girl wouldn’t love a ring that started its life five