The Search Begins
Ella’s sleep on the plane had been restless and full of unsettling dreams. About an hour before they arrived in Italy, her eyes flew open, and images of Rome’s face slid from her mind. It had taken her a few moments to remember everything that had happened, to recall where she was, just as it had in the crypt. But this was different. She could move right away. Her memories all rushed back to her, and suddenly she was fully energized and ready to go.
She needed to find Rome.
It had been too long since she’d seen her husband, since she’d wrapped her arms around him and kissed his lips. At least Mary had found her rings in her drawer at home and brought those to her. She wondered if Rome still had his or if it had been taken from him. It was hard to imagine his parents could be so cruel as to take away his one memento of her, but anyone who would force their son to leave the country so that he couldn’t be with his wife wasn’t exactly Parent of the Year material.
Finding him would be one thing; getting him out would be another. If his father’s security was anything like Ella’s own father’s team of thugs, it would be difficult. Still, once she knew where he was, there was no question she’d find a way to get to him, no matter what. Inside, she felt a stirring that told her the closer she got to Italy, the closer she got to Rome.
A stewardess made an announcement that they were about to land, and Ella prepared herself not only for touching down but for stepping off of that plane and going out into the cities of Italy to find the man that she loved, the man she knew she was supposed to be with. Forever.
Mary was sitting next to her now that their first class seats had been swiveled around and moved to the upright position. “Are you nervous?” she asked.
“No,” Ella said, her chin up. “I'm determined.”
Mary smiled at her. “We’ll find him. We haven’t come this far to give up.”
Ella nodded but didn’t say more. She wanted to concentrate on that sensation deep inside of her, the one that was trying to lead her to Rome. She remembered that saying, “All roads lead to Rome.” In this case, that wasn’t true. Only one did. But she’d find it. She had to.
It seemed to take forever for them to get off of the plane. The stewardesses seemed far too cheery as they exited, wishing them a pleasant visit to Italian. Ella wanted to tell them where to go, but she was too polite for that, so she only smiled.
Once she was off the plane, the nerves she’d felt at LAX began to resurface as she realized there would be another examination of her paperwork. She tried to look nonchalant, like it was no big deal, like her passport was legitimate. She managed to get through, though she thought they were scrutinizing her picture. Again, she felt as if she could check another difficult task off of her box. She was legally in Italy now--or so it seemed. Everyone had better get out of her way because she was going to find her the man she loved!
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
