Breathe by Donna Alward Page B

She’d felt the same way growing up. It was what had drawn her, and Alex, to Jace’s family in the first place. They hadn’t had material wealth like the Morellis, but there had always been boundless love. A smile and a kiss, a good-natured scolding and no one worried about spoiling precious clothing. They had each filled a need for the other—Anna and Alex’s need for family and Jace’s escape from poverty.
    She regretted that she’d allowed family expectation to go against her better instincts. It had been the done thing to have a nanny, to attend the endless social functions, to continue to work at Morelli in marketing. That had all changed in light of Stefano’s affair and the look on Matteo’s face as he’d witnessed her arguing with his father. In that moment, she had taken expectation and dismissed it as she should have long ago. Nothing was more important than her children knowing they were loved and wanted.
    Matteo ran around the yard as Anna retrieved the bags and the car seat holding a sleeping Aurelia. Yes, she realized, perhaps the town wasn’t the height of society, but how real was that anyway? Here people smiled and chatted, tourists and residents alike, and there was a sense of the unrushed about it.
    They’d had a fast-food lunch and then made a trip to the grocery store and the market. It had taken some searching, but she’d come home with the basic ingredients for polpettone and torta di mele . She had to show Jace she didn’t expect him to do anything. She wasn’t a natural cook like his mother was. But there were a few things she could make passably. In her house, the cooking traditions continued even though they were second-generation immigrants. It had been the housekeeper who had taught her to make Polpettone .
    Her purchases were rounded out by home-décor magazines. It had come to her that she could help with the abandoned guesthouse, bring it to life. Perhaps Jace hadn’t thought of it, but she knew it could be an extra source of income if he’d consider opening it up to paying guests. Offer wine tours. She could put her marketing expertise to good use and indulge her artistic side with the decorating. She hoped to get some inspiration for the guesthouse within the glossy pages. Visiting the house was top of her list for the afternoon.
    â€œMama, can we go swimming?”
    â€œNot now, pet.” She hefted the bags, again feeling very alone. There were times that an extra set of hands would definitely come in handy.
    â€œBut…”
    â€œI said no, Matteo. I need to put these things away and we need to visit the guesthouse. Mama needs to help Jace.”
    â€œWhy?”
    â€œBecause he is being kind and letting us stay here and we do not want to take advantage of that.”
    But a young boy couldn’t be expected to understand, and his lower lip went out. “But that’s not fun. He’s not fun.”
    She sighed, taking the steps slowly with her load. Looking at it through Matteo’s eyes, she could understand where he was coming from. Jace had been cool with the children, despite his moment with Matteo and the car. So very different from the impish boy he’d been. And Matteo was mad at being caught out last night, breaking the glass on purpose.
    â€œMaybe we can pack a bag with some snacks and toys, and you can bring them along. I think there’s a back patio where you can play while I look around.”
    He grumbled more but under his breath, and Anna tried not to sigh. It wasn’t going to be easy being mama and working and trying to do it all with a smile. At the funeral, Alex had suggested she hire some help. Her dark look had clamped his mouth shut immediately.
    She would not have a nanny. Not ever again.
    Aurelia woke and Anna filled a sippy cup with milk while she packed a tote for Matteo. She hooked the bag over her shoulder, settled the baby in the crook of her arm, and with