The Italian Tycoon and the Nanny

The phone in Massimo's pocket rang, but this time he didn't answer it. What part of no didn't Gillian Pittman understand? She was the only female professor in the group and could have her pick of a dozen men. But she'd set her sights on Massimo, and he didn't return the compliment.When he wanted feminine companionship, he spent the odd weekend in Mexico City or Positano with his favorite person, Cesar, who happened to be reigning champion of the Grand Prix. His second cousin's addiction to racing ensured plenty of women for both of them.After a grueling workday, he craved a tall glass of ice water followed by a long hot and cold running shower that operated at maximum pressure. Too bad no such luxuries awaited him in the tent he'd called home for the past two years.It was no bigger than a large, airless closet. Set in the heart of the PetÉn forest of Guatemala, it offered little more than a place to eat, sleep and record his findings.The professional teams working at the Cancuen dig site lived in a compound on the other side of the Mayan palace they were excavating. It offered a few more amenities. But he'd come here on his own in an unofficial capacity. To join them after hours meant sacrificing his privacy, something he wasn't prepared to do.As he undid the lid on a bottle of water, his phone beeped. Irritated by the intrusion, he drained the contents before checking to see what was so important Dr. Pittman had resorted to sending him a text message. But a quick glance revealed it was Sansone who'd been trying to reach him.An ominous presentiment stole through his body.In the twenty-four months he'd been gone, he'd never received a phone call from his oldest cousin, let alone a text message. Sansone disliked him too intensely for that.Steeling himself to deal with it, he pushed the button and read, Tragic news, Massimo. Call me immediately.The word tragic had a specific connotation he couldn't in all conscience ignore. Had his uncle been injured? Or worse?In that moment before he called his cousin back, the sweat poured off him faster than when he was subjected to the sun's full intensity."What's happened?" he asked, the second he heard Sansone's voice."Papa had news that caused him to collapse. The doctor's with him, so he asked me to phone you."He wouldn't put it past his uncle Aldo to pretend he was ill to gain Massimo's sympathy. This could be a manipulative ploy on his uncle's part to get him to come home.Massimo wasn't ready to do that. Something earthshaking would have to happen first."What news might that be?"After an uncharacteristic hesitation he said,"It's about Pietra."With the mention of Massimo's sister, the air froze in his lungs. "What about her?""Her father-in-law called to tell Papa that she and his son were killed in a car accident earlier today."Killed--Pietra?He reeled. Breathtaking pain shot through him."And the baby?" he demanded savagely."I don't know. Papa didn--"Massimo hung up, unwilling for Sansone to hear any part of his grief.* * *"I'm afraid I have to be in Portland tomorrow for the beginning of that three-day conference, Julie. Let me know the day and time of the funeral. I'll try to arrange a flight from there."When Brent sounded preoccupied, it meant he was sitting in front of his computer doing work. Somehow Julie had expected more from the man who professed to love her.She gripped the phone tighter, too overwrought with grief to think clearly. Shawn's death hadn't fully sunk in yet.While her heart ached for her helpless, orphaned nephew, she was still mourning the brother she'd loved. She couldn't believe Pietra, her charming sister-in-law, was gone. The loss was agonizing enough without trying to process the horror of the crash that had snatched two precious lives from existence."I wish I could tell you something definitive, but we're waiting for Pietra'sWinters, Rebecca is the author of 'The Italian Tycoon and the Nanny', published 2008 under ISBN 9780373183562 and ISBN 0373183569.