Prologue

  Terri Donatelli blew the dust from her great grandmother’s worn leather Bible and reached inside for the familiar yellowed slip of paper. She’d read the Italian words hundreds of times until she had them memorized. Each twist of the pen had drawn Terri into the world of her great grandmother in the early 1900s on the Isle of Capri and the anguish of lost love.
  Taking a deep breath, Terri unfolded the fragile letter.

My darling Giovanni,
  How foolish and wrong I’ve been. Please forgive me for the pain I’ve caused you. Believe me, I never meant to hurt you. You brought so much love and laughter into my life, a precious gift from heaven, and all I’ve offered in return is heartache. You gave me your heart and a promise of a lifetime of devotion. I gave you tears and pleadings for you to join me in Venice. Always I begged for my way until now I fear it is too late. My selfishness eats at my soul; my tears declare my guilt. My joy, my love, I pray you still have love for me. 
  I thought I couldn’t leave my family, but God in His infinite wisdom has shown me I can do anything with Him. Giovanni, we can be together, forever as God intended. I love you more than life, and I want to live out my days with you. I pray this is not too late.
  Visions of Capri are before me. I remember the sound of the waves breaking against the shore, the salty scent of the blue Mediterranean, the cry of the seagulls, and the lure of the mountain peaks. Most of all, I remember your arms around me asking me to be your wife. 
  Oh, how you have captivated me along with the beauty of the island. Please answer me, my Giovanni! I long to be with you. Tell me you still love me!

Teresa 

Chapter 1 Excerpt

  Terri Donatelli stared at the colorful travel brochure describing the Isle of Capri and realized she might never return to Kentucky. She’d dreamed of this trip since high school, and tomorrow she’d actually board a plane en route to this ancient island. There, she’d live for a month among her ancestry. A fluttering exploded in her stomach at the mere thought. 
  Terri lived with the knowledge – and sometimes the loud and crazy antics – of a large Italian family. She loved them fiercely, and she understood their protective nature. But only when her great grandmother revealed the beauty of the isle of Capri and the story of her first love, did Terri appreciate her heritage. The island drew her to explore all of its charm, wonder, and the exquisite people. 
  Her great grandmother’s recollections came alive with sights, sounds, and the anticipation of smells and tastes that surpassed any book or picture. Unfortunately Teresa Donatelli passed away the summer after Terri’s freshman year in high school, but the faded and worn letter to her first love lived on in the old, Italian Bible passed on to Terri. 
  Placing the travel brochure on her bed alongside her passport, air line tickets, and travel itinerary, Terri glanced at her cell phone and knew she had to call Ryan. The dreaded call had loomed over her the past week. Ryan had discovered her plans for a summer vacation to Capri, but he didn’t know her departure date. Once she told him, he’d be considerate and shy away from any confrontation, but deep inside he’d be devastated. If she took the initiative to probe deeper, he’d admit his worrisome nature and his reluctance to let her go. Separating herself from Ryan Stevens was the only part of the trip that her family supported. 
  “Maybe you can find an Italian husband,” her father said the previous night. “You certainly can’t find one here in Louisville.” Naturally he made the comment while her older brother visited with his four boisterous sons. 
  Maybe God did plan for her to fall in love with a handsome Italian. What a legacy her great grandmother had left for her. Giovanni might live on after all! 
  “Dad, I want to see Capri as Grandmother Teresa did. I don’t know if anything else will happen. I’m going for the experience, not to find a husband.”
  “Sounds like a bad idea to me,” Dominic said, a replica of their father with high cheekbones and large dark eyes. “Who is looking after you?”
  “I’m with a Christian tour group, and in case you haven’t noticed I’m a college professor with plenty of intellect to take care of myself.”
  “You should be raising kids.” Dad lifted baby Josh unto his lap.
  “Hush,” her mother said, scooping up the toys from the floor. “Terri has prayed about this, and she believes God wants her to take the trip.”
  “At least Ryan is not in the picture,” Dad said. “Nice man, but not Italian.”
  Later, Dad found her alone in the kitchen and gathered her into in his arms. He smelled of spice and garlic, and she loved it. “My sweet Terri, I want you to be happy. Naturally, I think you would be happier with an Italian man, but I want the man God wants for you. Am I forgiven for what I said about Ryan?”
  “Of course. I love you too, Daddy. I’ll have a wonderful time and take lots of pictures.”
  “You are too much like my grandmother – ready to take on the world.” He planted a kiss on the tip of her nose. “How does Ryan feel about your leaving?”
  Terri hesitated. “I haven’t told him yet.”
  Dad’s huge shoulders raised and lowered. “Terri, he has a right to know. I’ve seen the way he looks at you. Honey, I’m disappointed. That man is going to be hurt.”
  “I’ll tell him tomorrow night. I promise.”
  This was tomorrow night. Terri snatched up the phone and stared at the numbers.