Capri Nights by Cara Marsi Read Free Book Online Page A

she deserved. Facing prison, he had nothing to offer her. If exonerated, he’d spend the next few years rebuilding his business. Cat had her own life an ocean away. She was his today and he’d make her happy.
    “We are almost there,” he said.
    He led her to a tiny lane, then up narrow stone steps to a walkway that overlooked the bay . As in the rest of Capri, flower-filled boxes lined the pathway. Quaint shops selling Limóncello, the sweet liqueur of Capri, couture clothes and shoes, and upscale household goods opened onto the walk.
    “We’re here,” he announced.
    They entered the tiny perfumeria filled with hundreds of perfume bottles of varying shapes and sizes.
    “A perfume shop?” Cat said.
    “The best perfumeria in Capri.”
    “Sandro!” Maria rushed from behind the counter and embraced him. Maria and her mother Lucia, along with Ernesto, had stood by Alex through his legal problems. They believed in him, and he would always remember their kindness. Their faith in his innocence gave him strength to keep fighting. He wanted Cat to know the people who’d remained loyal to him, unlike most of his family.
    Maria shouted toward the beaded curtains. The beads tinkled like tiny bells as Lucia came out from behind them. When she saw Alex, she hurried over to give him a hug.
    He took Cat’s hand and pulled her forward, saying in English, “Maria, Lucia, this is Cat, my special friend.”
    Lucia grabbed Cat’s free hand and said in heavily accented English, “We are always happy to meet a friend of Sandro’s. He is a good man.”
    “I, too, am happy to meet a friend of Sandro’s,” Maria said with a welcoming smile.
    Gratitude for his two friends sent a rush of warmth to Alex’s chest.
    “Come, we will make a perfume just for you.” Maria waved a hand toward the work counter.
    “Perfume for me?” Cat asked.
    Alex nodded. “Maria will make a unique scent that no one else has. Every time you wear it, I hope you will think of me.”
    Her eyes wide and glowing with pleasure, Cat said, “That’s so sweet. But I won’t need perfume to remember you.”
    Alex wanted to take out his heart and hand it to her.
    They walked to the counter where Maria was pulling vials from drawers. She poured tiny amounts of the contents onto small blotters for Cat to sniff. Most Cat rejected as too sweet or too heavy.
    “I like these two,” she finally said. “What are they?”
    Alex picked up the vials and read the labels. “Lime and basil.”
    “Lime and basil? For perfume?”
    “These two scents plus an added special ingredient will be perfect for you,” Maria said.
    Cat clapped her hands. “Cool! Thanks.”
    Lucia touched Alex’s arm. “The perfume is our gift to your beautiful Cat.”
    “No, I will pay,” he said.
    “My mother is right,” Maria said. “You are our friend. We help our friends.”
    “Thank you both.” Alex’s throat thickened. He owed these two, as he owed Ernesto.
    Like a chemist concocting a secret formula, Maria mixed ingredients, then poured everything into a small blue crystal flask. She held it out to Cat.
    Cat took the bottle and sniffed. “Oh. My. God. That is the best smelling perfume ever.”
    Maria laughed. “Try it now. Please.”
    Cat dabbed some of the perfume on her wrists and brought one hand up to take a whiff. She moaned softly. “Who knew lime and basil could be so heavenly?”
    Maria sealed the bottle with a glass stopper, then put the flask into a blue satin bag and presented it to Cat with a flourish.
    “Thank you so much,” Cat said. “I can’t wait to wear this. It was wonderful to meet you.”
    With a sly grin, Lucia said, “We will meet again.” She put a hand over her heart. “I feel it.”
    Hope sprang up in Alex. Lucia was known to be psychic. If only she was right, and Cat would someday come back to Capri and to him.
    Waving goodbye to the women, Cat and Alex left the shop and sauntered leisurely back to La Piazetta .
    Clutching the small pouch, Cat