Sicilian Dreams by J. P. Kennedy Read Free Book Online

their wines would understand the importance of a good Nero D’Avola vino. We do not make a lot of wine, our main business is in the olives,’ he added.
    ‘Sounds delicious,’ said Cassie.
    ‘Si, just like you Cassandra. You will try some of our wine this week, I will give you a tasting and you must also try our olive oil. In fact, you should have a bottle in your cucina. If not, I will ask Marta to bring some.’
    ‘We have a bottle, we used it last night. We can even buy that oil in the speciality food shops at home.’ she said.
    ‘Si, that is our olive oil, the Boschieri label, extra virgine.’ he said, pulling up at the stable complex.
    ‘What, you mean, that is your olive oil, I mean, your family’s olive oil, Boschieri?’ she added again stupidly realizing how extensive their business operation must be.
    ‘Si, Cassandra’ he said grinning at her again. ‘It is good, no? That is our oil. But that is only part of it, what you see in the supermarket here. The by-product, or lower grade oil, is on sold to companies who used it in cosmetics and soap for example.’
    ‘Does it all come from here?’
    ‘No, we have more land away from the coast where the majority of the olives are grown, and we buy olives from certified growers as well. Here at Villa Boschieri is where it all started in my grandfather’s time, but as the business expanded they had to buy more land. Nowadays only twenty percent of our oil production comes from this estate but it is organic. Come, we will go and find some clothes for you’ he said opening her door.
    Her mind still full of their conversation, Cassie followed Marco into the dim cool of the stables. In what seemed to be a pattern forming, she was left with many more questions than answers from the elusive Marco. Oh well she mused it certainly kept her on her toes.
    The stable block was divided into two areas. On the left she saw several individual stables, with horses peering out at them in interest. The right side contained a large tack room and an office. One of the horses whinnied at Marco, pawing his hoof on the door to his stable, clearly recognizing him.
    ‘Hush Diavolo’ Marco said softly ‘you will have your fun soon.’
    ‘Sit down over there and try these boots’ said Marco indicating a wooden bench for Cassie.
    ‘He’s beautiful’ said Cassie nodding her head in Diavolo’s direction. That means ‘devil’ in Italian right?’ she added taking the boot from Marco and slipping her foot into it.
    ‘Si, he is well named that one. He can be the very devil and he only obeys me.’ he said confidently.
    ‘Good pick, they fit me perfectly,’ said Cassie pulling on the other one and jumping up to stride around. How did you know my size?’
    ‘It is not so difficult Cassandra’ he said his gaze rising slowly from the boots and traveling up her bare legs to her denim cut offs and all the way up to her now flushing face. She had pushed her sunglasses up on top of her head and he now frowned slightly as his gaze rested on her eyes.
    ‘Are you tired Cassandra? Did you have a late night with your friends?’ he added.
    Cassie decided to brazen it out. ‘With all due respect Marco’ she said, ‘what business is it of yours whether I had a late night or not’ she said, setting her jaw firmly.
    Of all the nerve, the man was a walking control freak. It was none of his business what she got up to.
    ‘No business of mine Cassandra, I was merely asking after your health. It will go worse for you riding if you have a hangover.’ Cassie saw the smirk on his mouth as he turned to a set of cupboards and began rummaging around inside for a pair of jodhpurs.
    ‘I don’t have a hangover, in fact I feel just peachy’ said Cassie taking the jodhpurs he handed her. ‘Where can I get changed?’ she asked.
    ‘Why not right here’ he countered, crossing his arms and leaning against the cupboard, looking sexy as hell Cassie had to admit.
    ‘Oh no, I’m not doing that’ said