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relaxed into the atmosphere and view, happy to blend in to the town’s activity. She belonged here.
    She felt truly blessed to be able to live somewhere so picturesque while still earning a living. It really was the best of both worlds. Remembering her father’s words about going home, she had to smile. Home was where the heart was and her heart was definitely in Vernazza. She doubted she’d blend back into the Western culture now after having lived and breathed the Italian way of life for so long. She was as much a part of it as it was of her. No. Her father would just have to accept the fact that this was where she wanted to be, regardless of how much she missed her parents.
    After about half an hour a waiter emerged with spaghetti and a glass of red wine.
    “Grazie!” Kate grinned as the waiter placed everything in front of her.
    She was so tempted to dive head first into the oversized portion of al-dente pasta and tomato sauce but the crowded street held her back. Instead, she ate like a lady until the giant hole in her gut lessened in size and the embarrassing bubbling noises subsided.
    Kate wondered what Carlos was doing. He’d probably eaten alone. Maybe she should have called and invited him to join her. After all, he wasn’t leaving until tomorrow. She’d been so caught up in work that it hadn’t even crossed her mind. He was probably in bed now, though, getting an early night for his trip. She let herself off the guilt hook by thinking that. For some strange reason, she was actually enjoying her own boring company tonight, being able to practically inhale the spaghetti ravenously while watching passersby strolling, chatting, and enjoying the cloudless night as much as she was.
    Vernazza had the X-Factor, that certain quaintness, oozing history with a hint of elegance. Something special that defied explanation. It was the perfect piece of paradise. Regardless of the fact that it held painful memories, it had also been her savior in times of need. Locals had embraced her as one of their own and rallied around to lift her spirits. It was so easy to shun the rest of the world and pretend it didn’t exist when everything she needed was right here.
    “So, my dad isn’t keen on me never returning to the United States? He’ll have to deal with that. I miss my family big time, but I’m not about to give up the solitude and serenity in my life right now to return to chaos. Let them visit me. It’s not as if they’re short of a dime. The force has been kind to Dad financially.” It was more thinking out loud than insanely talking to herself.
    Just as Kate was about to slurp up shreds of spaghetti that were too sparse to wind around the fork, she sensed someone watching her. Looking up, a dark stranger caught her eye. He seemed oddly out of place, even amongst the immaculately dressed Italians and tourists. It wasn’t so much the head to toe black garb or the sunglasses that still sat on top of his matching dark hair, or the fact that he was reading his tourist guide upside down. It was more the fact that she caught him eyeing her more than once in as many minutes. Every time Kate looked his way, he pretended to be reading his upside down guide, yet when she looked away she could feel his eyes return, drilling into her and watching her every move. A sudden shiver had her pulling her cardigan tightly across her chest, leaving the morsel of divine pasta on the plate and walking into the restaurant to pay the bill. From inside she could see the man only because he sat under an antique street light, otherwise he would have melted into the charcoal background. He was huge even sitting, his crew cut accentuating a large head. Muscles fought to stay contained beneath his tight clothing. He brought with him a sense of power that made her nervous.
    Kate stalled at the counter, hoping to buy some time by fumbling in her purse for the correct change. Home seemed miles away. Was he following her? Spying on her? Why?
    She