36 Comments
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Susanna J. Sturgis's avatar

Love the cow. Trying to get Bella into the trunk of a small car (a Fiat?) is so wonderfully nuts.

Joy T.'s avatar

Get back where?? And Maria called her "dear." So someone older than her, me thinks. And a man with a (pet) cow named Bella?? What next?!

Laura Bennett's avatar

Just asking. Are we sure the man with the cow was talking to the cow and not to someone else using his cell on speaker?

MARTHA ESKEW's avatar

This suspense is making me ache with anticipation or be frustrated that it is so slow. Who is stretching this out? Mary as a psychologist that knows what makes people tick, E Jean that knows people maybe equally well from another direction or your third leg of the stool? I bet it’s great fun.

Kimberly Montgomery (CA)'s avatar

So, we knew the "other phone" was used only for one person ... Maria. I wondered if it was her best friend back home or her therapist...but now, it seems Maria is close enough to visit using Isabella's car . Someone queried about Anastasia being in witness protection. Intriguing. 🤔

And, loved the humor thrown in of Bella the stubborn cow and her owner, I assume, trying to get her into the trunk of his car. She must have been young and small enough to fit, but I think he is losing this battle. 😂

Gypsiechick's avatar

Witness protection... ?

Lisa P. Singer's avatar

The cow's name is Bella. Well, that's just stupendo. Thank you!

Julia Gray's avatar

I love the shady cow...Bella’s going to show up in Chapter 14 driving the Fiat and the tall agitato man will be in the trunk lol

Pamela's avatar

🤣 excellent- I did not like that he wanted the cow in the trunk! Excellent choice!!

Susie Ware's avatar

Delightful! It’s uncanny how easily I can picture this whole town.

Love how this story is unfolding.

Pamela's avatar

Yes!! It is in my mind too - lots of stone & dirt and hills with wildflowers & brush at least it is how I see it 😂

Stacey L Graham's avatar

I have only made it to the end of the second paragraph and I just burst out laughing at the mention of Porta San Sebastian. I was wondering if Sebastian would make an appearance. 🤣

Martha Barker's avatar

I'm off to a good start and can't wait for the next chapter. Just what you had intended!:)

Laura Bennett's avatar

Is the cow something of a “red herring,” a distraction or a bit of local color? Or as was commented on, will the cow’s owner play an important part further on in the story?

Pamela's avatar

As I swore before reading the first piece that was posted, i DO NOT read romance novels, I am having to eat my words! Or may I please have Biscotti to eat instead?!?

I find myself wanting more and more of this romance novel !!

I am definitely a huge fan and how you ladies came to write this is fabulous!!

Hear’s to the next part - hopefully SOON! Much love to you all and to EJC Yo!! 💖💖💖💖💖💖☀️

Giorgia Meschini's avatar

Buongiorno, this is the department of Italian studies (Substack's branch): “...fa troppo freddo per questo gioco.”

Giorgia Meschini's avatar

Also, I think it should read "Porta San Sebastiano", given that the story is set in Italy (San Sebastian without an "O" at the end sounds Spanish to me...)

June Blender's avatar

I hope this novel ends with an itinerary for traveling in Italy. Or, better, a group trip with the authors. ❤️

Linda S. Wilkinson's avatar

Can only scroll down to episode three…episode one and two are not there?

Giorgia Meschini's avatar

You can read all the installments (the ones published so far, that is) in a row here: https://www.backstoryserial.com/p/the-italian-lesson

Kathryn Phillips's avatar

Go to options and View Publication.