Annalisa

By J Rizzuti

It is 1885 and Annalisa Campo is a teacher when the love of her life, Alex, immigrates to America. After she decides she cannot refuse his invitation to join him in the land of opportunity, Annalisa accepts her uncle’s generous offer to pay for her passage to Oregon. As soon she boards the ship, Annalisa’s adventures begin.

After she is befriended by the widowed ship’s captain, Annalisa becomes a victim of food poisoning and thieves. While her beauty attracts both savory and unsavory characters, her heart and empathetic nature draw friends into her life as she arrives in America. But when Alex becomes more controlling than she’d like, Annalisa’s path soon crosses with Elijah, a young Indian all too familiar with hardship and loss. In his darkest moment, he meets a mentor who encourages him to honor his native customs and traditions. As he embodies the spirit of the protector, his devotion to Annalisa, and hers to him, arouses passion and binds their destinies. But will it be enough to survive an unthinkable tragedy and keep them together forever?

In this historical tale, a young woman immigrates to America during the late nineteenth century where she finds love, inner-strength, and a new beginning.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Feb 22, 2018
• ISBN: 9781532040214

J Rizzuti

J. Rizzuti studied at York University and currently works in finance. Her writing is inspired by her love for human stories. Rizzuti lives in Toronto, Canada. Annalisa is her debut novel.

Book preview

A nnalisa Campo accepts her uncle’s generous offer to pay for her passage to Oregon. Her adventure begins as soon as she boards the ship where she is befriended by the widowed ship’s captain and becomes a victim of food poisoning and thieves. While her beauty attracts both savory and unsavory characters, her heart and empathetic nature draw friends into her life. Soon after reaching Oregon she crosses with Elijah, an Indian all too familiar with hardship and loss. Their attraction arouses passion and binds their destines. But will it be enough to survive unthinkable tragedies and keep them together?

This steamy passionate romance tale is about a young woman who immigrates to America where she finds her world forever changed.

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ANNALISA

J. RIZZUTI

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ANNALISA

Copyright © 2018 Giovanna Rizzuti.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Certain characters in this work are historical figures, and certain events portrayed did take place. However, this is a work of fiction. All of the other characters, names, and events as well as all places, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. If there are only a few historical figures or actual events in the novel, the disclaimer could name them: For example: Edwin Stanton and Salmon Chase are historical figures… or The King and Queen of Burma were actually exiled by the British in 1885. The rest of the disclaimer would follow:However, this is a work of fiction. All of the other characters, names, and events as well as all places, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either are the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

ISBN: 978-1-5320-4022-1 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5320-4021-4 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2018901097

iUniverse rev. date: 05/17/2018

CONTENTS

Atlantic Crossing

New York City

Oregon

Trip to the Market

The River

Colorado

Santa Rosa, New Mexico

Wedding Day

Bullet Shots

Creation

On Our Way

The Robbery

Goodbye, San Antonio

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ATLANTIC CROSSING

T he teacher hovered over her desk, grading papers. The door was open to circulate air in the one-room school. She was unaware of the young man at the doorway. He called her name, and she raised her head at the familiar voice. He stepped closer to her. She stood to embrace him. While towering above her, he bent to receive her kiss. Then he pulled her close to his body. She felt good in his arms.

I came to see you one last time before I leave for America.

She raised her eyes to his as she placed her hand over his heart.

Once I get to Oregon, Uncle Dom has work for me on his ranch. He wrote that his friend Charlie will greet me at the docks in New York City. For a few days, I am staying with Charlie and his family before boarding the train and moving west.

She lowered her face to hide the tears welling in her eyes. Alex, I will miss you. Your happiness is important. I am sure Uncle Dom will treat you well.

I heard her voice trembling. We had known each other since birth. Her inability to see me as more than her little Alex had privileges. Touching and kissing her was as natural as breathing air.

She stepped back from my embrace to reach for her bag and hand me an envelope. With a gentle push, she slipped the small sachet in my hand. I protested, knowing the sacrifices she made from her meagre wages in order to give me a gift today. I heard her trembling voice. Please—take it.

I slipped the envelope into my shirt pocket and wiped her tears with my handkerchief. Will you join me in America?

She did not answer but bit her lower lip, which was out of habit when she was deciding a course of action. She clutched me, placing her head close to my heart. I raised her chin for her to look at me. She said, Yes, I will consider joining you in America. Her eyes glistened from holding back the tears. Their colours changed to clear brandy. She stepped to nestle into my embrace. We kissed for the last time.

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At the end of the school year, I ended my teaching contract. I wanted options and choices, so I accepted Uncle Dom’s generous offer to pay for my passage to Oregon. This journey was a chance to live my life to the fullest, away from the centuries-old customs that dictated a woman’s life. In my pocket, I held my uncle’s letter, my freedom ticket.

Dear Annalisa,

Alex told me of your dream to immigrate to America. I want to help you as I helped him. Both of your mothers meant the world to me. It is my pleasure to have you and Alex settled in America. I look forward to having you in my life.

Dom Campo

A few days before my departure, my mind wandered to the new world, but my heart pulled at the thought of losing familiar faces. I strolled to the cemetery to visit my grandparents and mother. Afterwards, I visited the pastor to request a mass for the repose of their souls.

I sat in the church to reminisce about the assistant pastor who’d mentored me when I first began to teach. I took one last look at the stained-glass windows before heading out to the lake.

While standing by the shore, I recalled Alex’s close brush with death. Usually I swam with him, but that day I remained to stroll along the shore. I heard a scream and looked up to see someone floating in the water. Someone called out Alex’s name. Without thought, I swam to reach him before he sunk to the depths of the lake. Two people helped me drag him to shore. From the accident that almost became a tragedy, we learned how deeply we cared for each other.

As a young boy, he was like a little brother. When he grew older, we became the best of friends—he was someone with whom I could share secrets. I knew I broke his heart when I travelled to study and work in London. When I returned two years later, his affections for me had changed to those of an amorous admirer. He no longer needed me to watch over him but became my shadow, watching me.

When Alex turned 18, our relationship morphed into something unexpected. One evening, he discovered Sam and me kissing in a secluded section of the piazza. A punch flew into Sam’s face, sending him flying to the ground. I intervened to stop Alex but found myself pressing up against his chest. He pressed his lips to my ears. You should not be here. He released his hold but held my hand firm in his. The look of disgust on Sam’s face when he saw Alex holding me close shocked me. Before I said a word, Alex pulled me along down the street.

Alex, what is the matter with you? You have known about Sam for months.

He stopped walking to look at me. Do you love Sam?

I enjoy his company. He makes me laugh.

Well, do you love him? I shook my head. He stepped to close the distance between us. I love you.

Oh, Alex. I will always love you. You are family.

I am more than that.

I stared at him. There cannot be more.

Annalisa. He peered into my eyes. I stepped back to cock my head to the side. He pulled me into his arms and kissed me. At first, I fought his firm hold, but then I relaxed in his warmth. We walked home a few feet apart in silence.

The next morning, I slipped out to meet Sam.

I told him, Sam, I am sorry for Alex’s behaviour.

You need to decide which one it will be.

I do not understand.

I am in love with you, but you’re oblivious.

That is not true!

What about Alex? Do you love him? I raised my hand to protest. He continued. When you returned from London, I hoped to capture your heart. Now I see Alex holds your heart and soul. He touched my cheek and then left me standing alone under the shelter of a canopy.

That evening after dinner, Alex sat beside me on the street bench gazing at stars.

Come and walk with me. I did not say a word. Annalisa, how long will you remain angry with me?

I shrugged my shoulders.

He took my hand in his. Let’s stroll along the lake. The full moon lit the path to the lake. At the lake, we sat together and enjoyed the breeze from the water. He leaned over to kiss my cheek. I want to apologize for overreacting. When it comes to you, I am overprotective.

I stared at him in disbelief until I saw the dimples in the hollows of his cheeks. He looked adorable. Apology accepted.

We continued to stargaze. In the evening, with the moon casting a light on the water, the lake appeared as a thin sheet of ice.

Alex, it is getting late. We should return home. Once we stood in the foyer of my home, he locked the door behind us. I moved to turn on the light.

He said, Wait. He stepped closer and then pressed his lips to mine, tasting my lower lip. Unlike Sam’s kiss, this one radiated heat throughout my body. He leaned his forehead to mine.

Annalisa, do you deny the passion you feel for me?

He drew me closer with the palm of his hand to the small of my back.

Annalisa, I am in love with you.

Alex, you have always had a crush on me. I never discouraged your display of affection for me.

I want to protect you. The men talk about you. You do not know how beautiful you are. He spread his legs to give space to the bulge standing between us."

No, Alex.

You are more beautiful when you are angry. Your eyes turn the colour of brandy.

I glared at him. He stroked my arm, neck and cheek with the back of his hand. Oh, Alex. What am I going to do with you?

Give me a kiss?

I placed a gentle kiss on his lips. He deepened the kiss, at first gliding his tongue along my lips and then sliding it into my mouth. He was right: I wanted him.

We heard Aunt Elizabeth call out, Annalisa, is that you?

Yes, Aunt.

Sam kept you late this evening?’

No, Aunt. I was out with Alex.

That boy never can tell time.

He whispered, Our guardians are forever vigilant.

Over the next few weeks, keeping my distance from Alex proved to be simpler than I’d imagined. Uncle kept Alex busy gathering the harvest. When Alex cornered me, my temper flared. Within weeks, he mastered the distance I permitted to allow him to kiss and hug me.

Now, I envisioned my life in America with him by my side. In his letters, he described the vast, open fields and high mountains, the land of immigrants and Indians.

As I walked one last time through the town, I gathered my memories to cherish a lifetime. The town’s residents were descendants of a dozen families. It was common for many of us to have the same family name, as Alex and I shared.

The last stop I made was to my friend Michael. Like many, he would one day inherit his father’s shop. I too was indebted to my aunt and uncle, who’d sent me to London to work as a governess and study English. On my return, my uncle, who sat on the town council, secured my teaching job.

On July 15, 1885, with all my belongings stored in one bag, I said my tearful farewell before settling on the coach. While staring out the window, I saw two children playing in the field. It reminded me of when I’d played with Alex. I mumbled, What am I going to do with you, Alex? I settled into my seat and then closed my eyes for the ride to the docks.

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Once on board the ship, I noticed a majority of the