Trattoria di Gerardo

With one hand tucked snugly into Duke’s and her other trailing her scarf behind her, Caitlyn followed him down the wide avenue blocked at the near end with road barriers. Despite the dark, her eyes were turned upwards, examining the dark brown columned building beside her, trusting him to guide her safely.

“What is this place? Why is it blocked off?”

“The mercato. And it’s only blocked to vehicle traffic. During the daytime, this place is packed with people.” He rounded a corner to the right as they passed the last column, dragging her with him. “There.”

As if to reinforce the idea of an enchantment, the Fontana del Porcellino rested to one side of the small court of closed shops, its snout gleaming brightly in the dim light. Despite the noise of the city, Caitlyn could clearly hear the trickle of the fountain’s water, a thin stream that dribbled from the boar’s opened mouth between its curved tusks.

Unlike the rest of the bronze statue, the snout was