No, she would just live for herself right now, not for her father and grandfather. She had lived her life helping to fill the void when they lost their wives. Now she would stop worrying about what her father wanted. This was her life, not his.
She deleted the message and went to the next one. Her heart stilled for a second. “Rhian. Um, hello. It’s Kellen. Denny said you went somewhere in Italy to have some alone time. I hope you find what you’re looking for.” She heard the long sigh. “Anyway, I wanted to go over some things with you that Harry had questions about. If you wouldn’t mind, could you please call me when you have a chance? Thanks. Oh, just so you know… I miss you.”
She played the other messages only half-listening to them. The villa phone rang as she began reading the text messages. She answered, hoping it wasn’t Dante. “Hello?”
“Miss St. Claire, this is Tammy from the travel agency. I have your reservations. Are you ready for the information or do you have a fax number?”
“No fax. Please give me a minute to grab a pen and paper.” Rhian hurried into the kitchen, grabbed the notepad and pen she had placed there the first day she arrived. “Sorry, I’m ready.” She wrote down and verified the information for her flight back to Savannah. “Thank you, Tammy.”
“You are very welcome, Miss St. Claire. Thank you again for using our agency. Will you need any assistance with a rental car or pickup at the airport?”
“No, thank you so much. Goodbye, Tammy.”
“Goodbye, Miss St. Claire. Have a safe trip.”
Rhian walked back to her room and started packing to make sure she didn’t leave anything behind. She sent a text to Dante, let him know the flight information, and reminded him to ship her artwork after her departure. With two days left in this beautiful villa, she had every intention of using the time to her advantage.
Putting on her paint clothes, she moved her easel and canvas out onto the back patio. Today she would paint this view and remember her time here as a wonderful, although eye-opening, experience. Dante would be a distant memory that had taught her not to be taken in by pretty words or faces, but to see into the soul of a person.
She sat down on her stool and painted the landscape in front of her, working quickly with her heart and hands instead of trying to catch every detail with her eyes. Her feelings guided her hand as she put the brush to the canvas.
Much later, the sun set slowly behind the hills, casting an orange glow over the stones of the patio. Rhian stepped back from her canvas. Her breath caught in her chest. She looked from the canvas to the landscape and back again. “Wow.”
The painting captured not only the beauty of this place, but the peacefulness of the land as well. She had never been more pleased with a landscape. Stepping closer, she picked up her thinnest brush, signed, and dated the bottom of the artwork. “This one will hang in my living room,” she said proudly. Tomorrow, she would paint the front of the Villa as well.
She carried everything back into the foyer. As she cleaned up, her stomach growled. I haven’t eaten all day. She walked into the kitchen, made a light meal of fresh fruits and cheese, poured a small glass of white wine, and walked back out onto the porch. As the evening sky changed before her, something inside of her transformed as well. Rhian smiled and held her glass up. “Tomorrow begins my new life, my new beginning.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Rhian woke to the early morning sun peeking through the curtains. Carrying her easel and supplies outside, she set them up in front of the villa. She loved the way the soft morning light danced over the stones. Squeezing dabs of color onto her pallet, she tried to catch the subtle nuances of the villa, the pots under the windows, and the ivy climbing up the front of the home.
Like yesterday, she lost herself in her work and was astonished at her accomplishment. She’d spent hours working without one thought about her father, Kellen, or Dante. She carried her things inside, laughing because she had forgotten to eat again. Rhian fixed herself a plate of fresh fruit, poured a cup of coffee, and carried everything onto the back porch. She started the ceramic heater and sighed. She knew she would miss this place.
If Dante honestly believed that he did not need someone to share his life with, someone to walk beside him and love him, he would be a lonely man.
Then there was Kellen. He acted so in control of his life, but she had seen something in his eyes. He looked lost, as if he was searching for someone he could open up to and trust. Could she be that person? Would he be worth the chance if she tried?
A memory of her grandmother invaded her thoughts. Closing her eyes, she went back to that day. They were in the kitchen and Rhian had asked her if she remembered when she had fallen in love with her grandfather.
A nostalgic look had come over her grandmother’s face as she placed her rolling pin down and took Rhian’s hand in hers. “I fell in love with him not too long after I saw him for the first time. He didn’t notice me right away.” She laughed. “He was a tough one, living the life of a single man and having fun. I chiseled away on that for a long time before I broke through his rough exterior. My goodness, what I found inside that gruff man. He was loving, kind, gentle, and just amazing.”
“You mean he didn’t love you back right away?” she remembered asking her grandmother.
“Oh, I think he did, but he hid it. He didn’t have an easy life growing up. Harry ran away from home at thirteen. He took care of himself from a young age and built a wall around himself so he wouldn’t get hurt. He had a hard time letting me in and admitting he had a soft side. But if you want something bad enough, and you think it is worth it, you don’t give up. So you see, my dear, I was right. I didn’t give up and found myself a real gem.”
Rhian opened her eyes and looked up at the sky, grateful for the memory. “Thanks, Grandmother. I love you.” She picked up her dishes and headed back inside to finish packing. Maybe she should get to know Kellen better.
She had just finished the dishes when there was a soft knock on the door. Dante stood there with roses in his hand.
“What do you want? I said I didn’t want to see you again.” She blocked the door so he couldn’t enter.
“Rhian, may I come in please? I just want to talk for a minute.” He moved the flowers toward her. “I brought you these.”
“Dante, you said enough the other day.” Seeing the apologetic look in his eyes, she reached for the bouquet not wanting to be a total bitch. “Thank you for the flowers. I’m leaving tomorrow.” She stepped aside so he could enter.
He followed her into the kitchen. “You want something to drink?” she asked, as she put the roses in a vase that sat on the counter. How many times had he brought roses to the women who rented this villa?
“I won’t stay long. I felt badly that I upset you. Most of the women I take home understand this lifestyle. They don’t expect more from me. I didn’t realize you would be so upset.”
She looked up at him. “I can’t imagine any woman would be okay with what you do. They may tell you they don’t care, that they are free and easy, but they are lying to you. Just like you are lying to yourself, Dante, when you say you don’t want a relationship. One day you will end up alone and sad.”
“Do you really believe in love, Rhian?” He leaned forward, gazing into her eyes as if searching for the truth.
“Yes, I believe in love and being with one person for however long you can. If that sounds corny to you, oh well.” She shrugged her shoulders and grinned at him.
“I’m glad you believe, bella. Someone needs to believe. My grandparents did, and they were together for many years. I just wanted to tell you again how sorry I am for hurting you.”
“You didn’t hurt me, not really. You opened my eyes and made me realize what I really want to do with my life.” She walked toward the entryway. “Now, if you don’t mind, I have to finish packing. Will you still ship my paintings for me?”
“Of course. I told you I would. Thank you for speaking with me. I will
never forget you.” He took her hand and gently kissed it. “I hope you’ll come back one day and visit.”
“Maybe. I’ll make sure everything is ready for you to send to me. You can donate the paints and brushes to a school or something. All I want is my paintings.”
“Of course. Just leave the address where you want them shipped. I’ll make sure you get them in perfect condition. Take care of yourself.”
“You too, Dante. Goodbye.” Closing the door, she took a deep breath and felt a wonderful peace flow through her. Tomorrow, she would be on her way home and starting the first day of the rest of her life.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
The next morning, Rhian woke excited to be going home. She hadn’t realized until now how much she'd missed her life in Savannah. The first thing she’d do was visit her grandfather.
The sun shone through the windows, and the day was so lovely, she believed her grandmother and mother were smiling down on her.
She made a final check of the closet and drawers. Just as she closed her suitcase, someone knocked on the front door, and she hurried to answer it. “Hello.”
“How are you today?” the driver asked, as he reached past her to grab her luggage.
“Excuse me, but I called for a taxi service. Who are you?” She shifted to stop him from picking up her things.
“Dante asked me to pick you up and drive you to the airport, Signorina. St. Claire. I’m sorry, I thought he had informed you of his wishes.”
“No, he did not inform me, sir.” He must have wanted to do one last nice thing for me. “He really didn’t need to. I can wait for the taxi. I wouldn’t want to trouble you.”
“It’s no trouble, I am his chauffeur and get paid to drive whomever he asks me to drive. It will not be a problem to take you to the airport.”
“Well, thank you. What’s your name?” She moved so he could get her bags. “I have just a couple of suitcases here.” Once he took her bags, she closed and locked the door. “Will you make sure Dante gets this back?” She dropped the key into his waiting hand.
“Yes, I will, Signorina. Let me put these in the trunk and I’ll open the door for you. My name is Leone.”
“Thank you, Leone,” she replied as he opened the door and helped her into the backseat of the limo. It surprised her that Dante sent his car. He had been so arrogant at first. Maybe he was really a nice man, although a confused one.
After Leone got her settled at the airport, Rhian felt a little twinge of regret in leaving this beautiful country. But she missed her family and longed for home.
Rhian arrived home happy but exhausted from the trip. She unlocked her front door and looked around, content with her little corner of the world. I’ll unpack later. A shower and my bed is what I need right now.
After her shower, she fell into her antique brass bed, pulled the covers over her, and fell asleep almost as soon as her head hit the pillow. The next morning, she awoke with a start before remembering she was in her own place. Maybe I won’t get up today. She stretched, snuggled deeper under her covers, and just dozed off when her phone rang. You’ve got to be kidding me. She grabbed her cell off the nightstand. “Hello.”
“Hello, Rhian.”
“Hello, Kellen,” she replied, unable to breathe.
“I hope I didn’t wake you. I was wondering when you would be back in town so we could go over the last details of the café.”
“I got home late last night. When would you like to get together?” She pushed the covers off and sat up on the edge of the bed.
“Oh… If you feel up to it, we could meet for lunch later today. We could go for burgers at Danny’s Pub again.”
“Sure, what time?” Walking into her closet, she reached for her favorite blue blouse and matching shoes then laid them on her bed.
“Would noon be all right?”
“Noon is fine. Should I just meet you there?” she asked, as she pulled out her favorite pair of dress jeans from her dresser.
“Sure, that’s fine. Unless you want me to pick you up?”
“No, I want to run by and see my grandfather. I didn’t say goodbye to him before I left.”
“Yeah, he told me. He was a bit shaken you just left a note. He likes what you picked out so far,” he added, obviously trying to change the subject.
“I feel so bad about doing that. But you know if my father had known, he would have tried to talk me out of it.”
“I know, your grandfather told me. Did you have a nice time?”
“Yes, I did. I got a couple of paintings done, and I adored Italy. I hope to go back one day. Have you ever been?”
“No. Listen Rhian, I’ll let you go get ready and see you at the pub.”
“Sure. I’ll see you later. Oh Kellen, please tell Denny I said hello.”
“Sure. Goodbye.”
“Goodbye.” She heard the phone click as he hung up. Gosh, he sounds sad. She made her way to the kitchen for some coffee and a bagel she had frozen before she left. She realized she had even missed the sounds of her squeaky wood floors. There was just enough time for a quick breakfast, shower, and a visit with Grandfather before her lunch date. While her coffee brewed, she dialed her grandfather’s number. “Hi, it’s me,” she said when he answered the phone.
“Hi, baby doll. Where in Italy are you? I’ve been worried.”
“I arrived last night. I’m sorry I didn’t call to tell you I was heading home. I had some stuff I wanted to sort out. Are you mad at me?”
“No, I’m just happy you’re back. Are you coming by to see me today? I didn’t say anything to your father about your trip, but he’ll be home in a few days.”
“Good. You know he would have tried to stop me. The only reason he had me oversee the renovations with Mr. Slade was to do what he always does—control my life. I really needed to go. I did some paintings. I’ll show them to you when they get here. I’m having them shipped.”
“Rhian, I know your father smothers you most of the time. I think I do as well, but we don’t mean to.” She heard him sigh. “I’m glad you’re painting again. Will I see you soon?”
“I’ll stop by for a few minutes this morning. I have a business meeting at noon, but we’ll get together later for a longer visit.”
“Sure. Do you want me to fix lunch?”
“No, I’m meeting Kellen for burgers.” As soon as it came out of her mouth, she regretted it.
“Oh, well that’s good. I suppose you want to see how things are going?”
“Yes, sir. He told me you stopped by.”
“I did. He seems like a nice young man. Does good work from the looks of it.”
“Yes, he does. Okay Grandfather, I’ll see you in about an hour okay?”
“An hour it is. Bye, sweetie.”
Rhian knocked and pushed the screen door open. “Grandfather?”
“Baby doll.” He came out of the kitchen with arms open wide and a huge grin. “Come hug this old man.”
She quickened her pace and threw her arms around his neck. “I missed you,” she said, kissing his weathered cheek. “It feels so good to get a hug from my favorite person. I needed this.”
“I did, too. Come and sit down. I want to hear all about your trip to Italy.” He pulled her down next to him on the old plaid sofa, her hand firmly tucked in his.
Later, when she left her grandfather’s house, she found herself trembling at the thought of seeing Kellen again. How would he react when he saw her? How would she react? Would she be able to forget about all the women he had been with? Thoughts raced through her mind.
She turned into the pub parking lot the same time he pulled up on his Harley. Her breath caught at the low rumble of the bike. She loved that sound. He parked it, and she noticed how the muscles rippled in his arms as he leaned the bike over onto its kickstand. God, she had missed him. Turning her car off, she climbed out, and walked toward him.
He smiled when he saw her and waved. “Hey, Rhian. You look beautiful.” He placed his
hand on hers and leaned in to kiss her cheek.
Rhian kissed him back, “Thank you. How are you, Kellen?”
“I’m good. Putting in some long hours. Denny is one hell of a worker. He’s good with his hands.” He walked, still holding her hand in his.
Rhian felt her heart race from his touch.
Inside the pub, Kellen led her back to the same table they had shared for their first meal together. He held a chair for her as she sat down then stood for a moment before letting go of her hand. As he took a seat across from her, he said quietly, “You look beautiful in that blouse, Rhian. Is it new?”
“No.” She blushed. “I’ve had it for a while now. It’s one of my favorites. I—”
The waiter walked up to the table. “What can I get you guys today?” he asked. “Would you like to hear today’s special?”
Kellen glanced over at Rhian, his brow raised. “Would you like to hear the specials?”
“I know what I’m going to have already but if you want to hear them, that’s fine.” She cocked her head, enjoying this new side of Kellen.
With a big grin, he turned to the waiter. “I think we’re both ready to order.” He motioned her to proceed.
Rhian smiled. “I’ll have the house burger, fries, and the house beer. I think my friend here will have the same thing.”
“Yeah, the same for me,” he said, without looking away.
She sat and watched several emotions run over Kellen’s face and wondered what was going on in his head. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah. I’m fine. I was just thinking.” He cleared his throat. “Anyway, I saw your grandfather the other day. He seemed happy with what we’ve done so far. He’s a hell of a nice man.”
“He told me he was pleased with the work you’re doing. I’m so happy ya’ll hit if off. I love him very much. My dad on the other hand…” She shrugged her shoulders. “He’s another story.”
“That’s what your grandfather said.” Kellen laughed. “Harry is a special guy. I can see how much he loves you by the way he talks about you. Denny is another special guy, Rhian. I never expected he would be so helpful. What a sense of humor that man has.”
Whispers of Winter: A Limited Edition Collection of Winter Romances Page 26
