by JoAnn Durgin
In the middle of buttoning her coat, she stared at her brother. “Why do you assume I’m going out with Dante?”
He arched a brow. “Because I have eyes, ears, and a functioning brain for the most part. He’s the only eligible bachelor in town your age. As far as suspicion,” he said, rising to his feet when the doorbell sounded, “I think it’s more your insecurity talking. You look great, by the way. I’m sure your efforts won’t be lost on the guy.”
“Thanks, but hold on for just a half-second,” she said. “What are we talking about here?”
Jake put a big hand on her shoulder. “Dante’s smart enough to recognize the treasure you are. If I didn’t think I could trust him, I sure wouldn’t stand by and watch while he takes you out this front door, much less anywhere else. Time to let the little bird fly on her own, as Julia says.”
She frowned. “Julia said that about me?”
“No,” he said, smiling. “Just something she says about her patients when they’re released from the hospital, especially the younger ones.”
Finished buttoning her coat, Amanda slipped on her dress gloves. “Julia’s a great nurse and I appreciate the sentiment, even more the goofy look you get on your face when you talk about her. And while I also appreciate your protective instincts, it’s time to open the door now.”
“I will in a second. Word of advice? Take off the coat.”
“I beg your pardon? You have a job to do. Now, go do it, please.” What was he thinking?
Jake angled his head in the direction of the front door. “Coming!” he called. “Trust me. He’s not going anywhere. You’ve got to give Dante the whole effect and then allow him to help you into your coat. Chivalry in action, right? I thought women loved that.”
“What?” She shook her head. Wow, love had sure changed him, but for the better. She liked this more sensitive side of her brother very much.
“Do you need help?”
“No,” she grumbled, peeling off the gloves and unbuttoning her coat. “You could have mentioned this when I was putting it on, you know.” She tossed the coat on the knob at the bottom of the stairs and forced a smile. “Better? It’s only a dinner date, Jake. No expectations for anything more than a fun night.” She raised her chin. “I’m a big girl, and I can take care of myself.”
“Was that little speech for your benefit or mine? Rest assured, I know all that. Go. Have a great time.”
Amanda knew her brother didn’t want to see her get hurt when Dante left town. Because, sooner or later, that’s exactly what he’d do.
****
When Jake opened the front door, Dante steeled himself not to stare when he spied Amanda standing by the staircase. Admiring a beautiful woman with her big brother watching could be a tricky proposition.
“Come on in.” Jake moved aside and closed the door behind him. Dante relished Amanda’s expression of pleased surprise when she first glimpsed his clean-shaven face. She wore an incredible blue dress that hugged her appealing feminine curves, and a dainty necklace was nestled in the hollow of her throat. Her blonde hair hung in long, loose waves. Normally she didn’t wear much makeup, a fact he appreciated, but tonight she wore a hint of color on her lips. Her long legs and strappy sandals got his heart pumping faster.
“Buona sera, Amanda. You look lovely.”
“Thank you.” Her deep brown eyes sparkled. “Dante, do you know who Adam Vinatieri is?”
“Si, if you mean the American footballer.”
“Right. In 2001, he was the place kicker for the New England Patriots and made a long field goal on the last play of the game—in driving snow—to win their first ever Super Bowl.”
“Yes, I watched it. Thrilling game.”
“Your point, sis?” Jake said. “Aside from impressing us both with your knowledge of football.”
“Adam had a beard, but the next day he shaved it off. Women around the world breathed a collective sigh and realized what an incredibly handsome man lived under all that facial hair.” Stepping closer, she lifted her hand. “May I, per favore?”
“That’s my cue,” Jake said. “You two enjoy your dinner. I hear the zuccotto is terrific.”
“Don’t wait up,” Amanda said as Jake departed.
Guiding her hand to his face, Dante chuckled. “I could tell you didn’t like the beard.”
“What gave me away?”
His pulse raced. “Confession time. Caroline told me.” The anticipation of her gentle fingers touching his face now made it worth growing the beard in the first place.
Amanda’s laugh, low and throaty, melted him a little more. “You shaved it off for me?” She traced one dimple and then the other.
“Si, but I didn’t like it either.”
“Remind me to thank Caroline for both of us.”
Did this woman have any idea what she was doing to him? He resisted the urge to pull her close and kiss her until tomorrow, but doing so took the last ounce of his inner strength. “As much as I’m enjoying this, perhaps we should go to dinner?”
With a sweet blush, she lowered her hand. “My apologies. I normally don’t touch a man’s face, especially on the first date.”
He smiled. “Not a problem. Let me help you into your coat.”
“Thanks, but first I need to do something else.”
He widened his eyes, wondering what she’d say or do next.
She placed a hand on his shoulder, removed one sandal, and then the other. After retrieving her snow boots from the closet, she sat on the stairs. “I like the shoes, too, but I’m also nowhere crazy enough to actually wear them in this weather. Limping down the aisle on crutches at the wedding wouldn’t be such a great thing.”
“Ah, you’re as practical as you are beautiful.”
She shook her head and smiled. “The things you say, Mr. Moretti.”
Dante got down on one knee. He took the laces from her and began to tie her right boot. Amanda watched, gratitude flickering in her gaze. When he asked if it was too tight, she shook her head, silent as he completed his task.
Amanda accepted his hand and rose to her feet. Then she brushed her soft lips over his cheek. “That was quite possibly the most romantic thing anyone’s ever done for me.”
The scent of vanilla and cinnamon enveloped his senses and the pleasure was all his…and then some.
12
When Dante escorted Amanda into Lucia’s, the owner rushed over to greet them, kissing her on both cheeks. Amanda introduced the woman as her retired high school chemistry teacher. “Don’t worry,” she whispered, leaning close. “She’s known as one of the best cooks in town. And I’ve heard the food is out-of-this-world terrific.”
Dante hung their coats on the rack at the front of the restaurant, turned and caught Amanda’s not-so-subtle appraisal. He’d enjoyed dressing up for their date. Caroline had found a navy sport coat that belonged to one of Ben’s sons. Not blessed with much fashion sense, he’d accepted her offer to help him pair it with khakis, the best pair of pants he’d brought on his road trip. Later in the afternoon, after checking out his meager traveling wardrobe, she’d presented him with a blue-and-white striped oxford shirt.
Quiet holiday music played in the background, and colorful Christmas lights twinkled all around them as the hostess led them to a quiet corner. He’d been in some of the best restaurants in the world, but tonight, they couldn’t compare to this charming little place in Starlight. A few minutes after they were seated, the lights dimmed and a server brought a candle for their table.
He was surprised, but not disappointed, when Amanda suggested they share a deep dish pizza. Watching her eat her slice with utensils was fascinating in itself. She cut it with a knife and fork and repositioned the mushrooms and peppers before taking a dainty bite. He’d expected her to be more of the who-cares-if-I-spill-anything type. Amanda’s unique personality quirks, combined with not knowing what she’d say or do at any given moment, kept his inner goalie on his toes. He loved her sense of humor, espe
cially when she tipped her head back and that lush mane of blonde waves tumbled over her shoulder. Her rich, warm laugh made him smile. It’d be so much easier to stay away from her if she weren’t so absolutely irresistible in every way.
When he’d helped serve at the church soup kitchen, he’d enjoyed their brief conversations. Amanda was like a potent drug, drawing him in with almost an addictive kind of power. He couldn’t get enough of her, although he knew he should avoid her. He couldn’t. Starlight was too small, and they ended up working together on the same projects although he had a feeling the helpful townspeople had more than a little to do with it. When he’d walked her home after the soup kitchen duty, they’d dropped to the ground and made snow angels. Her spontaneity and zest for life were infectious, and her passion for the Lord inspired him. She inspired him in so many ways. For Amanda, he wanted to be a better man, a man worthy of an incredible woman like her.
A pretty flush of color spread across Amanda’s cheeks in the restaurant now, visible even in the light of the candle flickering on the table. “I hope our Starlight version of pizza doesn’t disappoint you since you’re used to authentic Italian.”
Somehow, he understood Amanda meant more than the pizza. “Tell you a secret.”
“What’s that?” When she leaned close, he appreciated the benefits of sitting close in the corner booth. The wonderful scent of her, combined with the garlic and other spicy scents in the small restaurant, was oddly tantalizing. Fanned his senses and heightened them.
“I prefer the Americanized version. And this pizza tonight? It’s the best ever.” He made sure he had her eye contact, hoping she understood his underlying meaning. “Magnifico.”
“What does the name ‘Dante’ mean?” she asked as they finished their pizza.
“According to what my Mama told me, it means lasting.” Ironic since the woman sitting next to him probably wondered if he’d stick around Starlight until tomorrow, much less until Christmas. He hoped tonight would show her he didn’t intend to leave anytime soon. “Your turn. What does the name ‘Amanda’ mean?”
“From what my grandmother told me, it means deserving to be loved.” She lowered her gaze in that shy, sweet way that tugged at him somewhere deep inside.
“I’d say that’s appropriate.”
The next three hours seemed like minutes as they laughed and talked together. Sipping coffee, they shared bites of the zuccotto—a rich, cream-filled, layered sponge cake.
“Now this,” Amanda said, taking another bite, “is deliz—” She shrugged and wiped her mouth with her napkin. “I can’t eat another bite. You take the rest.”
“Delizioso.” Finishing off the dessert, his primary thought was how it might cleanse his palate in the event he’d get a kiss on her doorstep. He’d been wrestling with that thought, tempted to lean over and touch his lips to hers all evening.
She probably thought him an old codger of a driver since he drove purposely slow on the way back to the Marston homestead. In truth, he wanted to savor every moment alone with her and store up the memories. If only she knew about his red sports car parked in the garage in Italy, his one concession to vanity and an obscene excess. That car cost more than his condo and attracted way more attention than it was worth.
After parking in front of the Marston house, he left the engine running and shifted in his seat. “This was, hands down, the best night I’ve enjoyed in a very long time. Grazie.” One of the best in his life, but that’d be pushing it to say it out loud even though it was the truth.
“You must not get out much in Italy.”
His lips curled. “I’m not an out-and-about kind of guy.” He used to be, but he’d wised up after one too many late nights with his teammates. Not that they were a bad lot, but they could be rowdy, especially after a big victory. Because he didn’t imbibe alcohol, he was usually the guy rounding them all up and hauling them back to their houses. That thought sobered him. His life in Italy seemed so far removed from sitting in a car with this lovely woman. Gone were the bright lights, the reporters, the attention, and the focus on self. I don’t miss it. All he’d ever wanted to do was play a game he loved, and all the rest came with the territory, unfortunately.
“On the flip side, you’re not a monk, are you?”
That made him laugh. He’d love to prove to her he was, in fact, most definitely not a monk. Within the rules of propriety, of course. Amanda’s lips were so tempting. Ripe and full. Everything about her attracted him. How would she handle it if she knew of all the women who’d thrown themselves in his path, especially since winning the World Cup? At least he’d depended on God’s providence and promises to keep it all in perspective.
“Dante, you’re a million miles away. Thinking of someone back in Italy?”
“No. I’m thinking of the woman sitting next to me.” He caught her quick intake of breath, and it sent his pulse rate soaring. Hopefully, she didn’t believe he’d be with her tonight if he had a girlfriend in Italy. As much as anything, he wanted Amanda to understand he was honorable and a man of integrity. He’d never been a love-ʼem-and-leave-ʼem guy.
“Let me walk you to the door.” Escorting her up the front stairs to the house, he appreciated how she allowed him to play the part of the attentive suitor—helping her with her coat, opening the car door, waiting for her to go first. While he appreciated her independence and feistiness, he felt every bit as drawn to this softer, quieter, extremely feminine Amanda.
During the course of the evening, he admired how animated she became when talking about her passions. His initial impression had proven spot-on in that Amanda was different from other women in all the best ways. She put the needs of others first. He’d been a bit nervous when they bowed their heads to pray before their meal, but he’d managed his way through it and talked to God like he’d talk to a friend. The prayer brought to mind those early years of kneeling with his Mama by the side of his bed in Justis, pouring out his heart to a merciful, loving God. He’d missed the act of prayer more than he’d realized.
“I had a great time tonight, too, Dante. I’ve been so busy since I’ve been back here in Starlight, and it was nice to take a breath and enjoy the company of a fascinating man.”
In the glow from the overhead porch light, she was beautiful. Amanda anywhere, wearing anything and doing anything, was beautiful. Made him want to take her in his arms and show her how desirable he found her. That gorgeous blonde hair, so soft and shiny, begged to be touched, and her lips were made to be thoroughly kissed.
“I don’t have anyone waiting for me back in Italy.” His eyes caressed hers, and he’d forever remember the beautiful smile that tipped the corners of her lips. But it was cold outside, and he needed to make sure she got inside the house.
“I don’t have anyone waiting for me back in Florida. Just in case you wondered.”
“I wondered.”
If he kissed her now, he wouldn’t want to stop, and he was thankful when she cleared her throat and kept the conversation moving. “A group of us volunteered to work at Ed’s Christmas Tree Farm tomorrow afternoon. It’s one of our biggest businesses here in Starlight, and they can always use more volunteers. Are you game?”
“Count me in. Whatever needs to be done.”
“Great. I’ll see you then. Unless you want to come inside for a cup of coffee…or something?”
Dante stifled a groan. The way she hesitated before those final two words clued him in that she wouldn’t be adverse to a kiss. More than anything, he wanted to go inside, but it wouldn’t be fair to either one of them. He reminded himself Jake was on the other side of that door, and that was enough of a deterrent, but in a way, it was a good thing.
His agent’s phone call that morning hovered in the corner of his mind. He needed to send back the signed contract committing him for another season as goalie. The terms were more than fair and promised more money than he’d ever expected. The financial aspect was good in securing his future but had never been his motivatio
n. Something kept him from signing that contract, though, and he’d promised to be in touch soon.
“Thanks, but I’d better say buonanotte.” Brushing his lips over Amanda’s soft cheek, Dante swallowed his smile of satisfaction when she touched the side of his face, leaning into the kiss. “What time tomorrow?”
“I’m working the noon to four shift.”
“Then that’s my shift, too.”
“Dante?”
He paused on the top step and turned. It was freezing cold, but he felt incredibly warm. Her smile was enough to thaw any deep freeze. “Si?”
“The Mistletoe Dance is at the high school on Tuesday night. We can always use more chaperones.”
“Wouldn’t miss it.” With a small wave he headed down the steps, resisting the urge to whistle, something he hadn’t done since his fishing days with his dad and grandpa. Amanda sent his mind and heart spinning. If only his jaded soccer mates could see him now, head over heels for this girl from Iowa. Small-town or not, she was a woman of value. A godly woman. A woman to be treasured.
Inside the car, Dante leaned his head back on the seat and closed his eyes. “Mama, you’d love her. But now that I’ve found her, what am I going to do?”
Driving the short distance to Ben and Caroline’s house, he switched on the radio. The strains of “Joy to the World” filled the car. He smiled, allowing the words of the beloved hymn to fill him with the kind of peace he hadn’t experienced for a long time. Sure, his life was unsettled. But even so, he trusted the Lord would somehow work it all out, in both his professional and personal life. That joyful peace that passes all understanding surrounded him, enveloping him.
And, for the first time in years, he sang along with the hymn and truly meant the words.
13
Amanda walked into the firehouse after dinner on Monday with a platter of brownies and Christmas cookies she’d made earlier in the day. Several of the guys followed her and she chatted with them in the kitchen while they sampled the treats.
