‘Hello, zingarella.’ Although he wanted nothing more that to sweep her into his arms and make love to her, he sat on the edge of the bed, as close to her as possible, and prayed that whatever had gone wrong could be put right.
‘Hi.’
Scared of doing or saying the wrong thing, Luca felt tense. ‘What happened, mio amore? Something you overheard upset you?’
‘Yes,’ she whispered.
Unable to bear even this distance between them, Luca took a chance and slipped to his knees on the floor, edging closer and taking one of her hands in his. ‘We made an agreement to always tell each other the truth, no matter what. I’ll always be honest with you, Polly. Please, tell me what’s wrong.’
‘I can’t be what you want me to be,’ she finally said, confusing him even more.
‘I don’t understand.’ He shook his head in puzzlement. ‘I don’t want you to be anything but yourself. You’re perfect as you are.’
‘As a mother for your children.’
The way she flung the words at him took him by surprise. ‘I come as a package deal, you know that. I thought you liked the girls, were bonding with them.’
‘I do. I am. But…’ She broke off. ‘It’s not enough,’ she continued, almost stopping his heart.
‘Not enough?’ Instinctively, he drew her hand towards him and held it over his rapidly beating heart. He swallowed, then forced himself to say the words. ‘You do not care something for me also? You cannot find a way to come to love me, too?’
She was staring at him as if he had grown two heads. ‘What are you talking about?’
‘You said caring about the children was not enough.’
‘It isn’t,’ she repeated, hurting him anew. ‘Not long term. You told Nick you’d make any sacrifice for your daugh-ters…like marrying me to give them a mother. I thought it was you who was just making do, who couldn’t come to love or care for me.’ Luca’s mouth dropped open in shock, but she continued before he could correct her. ‘I know I’m nothing like Elaine. She was beautiful and feminine. And I have nothing else to offer. I can’t even give you children.’
As the words finished on a sob, Luca carefully removed Jasper from her lap, then pulled her into his arms, wanting to laugh and cry at one and the same time, angry and relieved all at once.
‘No, no, no, you have it all wrong, amore mio,’ he chided. ‘How can you think that of me? Had I just wanted any woman as a mother for the girls, why would I have waited four years? I hadn’t wanted anyone in my life, hadn’t noticed another woman existed until the moment I stepped into your consulting room that first morning. Just looking at you was enough to bring me rushing out of hibernation. You brought me back to life, zingarella, a life I was living only for the twins. I didn’t think I could ever have anything for myself again, that I would ever feel or hope or dream or love. You’ve given all that back to me, Polly. You brought light into the darkness. That the twins love you, too, is a bonus, but I would still want to spend the rest of my life with you even if I’d never had the twins. You made me realise there was a life for me, one I wanted to live again if I could share it with you.’
Tears squeezed between Polly’s lashes and trickled down her cheeks. She pressed a hand to her mouth to stop another sob escaping. Dear God, Luca meant it. He really meant every word he had said. She just had to believe, to allow herself to trust again—herself and him. Either she could stay alone, scared to reach out for what she most wanted, frightened to take another risk, or she could reach for her own dreams and embrace everything Luca was offering.
She’d left the surgery with every intention of packing her things and going back to the flat in Bridge Street. Her final house call had been to Gertrude Stanbury who, as ever, missed nothing and had demanded an explanation. By the time Polly had finished a tearful and somewhat disjointed account, her former headmistress had subjected her to the full force of her uncompromising grey gaze.
‘Are you sure you are not looking for an excuse?’
‘What do you mean?’ Polly had asked, taken aback by the accusation.
‘It is easier to blame something or someone else, to use that to back away, rather than to take the risk of being hurt again, of having to take responsibility for trusting your own judgement.’
Polly had wanted to deny the truth of the words.
‘I’ve always admired your inner strength and your courage. Don’t let them fail you now. You have another chance for real happiness, Polly—you mustn’t be afraid to take it. That kind of love doesn’t come around every day, so grasp it with both hands because you never know if and when you will get another chance.’
‘But—’
‘What if…two saddest words in the English language. Don’t make the mistakes I did, Polly. You have so much courage. And no one deserves happiness more than you do. If you love Luca as much as I think you do, don’t run off in the heat of the moment. Give him a chance to explain and find out the truth first. Follow your heart.’
Polly had returned to Keeper’s Cottage with Ms Stanbury’s words ringing in her ears and knowing she had two choices. Run away or wait for Luca. She’d imagined life without Luca and the girls and there had been no decision to make. And so she sat on the floor in the bedroom, Jasper’s warm little body snuggled in her arms, fighting the inner demons that told her she wasn’t good enough for a man like Luca, that Plain Polly from Penhally wasn’t lovable.
And the gamble had been worth taking because Luca had come home and had laid his heart on the line. For her. Luca had lost Elaine and he was brave enough to try again, knowing life was uncertain. Whether she had one day, one year or a whole lifetime, she wanted to spend it all loving him. This, oh, so special man who made her feel, for the first time in her life, that maybe she was worth something and maybe she deserved to be happy and loved. It was a miracle in itself. And he had another miracle gift to give her, too. Having thought she had lost the chance of ever knowing the joy of motherhood, Luca was prepared to give her a precious gift…that of being a mother to his beautiful children.
‘I love you so much, Luca,’ she sobbed, and the naked happiness and relief in his deep brown eyes showed her what those words meant to him. ‘I didn’t believe I was worth loving.’
‘I will prove to you every day just how much you are loved,’ he vowed.
‘I love you. I love Rosie and Toni…and I love Jasper.’ She giggled as the mischievous puppy tried to push his way between them, stubby tail wagging happily.
If she had a tail, it would be wagging, too! She hadn’t believed she could be this happy, could have so much in her life. Wrapping her arms around Luca’s neck, she sank into his embrace, feeling safe for the first time, as if she had finally found her real home, the place she belonged. Penhally had brought her pain in the past but she had returned here to face it—in doing so she had found her future, one filled with love—with her sexy Italian and his adorable twins.
EPILOGUE
THE late January day was cold but a weak sun hung low in a pale blue sky sprinkled with off-white clouds. Most of the month had been wet and windy. Surely today’s break in the weather was a good omen?
It was one of the happiest days of her life, Kate reflected, giving away her beloved goddaughter, who had known so much heartache in her young life, and watching her marry the man of her dreams in a simple but beautifully poignant ceremony in Penhally’s small church.
Polly looked ethereal and beautiful, glowing with happiness as she and Luca pledged their vows to love, honour and cherish each other. And it was clear to all that they did. The handsome Italian with the loving, giving heart had worked a miracle, helping Polly to set her unhappy past behind her and sharing with her the hope and expectation for the future. A future that included Luca’s most special gift—his twin girls. A gift of motherhood for Polly, something the young woman had never expected to know after the tragic loss of her unborn daughter.
‘Don’t they look adorable?’ Chloe whispered.
Kate turned her he
ad to smile at her friend and colleague beside her. ‘They are as cute as anything!’ Kate agreed.
She and Chloe turned as one to watch Rosie and Toni perform their roles as flower girls and ring bearers, the beaming smiles on their faces a testament to their delight at having Polly as their new mother. Today was definitely a day for joy and celebration.
Yesterday had been, too. Kate had yet to fully grasp the relief that had swamped her when Dr Bowers, her oncologist, had told her that the cancer had gone. No one knew what the future held, but for now, at least, her own was brighter and fuller. But not uncomplicated, she allowed, all too conscious of Rob sitting on her other side.
Any day Rob might ask her to marry him and, despite all her thinking, she was no closer to an answer. Her gaze strayed across the narrow aisle to Nick. The wrong man in so many ways and yet, despite all that had passed between them and all the pain he had caused her, still the man that her stupid heart yearned for. Unless Nick could acknowledge and embrace Jem wholeheartedly, there could be no future for them. And she couldn’t wait for ever for that miracle to happen.
Kate dragged her gaze from the man who had, over the years, been friend, confidant, boss, colleague and one-night lover, refocusing her gaze on Polly, determined to put thoughts of her own future aside while she celebrated her god-daughter’s special day.
‘I can now declare you husband and wife,’ Rev Saunders announced with a smile. ‘You may kiss your bride.’
Polly turned to Luca, seeing the love in his eyes. Their gazes locked. Their mouths met. And they sealed their bond. The fingers of one hand were linked with his, while the fingers of her other held a tiny one belonging to Rosie. And with Toni’s held by her father, the four of them were united as a family.
As they walked together down the aisle, Polly had a lump in her throat as she met and returned the smiles of those who had gathered to celebrate this day with them. Kate, who had done so much for her all her life and who had made this day all the better with two treasured gifts…the news that she was cancer free, and an album filled with copies of photographs she had unearthed in her attic of the mother Polly had loved and lost and had never expected to visualise again.
Jane and Brian Watson, though frail, had been determined to attend and give their blessing. Their generosity in accepting her role in the lives of Luca and their granddaughters made Polly’s heart swell with gratitude. She could assure them that Elaine would never be forgotten, having given life to the twins at the expense of her own.
Nick was there, an excellent doctor and a good boss, but a man who needed to make peace with himself. Gertrude Stanbury’s presence brought another smile to Polly’s face. She owed her old headmistress a great deal, not just for her help when she’d been young but for her advice last autumn not to be afraid to take risks again. Next came Georgie and her husband Luka, the couple becoming good friends these last months, as well as satisfying the twins’ enthusiasm for all things pony!
The rest of the places were filled by colleagues who had become good friends and who did much to make Penhally the special place it was…Oliver and Chloe, Gabriel and Lauren, Dragan and Melinda, and Sam and Gemma, herself expecting their first baby in March. Even Charlotte and James had come, bonded through voluntary work with Charlotte’s rape crisis centre—and by puppies!
Polly felt as if she was floating on a cloud of happiness. She was scarcely aware of the photographs being taken and she couldn’t remember who she’d spoken to. All she was aware of was Luca, and she welcomed the few moments they were able to be alone as everyone travelled up the hill to Smuggler’s for a buffet lunch, one that included a sinfully gorgeous white chocolate and raspberry cake. It was a sign of how far she had come in dealing with her food issues, thanks to Luca, that Polly intended to eat a huge piece of that cake in public and enjoy every moment of it!
‘Happy?’ Luca asked as they lingered a moment before getting out of the car.
‘Not really,’ she murmured, feeling guilty for teasing him when she saw the panic and hurt in his deep brown eyes. ‘Happy doesn’t even begin to cover the extent of my euphoria!’
She giggled as his fingers cupped her chin, the sexy, smouldering expression on his face fanning the fires of desire that constantly burned within her. ‘Oh, you’re in so much trouble now, zingarella,’ he warned her, the husky rumble of his voice sending a delicious shiver down her spine.
‘I do hope so! And, Luca, you never did tell me what zingarella means,’ she reminded him with a mock pout. ‘Surely today of all days…’
His slow-burn smile brought a dimple to his cheek and made her warm all over. ‘It came to me as soon as I met you, with your unique style of clothes. Just one of the many, many things I love about you, little gypsy,’ he whispered, his fingers stroking her cheek before he leaned in for an all-too-short but passionate kiss.
A knock on the car window ended their brief moment alone and despite planning it and looking forward to it, Polly now wished they could skip the buffet entirely.
‘It will soon be over,’ Luca murmured in her ear, accurately guessing the direction of her thoughts. ‘And anticipation heightens the pleasure, no?’ he added with a naughty smile. ‘Do not worry, mio amore, I will make the wait worth your while.’
As if such a promise was going to achieve anything but raise her pulse and her blood pressure and make her even more impatient!
Rosie and Toni stayed close to them through the buffet, and Polly once more gave thanks for the gift Luca had given her, sharing with her these precious children. At times she still grieved for her own lost daughter, but Luca’s understanding eased the ache. And to prove to her that Yvonne Katherine would never be forgotten as a much-missed part of their family, he’d taken her completely by surprise by having the names tattooed under those of the twins’ over his heart. The gesture had made her cry, and had provided yet more evidence of how special this man was.
It felt hours later before things began to wind down. The twins were staying with Kate, Rob, the boys and puppies Bruno and Jasper. So much a part of them, it had been a difficult decision, but they’d ruled out a full honeymoon and so wanted this one weekend alone to savour the reality of their marriage.
And now it was time to go. Polly looked round and saw the twins approaching their father, hands fisting in the material of his trousers to claim his attention. Smiling, he hunkered down to meet them face to face, listening as they whispered to him in Italian. Polly heard the words but couldn’t understand what they were saying. Her breath stuttered as Luca looked up and caught her gaze, allowing her to see the moisture filming his eyes. He returned his attention to the girls and, nodding his head, he gave them a gentle nudge towards her.
Rosie and Toni approached her where she sat, stuffed on cake and dazed with happiness. ‘Hello, darlings,’ she greeted them as they arrived one on either side of her. ‘You look so beautiful and never have there been better flower girls or ring bearers,’ she praised, earning huge grins.
‘We want to ask you something,’ Rosie said, reaching out to hold Toni’s hand. ‘Today’s special, isn’t it? We really become a proper family?’
‘That’s right.’ Polly’s throat felt tight with emotion.
‘Well…’
Rosie hesitated and Toni frowned. ‘Go on, Rosie. Papà said to ask her.’
‘OK.’
Polly looked down into two pairs of brown eyes, so like their father’s. ‘What is it?’
‘Toni and me want…’ Rosie began, clearly nervous, so Polly didn’t correct her grammar. ‘Please can we call you Mummy?’
Their faces swam before her as her eyes filled with tears. Speechless, fearing her heart would burst, Polly gathered them to her and hugged them tight. ‘Yes, darlings, if you want to, I’d be very happy,’ she finally managed, her voice choked with emotion.
‘We definitely want to,’ Toni asserted, pressing a kiss to her cheek.
Rosie kissed her other cheek. ‘We love you, Mummy Polly.’
&
nbsp; ‘I love you, too. Both of you. So very much.’
Polly stood with them still in her arms as Luca joined them, his arms wrapping around them and binding them as a family. Somehow, Plain Polly from Penhally had fought off the darkness and had emerged into the light. She wanted to pinch herself to make sure this dream was true, but she had her hands full—full of love and hope and joy in the shape of the Italian husband she adored and the twins she would be proud to mother. The four of them together…a family for ever.
All the characters in this book have no existence outside the imagination of the author, and have no relation whatsoever to anyone bearing the same name or names. They are not even distantly inspired by any individual known or unknown to the author, and all the incidents are pure invention.
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THE REBEL OF PENHALLY BAY © Harlequin Books S.A. 2009
First published in Great Britain 2009
Special thanks and acknowledgement are given to Caroline Anderson for her contribution to the BRIDES OF PENHALLY BAY series.
SPANISH DOCTOR, PREGNANT MIDWIFE © Harlequin Books S.A. 2009
Brides of Penhally Bay - Vol 4 Page 65
