Falling for Her Convenient Groom

by Jennifer Faye

  “You don’t understand,” their grandfather began. “You didn’t know your father—”

  “Let’s sit down and talk.” Dario moved toward the living room and glanced over his shoulder to make sure both men were following him.

  Their grandfather fell in step behind Dario. Franco still hadn’t moved from his spot near the door. He wasn’t so sure there was anything his grandfather could say at this stage to change his mind about remaining a part of this family.

  But then his gaze connected with his brother’s. Dario nodded toward the living room. He could see in his younger brother’s eyes that he was pleading with him not to walk away. It was so funny how things had flip-flopped between them.

  Not so long ago, it was he who had coerced his brother into attending the family’s Sunday dinner after he’d broken up with his now wife. And Franco couldn’t help but wonder if he hadn’t somehow been instrumental in getting those two back together—but as soon as the thought came to him, he dismissed it. Because it was perfectly obvious to anyone who saw Dario and Gianna that they belonged together. Even without him, they would have found their way back to each other.

  But this talk didn’t have anything to do with romance. It was about something much deeper—the fracture of his family. He’d always told himself that it was all in the past and to keep looking forward. But if it was all in the past, why was he so hesitant to make a commitment to the most amazing woman in the world? Maybe it wasn’t all in the past like he’d thought.

  With great reluctance, he followed the two men to the living room to hear whatever it was his grandfather had to say to them.

  His brother sat on one couch. His grandfather sat on the other couch. Franco crossed his arms and propped himself up against the doorjamb. When Dario nodded for him to join them, Franco shook his head. There was only so far he was willing to go.

  Nonno leaned back on the couch. He rubbed a hand over his clean-shaven chin. “I tried to do my best. I tried to raise your father to shoulder his responsibilities, but he resisted me every step of the way. He thought because we had money that he shouldn’t have to work for things. I wanted to show him what it took to accumulate that money. Perhaps I pushed too hard.” He hesitated as though his thoughts had drifted back in time. “No, that isn’t right. I did push him too hard. I’d only meant to help him, but I went too far.”

  Franco stood perfectly still, afraid that if he moved his grandfather would be jarred out of the moment. And it was only then that he realized just how desperately he wanted to understand his father so he could better understand himself.

  He had never heard his grandfather talk this way—never heard him admit to his own weaknesses. And yet he was acknowledging how he’d made mistakes raising their father.

  “I didn’t want your father to rely on others to take care of him. I wanted him to stand on his own two feet. I gave him every opportunity to find his way in the family business.”

  “Maybe he didn’t have a mind for business,” Dario offered. “I know that’s not where my interest lies.”

  Nonno’s gazed downward as he nodded in agreement. “I’d have to agree with you, but I couldn’t see it at the time.”

  “But you just let him walk away.” Franco’s voice boomed with an anger he’d kept hidden for a lifetime—even from himself. He wasn’t willing to let this subject go so easily. He needed to understand how he and his brother had been forgotten by the one person who was supposed to love them most of all. “You didn’t try to stop him when he dumped his wife and two small children.”

  His grandfather’s eyes reflected his deep regret. “I tried to reason with him. I ordered him not to go. When that didn’t work, I begged him. And when he wouldn’t listen to anything I had to say, I tried to bribe him. He...he took the money and left...left you, your mother, the business, his mother...and me.” He lowered his face to his hands.

  “But I don’t understand,” Dario said. “Every now and then, without warning, he shows up in our lives. He never stays long. He’s like a distant uncle who just passes by and says hi.”

  Nonno lifted his head and met Dario’s gaze. “That is something I never wanted you to know about.”

  “You’ve told us a lot already,” Franco said, “so you might as well tell us the rest. It’s not like we’re kids anymore.”

  Nonno drew in an uneven breath and then blew it out. “Your father comes around when he needs money.”

  “And you give it to him?” Dario’s voice thundered with anger.

  Nonno’s gaze once more lowered as he nodded. “I knew that way he’d keep coming back. I thought... I’d hoped he’d see what he was missing by not being in your life.”

  “So he never once came around just because he wanted to see us?” Dario wasn’t going to let this go. Because they’d both hoped all these years that somewhere deep down their father loved them in his own way.

  Nonno kept his head down as he shook his head. “I... I thought I could shield you from him—from his lack of caring.”

  His father didn’t love him.

  His father had never loved him. No wonder he’d walked away.

  Franco was glad he had the wall to hold himself up. He’d had absolutely no idea that all this time he’d been blaming his grandfather for driving away his father, when in fact his grandfather had done everything he could think of to make his father stay.

  Whatever his father’s problems were, they appeared to be all his. Though his grandfather put on a tough exterior, he really did have a heart beneath it all. Maybe now they’d see a bit more of it.

  But one thing was clear. Even if his grandfather hadn’t loved them quite the way they’d wanted, he did truly love them. And that meant the world to Franco.

  This revelation also told Franco that his assumption that his father had loved them and still let them down had been false. He hadn’t loved them, and he didn’t care about letting them down.

  But the fact was that Franco cared a great deal about Carla—dare he say it, he loved her. It was the first time he’d had the courage to admit it to himself. And now that he had said it to himself, it wasn’t so scary after all. In fact, admitting that he loved his wife was freeing. He felt as though he no longer had to deny all the joy and happiness that she brought into his life.

  And he found himself admitting to loving their little baby. He couldn’t imagine abandoning them. Even if Carla still wanted to dissolve their marriage, he wouldn’t be far away. He’d be a part of her life as much as she’d allow him. And his son or daughter would become the center of his world.

  Because his father had given him something else besides life. He’d shown him what not to do to those people you loved. Franco could do better. He would do better.

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  AT LAST SHE could see her father.

  A nurse showed Carla to the hospital room where they’d moved her father. The room was darkened except for a light above his bed. His eyes were closed as though he were sleeping. Her gaze moved to take in all the wires attached to him. Next to the bed was a monitor with his blood pressure and heart rate. She blinked away the unwanted tears. She would keep it all together for his sake.

  Still, she couldn’t ignore the significance of the situation. This was a scene she’d experienced more than once in the past several months. Each time it scared her.

  Her fingers tightened around her purse strap. She just couldn’t lose her father. She wasn’t ready, especially now that she understood him so much better. This was a time for a new beginning for them.

  She perched on the edge of a chair placed next to the bed. When she glanced over at her father, his eyes were now open.

  “There you are.” He smiled at her. “I’m sorry for the scare.”

  “So you’re all right?” She wanted to ask if he’d had another heart attack, but she just couldn’t form the words.

  “I
’m fine. My heart is fine. They said I got a little too worked up.”

  “I’m sorry about that. I didn’t think Franco’s grandparents were going to show up or I would have warned you to stay away.”

  “It’s my fault. I went to apologize to Giuseppe, but he thought I was there to argue about the past and things quickly escalated.” His eyes reflected his remorse. “I apologize for ruining your big evening.”

  “It’s okay. And you won’t have to deal with the Marchellos any longer.”

  Her father pressed the button on his bed so he could sit up straighter. “What happened? Don’t tell me that Franco walked out on you. Because if he did, I’ll be having a word with him.”

  “No. I’m the one who sent him away.” The memory of the pain reflected in Franco’s eyes cut into her heart. She consoled herself with the knowledge that he would be happier if she set him free—free just the way he wanted.

  “I don’t understand. Why would you tell him to leave? Did he hurt you?” Concern reflected in her father’s eyes.

  “No. He didn’t do anything wrong.” And then the truth about the marriage contract came spilling out. “And now...now I’m pregnant.”

  “Pregnant?” Her father’s eyes widened. A moment later, as the information sank in, he smiled. “That’s wonderful.” When she didn’t smile, he asked, “Are you happy about the baby?”

  “I’m still in shock, but yes, I’m happy about it. However, I don’t think Franco is. He never wanted any of this—a wife or a baby. After his traumatic childhood, I can’t blame him. And now...now I can’t tie him down with a family he doesn’t want. I know Franco, and I know he’d stay out of obligation. That’s not right for him, for me or for the baby. We all deserve more than that.”

  “Are you sure about all this?”

  “Of course I am. Do you think I’d have told him things were over if I wasn’t sure?”

  “And Franco told you that he didn’t want the baby?”

  “Well, no. But he told me before about his broken family and how he never wanted to do that to his own children.”

  “That was just his fears talking, when he thought he’d never be a father. But he is now. Are you sure his feelings haven’t changed?” Her father’s gaze searched hers.

  “Why would they have changed?” A spark of hope burned in her heart. Was her father just saying what he thought she wanted to hear? Or did he have a specific reason for his suspicion?

  “I’ve seen the way Franco looks at you. He’s a man in love.”

  “But the baby—”

  “Have you asked him how he feels about the baby now that it is very real?”

  “No.”

  “Then what are you doing here? Go find your husband and talk to him—really talk to him.”

  She went to stand but then turned back to him. “But I can’t leave you.”

  “Of course you can. I’ve had a big day. I just need some rest, and tomorrow morning, if you want, you and your husband can give me a ride home.”

  Her eyes widened in surprise at his willingness to have Franco’s company. Maybe there was hope for change. “Are you sure?”

  He smiled and nodded. “Go fix things. I’ll be fine.”

  She leaned over and kissed his cheek. “I love you.”

  “Love you, too. Now go.”

  She smiled. “Okay. I’m going. Be good while I’m gone.”

  And then she was out the door and headed for the elevator. She had to find Franco. She had to apologize for being so abrupt and pushing him out of her life. Was it possible her father was right? Was it possible this marriage had evolved into the real thing with genuine love going both ways?

  * * *

  He’d tried her phone. Numerous times.

  Each time his call went to voice mail.

  Franco wondered if she was ignoring him or if she was still at the hospital with her father. How was her father doing? Franco berated himself for letting her go alone. He should have been there with her, whether she wanted him nearby or not. But then he recalled the anger and pain reflected in her eyes right before she left with the ambulance. Maybe she did need some time away from him. That acknowledgment hurt him.

  His first stop was the hospital. Even though it was getting late in the evening, he was hoping he’d be able to check on Carlo. At that hour, he didn’t have a problem finding a close-by parking spot. He rushed to the front entrance of the hospital.

  Franco yanked the door open and came to an abrupt halt. Carla was in front of him. Talk about good timing.

  “Hi.” He didn’t smile. He didn’t want her to think he wasn’t taking everything that happened that day seriously.

  “Hi.” She didn’t smile, either.

  He backed up, letting her step outside. All his thoughts and practiced words became all jumbled up in his mind.

  He drew in a deep breath, hoping it would calm his racing heart. “How’s your father?”

  “He’s good. They said it was a panic attack.”

  “So no heart attack?”

  “No. Thank goodness. They’re going to monitor him tonight, and then he’ll be released in the morning.”

  He shifted his weight from one foot to the other. “That’s really good news. I’m happy for both of you. Do you need to go back now and see him?”

  “No. He said he was tired and told me to leave.”

  Franco at last smiled. “It sounds like he’s back to being his old self.”

  “Well, not quite.”

  The smile fell from his face. Just then another couple exited the hospital. They stepped off to the side to let them pass.

  Once they were alone again, he asked, “What’s the matter? What aren’t you telling me?”

  “Could we take a walk?”

  It was a cool evening but it wasn’t frigid out. And it wouldn’t matter if it were snowing. He would have agreed to whatever activity that allowed him to spend more time with his wife.

  They walked quietly beneath the streetlights. He let her lead the way because he only wanted to be wherever she was.

  When they reached a small park, she turned to him. “Can we sit down?”

  “Sure.” He didn’t know if he should be worried or not, but he sensed she had something on her mind. Maybe he needed to speak up first.

  “I’m sorry,” they said in unison.

  They looked at each other in surprise. Then they smiled.

  “You go ahead,” she said.

  It seemed like the gentlemanly thing to let her go first. He’d waited this long—he could wait a little longer. “No, you say what you have on your mind.”

  “My father and I talked before the party.” She went on to explain about his confession to cheating and how he’d meant to apologize to Franco’s grandfather. She also told Franco about her father’s driving need to see her married and that it had nothing to do with his doubts about her ability to run the restaurant business.

  “That’s great news.” He was truly happy for her.

  When she lifted her chin and gazed into his eyes, the moonlight twinkled in her eyes. It was as though a spell had been cast over him. His gaze lowered over her high cheekbones and pert nose to her glossy lips. They were so tempting—so ready to be kissed.

  He gave himself a mental jerk. They were a long way from kissing. In fact at this point, he was pretty certain if he tried it, he’d get slapped down, and rightly so. He had things to say to her—important things.

  “You aren’t the only one to have a meaningful talk. I just left my grandparents’ house. My grandfather explained a lot about my past—about my father. He answered questions I didn’t even know I had.” Franco leaned back and went on to explain that his grandfather hadn’t chased away his father—that his father had walked out on his own family of his own accord.

  “I’m sorry.” She placed a
hand on his arm and squeezed. “That must be so hard for you.”

  He shook his head. “It’s more like a relief. I know that my grandfather truly loves my brother and me. He tried to keep our father in our lives. My father’s actions were all on him and no one else. I really needed to understand my past, especially now that you’re pregnant.”

  “I know I totally mishandled the situation with my pregnancy. I was so sure that you wouldn’t want a family, and I didn’t want to force you into a situation that would make you miserable—a family you don’t want.”

  He turned to her. He stared deep into her eyes. “That’s the realization I came to.”

  “That you don’t want this? Us?”

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  HER HEART TUMBLED.

  The backs of her eyes stung.

  Carla blinked repeatedly. She sucked down her rising emotions. She’d promised herself that if this didn’t work out the way she’d hoped, she wouldn’t fall apart.

  But when her gaze met his, her heart leaped into her throat. Please don’t say you want out. Please don’t disappear from my life. The words hovered at the back of her throat.

  It wasn’t fair of her to ask him to do something that went against what was in his heart. The worst thing she could do was force him to relive his past. She loved him too much to cause him any pain.

  Franco shook his head. “No. That came out wrong.”

  “No, you don’t want us? No, you do want us?”

  His gaze met hers. “Before I met you, I was so certain what I wanted in life—I wanted to take over Marchello Spices and expand it.”

  “And now what do you want?”

  His gaze searched hers. “You don’t know?”

  Her heart pounded so loud that it echoed in her ears. “No.”

  “I want you.” His hand moved to her abdomen. “And I want this little guy or girl.”

  Tears of joy splashed onto her cheeks. “You do?”

  “I do. I love you. I think I fell in love with you at our wedding, when we were dancing and you stepped on my toes—”