by Tanya Vought
“I went to the café where I met Kat. Then I went to Anne’s shop – she’s really nice. Then Kat took me to the salon. Kat and Mara gave me a makeover and then we came to the restaurant as you know.” She smiles like it was the best day ever.
“You seem happy. I like seeing you smile. Did you find anything interesting at Anne’s store, if you don’t mind me asking?”
She smiles at him again, the kind of smile that makes his heart race faster. “I got my friends a Christmas gift and a little something for myself too.” She holds out her wrist so he can take a look at the bracelet.
He glances at it, then stops the car at the stop light, grabs her hand and looks at the bracelet more closely. Nausea overwhelms him.
“Everything okay, Gio? You look as if you’ve seen a ghost.”
The light turns green. He bites his lip, struggling with how to explain it to her. Oh yes, by the way that’s my grandmother and I think she’s playing matchmaker with us… He clears his throat. “Do you want the truth?”
“I always want the truth, Gio. You of all people should know that, especially after what we just learned about my husband and your brother.” She still sounds crushed when she mentions it. She hadn’t looked at him like she did before yet, and he can tell he really hurt her feelings.
“I’m sorry if I hurt your feelings. That was never my intention. I just don’t know how to answer this without you freaking out on me, okay?” He grips the steering wheel. “Your silence is killing me. I hate it that you aren’t talking to me now and that I’ve hurt you. I will just come out and say it. Or better yet, show it.” He pulls over to the side of the road and lifts up his shirt sleeve, showing her an engraved bracelet that almost matches her own.
She gasps, but then a smile appears on her face. “Why would I be freaked about this? It’s delightful to know you have a bracelet that represents the same as mine.”
* * *
Gio doesn’t speak the rest of the way over to the café.
Gracelynn looks at the town and wonders what it would be like to live in a town where everyone knows one another and that feels like a large home, with a real family. For the first time she’s envious of Giovanni and the town he grew up in. But then she remembers he only grew up here because he was kidnapped from his family and Angelo.
“I think we should talk about everything,” she blurts out. “Looking around this town, I’m jealous of the life you have, but I’m sad as well by what you’ve missed. Angelo and his family were good people and I wish you could’ve had a life with them.”
Gio sighs and runs a hand through his hair. “I’m just as upset and hurt over this whole ordeal. I know you lost your husband and in-laws. I lost my entire life with them. The family you got to spend time with… that’s what hurts the most.”
Gracelynn leans over the passenger seat, grabs his right hand and takes it off the wheel and puts it in her left hand. With her own right hand, she clutches her necklace. She knows she needs to give them both some hope, but fears she might not have the strength to do so.
“Did I ever tell you about my necklace? It was a gift from Angelo,” she says. “He gave it to me on our wedding day. He wanted me to know that wherever he was, he would always be watching over me and protecting me with his love.” Sadness makes her look away and when she looks back over to Gio, he has pain in his eyes. For the first time, she sees he too is affected by the loss of something he never got to be a part of.
“Gio, that letter gutted me. Knowing that Angelo never told me any of it… but he was trying to spare me until he and his parents found you. I accept it now and want to believe he didn’t do it to hurt me. He was a loving man, just as you are—Two good men with wonderful hearts. Don’t let the everyday crap in life take away your joy. Let’s try to move on from it and make the best of what we have.” She looks down at their hands and smiles. “I’m sorry for my speech. I just want us to be happy and know that we can get past it all. We have the choice whether to live or die, be angry or happy and from now on I want to try to live in the present and enjoy my life.”
* * *
Gio doesn’t know what to say. He’s amazed how Gracelynn feels. She’s a perfect woman in every shape and form. True inner beauty shines from within her and it scares and amazes him. No one has ever affected him the way she has in the last few days. He knows that Anne, his grandmother, Kat and even Mara, are up to something with them. He laughs at the thought of them playing matchmaker because it looks like he and Gracelynn didn’t need their matchmaking skills at all – they handled it just fine on their own.
He pulls his hands out of her grip, takes a piece of her wonderful angelic-looking hair and tucks it behind her ear. She breathes fast, chest rising rapidly, but he doesn’t care. He leans over towards her.
“You’re a wonderful, remarkable, beautiful woman. I’m jealous that Angelo had you. I’m jealous of the life you led, the love you shared and the memories you’ll forever have.” He looks away so she won’t see the pain reflected on his face. However, he doesn’t move fast enough. She grabs his face and turns it so he faces her.
“No one would be envious of the life I led, Gio. You don’t know half of it. I told you that I loved Angelo with my entire heart and that much is true, but we didn’t have the fairytale life, nor did we have a perfect marriage.” She sighs before she continues. “I bet if anyone needs to be envious of anyone, it would be me of you. You own your own business, live in a delightful town, and have a wonderful sister. You have a lot going for you.”
“Well, remember doll, it’s not always sunny in the paradise you don’t live in. Truth be told, I struggle every day. I too, lost someone in my life. Since their passing I’ve not been the same.” He can’t believe he’s telling her this. He pulls up to the café, parks his jeep and puts his head on the steering wheel.
“I’m sorry to hear you’ve been through something like this as well.” Gracelynn grabs his hands again and gives it a soft squeeze. “How long have you felt this way, Gio? Maybe you should talk with someone about it. I’m always here to talk or listen.”
He reaches up, takes her hand and brings it down to his lips and kisses it. “Thank you for being here, Gracelynn. I’m so glad you’re here. No one ever sees me like this.”
“Gio, I’m sorry to do this, but I’m exhausted. I’ve been running all day and I’m about to crash. I’m sure you have to get some sleep too, so you can get ready for your conferences for the rest of the week.” She yawns.
“You’re right, I’m sorry,” he apologizes. “When I’m with you I seem to forget about anything else other than us talking and getting to know one another.”
She smiles. “I feel the same way. I enjoy our conversations and being in your life, but I’m just getting tired… Hey, wait a minute… who will be watching over Holly while you’re away?”
“Typically she stays with Kat or Anne but sometimes she stays at the kennel,” Gio replies. He can’t believe he forgot all about Holly. “She doesn’t like the kennel too much though.”
“I can take her. That is if that would be okay with you.”
“I think that’s a fabulous idea. Holly fell in love with you the other night, so she’ll have no problem staying with you.” He likes the thought of both girls he cares about spending time together. “How are we going to do this? Can you have pets at the rat-infested motel you’re staying in?”
She smirks at him. “I think I can have pets there. To be honest, I’d prefer it if she was there with me. She’d make me feel safe,” she whispers.
“What do you mean, make you feel safe? Why don’t you feel safe at the motel?” he asks rather irritably.
She doesn’t answer and puts her head down, trying not to make eye contact with him.
He tips her head up. ”You know that I don’t like when you put your head down and you hide your beautiful eyes from me. If you don’t feel safe, you ca
n always come back to my cabin or even my hotel. You don’t need to stay at a place when you don’t feel safe there.” She looks up at him like he is her life line and personal savior. Would she really look at him like that when he tells her everything? Would she still want to be in the same car as him? Because the other information he found in that box was devastating and heartbreaking all over again.
“Thank you for your offer, but l I’ll stay at the motel. I’ll be safe there with Holly around. I have a feeling she’ll be a good watch dog.”
She’s obviously lying about being okay, but Gio doesn’t want to push the issue and make her upset all over again. “Okay, sounds good. I know this is going to sound weird, but can I have your phone number? So I can call you tomorrow and let you know when to expect Holly.”
“Are you always this forward with the ladies, Gio?” She chuckles and grabs her phone.
“Come on, Gio. I’m only teasing you. Geez lighten up some, would ya? Sometimes it seems like you don’t have a sense of humor at all.”
He doesn’t know what to say. Sometimes he’s ready to laugh and joke with her and at other times, he’s angry with her because of a joke she cracks. He turned from funny and humorous to brooding because he worries for her safety. But he’s also not fond of her jokes either, how she constantly mentions him flirting with everyone, or hanging out with other girls. Did Angelo flirt with other women in front of her? Was that what made her so insecure about herself? It seemed like the worst thing to ever do. Especially when being together with a woman as beautiful and kind-hearted as Gracelynn. You don’t look at anyone else when she’s around, and even when she’s not around. She’s beautiful and the real deal if you would ever get to have her in your life.
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to get angry. Why does ‘sorry’ seem to be our favorite word together?” He lets out a dry laugh. “I guess I’m just worried that you aren’t safe at that motel. I can tell you tried to hide your fear, but it didn’t work. If you don’t feel safe, let me know. I don’t know what I would do if you got hurt especially if I wasn’t around to protect you.” Exposing his feelings makes him feel vulnerable.
Gracelynn looks at him, eyes filled with sincerity when she reaches up, cupping his face. He closes his eyes and she leans into him and kisses him like he’s her lifeline. He enjoys the way her lips taste and feel. He grazes his tongue along his lips, hoping that she’ll open her mouth to let him in.
She opens up her mouth and tries to take charge, but Gio takes control instead, placing his hand behind her head, pulling her closer and kissing her like she’s the last woman alive. Both end the kiss, out of breath, exhausted.
He leans forward to kiss her forehead and once on the nose. “Whoa,” he says breathlessly. “That was by far the best kiss I’ve ever had.” He hopes to God she doesn’t look down at him right now.
Gracelynn is speechless. She looks at him with hunger burning in her eyes, like she could eat him alive. “Whoa. That’s definitely the only response to that kiss, Gio. I think I need to leave the car now. Thank you for the ride back to the café, dinner and everything else you’ve done for me. I’ll talk to you tomorrow, then?” She raises her eyebrows, hope and fear mixing in her eyes, like she’s afraid he won’t call like he promised.
“I’ll call you, I promise. Let me help get your bag into the car, doll.” He opens his door, gathers her items and helps placing them in her car. “Can I have a hug?” he asks when he’s done.
“Of course.” The two of them share a hug.
“I feel different when I’m around you,” he confesses. “I hope that this isn’t too forward, but I like spending time with you. Could we get to know each other better when I get back from my trip?”
She reaches up and brushes her hand across his face rubbing his beard. Something he likes.
“I would love to get to know you better, Gio. Talk to you tomorrow.” She lets go of him and he immediately wishes she didn’t have to leave to go to that rat-infested motel.
Chapter 14
THE RIDE OVER TO THE MOTEL was uneventful. Gracelynn should’ve taken Giovanni’s advice to stay somewhere else, but she didn’t want to seem destitute. She wants to do this all on her own. However, when she gets back to the motel Xavier is at the front desk, gaping at her which freaks her out. Just the way he looks at her like he would devour her gives her the chills.
She tries to move out of the lobby as fast as she can, and head to the stairwell before he has a chance to talk to her, but that doesn’t happen. He walks toward her, faster than she thought possible. “Do you need help with your bags?” he asks.
“That’s very nice of you to offer, but I can handle myself.”
“You look real pretty,” Xavier says, his voice low, as if he’s trying to sound sexy – which he doesn’t sound like at all. ”Did you get your hair done? I like it a lot that way.”
“Yes, thanks,” she says, growing more uncomfortable by the minute. “I did get my hair done. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ll be heading to my room.” She walks around him but he grabs her bag. She freaks out and slaps his hand. “Please, just leave me and my stuff alone! Now go!”
He stammers, about to say something but then he seems to change his mind, and runs off.
Gracelynn runs as fast as she can to her room and double-locks the door. She takes off her coat like she did the night before, to put as a barrier between herself and the disgusting bed because there’s no way she is laying on that nasty bed without it.
She has to use the bathroom. She knows she should get a shower, but decides to forego any showering until the last possible resort though. No way is she getting into that infected shower stall if she has another choice. When she gets out of the bathroom, trying not to touch anything more than necessary, she hears her phone go off. She glances at the phone and notices multiple text messages coming through from Gio.
“Did you make it back to that rat-infested motel?”
“Please text me back to let me know you’re safe.”
She smiles at the thought of Gio being worried about her. She picks up her phone and rather than text him back, she calls him. The phone rings and it instantly makes her nervous, like she shouldn’t have called.
He picks up, sounding out of breath.
“Hi, Gio. It’s Gracelynn.”
“Hi, Grace. Did you get my texts?”
“Yes, I did…sorry to make you worry.” She’s glad he was worried about her though.
“No worries, I just wanted to make sure you were safe. Especially after what you told me tonight.”
“Thank you for your care and concern, Gio. I know you mean well and I love that.” She hopes she doesn’t sound too needy. “And by the way, you sound really out of breath.”
“I just got back inside from taking Holly out, and I ran to get the phone.”
“Ah, I see.” She lets out a small chuckle. “No worries. Thanks again for everything. I’m really exhausted, so I’ll get some sleep now. I’ll talk to you in the morning.”
“Night, Gracelynn. Sleep well, angel.”
“Night, Gio. Sweet dreams.”
* * *
After hanging up the phone, Gracelynn is excited and sad at the same time. Excited that tomorrow brings her another day to see this gorgeous man she met and Holly, but sad she won’t get to see him for a few days after that. She’s happy Holly will be here though, and help make her feel more secure and safe in this rat hole. She gets into bed with her pajamas on, wraps her coat around herself on the bed and dreams of happiness, angels, her lost love Angelo, and then finally, Gio with his warm smile.
* * *
After hanging up with Gracelynn, Giovanni is frustrated. With himself, his dead brother, and most importantly, frustrated he won’t be around for two days to interact and talk with Gracelynn. Knowing Holly will be with her gives him some peace of mind at least. He thinks of the nasty mo
tel Gracelynn is staying in, wondering what he has to do to get that woman out of that nasty place. He gets into his giant bed with Holly and wishes he could have one more person beside him tonight.
Chapter 15
THE NEXT MORNING, Gracelynn awakes to her phone going off. She leans over the bed to answer the phone. “Hello?” She rubs her hand over her eyes trying to wake up from the wonderful dream she was having.
“Good morning, doll.”
When Gracelynn hears Gio’s voice, she opens her eyes and smiles. “Good Morning, handsome,” she tries to flirt a little. Good thing he isn’t there right now, or he’d see the horrible red blush creeping up her cheeks.
“Doll, did you just call me handsome?” Gio chuckles. “I’m more than handsome, I’m irresistible.”
She bursts out laughing. “Oh yeah, how could I forget that? Gals and all… I’m sure they all think you are irresistible, but I however, think you’re handsome.”
He laughs out loud this time, obviously enjoying her joke.
“Glad we got that all out of the way. What can I do for you, fine sir?” she says in her sexiest voice.
“Could you go to the door and open it please?”
“Open the door?” She raises her eyebrows, wondering what the heck he’s up to now. “Um, sure. Give me a second to get up.” She crawls out of bed, realizing she’s only wearing a bed shirt that has seen better days, her hair is messed up like a rat’s nest and her feet are stuck in her favorite fuzzy socks. Good thing no one is around to see her funny attire.
She goes to the door, opens it and clasps her mouth in surprise because Gio and Holly stand outside her door.
She can’t believe what she sees. Giovanni is looking delectable wearing a black coat, black shirt, dark jeans that look yummy on him and matching dress shoes. He has a hat on today that makes him look even more irresistible. He holds breakfast and coffee in hand. She’s speechless and when she looks to Holly, she grins even more. Holly sits on the floor with a doggie bag in her mouth, wagging her tail.
