“Of course you can’t. This goes deep with you. The divorce so early in your marriage didn’t give you time to try and have another baby. I certainly understand the appeal of this boy who has opened up his heart to you. He’s responding to you like you’re his mamma.”
Gabi nodded. “I know you must be worried, too. I’m wondering what’s going to happen after he has the operation, but I don’t have an answer.”
“I know you love him.”
“Anyone would,” she murmured.
“I think you’re crazy about his father, too.”
She hid her face in her hands. Her mother knew her through and through.
“Signor Berettini is a pretty irresistible force. I know of his reputation and have seen pictures of him in the media.”
“There’s no one like him and... I’m hugely attracted to him. That’s my dilemma. I know he’s doing whatever it takes to help his son get through this frightening time. The letter Dino sent wanting a miracle brought the three of us together, but after the operation I have no idea what things will be like. Any interest Luca has in me is connected with Dino. I wish I knew how to distance myself from his father.”
“No one knows that. You’re going to have to take all this on faith.”
“You’re right,” she whispered.
“Go and enjoy this special time. Remember you’re helping Dino and his father prepare for the operation. Be part of the miracle.”
She nodded, not wanting to risk more pain in her life, but no human could avoid it. She hugged her mother through the open window. “Love you to pieces. Stay safe. We’ll keep in touch throughout the weekend.”
On the trip to Maniago, Gabi went over their conversation in her mind. She had witnessed several miracles in her life. By the time she reached the house, she’d made up her mind to take her mother’s advice. Be part of the miracle. One of the ways Gabi could do it was to be as happy and upbeat as possible to get rid of the sadness pervading the villa.
When she pulled up in front of the entrance, Dino came running out the doors. “Gabi—” he called to her and opened the rear door to reach for her suitcase. “I’ve been waiting for you!”
She smiled. “Hi, piccolino! I came as fast as I could.”
While getting out, she noticed Luca’s powerful silhouette outlined by the foyer lights. The sight of him caused a fluttery feeling in her chest. He caught up with Dino. Together the three of them went inside.
“Dino? Will you take my suitcase in the family room?”
“Yup.” He took off.
Luca’s blue eyes played over her. “We’re glad you arrived here safely.”
“So am I. Thank you.”
Everything he said and did excited her. It wasn’t something she could prevent. In the letter, Dino had talked about his father never being happy. Gabi would do whatever she could to erase those grief lines.
“Why didn’t you let me take your suitcase upstairs?”
“Because I have a couple of presents to give out first.”
“For me?” Dino had reappeared.
“What do you think?” Gabi teased. She walked to the family room and opened the suitcase. Inside she reached for two gaily wrapped gifts. “You’ll have to open these at your own peril.”
He eyed Luca, who stood nearby with his hands on his hips in a totally striking masculine stance. “What does she mean?” Dino was so cute.
His father’s lips twitched. “I think she’s brought something that will surprise you. Why don’t you open the package with the Christmas elves first?”
Dino reached for it and took off the paper. He held up the box with the cellophane top. When he realized what it was, he stared at Gabi in shock. “These are chocolate-covered insects!”
“That’s right. Worms and crickets. They’re nummy. Did you know one cricket gives you more protein and amino acids than a serving of fish or beef?”
Luca’s head reared and he let out a deep, rich laugh that resonated in the whole room.
“Have you ever eaten one?” came Dino’s earnest question.
“Sure. I’ll eat one of your crickets now.” He handed Gabi the box. She lifted off the lid and put one in her mouth.
Dino looked horrified. “What does it taste like?”
“Chocolate.”
He giggled nervously before looking at his father. “Are you going to eat one, too?”
Luca flashed her a smile before he reached for a worm. He put it in his mouth and munched. “Gabi is right. It tastes like chocolate.”
“Did you know that two billion people in the world eat insects as part of their diet? The most common are beetles, wasps, bees and caterpillars.”
He frowned. “I don’t think I want to try one.”
“That’s all right. Why don’t you open your other gift?”
“Okay.” But he wasn’t nearly as enthusiastic.
“I brought you a pack of twenty treats in blueberry, grape, orange and strawberry flavors so you can give one to every student in your class.”
“Um... Suckers!” He pulled one out. “What’s that in the center?”
“A cricket.”
Once again his father roared with laughter.
“Oh.” Dino thought about it and put it back in the box.
“Aren’t you going to thank her for the gifts?”
“Si, Papà.”
Gabi decided to take pity on Dino. She drew one more present out of her suitcase and handed it to him. Luca just shook his head. She grinned. “I think you’ll like this better.”
After removing the paper, he took off the lid and smelled the contents. “Chocolate bocci balls! Evviva!” In the next minute he’d eaten two of them before hugging her. “Thanks for everything.”
“You’re welcome.”
“I promise I’ll try an insect pretty soon.”
“You don’t have to eat one if you don’t want to, but you can have a lot of fun with your friends at school. You could give one to your teacher and see if she’ll eat it in front of the class.”
He thought about it. “I bet she won’t.”
“What about Paolo?”
“I don’t think he’ll want to eat one.”
“You never know,” his father said, winking at Gabi. “Shall we go upstairs and show you where you’re going to sleep?”
“That would be lovely.”
Dino grabbed her hand while Luca carried her suitcase. The stunning guest bedroom in peach colors was an absolute dream. They agreed to meet downstairs in ten minutes to play a game before Dino had to go to bed.
Gabi took advantage of the time to freshen up. From the bedroom window the lights of the town looked like fairyland. Dino had been born into a very special household. But rich or poor, he had a father who doted on him, and there was no greater blessing. She applied more lipstick and ran a brush through her hair before going back down to the family room.
“Come over to the table, Gabi. We’re going to play guardie e lardri.”
She’d loved cops and robbers when she’d been little.
“I haven’t played that in years. Is Ines going to play with us?”
Luca shook his head. “She and Pia have the next two days off.”
A delicious shiver ran down Gabi’s spine. The three of them would be alone.
“We’ll guard the treasure and fight Papà.”
Gabi made a face. “How sad for him because we’re not going to let him get near it!”
Her comment brought a gleam to Luca’s eye while Dino laughed. They played for an hour, but in the end his father proved to be an indomitable opponent. She smiled at Dino. “Even if your papà beat us this time, we’ll do a rematch tomorrow night and win!”
Luca eyed her with a devilish grin. “We’
ll see about that. Now it’s time for bed.”
“Not yet,” Dino protested.
“Afraid so, but we’ll have all day tomorrow to have fun.”
“I know. Gabi? Will you come up while I go to bed?”
“Of course.”
“Leave all your chocolates down here, son.”
“Si, Papà.”
She followed Dino out of the room and up the stairs to his bedroom. Hers was farther down the hall. The first thing she saw when she walked in was her butterfly hanging over his headboard.
“Papà put your picture right there.”
“So I see.”
“I look at it every night.”
She couldn’t believe the thrill it gave her. Dino lived in a room made for a boy with signs of hockey equipment and several large posters of hockey and soccer heroes. “I’ll brush my teeth and be right back.”
“I’ll be waiting.” While he was in the bathroom she studied the small framed photos of his family. The consequences of that avalanche had changed their lives forever. Through unimagined circumstances, it was changing hers, too.
Dino came out a minute later wearing Harry Potter pajamas and knelt down at the side of the bed. “I love my papà and my nonna, and Maria and Tomaso. Please bless Ines and Pia.”
Gabi noticed Dino didn’t ask for a blessing on his grandfather. Something was wrong there. She’d sensed there was a problem when Luca had told her about taking over for his father at work.
“Please bless me not to be scared of my operation. Please bless Gabi that she’ll never leave. Amen.”
CHAPTER FIVE
NEVER LEAVE. One of the wishes that lay at the heart of Gabi’s turmoil.
“Amen,” sounded the vibrant voice of Dino’s father, who’d walked over to the other side of the bed to hug him.
Gabi waited until Dino had climbed under the covers, fighting the instinct not to kiss him. “Get a good night’s sleep, Dino. We have a big day planned tomorrow. Buona notte,” she said to both of them. Without looking at Luca, she exited the room.
Once past the door, she hurried to the guest bedroom to get ready for bed. But before getting out a nightgown and toiletries from her suitcase, she was drawn to the huge window to look up at the sky. It had been a glorious day, and an even more magnificent night. The cold made the canopy of stars twinkle, creating a magical scene. While she stood there mesmerized, she heard a knock on the door. “Dino?”
“No. It’s Luca. I need to talk to you for a moment.”
Her pulse suddenly sped up. “Come in.”
Dino’s virile father walked in and approached her, still wearing the white pullover and gray trousers from earlier. This close to him, she could smell the soap he’d used in the shower.
Yes, she’d been married to a good-looking man, but it was no use pretending Luca wasn’t the most attractive male she’d ever seen or known in her life, physically and otherwise. With the contrast of his black hair and brilliant blue eyes, Luisa would call him the hunkiest man alive, and she’d be right.
For days now Gabi had been telling herself it was Dino she was crazy about. But as she studied his father’s hard-boned features and the five o’clock shadow on his chiseled jaw, she couldn’t lie to herself any longer. The two men, one young and one in the prime of his life, had pulled her into their gravity field. There was no escape because she knew she was desperately in love.
“Is everything all right?”
“Yes, but I couldn’t talk to you the way I wanted around Dino.”
“You think he’s asleep now?”
“I’m sure of it. He had a big day.”
She nodded and looked up at the sky again. “The view from this window is incredible.”
“You’re right.”
“The stars are so bright, you feel like you could reach up and pull one down. It’s a Christmas sky. As you’re here, how would you like to wish on a star with me for Dino?”
He studied her features. “I’ve never tried it.”
“When I was around twelve, one of my close friends almost died from a burst appendix. Our group decided to get together and wish on a star to make her better. Within twenty-four hours, we heard from her mother that she’d started to get well. It was like a miracle. I want one for Dino.”
“Let’s do it,” he said in a husky voice.
Gabi took a moment to say a silent prayer, the kind she’d uttered years ago with a child’s faith.
Star light, star bright. First star I see tonight. Send your light to help Dino not be afraid of his operation.
When she’d finished and looked at Luca, he was still making his wish. What a gorgeous man he was.
When he opened his eyes, the two of them stared at each other for a long moment. Luca rubbed the back of his neck, as if he didn’t know what to say next. She knew it was very unlike the charismatic man who ran a business empire. His rare show of vulnerability tugged at her emotions.
“There’s no way to tell you how thankful I am that you’re here,” he began. “Losing his mother changed Dino. I can’t get him back, yet he’s a different child when you’re with us. I know you didn’t expect anything like this to happen when you answered his letter with a personal visit and gift. I guess that’s what I wanted to say before you went to bed.”
Gabi had to silence a moan. When she’d heard him say that he couldn’t get his son back, she’d detected his pain. “Surely you know your son worships the ground you walk on, Luca.”
He folded his arms across his chest. “I know he loves me, but there are times when I don’t seem to be able to reach him.”
She took a quick breath. “Maybe it’s a case that he feels he can’t reach you.”
A frown marred his striking features. “What do you mean?”
Gabi couldn’t let him go on thinking he’d lost touch with his son even if she’d promised Giustina she wouldn’t say anything.
“I wouldn’t have missed this experience for anything in the world, Luca. Dino is a dear boy with that childlike faith that makes the world a better place for simply being around him. Now I’m going to tell you something you don’t know about the letter he sent to the foundation. I’ve decided you need to hear everything right now.”
He blinked. “I don’t understand.”
“Then I’ll explain. Your mother didn’t tell you the whole content of the letter. In fact, she decided she wouldn’t tell you until after the operation was over. Maybe not even then because she was afraid it might hurt you too much to know what has been in Dino’s heart.”
A haunted look crept into his eyes. “Why? Don’t keep me in suspense.”
“I memorized Dino’s letter. He wrote, ‘Every night I tell God I’m afraid to have the operation because my mamma died and won’t be with me. But if it will take away my headaches and make my papà happy again, I’ll do it. He’s never happy and I love him more than anyone in the entire world.”
With those words, there was silence followed by a transformation that came over Luca. Tears entered his fabulous blue eyes. She put a hand on his arm.
“Yes, he loved his mother and will miss her forever. But you’ve always had your son. Don’t you see? He’s praying for a miracle that will make you happy again. That’s more important to him than anything else. I don’t know of a child who could love his father more than Dino loves you. You needed to know that.”
He shook his head. “All this time he’s been worried about my unhappiness?”
She nodded. “He’s your son and has your kind of compassion. That makes you both unique in this world.”
A sigh sounded deep in his throat. “You always manage to say the right thing at the right time with a touching sensitivity that speaks to me.”
In the next breath he cupped her face in his hands and lo
wered his mouth to hers. Gabi moaned as their bodies came together and they began kissing each other, one after another until she stopped counting.
Soon she lost track of time and got lost in his arms, never wanting to be anywhere else. The things his mouth was doing to her filled her with the kind of rapture she’d never known or imagined. When he finally lifted his head for air, she didn’t want to let him go. But he had more willpower than she did and removed his hands. His breathing had grown shallow.
“The last thing I want to do is walk away from you tonight, but you’re a guest in my home and it’s time to say good-night. You’ll never know what the revelation about that letter has done for me. Dormi bene, bellissima.”
The way he’d said bellissima melted her bones. Gabi felt new energy radiate from him as he strode to the other wing of the villa on his long, powerful legs. She shut the door and got ready for bed. Once she’d pulled the covers over her, she buried her face in the pillow. This time tears of joy trickled out of the corners of her eyes. Being part of the miracle was a wonderful thing.
* * *
Luca got up early Saturday morning a new man, but he didn’t know how he’d had the strength of will not to take Gabi to bed last night. Her breathtaking response to his lovemaking had swept him away.
He stood under the shower reliving those moments in her arms. Before the day was out, he’d get her to himself again because he needed her like he needed the sun on his face.
After pulling on jeans and a sweater, he hurried downstairs to fix breakfast for the three of them. Last night he’d slept better than he’d done since the avalanche. Like an omen, the sun had come out.
He checked the calendar on his watch. Two weeks from today Dino would undergo his operation. Grazie a Dio that time would be here before they knew it. Throughout the lead-up, Gabi would be here for his son to cling to.
When Dino walked in the kitchen wearing pants and a pullover, Luca plucked him from the floor and gave him a huge hug.
“Whoa. Papà.”
Luca chuckled. “Sorry. I was just happy to see you.” No sign of a headache or nightmare with Gabi here.
His son smiled at him. “Me, too.” He kissed his cheek before Luca put him down. “I thought Gabi would be down, but I guess she’s still in bed.”
The Magnate's Holiday Proposal Page 6
