The Magnate's Holiday Proposal

by Rebecca Winters

  “I’m sure she is, polpetto mio. She works long, hard hours every day, and last night she had to drive all this way after work.”

  “How soon can I go up and get her?”

  “Give me time to cook the frittatas first, then you can knock on her door and tell her we’re ready to eat. Why don’t you set the table?”

  Dino got busy. “Do you think she likes apple juice?” He pulled the bottle out of the fridge and put it on the table with three glasses.

  “I don’t know. Maybe at home she likes beetle juice.”

  “She wouldn’t drink that!” He made a gagging sound.

  “What wouldn’t I drink?” sounded a familiar female voice. Gabi walked in the kitchen wearing a Christmas-red sweater and black wool pants. Between the feminine mold of her body and her tousled ash-blond hair, Luca could hardly take his eyes off her.

  Dino ran over to her and gave her a hug around the waist. “Beetle juice.”

  “That’s one of my favorites, but only on picnics,” she teased him. “In the mornings I love apple juice.” Her gaze flew to Luca. “I didn’t know you were a chef as well as a boss.”

  His son giggled. “He’s not a chef. You’re funny, Gabi.”

  “He looks like one to me.”

  “Let’s hope you approve of my efforts. Breakfast is ready,” he announced and put their plates of food on the table.

  “Mmm. It smells wonderful.” They all sat down. “Does your papà cook like this for you every morning?”

  “Hardly ever. That’s because you’re happy today, huh, Papà?”

  “You’d better believe it.”

  Luca trapped her gaze while silent words passed between them. Clearly she’d identified the key to keep Dino on an even keel while they got through the countdown. His son ate with a big appetite. Things couldn’t be better. “What do you want to do first today?”

  “Can we go get a tree, Papà, and lots of lights?”

  “We’ll do it. After that we’ll have lunch and go to a movie.”

  “And tonight we’ll set it up in the living room! This is going to be the best day of my life!”

  He smiled to himself. Whenever the three of them were together, his son said it was the best day of his life. What was even more true was that every day she was with him and Dino, it was the best day of Luca’s.

  “Since your father made such a delicious breakfast, what do you say we do the dishes? Come on. While you clear the table, I’ll put everything in the dishwasher.”

  Dino jumped up and started to help.

  Luca darted her a speaking glance. “I can see I’m superfluous around here, so I’ll make sure everything is locked up tight.”

  Before long they walked out to the car and left for town like any family out for a fun Saturday together. But they needed to bundle up because the temperature had fallen during the night. Before the day was out, Luca predicted snow.

  For the moment it felt like they were a real family. Which was a huge problem for Luca, who was having trouble remembering Gabi wasn’t his wife or Dino’s mother.

  Last night after wishing on a star, Gabi had told him everything that had been in his son’s letter. The truth of it had helped him see the situation through clear eyes. Being with her last night had also aroused the kind of desire he hadn’t felt since before the avalanche. After losing Catarina, he hadn’t thought it possible to feel it again.

  Gabi had to know he wanted her. There’d been no doubt about it last night. But only time would reveal where both their feelings were leading. She’d brought happiness to his son for the first time in two years, and Dino’s needs had to come first right now. It meant Luca had to show some restraint around her. He hadn’t mistaken emotions of gratitude for desire, but he needed to take a step back.

  In two weeks Dino would have his operation. No one knew how it was all going to turn out. Luca couldn’t allow anything to upset the balance of a precarious situation. The only solution for now was to show some discretion with Gabi.

  “Look up the street, Papà! There are the Christmas trees Gabi saw.”

  Luca had seen them among all the holiday decorations and noticed a sign that said the trees could be delivered. Since Dino wanted a big tree, that would solve a problem for taking one home with them. Once they’d picked out the Noble fir they all loved, his son was disappointed they would have to wait until five in the evening for the tree to arrive at the house.

  Gabi squeezed his shoulder. “That tree is so big, it would stick out on both ends of your father’s car and bump into the ones in front and behind it.” Dino’s giggle made Luca laugh. “But if you want, we could buy a baby tree instead that would fit right on top. What do you think?”

  His son pondered her question. “No. I want the big one. I guess I’ll have to wait.”

  She kissed his cheek. “Hey—we’ll be gone most of the day. When we get home, the tree will arrive. Right?”

  “Right!”

  Crisis averted, all because of Gabi, who was an original and handled his son with all the clever inspiration of a mother. Luca had never planned to replace Catarina. And then this amazing woman had come along...

  They walked around buying Christmas presents at the Christmas market with all the wooden huts selling their crafts. There was a life-size nativity scene with real animals Dino loved. After a while they went to a children’s Christmas movie and then headed home just as snow started to fall. Dino put his head back and let the flakes melt on his tongue. They all did the same thing during an outing of pure joy.

  By the time the tree arrived and the deliverymen had set it up in a corner of the living room, the Berettini villa looked like Christmas had already come.

  * * *

  While they’d been in town, Gabi had never had so much fun and had picked out half a dozen pots of red flowers to decorate the house. With Luca’s help, they draped garlands of greenery over the fireplace, the doorways of the main floor, even the magnificent grandfather clock in another corner of the living room.

  After he’d strung the lights and put the glittering star at the top of the tree, Luca went out to the kitchen to make them sandwiches and hot chocolate.

  Gabi in turn started putting on the ornaments while Dino hung the elves he’d personally picked out with their funny faces. “Where are your old ornaments, piccolino? Do you want to get some of them out?”

  “We never had a tree before.”

  “Oh! I didn’t realize.”

  “I’m glad Papà got us one.”

  “So am I.” Gabi knew a lot of families who didn’t put up a tree, but she’d always wanted one and her parents had gone along with her wishes. When she’d mentioned getting a tree in front of Dino, Luca hadn’t said a word against it.

  He eventually came in the room and put on some Christmas music while they ate and wrapped the nutcrackers Dino had picked out to give for his Christmas presents to everyone. After they’d placed the gifts under the tree, they put the crèche together.

  Gabi had spent her own money buying them a nativity scene for an early Christmas present. She wanted to help Dino put it together on the coffee table before he went to bed. He seemed delighted over it.

  “It’s funny to think of Jesus being a baby.”

  Gabi smiled at Dino’s down-bent head as he lay it in the manger. “I agree it’s hard to realize he started out his life just like all of us. When I think of my father, I can’t imagine him a baby,” she murmured as she put a lamb near the crèche.

  “Nonna has a picture of Papà when he was a day old. He had a dress on.”

  How Gabi would love to see it! “My grandmother had a baby picture of my father. He was in a dress, too.”

  They both laughed.

  “Mamma didn’t put one on me, huh, Papà.”

  “No. You wer
e wearing a hospital gown in the nursery.”

  Gabi wanted to see everything, but stopped short of saying as much in case it was too sensitive a subject. Needing to change the direction of conversation, she rose to her feet. “What a mess we’ve made!” She started cleaning up and took the tray out to the kitchen.

  Luca went for the vacuum, and soon the room looked perfect. Gabi stood behind Dino with her arms around his neck while they admired their surroundings. “In one day we’ve transformed this room into Babbo Natale’s workshop. I think we’re pretty good elves.”

  “Me, too. I can’t wait for Paolo to come over so I can give him the skinny Red King wooden nutcracker. He’ll laugh his head off.”

  “I’m sure he will.” Gabi leaned over and kissed the top of his head. “Do you know I’m anxious to meet him? Maybe he can visit some time and help us finish your building blocks project. You can offer him a treat.”

  Dino turned around and looked up at her with shining eyes. “Do you think he’ll eat one of my chocolate-covered insects?”

  “Hmm.” She cocked her head. “He’s your friend. You know him better than I do.”

  Luca walked over and picked him up. “Why don’t you dare him, and see what happens? While you’re thinking about that, it’s time to get ready for bed.”

  “I don’t want to go up yet.”

  “But we do. We’re exhausted.”

  Dino jerked his head toward Gabi. “Are you tired?”

  “I’m afraid I’m very tired,” she lied. Luca’s blue eyes thanked her.

  “Tutto bene.” He’d caved, but he didn’t sound happy about it.

  Together they headed upstairs and went through Dino’s nightly ritual until he’d said his prayers and had climbed under the covers. “How long are you going to stay tomorrow?”

  Gabi had known that question was coming. “For as long as I can before I have to drive back. How does that sound?”

  “Why do you have to work?”

  She eyed Luca, feeling helpless. “Why does your father work?”

  “He says it’s so we can eat.”

  “Your papà is right. How else could I have bought those nummy insects for you? Just remember that one day you’ll have to work so you can eat.”

  After a silence, “Gabi? I love you.”

  “I love you, too. Now go to sleep. I’ll see you in the morning.”

  “I love you, too, Papà.”

  She watched Luca lean down and kiss his son before they left the bedroom and went back downstairs to the living room. The scent of the pine tree had already filled the air. Between all the decorations, Gabi felt like they’d walked into a Christmas wonderland. She sat down on the couch while he rearranged a couple of the elves that were too close together.

  “Why did you buy a tree when you’ve never done it before?”

  He turned around. “Dino lit up when you suggested it. Before the avalanche, we always spent our Christmas holidays at the chalet in Piancavallo so we could ski. With trees all around in the mountains, we didn’t need one.

  “As for the last two years, Dino and I have spent Christmas at my parents’ villa and have gone to mass with them. Naturally on the fifth and sixth of January we’ve celebrated Epiphany. Dino has put out his stocking for La Befana to fill with candy. He hasn’t known anything different, but thanks to you a new tradition has been started.”

  “Because of me?”

  “Yes. You answered his letter, and a whole new world of hope has opened up for him. Dino is like any child who will keep taking more and more. But this experience hasn’t been fair to you because you know what’s involved and I can see that it’s almost impossible for you to say no to him about anything. That’s my fault. I’m just as bad and I’ve selfishly allowed and urged it.”

  “No, Luca. Not selfishly. You’ve lived for the last two years not wanting to say no to him. I don’t know how you’ve handled everything. In the short time I’ve known him, I can tell you I’ve wanted to be here for him every bit as much. When Edda asked me if I would like to take him a gift, I leaped at the chance.”

  “I’m thankful you did. Dino’s not the only one happy that you’ve come into his life, but you already know that.”

  “The feeling’s mutual.” She could hear her voice throb. “Would it be possible for me to see a video of Dino’s famous papà winning the gold medal? Dino says it’s in the family room. I’d love to see you doing the sport you love so much. I know I heard about you winning when I was around sixteen.”

  “You don’t want to see that.”

  “I do. Please—” She stared into his eyes.

  “Then come with me.”

  Filled with excitement, she followed him through the villa to the family room and sat down on the couch while he found the disc and put it in the machine.

  Then he joined her and put his arm around her shoulders. For the next fifteen minutes she watched in utter disbelief to see him in the start house waiting for the signal. Then he flew down that mountain with unmatchable skill and beat every other competitor’s time.

  He’d been drop-dead gorgeous at twenty-two, but ten years later he was even more attractive. His white devastating smile combined with his bronzed olive complexion melted her to the core. As he accepted the gold medal to the accompaniment of the Italian national anthem, tears came to her eyes and melted her to the core of her being.

  She turned to him. “How absolutely fabulous, Luca. I’m so proud of you. Don’t tell me it wasn’t the most exciting moment of your entire life!”

  “One of them,” he confessed.

  “I saw your mother hugging you after. Where was your father?”

  “He didn’t come because he hated my love of skiing.”

  Her eyes closed tightly for a moment. “I can’t comprehend that.”

  “It doesn’t matter.”

  Oh, Luca. “Of course it does. When I think of my father... He was so wonderful to me. Last night I told you about one miracle that happened to my friend after we wished on a star. But I experienced an even greater miracle when I was seven. My father was going to die, so I talked to the priest and asked him to ask God to make him better. The priest told me to go home and ask God myself.

  “I was very upset by this, but I did what he said. Only two days after I prayed to God to help my dying father, he started to get better and lived until three years ago. It was a great miracle.”

  “Those are experiences you’ll never forget in your whole life. As far as I’m concerned, your coming to the villa to see Dino has constituted another one. Especially being here with me tonight.”

  He lowered his head and started kissing her again. Gabi feared getting more involved with this unforgettable man. The awful possibility that his feelings for her might not last caused her to pull away from him. “I can’t do this, Luca.”

  She stood up, afraid to look him in the eyes. “On the drive here yesterday, I determined to help any way I can. Until he’s had the operation, I’ll avail myself as much as possible to help make him secure. Edda knows the situation and will give me the time off I need. But to get any more involved with you right now—”

  “We are involved,” he said in a grating voice and got to his feet. “But for the time being, we’ll concentrate on Dino. To know you’ll be there for him through the surgery will help him and save my sanity.”

  “You can count on me, Luca. I wouldn’t be anywhere else. What I’m going to do is have a talk with Edda when I get back to work on Monday morning. Maybe midweek, say Wednesday, I could be here when Dino gets home from school.”

  “He’ll be thrilled.”

  “If you made arrangements for Paolo to come home with him, we could have a fun day and evening. It would give Dino something to look forward to. How would you feel about that?”

  “I
’ll contact Paolo’s parents as soon as you get permission from Edda. Even if he can’t come, Dino will be overjoyed to see you before next weekend.”

  “As soon as I know on Monday, I’ll call you.”

  He stood there with his powerful legs slightly apart. “There are no words to thank you, Gabi.”

  She got to her feet. “You don’t have to thank me. Dino is a blessing in my life, too. If I can play any part in answering your son’s prayer, nothing could make me happier.”

  “Where did you come from?” he asked quietly.

  “I’ve found myself asking the same question about you. One day I’d love to hear how Luca Berettini became all the things he is, but not tonight. I can see you’re exhausted. Buona notte.”

  CHAPTER SIX

  LUCA WONDERED IF he was dreaming when he heard, “Papà?” He turned over and opened his eyes. No. He hadn’t been dreaming. Had Dino awakened with a nightmare? Here he’d just told Gabi his son had been free of them for the last few days.

  He shot up in bed. “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing. I just wanted you to get up and show me how to stuff a corneto with jam for Gabi’s breakfast and serve her in bed. I’m afraid I’ll make a mess. Can you fix her cappuccino, too?”

  Relief washed over him in waves. “You want to bring it upstairs to her room?”

  “Si. Paolo’s mamma is going to have a baby and his papà took her breakfast in bed.”

  “I see.” Luca chuckled. “What kind of jam did you have in mind?”

  “Frutti di bosco.”

  “Tell you what. Let’s both get dressed, then we’ll hurry down to the kitchen and get busy.”

  “Fantastico!”

  Within a half hour, they arrived at her door with a tray. Luca held it while Dino knocked. “Gabi? Are you awake?”

  “Yes.”

  “Can I come in?”

  “Of course!”

  “My papà is with me.”

  “Oh—”

  Luca smiled.