Nonna waved her hand in the air. “No. Rory and Serenity need to talk, and if they have to go to the cabin to do so, then that’s okay. Kidnapping isn’t the correct term.”
Bosco’s eyebrows rose. “Nonna, I don’t think you should encourage Rory.”
“Pssh,” Nonna said, glancing toward the doorway. “Oh. There’s Anna. She’ll help me.” She bustled off.
Quint sighed and took the seat next to Heather. “She’s not going to be happy until she marries us all off. I heard her tell Mom that Vince is next, and she has somebody in mind for him.”
Marlie settled against Bosco’s supportive arm draped across her shoulders. The family vibe felt good, and she was starting to sink into it. Someday, if Rory wasn’t arrested, she’d ask him to tell her the story about Serenity. For now, she just wanted to relax and enjoy the hot-bodied hero next to her. She’d never forget the sight of him running into that shop, injured, with the barrel of a gun pointed at him.
He tugged on her ear. “What are you thinking about?”
She grinned. “Just about forever.”
Yeah. Forever. They had that, and it started right now.
Epilogue
Anna Albertini barely kept her nonna from shooing Vince and Knox away from Rory. “Nonna, trust me. Rory gave her until after the new year, and he has to keep his word. You know that.” Her grandmother rolled her eyes and headed back into the kitchen, where it looked as if the roast might be burning.
Tessa slid up to her side. “Nice job. If we keep her concentrated on Rory, then she won’t come after us.”
Anna grinned at her older sister. “That’s the thought.”
Tessa’s reddish-blond hair was in an intricate braid, bringing out the definition in her stunning face. “Where is Aiden, anyway?”
Even the mention of his name made Anna’s insides go squishy. “He’s helping Dad shovel the front walk again since the snow is coming down so hard.” He wasn’t exactly happy with her right now, but she’d made a commitment on a legal case, and she couldn’t go back on her word. Plus, irritated sex with Aiden often got wild, and she couldn’t complain about that.
Donna, their oldest sister, moved in their direction from the kitchen. She was a younger version of Nonna and wore a green sweater with her lighter pants. “Get that goofy smile off your face. I can tell you’re thinking smexy things about Aiden.” She handed a glass of wine to both of them.
Anna laughed, looking into the living room where Quint sat next to Heather, and Bosco kept playing with Marlie’s hair. “Isn’t it interesting how fast those two fell? I mean, I’ve heard the rumors of the Albertini men falling at first sight, but to see it in action is pretty amazing.” Although both couples looked happy, and they fit perfectly.
“I know,” Donna whispered, lifting her wineglass to her mouth. “I have to say that I love both Marlie and Heather already. They’ve made our cousins so happy. I’ve never seen Bosco so relaxed, and the guy is full of stitches right now.”
Anna chuckled.
Tessa glanced at her. “How’s the Santa case coming?”
“It’s finished, and I properly kept Santa out of prison,” Anna retorted.
“Is Aiden still all overprotective about you being injured? Again?” Donna asked, just as the front door opened, and their dad and Aiden walked in.
Anna nodded, watching Aiden. His too-blue gaze scanned the room and landed on her—like always. “There’s a lot going on right now, but we’re solid.”
He smiled, and her heart flipped over.
Oh, they were so much more than solid. They were everything. She smiled back and then moved toward him, leaning up to kiss him. The holidays were for love and family, and she was surrounded by both.
For now, she’d take this moment and enjoy it.
Tomorrow could come tomorrow.
***
