Anna snorted. “They take a while to tame, probably a lifetime. But I think they’re worth it.” She parked at the curb by the diner. “Come on. Let’s have some crab cakes and maybe some wine.”
“That’s quite the combination,” Serenity murmured as Anna turned off the engine.
“I know, right?”
Serenity jumped out of the truck, struck again by the wonderful sense of holiday magic in the air. Twinkling fairy lights adorned each lamppost down Main Street, and once they walked inside the restaurant, the cozy and warm atmosphere with the smell of fried bacon and apple pie hit them. Serenity walked toward a booth in the back as Anna followed. She scooted into the plush blue leather seat, and Anna sat across from her.
“I’m really sorry about this,” Anna whispered.
“What?” Serenity leaned back.
“Oh, hello, dear.” Nonna Albertini emerged as if from nowhere. “Well, how lovely. Are you girls having crab cakes?”
Serenity plastered a smile on her face and cut Anna a look promising retribution. Anna’s grayish-green eyes twinkled, and a smile danced on her lips. Oh, she was amused by this.
Nonna scooted in next to Serenity and tugged her in for a sideways hug. “I was just saying I would enjoy crab cakes for dinner.” Nonna Albertini looked like a beautiful fifties starlet and was known to be armed with a wooden spoon at all times. As she hefted her thick purse onto the seat between them, Serenity figured it was true. “How are you doing with this whole stalking situation?” she asked.
Serenity sighed. “I don’t know. I feel like it’s okay. Like some idiot has a crush. But, apparently, I’m under constant watch.”
“That’s a good thing, dear.” Nonna patted her hand. “In fact, it’s a great thing. We’ll take care of whoever’s bothering you. I promise. I do have my wooden spoon.” Her brown eyes twinkled. “Anna, where’s Aiden?”
Anna took a drink of her water. “He’s with Dad. I thought maybe Serenity and I could have a nice dinner.”
“Brilliant.” Nonna waved to the waitress. “We’ll have a bottle of Lion Creek Cabernet,” she said. Then she leaned forward. “Okay, girls, let’s talk. Serenity, what exactly do you need Rory to do for you to forgive him, and would a pseudo-kidnapping attempt appear stupid or rather romantic in your mind?”
Chapter9
After a busy day at the hardware store where Serenity had finally given in to Earl’s request to stock the newest snowblowers, even though it was almost January, she stirred a thick stew in her Crockpot, wondering where Rory was right now. She hadn’t heard from him, and she couldn’t help but worry. It was nearly nine at night, and the pit in her stomach would not dissipate.
She’d noticed many of the Albertini family checking on her throughout the day, as well as some other friends from town. There was no doubt they were all on high alert, and the matter was becoming amusing. There hadn’t been any other flowers or even hang-ups, so perhaps the attention had scared off whoever was bothering her. She could hope.
A knock sounded, and she jolted before hustling through the living room to peek through the peephole. Surprise filtered through her as she yanked open the door. “Rory.” Relief slammed into her.
He stood on the porch with a beautiful and petite woman in his arms. Visible bruises and cuts showed on his face, arms, and even his hands. The woman had a cast over the bottom part of her right leg, as well as many bruises and cuts across her golden-olive-hued skin.
“Oh, my. Come in.” Serenity slid to the side. Who the heck was he carrying?
“I’m so sorry about this,” the woman said, looking fragile in Rory’s arms.
“I told you I wasn’t leaving you alone,” Rory barked, his eyes a pissed-off blue.
The woman rolledhereyes and spat out something Serenity couldn’t decipher. It took her a second to catch the language, and Rory retorted in the same dialect.
Serenity blinked. “You speak Korean?”
His eyes warmed. “Yeah. How’d you know it was Korean?”
“I watch some Korean thrillers with subtitles,” she said lamely. Totally not true. She watched a Korean soap opera that was just terribly hilarious.
“I’m sorry,” the woman apologized again. “My name is Hana, and unfortunately, I’m this idiot’s partner. The last thing I wanted was for him to drop me on your sofa while he tried to win you back because he’s a moron.”
Serenity’s knees wobbled. “Partner?” she asked weakly.
“Unfortunately.” Rory easily carried the woman over to gently place her on the couch.
Serenity hurriedly shut the door. “What happened to you two?” she asked in a whisper.
“Bomb,” Hana said shortly.
