I gasped and huffed out a laugh. “Papa, that’s amazing.”
My father looked at his hand, again lost in thought. “She held my hand,” he whispered. “I can’t remember the last time she did that.”
“Oh,Papa,” I said around a sob and hugged him. “Itisnever too late.” I felt him nod as he held me. “Go to her.”
He pulled back, and for the first time in my life, I saw tears in my father’s eyes. He hadn’t even cried when Nonno or Nonna died. “Si, I think I will.”
Before he walked away, Mike wrapped his long arms around my waist from behind, making me yelp. “Everything okay?” he asked, looking at my father.
“Yes, it is. Mike, I can’t tell you how thrilled I am that you and Renata have found one another. I still don’t know how to process the speed of it all, but I’m trusting you to keep her safe and make her happy.”
Mike slid to my side, one arm still around my waist. “Always, Paolo. She’s my life now.”
They shook hands, then Mike hugged him before walking away to find my mother.
“Mike, she let him put his arm around her,” I said excitedly. “Something has happened. I’ve never seen her like this. She almostsmiled.”
All I could think was if it were possible for my mother to soften and let herself be loved, maybe there was hope for me after all.
“Wow. Maybe we’ve rubbed off on them. I mean, we’reridiculouslyadorable, don’t you think? Who wouldn’t be affected by such a perfect couple?” he said, his head held high in mock superiority. The stunning sunset behind him and everything that we’d experienced that day let something loose in my heart. Joy.
I laughed loudly, my head thrown back. That joy seemed to exude from everything inside me. He was looking at me withawe. “My life’s goal is to make you laugh like that every day for the rest of our lives, Renata Walker.”
Pursing my lips smugly, I said, “You sure do enjoy using that name, Mr. Walker.”
Suddenly, I was lifted off the ground. His breath tickled my ear as he spoke into it, the tingles making their return. “I keep using that name because you’re mine, now, Ren. And I’m yours. You bear my name, and yours is written on my heart.” I’d never heard his voice so deep, so rich, so unbelievably masculine.
Cue the swooning. I would have fainted, but I was held steady against a wall of muscle. Our charged moment was interrupted when Edna, Gemma, and Doris surrounded us.
“Put her down, you big lug. You can’t carry her around like a ragdoll,” Doris scolded, making us both laugh. He obeyed begrudgingly.
“That was the sweetest wedding I’ve ever seen,” Edna said. “I crocheted you both something special. It’s with the other gifts.”
Doris leaned toward me and whispered, “It was supposed to be a tablecloth, but looks more like a misshapen shawl. Hope you like purple.” I dipped my head to hide my smile.
Mike gave her a hug and said, “Thank you so much. I’m so glad you’re all here.”
“You done good, boy. I’m proud of you. How you got this pretty girl to say yes is beyond me,” Gemma said with a teasing smile.
“Now, Gemma, you know you love me,” Mike teased, hugging her when Edna stepped back. They were all dressed in formal gowns, but I saw Edna’s thick orthotic shoes peeking out from under her dress, the laces matching the orange gown. They were adorable.
“I do, kiddo, but I love that driver you sent for us even better,” she said saucily. “Come on, girls. Let’s go see if the catering staff has anyone worth looking at.”
We shook our heads as they sauntered away. “She’s going to be disappointed. I only saw women setting up in the kitchen.”
“Pfft. Serves her right. Are you hungry? Can I get you something to eat?” he asked, walking me towards the house.
“Not yet, but thank you.” My tone changed from joking to serious as I said, “Ido, though, want to ask you about speaking your vows in perfect Italian.”
He stopped and held my hand as I looked at him expectantly. “I just, I wanted to do something special for you.”
“Mike,” I breathed out. “That was the most thoughtful, romantic thing anyone has ever done for me. You’re amazing.” I hugged him around the waist, and he wrapped his arms firmly around me.
Leaning down and nuzzling my hair, he said, “Ren, I didn’t want to say ‘I love you’ up there in front of everyone because I know you’re not there yet. Didn’t want to put you on the spot.”
“Mike—” I started, my panic rising. I didn’t want to hurt this incredible man.
“No, I’m not trying to make you feel bad or pressure you.Pleasedon’t take it that way.” He pulled back and cradled my face with his two large hands as I blinked at him. “But I can’t hold it back anymore. Not today. Not as strongly as I feel it.”
