“I feel the same.” Vincente kissed the top of Gina’s head. “Gina loves you too. She needs—we all do—peace. And to live your father’s legacy—of community, family, kindness, faith.”
Gina lifted Vincente’s hand and kissed it. Something in him loosened. He caressed her palm.
Celeste grasped both of their hands and squeezed. He glanced at her. A tear coursed down her soft cheek, but she smiled in her usual serene way.
Frank rubbed his hand down his face. He met Vincente’s stare.
“That was Dad.” Frank sighed. His face grew tense again—his frown returned. “But he wouldn’t have taken money from the Bianchis. And neither will I.”
“You don’t have to,” Gina said. “We’re working on it, Mom, Michael, Mrs. Young, and I. This is about family. It’s bigger than you, any of us. Please, Dad.”
Gina’s dad studied her. He glanced at Michael. Then he turned to his wife. Some unspoken communication passed between them as they gazed at each other.
Frank faced Gina again. “You’re right, Gina. You thought I haven’t been listening to you. I heard you. I didn’t want to hear what you were saying. I didn’t want to know that I’d caused my little girl, my family, so much pain when I walked out on you all those years ago. Your mom gave me a second chance. I’ll try.”
“That’s what I’m doing, too.” She kissed her dad’s cheek then leaned back into Vincente.
The doorbell rang again. Joey’s sister Janetta and their cousin Kostas strode down the hall. Frank turned.
“What’ve we walked into?” Janetta smirked, a fitting expression for her pixie looks.
Kostas shushed her. “Is that Gina Marchesi?” Kostas gave her a quick once-over, his usual procedure around a beautiful woman.
Vincente made a shooing motion at him. Frank crossed his arms again.
“Aww, Uncle Frank.” Janetta kissed her uncle’s cheek. “Vincente is better than Kostas, yeah?”
Frank chuckled. The tension receded, inevitable as the tide washed from shore, like the waves he liked to watch from the terrace. And he was nearly convinced that Grandpop had gotten Gina to the ball, dresses and all. More guests trickled in, chatting and laughing.
Frank glanced from Gina to Celeste before he focused on Vincente with a steely glare. “Better not be a wedding anytime soon, besides my mom’s.”
There would be, he hoped, but they’d negotiate an agreement on that point later. Vincente reached out his hand. Frank shook it with a quick tug. He’d show Frank that he could be trusted. Gina hugged her dad and then Vincente.
Grandpop grinned. “Nipote, you’ve done well. Gina, welcome to the family.” He kissed her cheeks.
Gina hugged him. “Thank you,” she whispered.
Grandpop pressed Gina’s and Vincente’s hands together. “I thank you. You’ve made my grandson happy and will bring new joy and life to our house. As I knew when Celeste told me you’d be coming home.”
Gina glanced at Vincente, who shrugged with a smile. “I told you he was interfering.”
“It worked.” Gina laughed.
“That’s my granddaughter.” Grandpop patted her arm.
“My granddaughter,” Uncle Enzo said.
“You’re getting ahead of things, Grandpop.” Vincente held Gina’s hand, hoping she’d stay by his side.
“Indulge me for the moment, eh? And, Enzo, share with your brother, you with your five grandchildren to my one.”
“We’re all family,” Celeste said.
“I agree with Celeste. Now, let’s stop arguing, and do what we do best: eat,” Sophia said with laughter in her voice.
“I thought you were the best at matchmaking, Mom,” Joey said as they all lined up for the buffet tables. “Looks like this time Grandpop bested you.”
Marcella had put out a delicious spread: lasagna, eggplant parmigiana, salads, fresh bread, and colorful antipasti trays.
Sophia gave Joey a playful smack on the arm. “Watch it, son. You’re next to get matched up. You’ll help me, won’t you, Uncle Vittorio?”
Grandpop chuckled. “For you, my niece, nothing is too much.”
“You’re done for,” Gina said to Joey. She grinned. The happiness glowing from her smile and eyes made Vincente’s chest expand. He’d do whatever he could to keep her smiling.
“Janetta, help me out,” Joey pleaded with his sister.
“Gotta help myself. Better you than me,” Janetta said.
“Mom, try your skills on Kostas. Now there’s a challenge.” Joey piled lasagna and salad on his plate.
Several people laughed. It was kind of funny, thinking Kostas would ever settle down, or that Aunt Sophia could ever find him a woman. She didn’t know Kostas, if she thought she could set him up. Then again, he had been against setups too, and now he didn’t care if Grandpop’s interference had brought Gina into his life.
“Basta,” Uncle Enzo said. “Enough of that talk.” He sat at the table, where others joined him.
Once everyone was seated, they prayed. Vincente said a silent thanks. His prayers had been answered. Gina was his dream woman, and together, they’d create the life they both wanted, and needed.
GINA LEANED INTO VINCENTE after they’d eaten and mingled. Enzo kissed Grandma Celeste and everyone cheered. Warmth filled the room and the mellow February evening light leant the living room at Grandpop’s a soft glow. Most were comfortable in chairs and sofas, enjoying this family time.
Paolo, an old family friend, hugged Gina, his angular frame practically vibrating with excitement, his light beige skin glowing. She needed to tap him for whatever skin care he used. Or maybe he, like she, was just happy. “You two are next, I feel sure.” He smiled like he’d arranged it all.
She tilted her head. “Vincente and I asked Grandpop, but he wouldn’t spill. I could see your hand in those dresses someone sent. Was it you?”
“He asked me for help, and since it was you...” Paolo put up his hands. “You two never stood a chance. Just like I didn’t when he introduced me to my Marco. We just got engaged this last weekend.” He glanced across the room at a handsome, tall, broad man with light brown skin and a warm smile.
“I’m so happy for you.” She hugged Paolo. He was a good man, and deserved all the happiness that charged from his smile.
“Me too, hon. Call me soon and we’ll talk wedding.” He winked and joined his new fiancé. Weddings were trending.
She smiled and nodded. Vincente slid his arm around her and brought her into him. He caressed her face and kissed her, slowly. “Let’s go outside, okay?”
She stayed close as they made their way back outside, sitting on the small loveseat overlooking the twinkling bay view. They’d missed sunset, but the sky still streaked with color and the moon glowed over the water. Before she could lean her head on Vincente’s shoulder, he went on his knees in front of her, pulling out a ring.
“All this wedding talk...” His grin made her smile again. “I love you, Gina. I love your caring, your business sense, your smile, your spontaneity, all of you.”
“I love you too, Vincente.” Could she be any happier? It didn’t matter. She was happy now and she sank into the feeling and slid her hand into Vincente’s.
“Will you marry me?”
She exhaled. “Yes.”
He placed the ring on her finger. “There’s a story behind this ring,” he said as he sat again beside her. “Grandpop and I will tell you another day, okay? I want to just hold you.”
“I want that too.” She leaned into his solid frame. “I wondered what would happen if I kissed my crush.”
“Love happened.” Vincente wrapped his arms around her.
Doubts were a thing of her past. Faith—in herself, in Vincente, in her family, in community, in God—was her present. She kissed Vincente. Gina was a believer—for always.
Acknowledgements
Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed this book, please help by leaving a review and recommending it to others. You are appreciated
!
Special thanks to: my late Grandpa Steve, proud Italian American; my angel aunt and uncle; family and friends for continuing to encourage me on my writing journey and otherwise; Salt & Sage Books and The Edifying Word for their amazing feedback; and you, gentle reader, for getting to the end of this book.
About the Author
Reina M. Williams writes cozy, heartwarming fiction. When she's not writing, editing, or spending time with her sons, you're most likely to find her watching a movie or mystery, walking in a park or library, baking, or reading with a cup of tea nearby. A California native, she lives in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Look for the rest of the North Beach Bakery series at your favorite online book retailer!
Other sweet contemporary romance:
Montana Matchmakers series
Escape in Love series
Petals, Pride, and Persuasion: A Jane Austen in California Collection
California Fairy Tales series
Sweet Historical Romance:
A Gentleman’s Daughter trilogy
Love at Pemberley (four novellas of Pride and Prejudice)
Reina loves to hear from readers! Connect with her:
Twitter | Goodreads | Pinterest | Website
Don't miss out!
Click the button below and you can sign up to receive emails whenever Reina M. Williams publishes a new book. There's no charge and no obligation.
https://books2read.com/r/B-A-NPFE-WGVLB
Connecting independent readers to independent writers.
Also by Reina M. Williams
A Gentleman's Daughter
A Gentleman's Daughter: Her Choice
A Gentleman's Daughter: Her Folly
A Gentleman's Daughter: Her Love
Escape in Love
Greek Getaway
Paris Interlude
Italian Honeymoon
Jane Austen in California
Petals, Pride, and Persuasion: A Jane Austen in California Collection
Love at Pemberley
Most Truly: A Pride and Prejudice Novella
Miss Darcy Decides: A Pride and Prejudice Novella
Miss Bennet Blooms: A Pride and Prejudice Novella
Misunderstood: A Pride and Prejudice Novella
Love at Pemberley
Montana Matchmakers
Sweet Christmas
Sweet Valentine
Sweet Spring
Sweet Summer
Hello Dolly
Sweet Fall
One Moment
Sweet Winter
Sweet Easter
Sweet May
North Beach Bakery
Valentine Kisses
Spring Kisses
Chocolate Kisses
Autumn Kisses
Mistletoe Kisses (Coming Soon)
Christmas Kisses (Coming Soon)
Valentine Kisses Page 10