He shifted his eyes to the tree burgeoning into the room like a womb full of hopes and dreams. He’d debated making three wishes last night. He’d thought about wishing that Emily would finally realize that they were not that far apart in their beliefs, but something in his heart told him that he didn’t need a miracle for that to happen. And his second wish, well, how could he refrain from wishing for Serafina’s husband’s safe return? After the way Emily had given herself over to him last night, he knew he hadn’t needed that third wish after all. A part of him was hoping the House of Wishes did possess some otherworldly power, because he worried that that was exactly what Serafina’s husband might need.
Emily had seemed so conflicted about what to wish for. He gazed down at the peaceful look on her beautiful face, her lips slightly parted and curved up at the ends, felt the easy, restful cadence of her breathing, and he knew that she had probably been thinking about what everyone else needed rather than what she wanted. That big heart of hers caused all sorts of emotional conflicts in her beautiful, intelligent mind. He had the urge to caress her face, to kiss the sweet corners of her mouth as he’d done last night, when they’d woken up and he’d taken her again—this time in the manner she’d asked to be taken—rough and reckless. They’d made love until the room vibrated with the sounds of flesh slapping against flesh and moans and gasps thick with raw, unadulterated pleasure. He smiled with the memory. Afterward, she’d let him bathe her. He’d never felt so deeply connected to a person.
She needed her rest more than he needed to touch her cheek.
He slipped from the couch, and she sighed, rolled onto her side, and drifted right back to sleep. Dae moved quietly to their clothing, which he’d draped over the chairs to dry. After dressing, he set two ibuprofen tablets next to the bottle of water for Emily. He hoped she wouldn’t be too sore this morning, but he had a feeling she was going to have a difficult few days. He wished he didn’t have to leave so soon so he could take care of her, but given how strongly she felt about this property, he needed to have a face-to-face meeting with Frank and decide on his next move.
Outside, shafts of light split the clouds, blazing a path through the dewy grass toward the forgotten bicycles. The scent of rain lingered in the air, damp and refreshing. Droplets of water glistened on the tips of the grass, wetting Dae’s still-damp sneakers. His chest tightened and his hands fisted at his sides as he neared the road where Emily’s tire had caught. He wished he could have prevented her accident. The urge to protect her was already as much a part of him as the need to breathe.
He picked up their helmets and hooked them on the handlebars before pushing the bikes back toward the house. He parked them on the deep front porch and checked Emily’s bike for damage. The tires were still full of air, and the bike was intact, though he couldn’t imagine she’d be up to riding back to the resort. Before going inside, he walked around the villa. His mind was ensconced in thoughts of Emily. He envisioned them walking hand in hand across the damp grass, sitting on the patio on the side of the house, having coffee beneath the vine-laced latticework, and as he came to the backyard, he imagined her eyes softening at the sight of the mammoth—and magical?—tree. Her eyes had a way of making him forget everything else in the world. He imagined arriving in Denver without her. An empty feeling seeped into him. Emily wasn’t someone a person could simply be with. She was a woman to be experienced, and he wanted her with him always.
He looked out over the rolling hills and smiled when his eyes caught on a patch of poppies. Emily, you’re everywhere. He pictured what it would be like to drive into the same driveway at the end of each day. Before Emily, Dae had lived with one foot out the door, never staying in one of his houses for more than a few weeks at a time. How would it feel to know that she was inside waiting for him? Every night. The thought of putting down roots was so unfamiliar that it knocked him off balance. On some level, it even scared him. But settling down with Emily was what he wanted. He’d rather be scared with her in his life than empty without her.
EMILY WOKE UP alone on the couch and listened for Dae. The room was quiet. The sound of rain pounding the roof had been replaced with peaceful silence. She noticed the water bottle and pills beside the couch and smiled, feeling happier and more content than she’d ever been. As she swallowed the pills, she thought about the night before and how everything felt as though it had changed. Even the tree felt bigger, more real than it had the night before. She took stock of her emotions and realized that she felt calmer and more settled.
Her muscles smarted as she shifted to a sitting position and carefully flattened her foot on the floor, scrunching her face in anticipation of the pain. She glanced down at her foot, which wasn’t bruised or swollen, and pressed her heel harder against the cold floor. She was surprised that it no longer hurt.
She rose to her feet, putting most of her weight on her other foot, and was relieved when she still felt no pain in her ankle as she crossed the floor and retrieved her clothing. She caught sight of Dae through the window. He was filling the planter with fresh water, his back to her. His biceps flexed as he used the hand pump for the well. She wished she’d remembered to tell him about the hand pump last night, but he’d been as resourceful as ever when he’d brought in the planter full of rainwater, then bathed her with so much care she could barely do more than breathe.
She turned back to the tree. The uncertainty of what to wish for had also dissipated during the night. She knew exactly what matter of the heart needed the extra chance. She scribbled her wish and placed the paper in the same hole Dae had placed his; then she opened the door and leaned against the frame, watching her man as he crouched to pick up the full planter. She loved that he was taking such good care of her. She remembered the feel of his hands in her hair as he rinsed out the mud from her fall, the way he’d carefully drawn the washcloth over her skin, removing every streak of dirt, and how he’d frowned at the bluish bruises that were forming on her shoulder and hip. He was all easy movements and striking masculinity as he turned toward her and their eyes caught.
He carried the planter across the grass with a smile that warmed his dark eyes.
“Wow, you’re a sight for sore eyes. Aren’t girls supposed to need primping in the morning? It’s crazy how hot you are.”
She felt her cheeks heat up and knew he loved the reaction when he raised his brows in appreciation. He stopped beside her and kissed her. How the heck did he smell so good after all they’d been through? The man made dirt smell appealing.
“You probably shouldn’t be standing on your ankle.”
“It doesn’t hurt this morning, but I took the ibuprofen anyway. Thank you for that.” She hooked her finger in the front pocket of his shorts. “Thank you for everything, Dae. You took such good care of me.”
“And I always will, if you’ll let me.”
She followed him inside, knowing he really would always take care of her.
“I thought I’d put this in the bathroom upstairs so you can have some privacy if you want to wash up. I can bring in a few more of these to fill up a tub if you want, although the water’s pretty cold.”
She followed him upstairs and dipped her finger into the cool water. “I think I’ll just use a towel and take a sponge bath.”
“That’s exactly why I’m spoiling you tonight. When we get back to the resort, I’m giving you a nice warm bubble bath, a bottle of wine, and dinner anywhere you want. All I ask is that you take it easy on that ankle. I won’t be here to take care of you if you get hurt again, and that kills me.” He lifted her onto the marble sink, parted her legs with his thighs, then moved in close. He lowered her shirt from her shoulder and kissed the spot where the bruise had bloomed. Then he ran his hands down her legs and hugged her to him, holding the back of her head in a way that made her feel like she was one hundred percent his.
“I wish I could take the aches away. Are you sure you’re not too sore?”
Emily didn’t need to be pampered in a fa
ncy tub, or any of those things he mentioned. All she needed was him.
“Yeah, I’m just a little achy, but you’ve already made me feel so much better. Besides, it’s no worse than if I’d been hit by a truck.”
He looked down at her with concerned eyes.
“I’m kidding.” She laughed.
“You’re evil.”
“I prefer the word playful.” She ran her finger down the center of his chest and thought of her brothers and their fiancées. She was testing herself. Testing her heart. She waited for the embarrassing pang of jealousy that usually accompanied thoughts of them, and when it didn’t come, she knew.
“This is real between us,” she whispered.
“It sure is, baby.”
They held each other for another minute or two, allowing the confirmation to sink in.
“Why don’t I get cleaned up and then we can bike back to the resort.”
His eyes filled with concern again.
“Don’t worry. I promise if my ankle hurts too much, I’ll stop and you can ride the rest of the way with me on your handlebars.”
“Now you’re thinking.” He kissed her forehead and left her to wash up.
After she finished, she went in search of Dae and heard him speaking in a heated tone. She saw him just outside the doors of the room where they’d slept. He glanced up and nodded in her direction before taking his disgruntled conversation out of earshot. Emily wondered who he was talking to, but she gave him his privacy and began packing up their belongings. She hesitated when she picked up the two pads where they’d been writing their preserve or demolish lists. As badly as she wanted to read what he’d written, she wanted to do it with Dae, and she had a feeling that whatever had him pacing in the yard with his shoulders rounded forward and a pinched look on his face would take precedence over their silly lists. She shoved them into the backpack, along with their other belongings, and a few minutes later she heard Dae’s determined steps as he came back into the room. The serious look in his eyes had her concerned.
“Anything I can help with?”
“No, thanks,” he said gruffly. “Just work stuff. I’m going to empty the planter and bring it back outside so we can take off.”
He took the steps two at a time and was back downstairs in record time. He feigned a smile at Emily as he carried the planter outside. She didn’t miss the tension in his jaw or his abrupt movements.
Emily folded the blanket and returned it to the trunk where they’d found it. She bundled up the damp towels and shoved them in the backpack. She’d take them back to Adelina’s to wash them and then find a way to return them. Dae came back inside as she was stuffing them into the backpack.
“Why are you taking the towels?”
“To wash them.”
“Frank, the owner of this place, won’t want or need them.” The sharp edge of his voice startled her. “We’ll throw them away when we get to Adelina’s.”
“Are you sure? I don’t mind.”
“No, Em. The guy doesn’t even want this place to remain here. He wants me to demolish it all. The furniture, the tree, everything. He won’t give a damn about the stupid towels.”
The veins in his forearms bulged as he scrubbed his hand down his face. “I’m sorry, Em. This whole work thing…” He waved at the tree. “And leaving you…” He kissed the top of her head and folded her into his arms. “It’s all got me on edge. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t take it out on you.”
“It’s okay.” She was beginning to understand and assumed he’d been talking with the owner of the house. Seeing him upset made her stomach ache, which told her loud and clear how much she loved him.
He came to her side, and his eyes and voice softened. “No, baby. It’s not okay. I’m sorry. I just want to make sure you’re safe and happy, and I’m leaving soon to deal with this mess. Let’s get you home so at least we’ve got the safe part in place. I know if you need anything while I’m gone, Adelina will take care of you.”
“I’m a big girl. I’ll be fine.” She’d be about as fine as if she’d lost her left leg. Dae had already become not only a part of her life, but a part of her, and even the idea of spending a day without him made her sad, but she was a big girl. She had to be, so she forced a brave face.
“You are a competent, brilliant woman, but that doesn’t mean that I won’t worry night and day about you when we’re apart. And this place, this property that brought me here, and brought us together, I need to deal with it.”
Her stomach sank. “To tear it down?”
He gazed into her eyes with an unreadable expression. “I honestly don’t know.” He slung the backpack over his shoulder. “I want you to see something on the way out.”
Emily heard voices when she stepped out onto the porch. “What’s going on?”
“I’ll show you.” He locked the door, then they made their way around back.
There must have been twenty women gathered in the backyard, most speaking in Italian, some fast and heated, others softer, exasperated. She squeezed Dae’s hand. This was fantastic! Maybe the community coming together and showing how much they believed in the magic of the House of Wishes would change the owner’s mind. Maybe it would help sway Dae, too.
“Adelina must have told everyone she knew that the house might be torn down,” Emily said. “Gossip must travel as fast here as it does back home. This is amazing. What a show of faith!” The women were gathered in small groups, talking animatedly and using hand gestures, and there was no shortage of glances being turned in the direction of the tree.
“I bet they’re wishing, just like Adelina said she and Serafina would. Isn’t it wonderful to see them all coming together like this?”
“Yeah. Great.”
His sarcasm wasn’t lost on Emily, and that sarcasm served as an unwanted reminder of their fundamental differences.
Chapter Fourteen
DAE AND EMILY pedaled their bikes down the long driveway toward the resort and were surprised to find several cars in the parking lot. They stopped in front of the house and pulled off their bike helmets.
“Wow. I wonder what’s going on.” Emily watched Dae shake his hair free. He looked like one of those motorcycle guys in a cologne commercial, deeply tanned and glistening with just enough sweat to make her salivate. His unkempt hair partially hid his eyes and amped up his sexy factor by about a million degrees.
“No idea. Maybe there’s a reception or something. It is a resort.” He hung their helmets on the handlebars. “How’s your ankle holding up?”
“A little twingy, but it’s fine.”
He kissed the tip of her nose. “We’ll stay off of it for the rest of the day. I’ll bring these down to the shed. Why don’t you go inside and get comfortable.”
“I can help you.” She reached for her bike.
“You’re lucky I let you bike home.” He snagged the handlebars from her grasp and headed for the barn. “Relax, babe. I’ve got this.”
Relax. She felt like she’d been doing nothing but relaxing for days. It dawned on her that she’d been so consumed with their relationship that she’d actually let go of all thoughts of work. Damn, it felt good.
She’d much rather be with Dae than go inside alone and relax. Emily followed him around to the back of the house and watched him descend the hill.
“Emily.”
She turned at the sound of Serafina’s voice.
“Hi, Serafina.”
Serafina’s long cotton skirt swished over her legs as she joined Emily. Without Luca perched on her hip, she looked very young. Emily realized that she didn’t even know how old Serafina was, but she couldn’t have been much older than twenty-five. And she had likely already lost her husband. Emily cleared her throat to try to gain control of the sadness washing through her.
“Hi. My mother was worried about the two of you. Did you have a romantic stay in Chianti after all?” She raised her brows with a hopeful look on her face. Her eyes slid over Emily’s face, and the hop
e quickly changed to worry. “What happened to your cheek?”
“I’m sorry we worried her. We got stuck in the storm, and I fell off the bike. It’s nothing, really. It looks worse than it is. We had to get out of the rain for the night.” She smiled at Dae as he headed back toward them. “We did enjoy a romantic night. Where’s Luca today?”
“I’m glad you’re okay.” Serafina pointed to the house. “Luca’s inside being doted on by more women than I can contend with.”
“Hi, Serafina,” Dae said as he came to Emily’s side. “Hand or arm?” he asked Emily.
“Hand.” She reached for his hand. “My shoulder’s a little tender.”
“Any news on Dante?” he asked.
Serafina shook her head. “I don’t expect there to be.”
“Don’t give up hope,” Emily said, even though she was skeptical. “You’re praying and wishing at the House of Wishes—”
Serafina’s eyes dampened. “Emily, when he was fighting with the other men, every day I prayed for him, and every day felt like a year. I know other women who have lost their husbands and their boyfriends. It was awful, but at least they knew for sure. They watched their husbands’ bodies be placed in the ground and knew that when they turned away, they were destined to live without them.” Serafina shook her head. “You can’t imagine how long a minute feels when the man you love is missing.”
“Serafina, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make it sound easy.” Emily felt horrible. Serafina hadn’t looked this sad since she’d arrived.
“You didn’t. Having hope should be easy when it comes to the man you love, but nothing feels easy. Nothing even feels real to me now. I feel like I’m stuck in quicksand. If I don’t believe he’ll return, I’ll drown in it. And if I hold out hope that he’ll be found alive, I can’t move forward. Isn’t that drowning a slower death? Either way I run the risk of taking Luca under with me.”
Dreaming of Love Page 16