He would be okay. Ciarra had no doubts now.
Trent was out of danger. It took a couple of days running various testing, showing he was well on his way to recovery. Doctor Jones informed them he would continue growing the various specimens just in case, but he was sure Trent didn’t have any type of infectious rare disease. Trent was sure, too. Ciarra had filled him in on the powder Kiyana had used in his food or drink. And after questioning the ER staff, Ciarra found one nurse’s aide who’d seen Kiyana slipping out the rear ER door. The aide had been about to follow to find out why she had been sneaking around, but before reaching the door the aide had been called to assist with an emergency.
Gregory had been convinced Trent had a bad case of pneumonia due to the fluid filled lungs. But, Doctor Jones never found any bacteria that had indicated it. Gregory figured it hadn’t shown up for some unknown unexplainable reason.
Not too long after Trent woke up, Gregory pulled Ciarra aside and whispered, “It wasn’t pneumonia. I know that now.”
Ciarra only smiled. She’d have to ask him some day what convinced him.
Now, she sat on a bar stool inside of her father’s restaurant with a beer in front of her.
She spotted Bianca making her way toward the bar, winding around the tables. Her appearance today was different from when Ciarra ran into her at the hospital. Her long dark brown hair fell over her shoulders, not nearly as long as Ciarra’s. Her baggy sweatshirt and snug jeans looked as if she actually owned them for a good amount of time.
“I’m glad you could make it.” Ciarra patted the empty stool next to her.
“Your brother was pretty relentless in his pursuit.” She pointed to the restaurant’s name on the menu in front of them. “Homeland Italy. Befitting.”
“Dad loves his origins.”
“Does he know I’m here?” Bianca glanced around.
“No. I figured I’d surprise him. He hates it when I do that, but it’s better than his mind being scrambled all day. Plus, he would probably refuse to see you and would’ve stayed home.” Ciarra took a gulp of the beer. “I need to thank you for talking to Kiyana that day at the hospital. I think it’s the only thing that saved Trent.”
“Well I don’t believe in all that nonsense. However, I wasn’t about to take a chance when it came to you and your happiness.” She patted Ciarra’s hand. “See, I’ve always looked out for your happiness.”
Ciarra studied her mother’s face. She seemed genuine. It was hard to tell though. “I guess at some point I will understand why you dropped me off at the orphanage. In the meantime, can we take it one day at a time? No expectations. Just see how it goes.”
For the first time, Ciarra saw Bianca smile. It mirrored her own. She’s my mom, no doubt.
“I think I can do that. I’ll stay in town for a few days. Look around at homes and such. I promise not to bombard you.”
“We can do lunch this weekend.”
“Sounds wonderful, dear.”
A commotion came from the kitchen. Ciarra’s father came stumbling out the door, his head chef behind him. “See? Told you so. Get over there.” The chef pointed toward her and her mother.
Lorenzo’s face grew red. Ciarra rubbed her hands together trying to kill off the nervousness and attempted to smile. “Hi, Dad.” She waved.
He didn’t say a word, but stomped his way over to them. He looked past her to Bianca. “What in the hell are you doing here?”
“I—”
“Dad, I asked her to meet me here.”
He frowned. “Why would you do that?” The color drained from his face. “Sweetie, please tell me you didn’t do this as a surprise. You know how much I detest them.”
“Lorenzo, I know I have no right, but—”
“Damn right on that.” He slung the dishtowel over his shoulder. “I’m sorry to hear of your husband’s death. But, we haven’t had you around in a very long time. We needed you then. Not now.”
“Dad, please listen to her. Even though there’s never any good excuse, you need to hear her story.” She rose from the stool and leaned near his ear. “For me, Papa. And for yourself. You may be surprised.” She turned to her mother. “I will see you this weekend. Call me.”
Calling him Papa was her only weapon when it came to convincing her father to do anything. Ciarra was looking forward to the lunch. Especially to find out what would happen after leaving these two alone.
Ciarra met up with Trent’s nurse in the hall. “How is he doing?”
“Wouldn’t you know, he’s ordering me around as usual. Other than that, he’s fine. All tests look good. Lord only knows his mouth works at the rate he’s talking. And it’s all about you.” The nurse giggled and walked away.
Ciarra smiled as she opened the door and then closed and locked it. “Doctor Moore, I hear you’re being a bad boy trying to order your nurse around.”
“Mmmm . . . Yup. I need punishment. What do you have for me?”
“Well, I believe there is one test that hasn’t been run. It needs to be done immediately.” She sat on the side of the bed and slid her hand under the sheet. She rubbed his abdomen just above his pelvic bone.
He groaned. “A little lower.”
With her other hand, she placed it over his heart. “Let’s see if the old ticker can race and keep up.” She ran the covered hand down his leg and to the inside running it back up. He was naked underneath the hospital gown. She found him ready. “My, your heartbeat has increased.”
He grabbed hold of her hand. “Think of all the games we get to play now.” He grinned, the glimmer in his eyes telling her all she needed to know.
Yes, she would show him some games even he never thought of. And this was just the beginning.
Chapter 18
Three months later . . .
The men sat around in the living room at the farm waiting on dinner. The girls had been in the kitchen for the better part of two hours preparing and gossiping.
“Ciarra doesn’t have a clue why we’re all here tonight?” Simon chuckled.
“Shhh. Keep it down. No, of course not.” If Trent’s stomach didn’t stop the damn somersaults, he wouldn’t make it through the most important night of his life.
Simon patted his shoulder. “It’ll be fine. She’s so in love with you, she’s bound to forgive you for surprising her in front of your crazy family.”
Sean leaned over, raising his glass in a cheer. “And hers.”
Who was he kidding? Ciarra would ring his damn neck. Maybe not in front of everyone, but later tonight once she had him alone. She was like her father, not too keen on surprises. And he was going to do this in front of a crowd to boot . . .
Lorenzo walked over to him and held out a glass. “Here, it’ll take the edge off. It worked for me when she surprised me with her mother sitting at my bar in the restaurant.” He took a sip of his amber colored liquid. “What you’re doing is nothing bad. Unlike what my daughter did to me.”
“But that didn’t turn out so bad, did it?”
Lorenzo chuckled. “No, I guess not. I’m still on guard though. I can’t help but wait to see if Bianca will run off again. She said she wouldn’t but . . .”
Everyone who’d gathered at the farm tonight knew of Trent’s plan. Once he told Greg and Sammy, word spread fast. Then he had to get Lorenzo’s permission since that was the right thing to do. Of course, Lindsey babbled to her new co-worker—Ciarra’s brother, Sean—at the Acadia newspaper.
Not knowing how Ciarra would handle this or if she were even ready, he’d consulted Tiesha. She assured him Ciarra was more than ready.
The clear liquid was easing some of the fear. Stop being such a chicken shit.
“Do you think it’s too soon?” Trent asked Lorenzo.
“Boy, how many times are you going to ask me that? We need to get this over and done with before you manage to change your mind. I’m going to get her and the other ladies in here, so you can just ask her.”
Jason came over. He’
d come a long way in the last three months, both physically and emotionally. He still moped from time to time knowing he would never get behind the wheel of his racecar again.
But, Lisa, her daughter, and the farm were helping to heal him. “Are you sure you want to ask her with us around?”
Trent’s voice hitched. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
During the month of healing for himself, everyone—Lisa, Jason, Greg, Sammy, Simon, Lindsay, Sean, and even Tiesha—lent a helping hand. Lorenzo sent over a variety of food every night with Ciarra for Trent. Bianca had stopped in a few times to check on him. That’s when he realized why Bianca had seemed so familiar.
By the third visit, it clicked. She was the same woman who helped take care of the farmhouse and him when he was a boy. She must have been pregnant with Ciarra at the time. Trent’s mother and father had given her refuge. After giving birth, she and the newborn disappeared, leaving behind a note of enduring gratitude. His mother had kept that letter in her Bible. He had found it while going through his mother’s things one day up in the attic.
He would be forever grateful to Bianca for convincing Kiyana to lift the curse. She was the reason he still lived.
Six months ago, he wouldn’t have believed he’d be this close to his family or that he enjoyed the refuge of the farm. And he was about to ask the woman he’d fallen for to marry him.
The women helped one another in the kitchen, chattering and laughing. Ciarra had a complete life. Her father and her mother, the man she loved, her changed brother—thanks to Lindsay she was pretty sure—and the wonderful extended Moore family.
Well, almost complete.
One day at a time.
Bianca leaned over. “Are you sure I should be here tonight?”
“Of course you should.”
Lindsay moved around Ciarra. “You are as much a part of this family as Ciarra and everyone else. You saved my brother. He wouldn’t be here right now if it weren’t for you.” She turned to Ciarra. “Or you. You believed when no one else really did. You hung in there and didn’t give up. You love him and that’s good enough for me.”
Sammy sat Gabrielle down in the booster chair. “She’s right. You two are now part of us. Welcome to the crazy farm. Literally.” She laughed, causing Gabrielle to follow suit.
Ciarra smiled and stopped chopping. “See? You are welcomed here. Dad wouldn’t have it any other way.” After that first night her mother and father spoke to one another at his restaurant, Ciarra found out they’d gone out and danced the night away, catching up on their lives. Her father was reserved, even now, but he loved the woman who’d captured his heart long ago. It would take time to build the trust.
“I’ve been here at the farm before.”
All activity suddenly stopped. Ciarra set down the knife and asked, “When?”
“I told you I found safety at a farm out of town while I was pregnant with you. Trent’s parents took me in. As a matter of fact, I changed Lindsay’s diapers.”
Lindsay burst out laughing, and everyone followed suit, except for Ciarra.
Bianca rested her hand on Ciarra’s shoulder. “I told him a couple of weeks ago. He thought I only looked familiar because you and I look so much alike. He wanted to tell you, but I told him it was not his place. I had to grovel. I wanted you to know how special this farm was for me.”
Ciarra smiled. She wasn’t upset at all. Just shocked at how different parts of life were interconnected.
“So, Ciarra, are you and my brother ever going to move in together?” Lindsay asked.
Ciarra narrowed her eyes at Lindsay. “I don’t know. We don’t really talk about it.”
“Why?”
Ciarra shrugged.
“You love him. He loves you. What’s so difficult?”
“Linds, leave her alone.” Sammy swatted her leg with the towel.
“If I loved someone like that, I would’ve packed long ago.”
Sammy burst into laughter. “Yeah right. You? Ms. Independent? I-don’t-need-any-dumb-guy?”
“Well, I don’t.”
It was Ciarra’s turn to bring on the heat. “What about my brother?”
Lindsay’s face turned red. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“You two seem pretty buddy-buddy lately.”
“What did he tell you?”
Ciarra held up her hands. “Easy. He didn’t say anything.”
“And now, he doesn’t have to, does he Linds?” Sammy teased.
Lorenzo stepped into the kitchen as Lindsay threw a handful of grapes at her sister-in-law.
Gabriella screamed, “Foo’ fight.”
Lisa reached down and picked her up, carrying her out of the kitchen before she could join in.
“Whoa girls. What’s happening in here?”
Lindsay started picking up the grapes she’d tossed through the air. She spotted Ciarra chuckling. “Laugh it up. You’re next on the chopping block from what I hear.”
Sammy’s smiled disappeared. “Linds, don’t.”
“What are you talking about?” She thought it was weird they were meeting for dinner in the middle of the week. This normally occurred on Sundays. What was going on?
She looked around the room. Everyone seemed like they were holding their breath. Did they know her secret? That was impossible. She hadn’t told anyone. “What’s going on here?” She turned to her mother. “Do you know?”
Before her mother could speak, Lorenzo grabbed her hand and pulled her toward the living room. “Come on, girls. Let’s do this.”
Do what?
Trent caught sight of Lorenzo, Ciarra and the rest of the women coming from the kitchen. The instant he looked at Ciarra, the queasiness disappeared. This was so right. In this moment, he no longer doubted what he was doing.
“Ciarra, come here.” He sat and patted the empty spot next to him on the sofa.
She moved toward him with a slight smile playing along her lips. “What’s going on Trent?”
He stood and pulled the box from his pocket and knelt down on one knee in front of her. He held one of her hands in his.
He spotted the tears gathering before one trickled down her cheek. Her hands started to shake. “Ciarra Pacelli, never before have I known the true meaning of love. I was so blinded by anger and betrayal and my own inner demons. You showed me how easy it was to love without complication.” He let go of her hand and opened the box.
“Oh my.” Ciarra held her hand to her chest. “Trent . . .”
“Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife and marry me, Ciarra Pacelli?”
At first, she didn’t speak. Tear after tear rolled down her face. Trent’s heart stopped. Was she about to say no?
Then, she smiled that brilliant smile he loved so much. “Yes.”
“Really?”
“Absolutely.” She pulled him to her and kissed him.
Everyone clapped and congratulated them. He slid the single diamond on her finger and kissed the top of her hand. “You’re not going to kill me?”
“For what?”
“Making this a family affair. Surprising you the way I did.”
“No, silly. But, I have one of my own for you. Everyone, hold on.” Ciarra stood up. “I have an announcement, too.”
She agreed to marry him. She wasn’t going to shoot him. So, what was going on? He rose to his feet.
“I didn’t tell anyone this because I had to confirm it. I certainly wasn’t planning on telling you in front of everyone here. But, what the hell.”
His heart picked up speed. Those somersaults returned. Was it getting hot in here? He gulped in air trying to keep up with his lungs.
But, she looked happy. She was smiling. Almost glowing. Glowing? Could she . . .? He was going to pass out.
Ciarra rubbed his back. “Trent, breathe. I haven’t even told you yet.”
He let out a whoosh of air. “Are . . . are you pregnant?”
The smile didn’t falter, but on
ly grew larger. “I am.”
He was going to be a father? “Really? This isn’t a joke or anything to get back at me?”
Ciarra laughed. “No, of course not. We’re having a baby.”
Trent picked her up and spun her around. She wrapped her arms around him and nuzzled his neck. He placed her feet back on the ground. “I’m sorry. Morning sickness. Did I make you sick or dizzy or anything? Here, sit down.”
“I’m fine. I’ve had a little morning sickness, but crackers help keep it at bay.”
“This is the best news.” He sat down on the sofa and pulled her into his lap. “Well, besides saying you’ll marry me.”
Greg raised his glass. “He or she will have this great place to grow up in like we did. Well, some of us liked it here.”
Trent moved Ciarra off his lap and stood. “I guess I deserved that. I didn’t have a great time growing up here, but I realize it was my own fault. Had I taken the time to ask Mom and Dad what made the farm so wonderful for them instead of assuming she was doing this all for him, and I wasn’t being so damn selfish, I think my feelings toward this place and Dad would’ve changed long before now. I’ll have to live with that the rest of my life. But, I will make sure my son or daughter sees how wonderful this farm is.”
“I know that. But, you didn’t get what I said, did you?”
Trent narrowed his eyes thinking back to what Greg had said about the farm. “Does that mean . . .”
“And the light bulb flickers on,” Greg chuckled. “Sure does. The farm’s ours. I don’t mean just Sammy’s and mine. The farm is for everyone. So, it might get a little crowded at times, but I’m sure we’ll manage. Of course the wedding can be held here, too.”
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