by JoAnn Durgin
Dylan walked in a few minutes later. “Hey, Amanda.” His eyes lit when he glanced at the table. “Ah, you’ve brought your famous brownies. Thanks. Don’t mind if I do.” He grabbed a napkin and put a brownie on it. “Word on the street is that you have a beau. A drifter, no less.”
Although she knew Dylan meant well, she didn’t always appreciate his teasing. “The only drifts are in the snow outside. Be nice or I’ll march these delicious homemade brownies back home and eat them all by myself because you’ve hurt my tender, vulnerable feelings. A girl’s got a right to keep her chocolate and not share it, you know.” She shook her head and made a tsk tsk noise she knew annoyed him. “How you and Julia came from the same womb, I’ll never understand.”
“You know I love you, Amanda, but it’s also my duty as your brother’s best friend—and best man, not to mention future brother-in-law—to step up and investigate this new guy in town. Especially when he seems more than a little mysterious. I still can’t believe I haven’t met him yet. Hannah can’t stop raving about how he helped her at the senior center Christmas luncheon the other day. To hear my boys tell it, he’s like some kind of Pied Piper, and the kids love him.”
Jake strolled into the kitchen and motioned for her to join him. “Dylan harassing you again?”
“Always. Wouldn’t be a day in Starlight without it.” When her brother didn’t laugh, she eyed him. “You all right?” She pushed the platter toward him. “Here. Have a brownie. That’ll cure whatever ails you.”
Jake shook his head and confusion clouded his features. “Nothing’s wrong. Something about Dante is familiar, and I haven’t been able to figure it out.”
“Maybe a photo on the post office wall?” Dylan laughed when Amanda grabbed the plastic salt shaker from the table and tossed it at him. “Isn’t there some superstition about throwing salt over your shoulder?”
“I wouldn’t know.” She frowned and glanced at Jake. “Why didn’t you say something before?”
“It’s called being distracted by love,” Dylan said. “The guy’s got a lot on his mind.”
“Tell me about it. I’ve been helping the bride with all the last-minute shopping.” She shot Jake a grin. “You’re going to thank me later, brother.”
“Thank goodness it’s been quiet here at the station the last few weeks,” Dylan said. Biting into a brownie, he formed a circle with his thumb and index finger. “Amanda, this is primo,” he said. “You can bring these anytime.”
“Prego.”
When both men stared at her, she shrugged and helped herself to the smallest brownie on the plate.
“So, does Mr. Dante have a last name?” Dylan asked. “I’ve only heard everyone call him by his first name.”
“Moretti.” Jake took a bite of brownie. “Dylan’s right, Amanda. These taste great.”
Dylan stared at Jake. He chewed fast and swallowed his bite. “Wait a minute, people. Did you say Dante Moretti?” When he put his brownie on a napkin, Amanda knew she had his attention.
“Yes,” she said, nibbling on her brownie.
“Oh, this is good.” Dylan slapped his hand on the table. “What’s he look like?”
“Why?” Jake shook his head. “Stop being dramatic and speak, Dylan.”
“Tall, dark hair, a couple inches shorter than Jake.” Amanda sighed in an exaggerated manner. “Olive-skinned, deep dimples on both sides, Italian heritage. Originally from Justis, Texas. Then you’ve got handsome, kind, well-mannered, intelligent, funny…” She crossed her eyes. “Did I say gorgeous?”
“What’d he tell you he does for a living?” Swiping his hands together, Dylan rose from his chair. Amanda grimaced when it scraped against the firehouse floor.
“Now you’re talking,” Jake said. “Basically, he told us he does some kind of sports marketing. In Rome, Italy, of all places.”
“Why are you so suspicious of Dante?” Amanda glared at Dylan before turning to her brother. “And you,” she said, staring down Jake, “should be ashamed of yourself.”
Dylan started to pace.
“Dylan, please sit down and eat your brownie like a good little boy,” she said.
“Come with me, people.” Dylan ignored her comment and beckoned to them.
“Why?” Jake asked.
“’Cause you’re going to want to see this. Trust me on that one.”
Jake stood beside her as Dylan booted up the computer. He brought up a search engine and typed in a few quick keystrokes. Then he scanned the page and clicked on a link. A large color photo of Dante popped onto the screen. “And here we go.”
Amanda’s pulse sputtered as she and Jake leaned over Dylan’s shoulder, trying to get a better view.
“That’s him, all right,” she said. “Please tell me this website is for something”—she gulped—“legit.” Photos of Dante filled the entire screen. Close-ups, long shots, Dante in street clothes, Dante wearing a bright blue uniform—short-sleeved shirt and shorts with a logo of some kind splashed across the front. In some photos he held a soccer ball, and in others, he kicked the ball. Another photo showed him sprawled on the ground in front of a net, a triumphant smile on his face and his hands in the air—holding the soccer ball.
Jake gawked. “You’re telling me Dante’s a professional soccer player?”
“Yep. In Italy, no less. Don’t you people ever Google?”
“Not my first inclination, no,” Jake said.
“Why would I?” Amanda frowned. “I’d feel like I was spying on him or didn’t trust him.”
“He got drafted straight into Italian football—what they call soccer in Europe—from playing college soccer at West Texas A&M.” Dylan sat up straighter and clicked further down on the page. “Listen to this,” he said, his voice rising. “He was the goalie of the World Cup championship team two years ago. This means your guy’s pretty good at it, Amanda. One of the best in the world, as a matter of fact.” He pointed to the screen. “If I’m not mistaken, this photo here is the one known as ‘the dive seen ’round the world.’ I remember hearing about it. That move right there won the World Cup.”
Jake raked a hand through his dark hair. “Unbelievable. What’s a guy like that doing in little Starlight, Iowa?”
“Let me see if I can find a shot of him shirtless, Amanda.” Dylan clicked away on the computer. “Give you a little eye candy. Soccer players are famous for whipping off their shirts after a victory. Maybe Dante’s got a tattoo of Jesus on his rippling, muscled forearm.”
“Don’t be irreverent.” Amanda swatted Dylan’s shoulder but wasn’t about to admit she’d already glimpsed Dante minus his shirt. And seen his tattoo up close and personal. Actually, she’d considered it tasteful. It didn’t cover half his back or his arm, and was a sweet, sentimental way to honor the memory of his sister.
Dylan clicked to another screen with photos of Dante plastered everywhere. “Bottom line? Dante’s a world-class athlete, popular with the ladies, and a millionaire, but at least now you know your guy’s no drifter out for your money. And look,” he said, “it says here that the jewelry store his grandparents started is now a whole chain of stores stretching across Texas and Louisiana.” His grin was smug. “Just a little something to fall back on if the soccer doesn’t work out, I guess.”
“Stop calling him ‘my guy’ and you seriously never thought he was a drifter, did you?” Amanda directed the latter question to her brother.
“No, but I wondered why he seemed a little evasive at dinner the other night.” Jake shrugged. “I could tell he wasn’t forthcoming with the entire truth.”
“He didn’t lie either. And why are you suddenly using a word like forthcoming? A man has every right to his privacy, you know.” Amanda moved her hands to her hips. “Hindsight is foresight, huh? Dante probably figured—rightly so—that if you knew he’s a big-time sports star, you wouldn’t have allowed him within a foot of me.”
“True. He would be right,” Jake said.
Dylan chuckled. “I l
ove imaginary conversations. And like it or not, Amanda, word around town is that you and Mr. Dante are getting a little cozy.”
Amanda ignored him and snapped her fingers. “Caroline must know! That night at Barney’s, when I first met Dante, I could tell something was definitely going on with her. Not to mention, Dante threw a bill on the counter that made Caroline’s eyes about bulge out of her head. He wore a really big ring, too, come to think of it. When I asked him about it, he said it was a sports ring.” Crossing her arms over her chest, she shook her head. “This explains a lot.”
“Caroline does love her soccer,” Dylan said. “She’s probably having the time of her life with a World Cup goalie sleeping in her guest bedroom and fixing up their house.”
“Dante’s lived in the limelight, tasted fame and fortune.” Now Jake paced.
Anger bubbled inside her, threatening to spill over. “Yes, but like you’ve said, he’s also done a lot to help the people of this town. You, of all people, know that firsthand, Jake. Besides, he didn’t have to stick around, and nothing’s keeping him here, to my knowledge. So, connecting the dots here—and thank you for putting it diplomatically—his chosen profession makes him a candidate for being a playboy or whatever?”
“You said it, not me.” Jake raised his hands as if in surrender. “Trying to protect you, especially since I suspect his primary reason for sticking around is five-foot-eight, blonde, pretty, and standing in front of me now.”
“Well, thanks for that. I could call you pigheaded, infuriating, and judgmental, but that’s not the Jake I know. You’ve never acted this way before, so why start now?”
He crossed his arms over his chest. “I wish I had a camera to take your picture whenever Dante’s in the room. You get all—”
She held up one hand. “Don’t even say it. I’m not the only woman who thinks he’s a fine-looking man. I’m sure even Julia would agree, although to her credit, she only has eyes for you, as well she should.” She sent a glance Dylan’s way. “And you! I don’t know how you do it, but Hannah’s your biggest fan, so kudos to you.”
“And that’s my cue.” Dylan swung around and lifted out of the chair. “Time for my nap. Have at it, Amanda, as long as big brother here doesn’t need the computer.” He slapped Jake on the shoulder as he rose to leave.
“Don’t mind if I do,” she said, sliding into the chair.
“I need to get back to work.” Jake’s voice was gruff. “We’ll talk later. Call me if you need anything.”
“Aye, aye, Captain,” she said under her breath.
They both needed time to cool off. Tuning out everything, Amanda began to peruse the website, absorbing as much information as she could about Dante’s life. Everything he’d told them was true in terms of his grandparents, where he was born and raised, and the plane crash that killed his parents and his sister, Ana, seven years ago. She read how Dante founded and spearheaded Ana’s Foundation to raise funds and help needy children worldwide in honor of his sister’s memory.
Amanda swallowed hard. Oh, Lord, what he’s had to endure. Not bothering to wipe away the tears that slipped onto the desk, she skimmed through the rest of his biography. After his family died, he dropped out of college for a year and traveled the world before returning to finish his studies. As Dylan said, he was drafted into the overseas football league during his senior year of college and played the coveted goalie position for a team based outside Rome.
Resting her head on her crossed arms, Amanda gave in to the overwhelming need to pray. “Lord, give him Your peace. Whether or not Dante asks You, I’m asking You to help him. He’s such a good man, and he loves You, but I can see he’s unsettled and a little lost. If You can use me in some way to work in his life, I’m Yours. Allow me to be Your servant.”
Amanda brushed tears from her cheeks. When she looked up, she was startled to find Jake sitting in the corner chair. Leaning forward, elbows on his thighs, his head was bowed. Her heart swelled as she rose and crossed the room with quiet steps. Lowering her hand to his shoulder, she tried to be gentle and not startle him. With his eyes still closed, her brother squeezed her hand. After finishing his prayer, he glanced up at her.
“I used the computer in the outer office and read more about Dante, too. I can’t begin to imagine what he’s been through, sis. I’m sorry for ever doubting him.” Jake stood and pulled her into a much needed bear hug. “Should have trusted my instincts more. Forgive me.”
“That’s what sisters are for.” She moved her arms around him and snuggled into his chest. “No forgiveness is needed. You didn’t know. In spite of what I said, I love that you care and want to protect me. Dylan, on the other hand…” Sniffling, she pulled away and gave him a weak smile. “How do we know Dante won’t slip into the night and be on his way back to Italy or points unknown?”
“We don’t, but it seems to me Dante’s in no hurry to leave. Take it one day at a time. I heard your prayer, you know.” Jake tipped her chin. “Continue to trust and let the Lord guide you. If my life has shown me anything, He’ll never steer you wrong.”
How she loved Jake’s unwavering faith, a firm belief he wasn’t afraid to share with anyone. If only she could be as strong and outspoken in that way. She tugged a tissue from her pocket and wiped her eyes. “I love how people in this town keep coming up with projects to keep Dante around longer. It’s like they don’t want to let him go. If only they knew the truth that—”
“That’s the point. Even if they did know, it wouldn’t matter. In their eyes, he’s the guy who strung Ben’s Christmas lights, fixed the leak in Angie and Harry’s roof, and delivered coats and food baskets. He’s done a lot for the people in this town in the short time he’s been here. None more so than you.”
She glanced up at him in surprise. “Explain, please.”
“Put it this way—except for that first morning back in Starlight, you’ve bounded out of bed at the crack of dawn, raring to go. You’ve got a spark I’ve never seen in you before.”
Amanda let that one go for now, almost afraid to admit the truth of his words. Jake walked beside her in silence as they stepped out the back door of the station and into the quiet, brisk night. She turned up the collar of her jacket and tugged on her gloves. The scent of wood burning stoves always reminded her of Starlight, and she breathed it in. Home.
“Why do you think Dante didn’t tell us, Jake?”
“Only he knows the answer to that one. From what I know, the man’s heart’s in the right place. I’m sure he likes a chance to be out of the limelight and the opportunity to be a regular guy. It’s hard for us to imagine what celebrities go through. I’m sure he probably can’t walk down the street in Rome without someone recognizing him.”
A tear slipped down her cheek, and she didn’t bother wiping it away. “When he does leave Starlight, do you think he’ll ever return?” She shook her head and sniffled. “I guess that’s a moot point right now, anyway. First, I need to get my own life straight. I’m still not sure whether I’m staying in Florida or moving back to Starlight.”
Jake shoved his hands in the pockets of his jacket. “If you search your heart, I think you know the answer to that one, Amanda.”
She nodded as her gaze met his. “You’re right. I’m not going to sign a contract for next year. I want to come home, Jake.” She half-laughed. “That felt so good just to say it. I might have to beg Caroline for a job at Barney’s, though, if a teaching job doesn’t open up in Starlight or somewhere nearby.”
“Something will open up, sis, but maybe not in the way you think.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
He shrugged and gave her the same look he did when they were kids, a little sheepish with a hint of mischief playing about his smile. “If it doesn’t, Caroline can always use the extra help to help make the coffee. You’d look pretty cute in one of those aprons.”
“Be quiet,” she said, giving him a playful shove.
Jake tugged her close. “Dante will s
ay good-bye when the time comes. My prayer is that when he does leave, he doesn’t break your heart and take it with him all the way back to Italy. If that happens, the hardest thing will be knowing there’s nothing I can do about it except be here for you.” He pulled away. His dark eyes reflected the moonlight. “But I’m sure the Lord has a plan for you. And I, for one, look forward to finding out what it is.” He tapped her chin.
The light in the sky made her turn her gaze heavenward. “Jake, look at all those stars. It’s like a new gift from God every time I see them. Remember the nursery rhyme Mom used to say with us all the time? Star light, star bright,” she said, her voice low and reverent. She hadn’t thought of it in a long time.
“First star I’ve seen tonight,” he said.
“I wish I may. I wish I might,” she whispered, “have the wish I wish tonight.” Amanda tucked her wish inside her heart, shared only between her and the One who could make it come true.
14
“So, do you dance, Mr. Fancy Footwork?” Amanda manned the refreshment table at the Mistletoe Dance on Tuesday night. Dante worked beside her. Although her question was in sly reference to his goalie skills, he couldn’t possibly know that. He’d tell her when and if he wanted, and she’d sworn Jake and Dylan to secrecy. For now, she’d enjoy each moment with him and let tomorrow take care of itself. She’d read that very verse from the book of Matthew in her morning devotions and loved how the Lord had a way of giving her what she needed exactly when she needed it.
Amanda waved as one of the young couples dancing nearby called to her. Amazing how so many of these kids matured overnight in the short time she’d been in Florida. On the flip side, some of the senior citizens had aged with more stoop in their posture and more grooves in their faces. A few had graduated into glory. Life moved forward as it should, but it made her sentimental and nostalgic.
“You’ll thank me for not asking you to dance.” Dante brought her thoughts back to the present. He retrieved the bag of pretzels and dumped the rest of the bag into a bowl. “Not to mention, I’m still a little sore from lifting the trees at Ed’s the other day. It’s starting to hit me now.” He’d put Jake, the strongest man she knew, to shame the way he’d hauled and lifted trees at the tree farm. He demonstrated incredible upper body strength. While passing out snacks for the work crew, she’d overheard some of the men speculating on how much Dante could bench press. Afterwards, the group all grabbed a bite to eat at Barney’s where she appreciated Jake’s efforts to draw Dante into the conversation. Then they’d traipsed to the park adjacent to the church and acted like kids as they pounded each other with snowballs.