“I’ve got a date,” he whispered, leaning over to kiss her gently on the forehead. Her eyes sprang open and she bolted upright, taking the sheet with her.
“You’ve got a what!” she cried in alarm.
“A date, honey,” he repeated, his eyes twinkling with mischief. “I sure wouldn’t want to disappoint Gina.”
“Gina!” Annie scrambled out of bed, dragging the sheet along with her. “Who the hell is Gina?” she demanded, following him around the room as he gathered his clothes.
“Don’t swear, Ann Marie,” Sal scolded, trying not to smile at the harassed look on her face.
“Don’t swear!” she cried. “You announce you’ve got a date twenty-four hours after we get married, and you’re telling me not to swear! Sal—wait—where are you going?” She stomped after him. “Who is Gina?”
“Gina,” he said sweetly, “is Mrs. Altero’s granddaughter.” He grinned at her. “You’re not upset, are you?”
“I’ll give you upset!” she cried, hauling off to whack him on the arm. “Didn’t anyone ever tell you that dating is not part of the marriage contract!”
“It’s not?” he said, doing his best to look perplexed. The doorbell rang, and Sal hurriedly stepped into his jeans. “There she is.” He leaned down to peck Annie on the cheek. “Love you, but I’d better hurry. I wouldn’t want to keep Gina waiting.”
“Keep her waiting!” Clutching the sheet around her, Annie stomped after him, wishing she had Florina’s bat right now. “Wait until I get my hands on you, Sal Giordiano,” she muttered, trying to hang on to the sheet and get down the stairs at the same time.
At the bottom of the steps Annie came to an abrupt halt. Her eyes widened in surprise and she clutched the sheet tighter around her. Sal was down on one knee talking to a little girl of about twelve with the most enormous brown eyes she’d ever seen.
Sal turned to look at her, his eyes twinkling with amusement. “Annie, I’d like you to meet Gina.”
He stood up and took the child by the hand. “This is Mrs. Altero’s granddaughter.”
Annie blinked, looking from one to other. “This is Mrs. Altero’s granddaughter?” she repeated numbly, and the child smiled and stepped forward.
“Hello, Mrs. Giordiano. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Annie took the child’s hand and shook it solemnly. She glanced up at Sal who stood grinning from ear to ear.
“Gina couldn’t come to the wedding because she had a stomach ache, so I promised her we’d take her to the zoo today.”
“My grandma made stuffed cabbage,” Gina said, wrinkling her nose. “And I always get a stomach ache from it. I still don’t feel very well, so could we go to the zoo another day?” She turned to Sal.
“Sure, honey, anytime you want.”
“Grandma wants to know if you’d like to come for dinner tonight?”
“No!” Annie and Sal caroled in alarm. “We’ve made plans already,” Sal lied, opening the door for the little girl. “But thank your grandmother for us, anyway.” Sal closed the door behind Gina and heaved a sigh of relief, until his eyes landed on Annie. He grinned.
“Uh-oh,” he murmured, as she advanced on him, clutching the sheet tightly around her. “Now, Annie,” he said, holding his hands in the air and backing away from her.
“You think you’re pretty funny, don’t you,” she accused, smiling broadly. “All this time you let me believe—”
“Now, Annie,” Sal said with a laugh, grabbing her around the waist and scooping her up in his arms. “I didn’t do anything. I never said Gina was— It’s your own fault— You’re not mad, are you?” He looked down at her, his eyes filled with love. “I love you, Annie,” he whispered, bending to brush his lips across hers. She wrapped her arms around his neck.
“I love you, too,” she whispered, her breath shuddering through her lips. “But no more dates!”
He grinned. “Honey, the only date I’m interested in is a due date. Think we can work on a baby?” he inquired hopefully, and Annie laughed.
“I thought that’s what we were doing last night,” she teased, nibbling at his ear. Sal groaned softly and headed up the stairs.
“It was,” he assured her. “But you know what they say—practice makes perfect!”
About the Author
Sharon DeVita is a former Adjunct Prof. of Lit/Comm. where she taught all levels of fiction and non-fiction writing. Sharon is also the USA Today bestselling, award-winning author of 34 books of fiction and non-fiction, including one that’s been optioned as a Movie of the Week. A frequent guest speaker and lecturer at writing conferences all over the world, Sharon and her husband, a retired U.S. Army Colonel, reside in the Southwest where snow has become just another 4 letter word
Look for these titles by Sharon DeVita
Now Available:
Heavenly Match
Kane and Mabel
Baby Makes Three
Coming Soon:
Sherlock’s Home
When a new business partner appears in Kati’s diner, it’s not just the broccoli that’s steamed.
Kane and Mabel
© 2012 Sharon DeVita
Kati Rose Ryan lives in the small town of Libertyville, Missouri, taking care of the diner her irresponsible brother left her to run. When a “friend” of her brother shows up at the diner, Kati is immediately suspicious. Her brother Patrick’s friends are nothing but thieves and freeloaders and she’s had her fill of them.
She fully intends to throw no-good Lucas Kane out on his ear. Until Lucas tells her that her brother lost his half of the diner to him in a poker game, and Lucas is her new partner.
Furious that her brother could be so reckless and irresponsible to gamble his half of the diner away, Kati does everything in her power to get rid of Lucas. But, Lucas isn’t budging. In fact, he intends to stay in Libertyville until he can prove to Kati that he doesn’t just want to be her partner in the diner, but in life, as well.
Enjoy the following excerpt for Kane and Mabel
“Can I help you?”
He lifted his head and Kati found herself staring into the most glorious blue eyes she had ever seen. He was more attractive up close than she’d anticipated. Her mouth grew dry as his gaze slowly swept over her, from the top of her unruly auburn curls, across the white blouse and past the faded jeans to linger on her tattered sneakers.
A smile twitched at his mouth. “A little more coffee would be nice.” He lifted his cup to her and Kati glared at him. Another freeloader, she knew it! If she started waiting on him and serving him free food, she’d never get rid of him.
Yanking the cup out of his hand, Kati stormed behind the counter and grabbed the pot left over from breakfast. Sloshing some cold coffee into his cup, she returned to the booth and banged the cup down in front of him. Tapping her foot impatiently and trying not to stare at him, she waited while he took a sip.
“This coffee is terrible,” he announced, and Kati reached out and snatched the cup out of his hand.
“Since you don’t want any more of my coffee, perhaps you’ll tell me what you do want?”
One black brow rose and his eyes danced merrily. “Do you treat all your customers so courteously?” he asked casually, pausing to roll up the sleeves of his shirt.
“Listen, Mr.—”
“Kane. Lucas Kane.” He held out his hand and Kati stared at it as if it were a snake ready to strike. Her eyes caught a flash of something on his arm. A tattoo, that much she knew for sure. She tried not to stare, but her curiosity got the best of her and she squinted, trying to make out the words.
“Born to Raise Kane,” he drawled slowly, and Kati’s startled gaze flew to his. Her breath caught unexpectedly and she felt annoyance streak through her.
“Mr. Kane,” she said sharply. “I have work to do, so if you don’t mind, would you please state what your business with my brother is, so that I can get on with my business?”
“Ahhh, my business. Well, Mabel…” Le
aning back against the booth, he inclined his head to study her from a different angle.
“My name’s not Mabel,” she snapped, a little off balance at the way he was looking at her.
He frowned in obvious confusion. “Who’s Mabel?” he inquired, and Kati ground her teeth. Just because the diner was called Mabel’s didn’t mean there had to be a Mabel. That was the name of the diner when she purchased it. She bought the place from a man named Bruno, and he’d never seen hide nor hair of anyone named Mabel, either. Everyone in town knew who really owned the place, so there didn’t seem much point in changing the name. Besides, new signs cost money, money better spent elsewhere, not that she intended to explain all of that to him.
“Would you please state your business?” Kati demanded, her patience sorely strained.
He smiled pleasantly. “I guess you could say my business is your business.” Kati narrowed her eyes to stare at him suspiciously.
“What the devil are you talking about, Mr. Kane? I don’t have time to play guessing games with you.”
“Call me Luke.”
“I’ll call you a lot more than that if you don’t hurry up and tell me what you want!” Kati threatened, trying to ignore Bessie who was waving frantically from the kitchen.
He lifted his finger and beckoned Kati closer. Puzzled, but anxious to learn what he wanted, she leaned down so he could whisper in her ear. “You know,” he said softly, his warm breath fanning her hair, “you are mighty testy. Perhaps you should try meditating. Maybe your karma is out of whack!”
Jerking upright, Kati glared at him, not at all amused by the mischief in his eyes. “What do you want?”
“Food,” he said simply. “But after that coffee, I don’t know if I should risk it. I’m not too fond of food poisoning.”
“Food poisoning!” Kati bellowed, glaring at the man. How dare he insult her diner. “I’ll have you know the food in here is excellent. Not that you’re going to get any of it!”
Blind dates are always destined to end in failure…right?
Heavenly Match
© 2011 Sharon DeVita
When Molly Maguire’s sweet, meddling Aunt Emily fixes Molly up on yet another blind date, Molly is helpless to say no to her. Fearing this will be another disastrous evening, Molly is stunned when the handsome, charming Jonathan Kent shows up and announces he’s her blind date.
The more time Molly and Jonathan spend together, the more they realize how much they have in common. As their relationship deepens, Molly begins to wonder if she can truly trust Jonathan. After a horrendous experience with her ex-fiancé, Molly has been leery of men and their motives.
But, when a crisis threatens to tear Molly, Jonathan and their budding relationship apart, Molly realizes that you can’t have love without trust.
Enjoy the following excerpt for Heavenly Match
Why, oh why, had she ever let her aunt talk her into this blind date? Molly wondered wildly. Carefully hidden behind a towering plastic fern, she had a clear view of the man. Even though he was halfway across the crowded restaurant, Molly was certain it was him!
Groaning softly, she gratefully accepted a complimentary glass of champagne from a passing waiter before parting the plastic branches for another peek at her date.
Lord, on second glance, it was even worse than she had first thought! Molly desperately downed her champagne. The man was leaning against a far wall, twitching nervously. He was short and bald, with the droopiest eyes this side of a basset hound. His skin was milky white, and apparently he had misplaced his chin, since his fuzzy growth of beard appeared to sprout from somewhere in his neck. What little hair he did have was gray and worn long; it hung limply down the back of his egg-shaped head, grazing the collar of his plaid polyester sports coat.
Molly frowned. What the devil was the matter with his pants? She craned her neck for a better look, and her sapphire eyes widened in horror. Lord, the man had shrunk his pants! The trousers, which were a riotous shade of lime green, stopped just above his ankles to reveal a pair of faded yellow sports socks. At least both his shoes appeared to match, Molly thought, as she grabbed another glass of champagne.
She sighed deeply as her eyes took him in. At least her aunt had been right about one thing: Jonathan Kent, Molly’s blind date, did look exactly like his eighty-five-year-old grandmother!
“Are you hiding, or are you the plant inspector?”
Molly froze. The rich masculine voice was just close enough and soft enough to skate along her nerve endings, jerking her to attention. With as much dignity as she could muster, she pulled her head from between the plastic branches and turned to face the man. Her eyes went directly to the shock of copper hair atop his head. He looks like a fire hydrant, she thought giddily. The fiery curls were combed neatly, but several strands fell across his forehead, giving him a somewhat boyish look.
But this was no boy, Molly realized with a jolt as her eyes traveled to his face. And what a face, she thought dizzily: deep aquamarine eyes, a straight proud nose and a full mouth that was just made for kissing. As her gaze toured the length of him, she became aware of the width of his shoulders and his long lean frame. He towered over her five-foot-three frame, and she wasn’t at all certain the immaculate gray, pin-striped suit he wore wasn’t painted on; it molded his sculptured body perfectly, outlining every muscle, every bulge.
Blushing, Molly pulled her eyes up to a more respectable level. She stiffened. His eyes were doing a little touring of their own. She suddenly wished she had taken her aunt’s advice and left a few buttons open at the neck of her dress. And it certainly wouldn’t have hurt to have let her dark brown hair fall loose to her shoulders. The crisp French braid was fine for work, but somehow, with this man’s eyes on her, the last thing she wanted to look like was a prim and proper kindergarten teacher. Why, oh why, hadn’t she listened to her aunt and advertised her “wares” a little more?
“Are you hiding?” he repeated with a lopsided grin.
“Of course, I’m hiding,” she whispered, lost in his eyes. They were fabulous—tiny flecks of green amid a sea of rich, deep blue.
“Who are you hiding from?” His easy tone was laced with humor.
“Not who,” she corrected. “Whom.”
“Whom?”
“Whom are you hiding from?”
He chuckled softly, then threw up his hands. “I give up. Whom are you hiding from?”
Molly smiled weakly. “I don’t know.”
Italian Knights
Sharon DeVita
Knights in shining armor are all well and good, but real men are even better.
It’s time for Annie Milano to start living again. Having been widowed longer than she was married, she’s ready to take the plunge and re-enter the dating scene. While she appreciates the support and protection her late husband’s best friend, Sal Giordano, has given her the last few years, Annie knows she can’t expect him to be there forever.
Sal was devastated when his best friend and partner was killed in the line of duty. Wracked with guilt over his less than brotherly feelings for his best friend’s wife, Sal is determined to prove his loyalty to them both by being her devoted friend. But when he learns Annie is ready to date again, all Sal can think of is claiming her for himself.
But before Sal can make his move, both he and Annie will have to put their pasts behind them, and realize that they were meant to be more than just friends.
This is a Retro Romance Reprint and was originally published in November 1988 by Silhouette Romance.
eBooks are not transferable.
They cannot be sold, shared or given away as it is an infringement on the copyright of this work.
This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locale or organizations is entirely coincidental.
Samhain Publishin
g, Ltd.
11821 Mason Montgomery Road Suite 4B
Cincinnati OH 45249
Italian Knights
Copyright © 2012 by Sharon DeVita
ISBN: 978-1-60928-999-7
Edited by Heather Osborn
Cover by Kim Killion
All Rights Are Reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
Originally Published by Silhouette Romance: November 1988
First Samhain Publishing, Ltd. electronic publication: June 2012
www.samhainpublishing.com
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