The Marcelli Bride

by Susan Mallery

  “What about what I wanted? You’d have asked me to give up the one thing you wouldn’t. It doesn’t seem fair or a very healthy way to start a marriage. One criterion of a successful relationship is love makes each party stronger, giving them more of what they want. Love isn’t supposed to take your dreams away.”

  “There was no way for us to win.”

  She considered the statement. “I guess not. Some relationships are like that.”

  “I don’t accept that.”

  What was it about stubborn men? “You not accepting it doesn’t change the truth.”

  He stared at her for another couple of seconds, then turned and walked out of the room.

  Paige had no idea what all that had been about. She respected Alex a lot. She thought he was totally hot, and his being in the next room made some nights long and difficult. But there were times when his mind was a complete mystery to her.

  She gathered her paperwork, but before she could stand up, he stalked back into the room, walked over to the table, bent down, and kissed her.

  He cupped her face in his large hands and pressed his mouth to hers. The action was so unexpected, she didn’t know what to think, and then she couldn’t think because her brain had shut down in order to let her feel everything.

  He held her gently. His lips rediscovered hers in a soft caress that took her breath away. She parted before he even asked, wanting him to claim her the way men had been claiming women since the beginning of time.

  He swept into her mouth and circled her tongue with his. Then as quickly as it had begun, the kiss was over. He straightened, then walked away without saying a single word.

  • • •

  “I’ll fix you a nice cuppa,” Grammy M said to Joe as he walked into the kitchen the next morning.

  He squinted at the time and saw it was barely after six. “You’re here early.”

  “I like to start my day with the sun,” she said cheerfully.

  Tessa walked into the kitchen and scowled. “It’s all that sinning. It keeps you from sleeping.”

  Grammy M glared at her. “You’re very concerned about the state of my soul. All this talk of sinning. Could it be because your own man isn’t making you happy in the bedroom?”

  Joe winced and headed for the door. No way did he want to get in the middle of this.

  Tessa might be elderly, but she was fast, spry, and she had that killer grip. She got him by the arm and steered him to the table.

  “Sit,” she ordered, and he sat.

  “I’ll make that tea,” Grammy M said, smiling at him.

  Tessa narrowed her gaze. “Joseph doesn’t drink tea. He’s a man. He drinks coffee.”

  Grammy M turned to him. “Didn’t you say you’d be wantin’ tea?”

  “I, ah…”

  Tessa speared him with a look that could stop a tank. “Joseph, you always have coffee.”

  “I, ah…”

  They ignored him as they both raced to the stove. Joe figured he was about to get both and he’d better drink them equally. Maybe they could just pour them into a big mug and he could choke them down together.

  “I’ll fix you an omelet,” Tessa announced.

  “I have fresh scones to go with that,” Grammy M said.

  “Fruit,” Tessa added.

  Grammy M sniffed. “And some bacon. Maybe sausage.”

  “I’ll be using the stove,” Tessa told her.

  “Oh, I see. And you’ll be needin’ all of the burners for your omelet. Last time I made one, I only needed the one pan. But you were never very good in the—”

  “Stop,” Joe yelled. “I beg you. It’s too early for this.”

  The Grands stared at him, at each other, then turned their backs and went to work.

  Coffee arrived first. Joe sipped it until Grammy M plopped a cup of tea in front of him. Then he alternated. The women worked in silence, carefully stepping around each other, not getting too close.

  He looked away as he remembered how it had been his first couple of visits. Before Grammy M had moved in with Gabriel and the old ladies had had a falling-out. He remembered their elegant dance in the kitchen, a rhythm honed from years of practice and working together. He’d never heard a harsh word exchanged.

  “Will you be seein’ Darcy later today?” Grammy M asked.

  Joe held in a groan. So the news had been passed on to her, had it? No doubt Colleen had told her. Which meant Mia and the other sisters knew, too.

  “She lives here,” he said. “Hard to avoid her.”

  “Not that you want to,” Tessa said with a wink. “She’s a pretty girl.”

  “Not my type.”

  Tessa smacked him on the back of the head. “You say that now?”

  Okay, poor strategy, he thought as he rubbed where she’d nailed him. “I mean she’s not…” He closed his mouth and reached for the coffee. It would be better to endure whatever they had in mind, then make his escape.

  “It’s past time you were married,” Grammy M said as she put bacon into a pan. “You’re not getting any younger.”

  He nodded and reached for the tea.

  “A man shouldn’t be alone,” Tessa said. “It’s not good. What will happen when you’re old, eh? You’ll be living above the garage with a dog. What kind of life is that?”

  “Is that my only option?” he asked before he could stop himself.

  “What will become of you?” Grammy M wanted to know.

  The only bright spot in this conversation was that they were finally on the same side of an argument.

  “You need love in your life,” Tessa said. “You need to love a woman and let her love you.”

  After getting smacked for saying Darcy wasn’t his type, he didn’t want to think about what would happen if he said he didn’t love her.

  Grammy M put a plate of scones in front of him. Tessa slid an omelet onto a plate and set it on the table. Bacon and fruit quickly followed.

  “The president’s daughter, Joseph,” Grammy M said, her voice scolding. “You can’t have your way with her then turn your back on her. You’re a better man than that.”

  “She’s right,” Tessa said, looking as if she’d smelled something disgusting.

  Joe felt the walls closing in. These were thicker and harder to climb.

  “You don’t have to live here, in this house,” Tessa said. “You could build something else. Close by. On the land.”

  Joe stared at the food, then at the Grands. He believed what Darcy had told him—that for these old women food was love. But right now he couldn’t take any more. He stood, backed away, and when he was clear of the house, he turned and escaped.

  14

  “Did you hear?” Lauren asked eagerly, her voice as clear as if she were in the same room, despite the distance and the secure line. “They’ve caught a couple of the kidnappers.”

  “Yes. Isn’t it great?” Darcy asked, trying for as much enthusiasm as possible when in truth the news had made her heart sink.

  “We’ll be able to leave soon,” Lauren said. “I can’t wait. I’m getting so tired of my own company. The agents are nice, but they’re not here to babysit me. The good news is I’ve caught up on my reading.”

  Darcy felt a twinge of guilt—her stay at the Marcelli house had been so perfect, she never wanted it to end.

  “The downside,” Lauren said, “is you’re going to have to leave Joe. Or will you still be seeing him?”

  Despite being upset at the thought of leaving, mention of Joe made her smile. “I don’t know. Maybe.” She wanted to. But in reality was that possible? Her smile faded. “He lives in San Diego. I’m in D.C. He’s a naval officer, and I’m the daughter of the commander in chief. I think that makes us more star-crossed lovers than the happily-ever-after type.”

  “Lovers, huh?” Lauren teased. “I want to hear all about that.”

  Darcy wasn’t willing to talk about it—not yet. “It’s a figure of speech. Don’t get too excited. Besides, this isn’t g
oing anywhere. He’s not the relationship type.”

  “How do you know?”

  “He resists his family.”

  “You’re not trying to be his mother. Romantic love is different.”

  “He’s been married.” Darcy filled her in on the generalities, then sighed. “They say people who don’t learn from history are destined to repeat it. In my case, that’s true. Here I am, falling for a guy as inaccessible as my father.”

  As soon as the words came out, she wanted to call them back. She clutched the phone tighter and braced herself.

  “Dad’s not inaccessible,” Lauren said softly.

  “I know. I didn’t mean it that way. I’m sorry. Please, let’s not get into this long-distance.”

  “Okay.” Lauren sighed. “Joe sounds so great, regardless of whatever issues the two of you may have. I want to meet him. I know. When this is all over, you stay there and I’ll come by to pick you up. That way I can check out the military cutie and meet the family.”

  Darcy sat up. Her first thought was to scream out her protest. Not Lauren. Not here. This was the one place on the planet where everyone liked her for herself. There hadn’t been any comparing, any disappointing second finishes. No one had rejected her. If Lauren came now, all that would change.

  “Your enthusiasm is overwhelming,” Lauren said, the hurt clear in her voice.

  Darcy flopped back on the bed. “It’s not that. Of course I want you to meet Joe and everyone.”

  “You might try saying that like you mean it. Don’t worry. I’m not going to show up.”

  She felt like a worm. A selfish worm who had been living the good life while her sister had been stuck in a cornfield.

  “Lauren, please. I’m sorry. It’s just…” She drew in a deep breath. “I’m scared, okay? Joe is really special. I like him a lot. Maybe more than a lot. I haven’t felt this way before, and it’s scary and exciting and new and I don’t want to lose him.”

  “Why would you?”

  Darcy squeezed her eyes shut. “Have you looked in the mirror lately?”

  “Oh, please. You’re just as pretty and much more exotic looking. I’m just your basic blue-eyed blonde. With very common features. Besides…” She lowered her voice. “You have to know I’d never do anything to take Joe away. I’m not even saying I could. Just that I wouldn’t. Ever. I love you. You’re my sister. My family. That means everything to me.”

  Darcy went from feeling like a worm to feeling like slime. Slime was definitely worse. “I know. I’m sorry. I’m not worried about you trying anything, Lauren. You’d never do that.” Had never done that. “It’s not you. It’s…them. Him. Everyone likes you better. Most of the time I don’t care, but this time it would really hurt.”

  “But I never did anything wrong,” Lauren whispered.

  Darcy rolled onto her side and pulled her knees to her chest. “I’m sorry. This is all about me. I’m the one who’s insecure and stupid and acting like a child. I’m sorry.”

  “I’d never try to take Joe away from you. Or anybody. I don’t want to love that much again. Ever.”

  “You’re going to have to let him go eventually,” Darcy said.

  Lauren’s breath caught. “I can’t. I loved him so much. I could never love anyone else like that. I don’t think my heart’s big enough.”

  “You could date. That would be fun.”

  “I’m okay by myself. I have my memories, and that’s enough.”

  Darcy thought about pointing out that Lauren was only twenty-seven. A little young to be settling for mere memories.

  “Anyway, how did this get to be about me and my lack of love life?” Lauren asked. “We were talking about you.”

  “Right. How stupid and jealous I am. Not my favorite topic.”

  “You’re not the only one,” Lauren said. “You think I don’t get jealous of your life and your freedom?”

  Darcy rolled onto her back and opened her eyes. “What? You’re jealous of me?”

  “Sure. You have a lot more privacy than me. No one expects you to be a saint, so you’re not always getting judged. I love how you can tell the world to piss off if you’re not in the mood.”

  Darcy couldn’t believe it. Lauren wanted to tell the world to piss off? “A lot of that’s just a facade,” she said cautiously.

  “Who cares. You can do it. All I can do is cut ribbons at opening ceremonies and raise money. The money-raising part is good, but the rest of it? Sometimes I just want to curl up with a good book or watch Oprah.”

  Darcy realized she was free to do that and a lot more. Funny how she’d never seen herself as the lucky one before.

  “I can TiVo Oprah for you if you’d like,” she offered.

  Lauren started to laugh. “That would be great. Although I’m catching up on reruns while I’m here. It’s really fun.”

  “I miss you,” Darcy said.

  “I miss you, too.”

  She cleared her throat. “I think you should come visit me here. When it’s safe for us to travel.”

  Lauren sighed. “No, it’s okay.”

  The slime feeling returned. “I mean it, Lauren. Please. Come visit. It will be great.”

  “I’ll think about it.”

  They talked a few more minutes, then hung up. Darcy sat up and thought about what her sister had said. That she thought Darcy had the better life. Impossible. But it was good to know she wasn’t the only one who got jealous and crazy about her world.

  As for Lauren coming here, maybe it was a good idea. It would force Darcy to face her demons. If the Marcellis liked Lauren better, well, Darcy would just get over it. And if Joe wanted her…Darcy grinned. Then she would just have to beat the crap out of him.

  • • •

  Joe left the guesthouse after the daily security briefing. Progress had been made—kidnappers caught. Not all of them, but a couple. And if they talked, he would soon be out of here and back where he belonged. Assuming the admiral had cooled down.

  “Joseph. Joe.”

  He looked up and saw Lorenzo limping toward him. The old man leaned heavily on his cane.

  “Come,” he said. “Walk with me.”

  “No, thanks,” Joe told him. “I’m not interested in more conversations about changing my name, learning about the wine, or accepting this as my destiny.”

  Lorenzo nodded. “All right. Walk with me anyway.”

  “Why?”

  “Can’t a grandfather want to spend time with his grandson?”

  Joe swore under his breath, then fell into step with the old man as they headed toward the vineyards.

  “We have good weather,” Lorenzo said. “It makes for good grapes. Brenna wants to be a part of all of it this year, but I think her baby has other plans.”

  “I hope so,” Joe said, remembering how huge she’d been the last time he’d seen her. “It looks painful.”

  Lorenzo grinned. “Women are strong. Never tell them, but I would not want to give birth. With Tessa, it was only twice. First Marco, then a little girl. She died.”

  Joe glanced at him. “I didn’t know. I’m sorry.”

  He shrugged. “God gives and then he takes. It is always that way.” He raised his cane and pointed toward the horizon. “I can remember when there were no vines up there. When we needed only one crew to pick the grapes. Now I can’t even walk the land, there is so much.” He winked. “But not too much, eh? There can never be too much.”

  “Land is wealth,” Joe agreed.

  “But it is more than money. It’s about who we are. When I was a boy, I dreamed of when I would run Marcelli. My father was a stern man. Difficult to please. But I knew I would and one day this would all be mine. I have lived a long time, long enough to see my great-grandchildren born. Tessa speaks of blessings, and she is right.”

  Joe didn’t know what to say so he nodded. “You have a good family.”

  “More to come. Brenna and Nic’s baby will have wine in his veins. He’ll be strong.”

&nb
sp; “He might be a she.”

  Lorenzo shrugged. “If God wishes. But there will be sons, too. And more children. The families will join. We will grow. I wanted that for you.”

  Joe didn’t know if he meant children, family, or what. He’d meant what he said about not wanting to argue anymore so he kept quiet.

  “I wanted so many things,” Lorenzo said as they stopped by a row of grapes. The old man bent down and fingered a leaf. “All those years ago, when Marco told me he’d gotten a girl pregnant, I was angry. I thought he’d thrown his future away. She’s Irish, you know.”

  “I’d heard,” Joe said dryly.

  “I wanted Marco to marry a nice Italian girl. But he loved Colleen, and I couldn’t make him stop. But I could force them to send the baby away.” Lorenzo looked at him. “I was stubborn and a fool and I’ve paid every day since. You’ve paid. So much lost. I’m sorry.”

  Joe had expected a lot of screaming but not an apology. He started to speak and found his throat had gotten tight and the words wouldn’t come. Before he could make them, Lorenzo spoke again.

  “Now I give you advice. I know you think I’m an old man who doesn’t know much, but I’ve lived a long time. Get married. Not because of the family or because I’ve told you to but because it will make you happy. It’s not good for a man to be alone so much.”

  “I already tried that and it didn’t work,” Joe told him. He wouldn’t go through it again. Not the caring, the wanting more, the hope that maybe it could work only to come home and find a letter and an empty house.

  “You didn’t love her,” Grandpa Lorenzo said flatly. “When a Marcelli man loves, it’s forever.”

  “I don’t think—”

  “I know!” Lorenzo yelled as he thumped his cane. “Love like that never dies. It is who we are—like the land.”

  “All the more reason to avoid it,” Joe told him. “I’m fine. I have what I need.”

  “Ah, yes. Your navy. There are things a woman can do to a man your navy will never do to you.”

  “Agreed, but I don’t have to be married to get laid.”

  Lorenzo’s expression hardened. “You think I’m talking about sex? Marriage is about the soul and the heart. It’s about one person who knows everything and still reaches for you in the night. Love like that is a gift.” He paused and the anger faded. “Joseph, don’t have regrets. I’ve lived with them for thirty-three years and they’re a heavy burden. I want so much for you. I want you to be happy. I want—”