The Man, The Ring, The Wedding

by Patricia Thayer

  The second Covelli son, Rick, named after his grandfather Enrico, was the bigger of her two brothers. With his hair a little long, and dressed in black jeans and T-shirt, he looked like the town’s bad boy—even more so when he put on his leather jacket and climbed on his Harley-Davidson.

  Smiling, she got up and walked across the room. “John Rossi just called. He wants to see us tomorrow at ten.”

  “That’s great, Lina.” He hugged her. “But I thought we were going in the afternoon.”

  The last thing Angelina wanted to do was explain her impromptu visit today. She shrugged. “Maybe he’s scheduling appointments with all the contractors.”

  He grinned. “I don’t care what time we go, I just want the chance to get in to see him. Have you told Rafe?”

  “Have you told me what?”

  The oldest Covelli sibling, Rafaele, Jr., walked into Angelina’s office. He had on new jeans and a maroon polo shirt with the company logo over the pocket. He was more clean-cut than his brother, with short hair and a freshly shaven face. They both had dark, nearly black eyes and looked a lot like their father. Angelina could see them growing more like him each day.

  “John Rossi wants us to meet him at the hotel tomorrow morning,” she said, barely holding in her excitement.

  Rafe blinked. “Are you serious?”

  “Would I joke about this?” Angelina asked.

  “Damn.” Rafe sat down on the edge of the desk. “So we finally did it.” He grinned. “We’re going to get the bid.”

  “Of course we are,” Angelina assured him. “I’ve invested too much phone time with Rossi International for our bid to be passed over. I’ve talked you both to death, even sent them pictures of every renovation you’ve ever done. John Rossi wouldn’t dare give this job to another company.”

  “Rossi could bring in his own people,” Rick said with a frown. “We’ve only got a foot in the door.”

  Angelina wasn’t going to let her brother bring her down. “Well then, tomorrow we go over there and convince him that Covelli and Sons can handle the job.” Her gaze shot back and forth between her brothers. “Come on, you two are the best. And you deserve to have this project.”

  Rafe and Rick exchanged a serious glance, then Rick spoke. “Rossi could refuse us because of ... what happened with Dad.”

  Angelina closed her eyes, remembering not only the pain of losing her father, Rafaele, in a construction accident, but the humiliation of the false accusations that the company had used substandard materials. “But Dad was cleared. Peter Hardin confessed to setting him up.”

  Rick raised a calming hand. “I know, Lina, but sometimes people are still going to believe the worst about us.”

  She thought back to her impromptu encounter an hour ago with John Rossi. She had to believe that he was going to give them a chance and at least consider their ideas for the Grand Haven. He simply had to award them the job. It was the only way Covelli and Sons could get firmly back on its feet.

  Then Angelina would finally have her independence—and the freedom to find her own career. Since she’d given up on love, wasn’t that all she had left?

  Chapter Two

  The next morning, John sat at his desk going through paperwork and trying to keep his mind off Angelina Covelli. He tossed two business cards, one for an electrician and another for a heating company, into the trashcan. He would use his own people. It was the only way to insure the job was done right. The Covellis weren’t “his people,” but something told him they could be trusted.

  John grabbed a pad of paper and a pen, and went into the lobby. He had a few minutes before the Covellis arrived and he wanted to make a list of renovations, starting with things that needed immediate attention. He took a quick trip around the hotel lobby, and realized just how many things there were in need of repair.

  How could anyone let this beautiful place get in this condition? But John already knew the answer to his question. The economy and bad management.

  Somehow, though, he would turn the Grand Haven Hotel into a showcase and even make a profit. It would take a few years, but he’d get a return on his investment. Hell, didn’t he love a challenge?

  He started toward the registration desk and thought about the hundreds of people who had walked through this lobby. He’d heard rumors of politicians, presidents, even movie stars who had come to Haven Springs for the magical mineral springs.

  Behind the desk were rows of boxes that had once held the keys to the nearly one hundred rooms. His excitement escalated. The place needed work, but the basic quality was already here.

  Suddenly the front door opened and two men walked in. He saw the family resemblance right away. They had to be the Covelli brothers.

  “Mr. Rossi, good morning, I’m Rafe Covelli,” one brother announced as he held out his hand.

  John shook it. “Good morning to you,” he said, then turned to the other brother.

  He stepped forward. “And I’m Rick,” he said and they shook hands, too.

  “Nice to meet you,” John said, but his attention was riveted on Angelina, who had also stepped inside, followed by two other men. His chest tightened as she came toward him.

  “Good morning, Angelina,” he said.

  She nodded. “Mr. Rossi.”

  Today she was dressed more sensibly in a pair of trim black slacks, a white sweater and a deep red blazer. John found he was somewhat disappointed that her dark hair was pulled back in a long braid. Then her clear blue eyes met his, and his pulse began to pound. It wasn’t until Rafe spoke that he realized that he was staring.

  “Excuse me, what did you say?” he asked.

  “I was just apologizing for being late,” Rafe said.

  “No. You were on time. I arrived early.” He had to get back to business. “I was taking some notes trying to get a picture in my head.” He glanced around. “As you already know, the hotel has been neglected for a long time. Think you can handle a job this large?”

  Rafe smiled. “Positive. Five been waiting to get my hands on this place.” He waved the rolled-up plans in his hand. “I’ve been working on this project for the past few months. Ever since we heard the Grand Haven had been sold.”

  John nodded. He was impressed. Then his gaze fell on Angelina again and he couldn’t seem to focus. He shook his head. She was definitely a distraction. He forced himself to look away. “I guess we...uh, should get started.”

  Rafe stepped up. “First I’d like to introduce our cousin, Tony Covelli. He’s our partner and financial advisor. And this is Charlie, our foreman. He has worked several years for us and is one of the best carpenters around. But I want to assure you that Rick and I will be on the job and do the majority of the renovation. We believe that if it has the Covelli name on it, then Covellis do the work.”

  “That’s nice to know,” John said and turned his attention to Angelina. She was like the Tuscany sunrise coming over the hills. Hard to ignore. “What’s your job with the company?” he asked.

  “I’ve run the office the past two years. On this job, if we get it, I’ll be the project manager.” Her eyes flashed a challenge. “Do you have a problem working with women?”

  So she planned on being around. “Not at all,” he assured her and smiled to himself as he thought about his indispensable secretary, Donna, and other highlevel employees at his workplace. “There are several woman executives at Rossi International. I look at it this way. As long as the job is done and done well, it doesn’t matter if it’s handled by a man or a woman.”

  “That’s nice to know,” she said.

  Angelina wanted desperately to believe him. She needed John Rossi to recognize her abilities. That had been the reason she fought with her brothers so hard to be named project manager on this job. And just maybe by the time the Grand Haven was ready to reopen, she would have impressed John Rossi enough with her qualifications that he would consider her as management material for the hotel.

  “Well, how about we tour the hotel and
you can tell me your ideas?” John suggested.

  Angelina smiled as his deep voice sent warm shivers along her skin. “We’re ready,” she said. “Just lead the way, Mr. Rossi.”

  “Please, can’t we be a little less formal and go by first names?”

  She nodded, feeling nervous with his coffee-colored eyes fixed on her.

  John then glanced at Rafe and Rick. “I want the lobby restored to exactly as it was in its glory days. It’s perfect without any modernization.”

  Rafe nodded. “We only need to make room for the computers behind the registration desk. Rick and I worked out a way to hide them.” They walked to the counter and unrolled Rafe’s plans.

  Angelina kept her distance and watched the exchange, remembering that yesterday this man was just a stranger in town who had flirted with her. Now he held the future of Covelli and Sons—and her future in his hands.

  “Don’t you think that you should be up there with them?” Tony asked as he came up behind her. “I mean, Rossi seems to have precise ideas on what he wants.”

  Angelina wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize winning this bid. “Of course.” She hurried to the desk and listened, then began to write down instructions.

  Ten minutes later they walked up the stairs to check out the second floor where there were two ballrooms. The largest one had sustained weather damage, and the window frames needed to be replaced, the floors required refinishing and the woodwork would have to be torn out and redone. Angelina took down the details as the men discussed them.

  For the next two hours, Angelina followed the men into several of the rooms. She listened intently as John told his ideas on the modifications. He wanted to convert some of the larger rooms to business suites, complete with fax and computer facilities to attract the area businessmen. But he was adamant that the top floor remain as large suites for guests who would be willing to spend the money for the luxury that the Grand Haven Hotel had once offered—and would again.

  Finally they returned to the lobby. Angelina was about to head back to the office when Rick invited everyone to lunch at the family restaurant.

  John checked his watch, then looked at Angelina. “I guess we’ve been at this a while. Thanks, I could use a break. Angelina, will you be joining us? I’d love to hear more of the ideas you started telling me about yesterday.”

  Angelina felt heat rush through her. “Sure. I’ll bring my notes.” She managed a smile, but refused to acknowledge Rafe’s curious look. No way did she want to explain to her overprotective brother what she was doing in a hotel alone with a man.

  John read the sign, Maria’s Ristorante. Authentic Italian Food. The converted downtown storefront was homey with its hardwood-and-brick floor. The murals on the walls added atmosphere and color and each table was adorned with white tablecloths and candles.

  Lunch turned out to be a family affair—they all took seats at the large table near the bar reserved for Covellis only. Maria Covelli, a petite woman with warm brown eyes, came out from the kitchen and greeted her children and their guest. Rick’s wife, Jill, a young attractive blonde who worked as a waitress, also joined them until the other customers demanded her attention.

  Soon the table was filled with baskets of fresh-baked bread and generous helpings of Maria’s lasagna along with a bottle of chianti. While they ate, John, Rick and Rafe discussed the finer details of the project, but John’s thoughts weren’t totally on business, not while Angelina was seated across from him.

  At first Angelina let her brothers do the talking, but it wasn’t long before John asked for her input. She felt shy, but knew this was her chance to show her stuff. She pushed ahead with her ideas. “I like your plan for focusing on the business trade, but don’t forget that the hotel made a name by catering to the rich. And if you’re going to make the top floor all luxury suites you need more to offer, something else to draw them. Since people love to be pampered, I believe the underground area would work well remodeled with a new pool, spa facilities and a gym.”

  The silence was deafening as she raised her gaze to meet his, and soon the dark depths began to mesmerize her. She glanced away. “It’s just a suggestion.”

  John Rossi finally spoke. “Do you think you could write up a proposal for me?”

  She swallowed back her excitement and nodded.

  He smiled then, too. “I guess your coming by the hotel early was a good idea.”

  Angelina froze at the mention of her earlier visit.

  “When was this?” Rafe asked.

  “Your sister stopped by yesterday afternoon. I think she must have gotten her days confused, that’s all.”

  John watched Rafe tense. Strange, they were all equal partners in the family business, but the men seemed also fiercely protective of their sister. Was a real family like this? Was this what he wanted to find out when he decided to come here? That the Covellis were a warm loving family?

  How would John recognize a loving family? After his parents had died in an auto accident when he was ten years old, he had gone to live with his paternal grandparents. His grandfather had been obsessive about building the family business. His grandmother, a cold woman who busied herself with society functions, had ignored the little boy under her care.

  John had looked forward to summers with his mother’s parents at their vineyard in Italy. However, even though both Nonno Giovanni and Nonna Lia had showered him with attention and love, he’d never once seen them exchange a kind word, or a loving touch. John’s ideas about love between a man and a woman had been formed at an early age, and he had never believed a permanent loving relationship was possible.

  He looked across the table at Angelina. His gaze locked on her shimmering blue eyes, then lowered to her luscious mouth. A mouth that made him ache. His body took notice, too, reminding him that he’d been without the company of a woman for a long time. He glanced away, suddenly needing to go outside for some fresh air to clear his head.

  Just then, an older woman came walking toward them. Small in stature, she was wearing a black dress and her snowy-white hair was pulled back from her face. It dawned on him who she was—the grandmother, Vittoria Covelli.

  When she reached the table, John immediately stood. The Covelli men did the same.

  “Nonna,” Rafe said and kissed both her cheeks. “We were wondering where you were.”

  She smiled. “I was in the kitchen as always, preparing the food.” Then she turned her attention to John. “And who is this nice young man?”

  John held out his hand and grasped hers. “I’m John Rossi, signora. I’m in Haven Springs on business.”

  She eyed him closely. “Nice to meet you, Giovanni,” she said, using the Italian version of his name. “What part of Italy are your people from?”

  John swallowed. “My father’s family was from Rome,” he answered. “Then, years ago they came to America, to New York.”

  Vittoria smiled brightly. “I came to America over fifty years ago... for love. I hope you are able to get back to Italy often.” She looked sad. “Sometimes I miss the old places and the old ways.”

  Angelina spoke up. “You should let us send you to Tuscany for a visit.”

  Vittoria waved a hand. “Everyone I know is probably dead and gone. No one remembers me.”

  “You might be surprised,” John found himself saying. “More than likely there’s a cousin or two still around.”

  “Maybe there is.” She cocked her head to the side. “You seem so familiar ... something about your eyes...”

  John masked his discomfort. He turned on his best smile. “Could be I’m one of your long-lost cousins.”

  Vittoria laughed and patted his hand. “You are a charming young man, Signore Rossi. We will be your famiglia while you are here.”

  John felt a tightening in his chest as he nodded.

  “You have fed me like family,” he said. “And I want to thank you all for the lovely lunch. Grazie.”

  “You’re welcome,” Rick said, shaking his ha
nd.

  “And I should get back to the hotel. I have work to finish,” John said, as everyone seemed to crowd around him.

  “Where are you staying?” Rafe asked. “So many places are closed around here during the off-season.”

  “Just outside of town at the Lone Pine Motor Lodge.”

  Rafe frowned. “It’s more like the Lonely Pine Motor Lodge. There probably isn’t another soul around. Besides, it’s nearly twenty minutes away.” The eldest Covelli sibling smiled. “Hey, why not stay in town? We have a vacant apartment just down the street. Since I was married last month it’s been empty. It doesn’t have room service, but there’s a kitchenette and a big comfortable bed.”

  “And it’s close to everything,” Jill said, stopping by the table. “Only a few blocks from the hotel.”

  Angelina couldn’t help but notice John’s discomfort. Maybe he wasn’t going to give Covelli and Sons the hotel job, and he didn’t want to be indebted to them. No negative thoughts, she told herself. There wasn’t another company around more qualified or talented enough to handle the project. They needed this job. She needed this job.

  Angelina spoke up. “There are also two phone lines so you can hook up your computer and fax, and still have one free for incoming calls.”

  John looked thoughtful. “I can only take it if you’ll allow me a six-month lease.”

  “You’re staying that long?” Rafe asked.

  “No, just a month. I plan to be back in New York for the holidays. But my assistant, Mark, will replace me and he’ll fly down intermittently to check on the hotel’s progress. So unless you need a longer lease...”

  Rafe grinned. “Six months is fine, but you’re welcome to stay for as long as you need. And it’s ready now so you can move in anytime. I can have the key for you in an hour.”

  Vittoria spoke up. “And to welcome you here, I will make you something special to eat.”

  John Rossi blinked at the older woman’s kindness. “Grazie, signora.”

  One by one, the members of the family began to drift away, but Angelina hung back. “After a while you’ll get used to it,” she said. “They’re all a little pushy, but they’ll grow on you.”