“That’s cutting it close.”
“I’ll be there. Tell my grandmother to expect me.” He hung up the phone. Stripping off his clothes, he headed for the shower. Well, he’d done it He’d joined forces with the enemy.
Angelina was met at the back door by Nonna Vittoria, who took one look at her granddaughter and began chattering in Italian.
“Nonna, I’m fine,” Angelina assured her. “I fell and skinned my knees. I just need to get cleaned up.”
“Sit,” Nonna ordered.
Angelina obeyed and took a chair at the large kitchen table. “Maybe I should shower first. Make sure that I clean off the dirt.”
Nonna returned to the table with a soapy cloth. Her hands were gentle as she cleaned the wounds, then added an antiseptic along with bandages. When Angelina stood, she could still feel the soreness, but she had to get to work. It was already seven-thirty. She wanted to be at the office by eight.
“How did this happen?”
“I went running with Tony this morning.”
“Antonio came back nearly an hour ago. He said he hurt his leg.”
“Well, I decided to stay and run with John.”
Her grandmother raised her knowing gaze to her. “Giovanni Rossi?”
Angelina nodded. “I came around the track and stepped on a rock or something. Next thing I knew I was going down.”
Nonna shook her head. “When are you going to stop playing with boys? No, they are grown men. And you are a grown woman. How do you expect to find a husband when you act like a tomboy?”
Angelina stiffened. “I’m not looking for a man. I’m only thinking about a career.”
Angelina let her grandmother ramble on in Italian until she heard the name Rossi, then she didn’t want to listen any more. She walked to the doorway. “I have to get to work.”
“You need to think about living. It’s not right that you are alone.”
Angelina turned around. It had taken her a long time to be able to think about Justin without crying her eyes out. Now she had fond memories. “I loved someone once, Nonna. But he’s gone....” Her voice softened to a whisper. “I have my family and career.”
Vittoria went to her granddaughter and hugged her. “I know, figlia child. But you’re so young. Justin would not want you to deny love in your life.”
Angelina was never going to love again. The risk was too great. “Just as Nonno Enrico was your only love, Nonna, Justin was mine.” She turned and left the room, promising herself that she was going to concentrate on getting the hotel project off the ground. And showing John Rossi her business talents.
Then she could move on with her life. Alone.
Angelina walked into the office at ten after eight. The first thing she heard were voices coming from the conference room. She peeked her head inside and saw both her brothers and Tony talking with John Rossi. Her heart stopped. Why was there a meeting going on that she hadn’t been told about? She was the project manager.
Rafe looked up and saw her. “Lina, you’re here.” He got up. “Come and join us. John called an emergency meeting and when I phoned the house, Nonna said you were in the shower.” He smiled. “We were just waiting for you.”
John could see that Angelina didn’t look convinced. “It was my decision to call the meeting,” John said. “I have to leave for New York tomorrow and needed to get the renovations going. But we couldn’t start until I had the project manager here.”
Angelina finally smiled. “I appreciate that.” She set her briefcase down and pulled off her coat, revealing a cherry-red sweater that caressed her breasts and was tucked neatly into a pair of dark pleated slacks. After this morning he knew what was hidden underneath.
“How are your wounds?”
Everyone turned to her. Her face reddened. “They’re fine.”
“What wounds?” Rafe asked.
“I took a spill when I was running this morning. I got a few scratches. That’s all.”
“Just so you got them cleaned,” John said. “I wouldn’t want you to get an infection.”
She glared at him. “I said I was fine. Now can we get back to business?”
John smiled. “Fine with me.” He turned to Rafe and Rick. “I’m having the contracts sent tomorrow. I prefer to have everything signed before the work begins. I’ll be gone until Monday, but I want construction under way as soon as you sign on the dotted line.” He glanced around the room. “Is there a problem with that?”
They all shook their heads.
Rafe spoke up. “Since the construction business is slow in the winter we shouldn’t have any problem getting the extra men for the crew. They’ll enjoy working inside for a change. We’ll start on the second-floor ballroom.”
John nodded and quickly glanced down at his notes. Damn. Every time he looked at Angelina, he lost his train of thought.
“We’ve agreed to the money amount on the bid. As for completion dates, I would like to open the first two floors by spring. The second-floor ballrooms along with the business suites could bring in revenue, and we can continue on the other two floors. We’ll do them as phase I and phase II.” He handed out copies of the plan.
After some discussion, they’d all agreed on the plan. Angelina was the one who had the questions. He had to admit he was surprised at her perception.
“So you’ll be starting tomorrow?” John confirmed.
“Yes. With a full crew by the end of the week,” Angelina replied.
They shook hands and Rafe, Rick and Tony left. Angelina went out to her desk and John followed her.
“I’ll bring the contract by tomorrow.”
She nodded, but her eyes wouldn’t meet his. “So you’re leaving in the morning.”
John nodded and wondered if she would miss him. “In fact I’m cutting it close. The stockholders’ meeting is scheduled for four o’clock. As CEO I have to attend. It should only take two days, but knowing my grandmother, she’ll make it as difficult as possible for me.” He raised his gaze to met her curious eyes.
Angelina swallowed. “Why would she do that?”
“I think it’s because my grandfather put me in charge of the company. Maybe it’s because I have her son’s job.”
“But your father died.”
“And I lived,” John said angrily, then regretted the slip. He never revealed anything personal about himself.
Their eyes locked, and he felt a tightening in his chest. “How are your knees feeling?”
She shrugged. “A little sore, but healing nicely.”
“You could stay home a few days. I could call you there if we need to talk.”
“For goodness sakes, they’re only skinned knees. I’m needed here. Besides, I’ve got to hire a crew.”
“Is my early starting date causing you too much trouble?”
Angelina smiled. Of course he was causing her trouble. It seemed her entire life had been turned upside down since he arrived in town. “No, there are plenty of men who will be grateful to get steady work.”
With a wicked gleam in his dark eyes, he strolled to her desk, sat on the edge and looked at her. He was close, too close. She could feel his warmth, smell the familiar scent she recalled from this morning.
“I was thinking about you,” he said. His voice had a soft, husky quality.
Angelina found she couldn’t move. “I’ll be fine. I like staying busy.”
“A bella signorina should have more than work. Don’t you have any dreams? Husband? Children?”
“That’s not what I want. Besides I have no time for those kinds of dreams.”
He shook his head. “Such a shame, cara.” He took her hand in his. “You should take time for other things. Pleasurable things.”
His touch was warm and gentle. A longing erupted inside her, one that she had thought was buried deep in the past, one that she had ignored for the last two years. Now John Rossi was making her aware of the fact that she was a woman. A woman with desires. A warning signal went off and she
pulled back. “I don’t have time for meaningless pleasures.”
Chapter Five
John stared out his office window, down twenty-eight floors to Central Park. The trees were bare of any leaves, reminding him of last week and the afternoon he’d spent at the park with Angelina.
Turning away from the window, he sat down at his desk. He’d only been gone five days, but it had seemed longer. Even two days arguing with his grandmother hadn’t distracted his thoughts from Angelina Covelli.
He found he’d been thinking about her way too much. How her smile lit up her face; how her blue eyes simmered with fire when she thought she was right. And she didn’t give in easily. She was competitive, with an unexpected business savvy. She took an active part in everything that happened with Covelli and Sons.
By the time he’d arrived at the office that last morning, the Covellis’ lawyer had already gone over the contract and agreed everything was in order. But still Angelina had questions.
He smiled, remembering the beautiful Ms. Covelli seated at the head of the table in the conference room as if she were holding court. After thirty minutes, satisfied with every clause, she finally signed on the bottom line.
John hadn’t been sure what he’d find when he arrived in Indiana that first day, but he sure wasn’t prepared to have the family open their arms to him. He’d like to think it was because of what he could do for them, but his instincts told him differently.
The whole Covelli family had him off balance, from charming Nonna Vittoria to her beautiful granddaughter, Angelina. John had trouble handling that, especially since he’d never experienced much family before.
But he had to keep thinking about his grandfather and the years of misery the Covellis had caused him. John wasn’t out for revenge, or he’d never have given them a lucrative contract. Why was he around? Curious about the kind of family he’d never had? Curious about Angelina?
Too bad he couldn’t get to know her, the woman, better. Even if the Covelli name wasn’t enough reason to make him keep his distance, John knew from past experience with failed relationships that it was best to complete his job and leave town. He’d already gotten too personally involved with the entire Covelli family. Besides, he doubted they would like the fact that he’d lied to them.
Yet he still found that he worried about Angelina’s feelings. Would she end up hating him if she discovered the truth? He recalled the day he’d left for New York. When she’d said goodbye, her eyes spoke of a longing that made him want to pull her into his arms and kiss her. A kiss that would have her missing—wanting—him while he was gone. He’d never got the chance.
Every night he’d found he’d missed her, even ached for her, but he couldn’t act on it. Anything between them, even something temporary, would be doomed before it got started. Maybe cursed was a better word.
A knock on his door suddenly drew John’s attention. “Come in,” he called.
Donna entered carrying a file. The brunette in her mid-forties had come to Rossi International right out of business college. Now, twenty years later, the place probably couldn’t run without her.
“Here are the minutes from the meeting. I highlighted the areas you wanted to go over.”
“Thanks, Donna. Does Mark have his copy?”
She nodded. “And I took the liberty of sending a bouquet of flowers to Mrs. Rossi in Palm Beach.”
John frowned. “What did I say on the card?”
“I just wrote a note of thanks for helping convince the stockholders the Indiana property was a good investment.”
John shook his head. “Can you believe it? She was actually on my side.”
Donna smiled as she handed over the file. “Be thankful she’s smart enough to know that you’re the reason the company is making money. Have you returned your grandfather’s call?”
“No, I thought I’d wait until I got back to Indiana.”
“You seem anxious to return. By the way, how is the Covelli family? I’ve spoken a few times with Angelina. She sounds young and attractive.”
“How can you know she’s attractive by her voice?”
“Let’s just say it’s woman’s intuition.”
John gathered his things, not wanting to answer any more questions. “Okay, she’s not fifty and she’s not fat.” He started for the door.
“Wait. What does she look like?”
John stopped and smiled. “I think I’ll just let you use your imagination.”
Monday morning, Angelina bundled up against the cold weather and drove to the hotel to find her brothers. Inside, Harry greeted her and told her the crew was on the second floor.
She started across the entry, then stopped and asked, “Have you heard from Mr. Rossi?”
Harry smiled. “He calls in every day.”
Angelina knew that. She just hadn’t been able to talk to him. “Have any idea when he’s returning?”
“He tells me it’s day to day.” Harry sobered. “But if you need to speak with him, I could call.”
Angelina shook her head. “No. It can wait.” There wasn’t any pressing reason to call John Rossi. Things had been going smoothly.
“You sure?” Harry asked. “I have his direct line.”
“That’s fine, Harry, it can wait. I’m going to see what my brothers have been up to.” She breathed a sigh of relief as she headed for the stairs. The last thing she wanted was for Harry to think that she had a personal interest in their boss. She only wanted a chance at a future job with Rossi International.
Angelina reached the top of the stairs and walked along the balcony railing until she arrived at the entrance to the grand ballroom. She stepped through the double doors to find a disaster. Stacks of old woodworking had been torn out and tossed into the middle of the room. The screech of power saws assaulted her eardrums along with the rhythmic slap of hammers against wood. Last week they’d hired six extra men to rip out the baseboards while her brothers concentrated on replacing the row of large windows along the west wall. That was where she found Rafe. She picked up a yellow plastic hard hat off the table and went to him.
He smiled as she approached. “You decide you were getting too bored sitting in the cushy office and come down to help with the tear out?”
“Hey, I thought Tony and I were the brains of the operation. You and Rick provide the brawn.”
He grinned as he returned his hammer to his tool belt. “Nobody told me that when I signed on the dotted line. You come down to play with the guys?”
“I thought you told me at twelve I couldn’t play with the boys anymore.”
“Well, make sure it stays that way.”
Angelina shook her head. “How does Shelby live with you? We’re on the threshold of a new century, and you’re still in the stone age. Get this through your thick head, brother, girls are allowed to play with the guys. And we’re good at it.”
He cocked an eyebrow. “But you got hurt.”
“I could have gotten hurt if I’d been running by myself.”
“My point exactly. What were you doing with John Rossi?”
“So it’s not that I was racing, it’s that I was with a man.” She smacked him playfully on the arm. “Stay out of my life, Rafe. I’m a big girl.”
“Not to a man like John Rossi,” he argued. “He’s more experienced.”
Angelina jammed her hands against her hips. “About everyone in the world is more experienced than I am.”
A big grin split Rafe’s face. “Can’t say I’m unhappy to hear that.”
“Oh, shut up.” Her faced flamed, remembering that she and Justin had put a stop to their lovemaking because they wanted to wait until they were married. But their wedding day had never come.
“Now, is that any way for a lady to talk?”
Angelina turned around and saw Leo Tucker walking toward them.
“Tuck.” She rushed into his arms and hugged the tall lanky Texan. Rick’s friend gave her a squeeze, then released her. “When did you get here
from Midland?” she asked.
“Just this morning.” He eyed them both. “And it looks like none too soon. You two fightin’ again?”
“Just giving my little sister some friendly advice,” Rafe said.
Tuck’s gentle gray eyes examined Angelina. “I’d say this pretty filly is more than capable of taking care of herself.”
Angelina grinned and reached up to the six-foot-plus wildcatter’s face and kissed him. “Oh, I’ve missed you, Tuck. How are things going on the oil rigs? Making any more money?”
Tuck had been Rick’s business partner. They’d done very well wildcatting in west Texas before Rick came home. Soon after, Tuck had shown up in Haven Springs, too. Rick met his now-wife Jill and decided to stay. Tuck shared his time between Texas and Indiana.
“I’d say we’re holding our own. I’ve turned things over to our foreman.” Tuck grinned, revealing tiny lines around his eyes. That and his sandy hair streaked with gray made him look older than his thirty-five years. But it didn’t take away from his rugged good looks.
Angelina remembered how openly Tuck had flirted with her when he showed up in town eight months ago. He’d been the first man to treat her like a woman, and, since then, they’d been good, easy friends. Like a member of the family. He’d even invested in Covelli Enterprises to help get things started with the downtown properties.
He glanced around the room. “I’d say we aren’t doin’ too bad here either.” He looked at Rafe. “Could you use an extra pair of hands for the next few months?”
“Sure,” Rafe said. “Why don’t you get settled in, and come back this afternoon? I’ll keep you busy for a while.”
“Take me to the office,” Angelina suggested. “I’ll fill you in on what’s been happening around here.”
“Sure. I have a few ideas I want to discuss with you,” Tuck said. “Nothing urgent. Just something Covelli Enterprises might be interested in for the future.”
“I like the sound of that,” Rafe said. “Right now, I’d better get back to work. Angelina will bring you up to date. She’s the boss on this job.”
The Man, The Ring, The Wedding Page 6