Gabri reached out and lifted her face by her chin so she would look at him. “You face them with your Salvaggio pride,” he said with a smile. “You fought your demons again, and you are here now. You are still with us, you are strong and smart and beautiful. No one burns with life more than you do. No one is blessed with the love of so many like you are.”
Rafe chuckled. “I’m not a song.”
“You are!” insisted Gabri. “You are in every song. Everyone who sings is singing about you. You are the heroine who has overcome and now walks in the wild light again.”
“And Nora thinks I’m dramatic.” Rafe chuckled and shook her head. “Thank you.”
“What do you want to do?” he asked. “I’ll help you. Do you want to start small? Nora is worried we don’t have much time before Eden may have to leave.” He sat back in the chair and tapped the tabletop nervously. “She also said, if Eden comes again, I’m not allowed to send her away.”
“Hmph,” breathed Rafe, “she told me I have to be nice and listen.” She frowned up at Gabri. “I think she’s trying to control us.”
“She is very bossy,” Gabri agreed. “But what can we do?” He shrugged.
Rafe imitated his shrug. “Love her despite her flaws.”
“Yes,” Gabri said thoughtfully. “The bossy ones need the most love.”
Rafe glanced down at the piece of paper with Eden’s information on it again. “I think you’re right. I think I should start small.” She looked up at Gabri. “Maybe Eden would agree to let me see Bronte alone first. This way, if what she wants to tell me will hurt me, I’ll at least have been happy for my time with Bronte.”
“Do you want me to call this morning,” he asked, “or do you want to call?”
“Did Eden call you before she came?” asked Rafe as she considered what to do.
“No,” said Gabri. “She only made a personal visit.”
“Then, I think we should send Fausto with a car around nine o’clock with a message,” said Rafe pensively. “This way it’s more personal and not just an impersonal call from you. It’ll make things more convenient for her too, if we send a car, so she doesn’t have to bring Bronte herself.”
“Excellent,” said Gabri. “This way she will also know you acknowledge her visit and you know where she is staying. This will also tell her you appreciate her coming out in person to inquire. I think this is a good idea.”
Rafe got up, went to her desk, and got some paper. “Okay,” she said softly as she wrote. “Will you give this to Fausto?”
“Yes,” said Gabri as Rafe finished writing then folded the note and put it in an envelope. She wrote Eden’s name on the envelope and handed it to him. He held up the note. “I’ll give him this and the name of her hotel.”
Rafe took a nervous breath and glanced up at Gabri. “I hope she remembers me,” she said softly.
“She will.” Gabri smiled and hugged her then left to deliver the note to the driver.
Rafe watched him go then looked over at her drawing pad. She opened it to the drawing she did of Eden holding Bronte. “Please, remember me,” she said softly then closed the book.
18
AFTER A BUSY morning checking schedules and confirming arrangements for the guests coming to stay at the villa tomorrow, Nora De Angelis made her way to the kitchen for a light snack. She was excited about all the musicians who would be showing up this weekend to stay for the week of the music festival. Nora ran her hand over her stomach and smiled because the baby should be born not long after the festival, and Nora couldn’t wait. She was happy that the sounds of music and joy would surround him just before he would be born.
Nora looked up as the housekeeper, Lyka, rushed into the kitchen frantically speaking in a mix of her native Filipino mixed with Italian and looking very upset.
“Lyka, slow down,” Nora said firmly. “What’s happened?”
“They are bad again!” she said in halting Italian. “They have done no good!”
Nora sighed knowing she was talking about something Gabri and Rafe were doing. They were always doing something to upset Lyka. The last time they upset her was when Rafe wanted to check the roof tiles, and she and Gabri decided it would be a good idea to use the safety rope to swing down on to the top floor balcony and into the room. Lyka just happened to be in the room cleaning and thought the villa was under attack. She didn’t come back to work for three days.
“Calm down,” said Nora. “Sit down and tell me what happened.”
Lyka sat down and looked desperately at Nora. “They have stolen a baby!” she cried. “They have it. They have no business with a baby! They will,” she sobbed, “they will be no good!”
“A baby?” Nora repeated not sure if she understood Lyka correctly. “Okay, just have some coffee and calm yourself. I’ll go see,” said Nora and left to go see what Lyka was talking about.
Nora stepped out of the kitchen door and saw precisely what Lyka was talking about. Gabri and Rafe were speeding down the garden path in the golf cart, and Rafe was holding onto a dark-haired toddler and grinning with excitement. They pulled up to the door and smiled up at Nora.
“Bronte’s here!” Rafe called happily as she climbed out of the cart with the little girl. “We just took a quick tour of the garden,” she said happily and headed back to the garden to play.
Gabri pulled a backpack from the back of the golf cart and rushed up to the door. “Nora,” he called with a smile, “come see the baby. She just got here, and we are going to play in the garden. Come with us!”
Nora looked from Gabri as he grinned at her over to the baby clinging happily to Rafe as she walked along the garden path. “Where’s Eden?”
“She’s at the hotel, of course.” Gabri shrugged and carried the backpack into the kitchen and put it on a chair. “Lyka, put the baby’s things in the nursery,” Gabri said happily. Lyka grabbed the backpack then ran out crying. “What’s wrong with her?” Gabri asked Nora who had followed him inside.
“She thinks you stole a baby. Why would she think that?” asked Nora suspiciously. “Where’s her mother?”
“Rafe is her mother,” Gabri said with a smile. “You should have seen her eyes light up when she saw Rafe. She remembers her! Come, let’s go see her.”
Nora took Gabri by the arm to stop him. “Wait,” she said firmly. “You’re not answering my questions.” She gave Gabri a stern look. “If Eden’s not here, how did the baby get here?”
“We sent Fausto,” said Gabri happily. “This morning we sent the car and a personal note, and now she is here.”
Nora shook her head at Gabri in disbelief at what she was hearing. “You sent Fausto? Our Fausto and a car?” she asked in confusion.
Gabri nodded. “Yes and a message. Come,” he said and tried to pull her along.
“I think you had better give me more details,” said Nora as she pulled her hand from Gabri. “Again, why is Eden not here, and why does Lyka think you stole the baby? She’s very upset with you two, and I don’t want you upsetting her so she won’t come into work again.”
Gabri took Nora by the shoulders and kissed her. “Everything is fine,” he said happily. “I fixed everything like you told me,” he explained. “I talked to Rafe this morning, and we gave a message to Fausto for Eden asking to send the baby. I told Lyka we were getting a baby today so make the nursery ready.” He shrugged. “And now she is here.”
“So, Eden isn’t here?” Nora asked still trying to figure out what the two had done.
“No,” said Gabri as he walked out the door. “Rafe is waiting.”
“Wait, first tell me what you wrote to Eden,” said Nora as she caught up with Gabri and held him back.
Gabri glanced at her and then toward Rafe impatiently. He turned back to Nora resigned to his fate. Ignoring Nora was not healthy for his marriage. “Rafe sent a note thanking Eden for bringing Bronte and sent a car to bring the baby here. We told her to pack a swimming suit and change of clothes for the baby. We told her the baby woul
d be returned tonight. We don’t have much time, like you said,” Gabri reminded her, “so we asked for the baby this morning.”
“So, you just sent Fausto with a car this morning, without any warning, and expected Eden to send her baby to you?” asked Nora in disbelief.
“And we sent a message,” Gabri reminded her. “This way Rafe acknowledged her visit here and tells her she knows where she is staying. The personal message, and the convenience of our sending a car, also tells her Rafe appreciates her coming out in person to inquire. It fixed everything,” said Gabri proudly. “Come see the baby,” he said and went to find Rafe.
After watching him walk away, Nora rubbed her temple and shook her head. “I swear you two would drive a saint mad,” she mumbled. She turned on her heal and headed inside then up to the nursery where she found Lyka worrying over Bronte’s backpack. “Lyka, it’s okay. The baby’s mother knows she’s here. I just need you to make sure lunch is made so they feed her, okay?”
“I’ll make the lunch, but then I am going home,” said Lyka upset. “They should not be taking babies!” Lyka ran out of the room, and Nora hoped it was to the kitchen.
Nora left the nursery, stopped by the office to grab her purse, then made her way back downstairs. She met Stefano as he was just getting up and around, carrying his breakfast from the kitchen. “Stefano, I need you to drive me down to the car in the golf cart,” she said as she took his breakfast, sat it on the table, then rushed him past Lyka and out the door before he could protest.
They made it to the garage, and Fausto came out to meet them. Nora looked over at Stefano as she was getting out of the cart. “Keep an eye on Gabri and Rafe,” she said rapidly. “They have Rafe’s daughter out in the garden. I think Lyka may leave after she makes lunch, but I doubt she’ll be here when it’s time to serve it, so you may be on your own for finding plates and drinks.”
She went to the car where Fausto had the door open for her and looked inside. “We should take the other car since this one has the car seat,” she told him. “I want to make sure the baby is safe if they decide to take her somewhere.” Fausto opened the door to the other car, and Nora got into the front passenger seat.
When Fausto got in, he waited for her instructions.
“Take me to the hotel where you picked up the baby,” she said firmly and noticed as he cringed. She had no doubt Fausto knew she was beyond angry.
19
THE ROOM IS too quiet, thought Eden Kingsley as she looked out the window at the city street below. It was quiet because Bronte wasn’t in the room playing, laughing and talking. Bronte had learned so many new words over the past six months, and Eden loved listening to her talk about her day and talk to her stuffed toys. Having Bronte with her was what kept Eden going every day since Gabri carried Rafe out of the house, and then out of the country. With Bronte gone, it felt like her reason for holding it all together was gone too, and she was struggling.
The note Gabri and Rafe sent said Bronte would be back later tonight, but she still worried about the possibility they might change their minds about returning her. Even worse, though she had expected Rafe to want to see Bronte and not her, was that it still hurt.
Eden could tell Gabri didn’t want her to be in Italy. She also knew he was angry about what had happened last night when they saw Rafe as they were having dinner. Eden was still worried about the woman Rafe had been with, even though Julia said it was probably just a friend. She worried about who she was and why Rafe seemed so happy with her. Eden was concerned Rafe had found someone else to start a family with. Though she knew Rafe would always be there for Bronte, she wondered how much they would see each other if Rafe was focused on a new baby.
Julia took another sip of her tea trying to calm herself as she watched Eden look yearningly out the window where she had observed the hulking, burly Italian man get in the car and drive away with Bronte. Eden had stopped crying, but Julia could tell she was still upset. Julia was upset for Eden, but her primary feeling was deep anger toward Rafe, something Julia had never felt before. She included Gabri in her rage.
How they could do this to Eden was beyond her. The other thing making Julia angry was the fact Eden had read their note demanding Bronte, and she actually packed a bag for the baby, helped put the car seat in the car, and sent her with the hulking driver. It was as if Rafe thought she had to send a huge hairy bodyguard because Eden might make trouble. Julia never thought she would see Eden send Bronte off as she did. She wasn’t sure if it was a testament to how desperate Eden was to see Rafe or if she really felt threatened by the driver. Maybe she was more afraid of Gabri because of him calling her cruel and selfish.
“Eden,” Julia said softly feeling a surge of protectiveness for her, “come and sit down. Are you sure you want to wait in the room all day? They said she wouldn’t be back until tonight.”
“I don’t know what I want to do,” said Eden as she sat at the table and wiped the traces of tears from her eyes and face. “I just want to be sure I’m here when she comes back.”
“Maybe we should do something to take your mind off everything,” she suggested as she reached out to hug Eden. She wished she could hold her and comfort her in a more personal way but knew it would be inappropriate right now. She let her go and sat back in her chair. “We could go to a museum or go shopping, or we could even take a cooking class if one’s available.”
Eden sighed and put her head in her hands. “I can’t think about doing anything right now,” she said softly then looked up at Julia. “Did I make a mistake coming here?’
“No,” said Julia as she shook her head. She had to stop thinking of herself and help Eden get through this nightmare. There would be plenty of time to think about where things might go with Eden once the relationship with Rafe ended. It looked from where she was sitting that their relationship was over and Eden just had to finally accept the hard truth. Now she only had to try to be helpful and positive and let Rafe be, well, Rafe. “At the very least, Rafe got to see Bronte, and you made it happen,” she pointed out. “Plus, we’ve only been here two days. Maybe after spending time with Bronte, they’ll change their minds about talking to you.”
“I don’t think Gabri will change his mind,” Eden said sadly. “I’m pretty sure he would prefer I leave as soon as possible. It’s probably why he asked for Bronte today.”
Julia sat her teacup down in frustration. She just couldn’t hold in her feelings any longer. “It makes me so angry Rafe’s allowing you to be treated this way. She must know what he’s doing,” she insisted. “The note was in her handwriting.”
There was a knock on the door, and they looked at each other in surprise. “Did you order more room service?” Eden asked as she looked from Julia to the door.
“No.” Julia got up to answer the door. “Just stay there,” she told Eden, “I’ll see who it is.” If it was anyone else delivering a note full of demands, she was going to give them a piece of her mind. She went to the door and opened it a crack. “Si?” she asked through the opening.
“I’m looking for Eden,” said a woman’s voice in English. “I’m not sure what her last name is. It may be Salvaggio.”
Julia jerked the door open and stared into the eyes of a blond woman heavy in her pregnancy. “Who are you?” she asked in surprise as she recognized her from last night. She looked tentatively over her shoulder at Eden then back again, worried this woman had come with bad news.
Nora stood her ground wanting to speak directly with Eden. “I’m looking for Eden Salvaggio. I’m sorry if I have the wrong room, but this is the number I was given by our driver.”
“Her name isn’t Salvaggio,” Julia snapped with irritation at Rafe and the situation. At this moment, she also didn’t like Eden being given Rafe’s last name. “Her name is Eden Kingsley,” she said firmly.
“Oh,” said Nora, aware by calling Eden by Rafe’s last name it was upsetting to the woman with the British-sounding accent. “I really wasn’t sure. I just kn
ew the baby’s last name was Salvaggio, so I thought maybe hers was too.”
“Who is it?” Eden asked as she approached the door. She stopped in her tracks as she saw the woman from last night.
Over Julia’s shoulder, Nora saw Eden and recognized her from Rafe’s drawings and by her light golden blond hair. “Eden,” she said with a friendly smile and held out her hand. “My name is Nora De Angelis. I hope I’m not intruding, but I’d like to talk with you.”
Julia looked from Eden to Nora then opened the door and stepped aside so Nora could come into the room. “I’m Julia Hawthorn,” she said with authority. “What is it you want?”
Nora took a moment to gather herself, understanding the platinum-blond British-sounding woman was who Rafe thought Eden was in a relationship with now. The protectiveness and the anger the woman was showing could mean Rafe was right, but it wasn’t why she was here.
She glimpsed at Eden who stood silently looking back at her. “Hello.” She put out her hand, but Eden didn’t take it. “I’m here to talk to you about the things my husband has said to you,” she said as she put her hand down. “I talked to him today, and I don’t think he handled things well with you. Do you mind if we sit?” she asked and put her hand on her stomach and smiled kindly. “Standing for long periods is getting difficult at the moment.”
“Of course,” said Eden as she snapped out of her shock. “Come in. We were having some tea. Would you like anything?”
“No, thank you,” said Nora as she followed Eden to the table and sat down with the two women. She could tell Eden had been upset and knew it was because of Gabri and Rafe’s idiotic stunt this morning. “This is probably very strange for you,” she said trying to find common ground. “It’s strange for me too. It’s a bit surreal to meet a woman who has had my husband’s child but doesn’t really know him and never actually had sex with him. When Gabri told me about Rafe and you, before we were married, I never thought about if I’d actually meet you until Gabri brought Rafe home. Then I thought Rafe would get better, go back home, and I’d never meet you. But, here we are,” she said looking at each woman in turn.
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