by Tanya Vought
Gracelynn laughs—which still makes her grimace and hold on to her ribs—but she loves the way he makes her feel. Gio escorts her out of the bedroom, and she gasps when she enters the kitchen. It looks beautiful. Gio placed small candles all around the room and four big candles on the table, nice china and the loveliest bouquet of flowers she’s ever seen.
He takes her hand, kisses her knuckles and slides out a chair for her. “Your seat, my lady.”
“Why, thank you.”
When dinner is over Gracelynn offers to help clean up, but Gio tells her she needs to rest and that he’ll have everything taken care of. She decides to go back to the living room and sit by the fire. “I’ll be back in a few minutes,” Gio says.
Gracelynn is so distracted by the outdoors that she doesn’t notice Gio come up and tuck a strand of her hair behind her ear.
Gracelynn inhales. His touch sends chills throughout her body and she hopes he doesn’t notice her body’s reaction to him. She turns towards him. “Before you start, there’s something that I need to tell you.”
He looks at her, his face a mix of confusion and maybe sadness too.
“Relax. I told Anne that I would go to church with her tomorrow but I don’t have her number. Could you please call her and ask her if we could meet her at the church instead? I don’t want to walk more than I have to right now. I’m sure you understand.”
Gio nods, agreeing with her. “And by the way, why didn’t you tell me that Anne is your grandmother? You and Kat both forgot to tell me that bit of info.”
“If you don’t mind, I’ll call my grandma first, and then I’ll explain.” He pulls out his phone and dials Anne. He asks her if they can meet at the church. After ending the call, he sets the phone down, pulls at his hair and gives Gracelynn a sad look.
“I’m sorry Kat and I didn’t tell you sooner. I don’t know why we didn’t. I guess maybe I didn’t want you to think that I put her up to being so kind and polite to you. I’m not sure. That was wrong of both of us though.”
“It’s okay. I sort of get it. Have you told her that you and Angelo are brothers yet? I figured we would need to have a bit of a conversation regarding that whole incident as well, at some point.” She looks down at her fingers, twirling them together.
“Yes, I’ve told her. She promises she won’t tell Kat. It was a good conversation with tears, but despite it all she’ll always be my grandma. Enough about that. How about a tour of the cabin?”
“Sure.” They walk slowly around the house as he gives her the grand tour. “This place is just as beautiful as the outside, Gio. I can’t believe how gorgeous it is.”
“I’ll be right back. Please wait here.”
While Gio is gone she decides to go over to the window seat and look outside. The landscape is beautiful. Nothing she has ever seen at home. She could permanently live here. The serenity, landscape and wonderful people have made her feel right at home. Ben and Cassie made the best decision for her to go on this trip.
“I’m glad you’re having a wonderful time here. I love you. Please be nice to Giovanni. He’s hurting too. I love you always and forever, my love.”
Gracelynn looks around and sees nothing out of the ordinary. But when she looks down, she notices a yellow rose sitting at her feet. She smiles and holds the flower to her heart and starts tearing up. At that moment, Gio comes in and sees the tears falling down her face.
“Is everything okay, Gracelynn? Do you need more pain medication for your ribs? I’m sorry I left you for so long. Holly needed out and I wanted to help her.”
“Stop worrying, I’m fine. But have you heard anything or feel like someone is watching you lately?’
Gio nods. “I think we have talked about this before when I told you that someone told me turn around and come home and that there would be a present waiting for me; but that’s not the only time that I’ve heard voices.”
Gracelynn looks down at her rose and says, “No? When else have you heard voices?”
Gio fidgets in his seat and rubs his beard before he looks at her. “I heard them while I was away at my other hotel. I was in my office and then I heard a voice telling me I needed to come get you and that you were in dire trouble. It’s how I got to you in time. Believe me, it scared the living shit out of me. I’ve never been so scared in my life.”
Gracelynn puts her hand over her mouth and gasps. It sounds as if something magical is happening in New Hope.
“Giovanni, do things like this happen a lot in New Hope? It seems like ever since I’ve been here we have had help in more than one mysterious way.”
He shakes his head. “No, nothing like this has ever happened to me before. It has to do with you, I’m sure of it.”
“Let’s drop this conversation for right now. Let’s talk about the letter that you got from Angelo,” Gracelynn says in an effort to distract him from the voices.
“I can’t believe that I was kidnapped, Gracie. How could have I been taken? Why would Breanna take me from my birth parents? How could she do that to my family, to me and then lie about it for years?” He puts his head on her shoulder and sobs. “How could they do that to me? Do you think my so-called dad knew I wasn’t his child? Do you think that’s why he treated me like shit my entire life?” He pauses and takes a deep breath.
“They always treated me like shit. Like I was the problem. Kat was the favorite and could do no wrong. The only man who truly gave a shit about me was my grandfather, Timothy. He was a kind man, devoted, and loving to my grandmother. I’ve never seen two more people in love, other than you and Angelo of course from the wedding photos that I saw. Their love was one I envied. I loved seeing them together. I wished my parents would’ve been like that, rather than fighting my entire life until they both passed away. They robbed me of a wonderful life. The life Angelo led, in which he was treated with respect and love.”
She lets him cry on her shoulder. She holds him, trying to comfort him the way he has done for her. Then she ushers him to lie down on his side, and she lies next to him, holding him despite the pain in her ribs. Comforting Gio is more important than the pain she feels.
Chapter 21
GIO WAKES UP TO FIND GRACELYNN getting dressed. She’s trying to zipper up the back of a beautiful green dress that accentuates the color of her eyes.
“You gonna ogle at me all morning?” she says, giving him a good look at her behind. Not that he minds. The entire package of her is exquisite. No woman has ever captivated him the way she does. He tries to discreetly adjust himself in his bed pants to be able to leave the bed, to help her zipper the back of her dress, lightly caressing her skin and kissing the side of her neck in the process.
He turns her around, grabs her and embraces her in a hug which has her body completely touching his. You can’t tell where his body begins and where hers ends. They’re like two puzzle pieces fitting together and he loves the way her body feels against his. Not only does he but so does something else below, which he knows she can feel.
“Thank you so much for comforting me last night. You didn’t say a word, but comforted me anyways. I know that you’re hurting due to all of this, but it means a great deal to have you listen to my bull shit and everything…”
“You don’t need to thank me. We’ll continue our talk later today, but we have to get ready to go to church with your grandmother and Kat.” She steps out of his embrace so they can get ready for their day.
When she leaves the bedroom, Giovanni feels the loss of her touch. He wants to kiss her senseless. He knows it would be too soon to do that again; but his body craves hers and not just in a sexual way, but also on a much deeper level. He could see himself having her by his side, maybe even forever, but there’s no way that’s happening. She’ll be leaving at some point and he doesn’t want to think about that. He leaves the room to go get himself ready for the church service.
When he’s finished getting dressed, he decides to go find his lovely lady and finds her still getting ready. “You really do look amazing when you blush. You look radiant today. I would love to spend more time with you until you leave,” he surprises himself with the words that come from his mouth.
She smiles and hugs him. “I would love to spend more time with you and your family while I’m on vacation. I couldn’t imagine doing anything else.”
He’s overjoyed by her statement. “Let’s get going so we can make it on time. Grandmother likes to get there early and get her favorite seat.” With those words, he leads them out of the house after petting Holly goodbye.
Chapter 22
THEY’RE QUIET THE ENTIRE WAY to the church. Gio grips the steering wheel until his knuckles are white. “Are you afraid of attending mass today?” Gracelynn asks when she notices. “If not, I can attend and you can come pick me up later?”
Giovanni doesn’t know how to tell her he hasn’t been in church for three years.
He looks over at her and sees a sincere woman who cares about everyone. He envies her caring nature. “I appreciate you thinking of me, but I haven’t been to church since my late wife passed away.”
Gracelynn inhales and he takes his one hand off the steering wheel and places it in hers. The simple gesture of touching her skin comforts him.
“I am so sorry, Giovanni. Why didn’t you tell me you had a wife? You knew I lost Angelo and you couldn’t tell me about your loss?” She looks sad and he doesn’t want her pity.
“I told you I had my own loss, if you remember. I just can’t talk about it yet. Maybe one day we can…I just can’t right now and I hope you can understand.” He grips her hand hoping that she understands that he’ll tell her, just not now. She must get it because she squeezes his hand right back, smiles at him and looks out the window smiling at the sunshine passing through the beautiful scenery. But nothing could be more beautiful than her sitting next to him, with the sun shining down and seeing it hit her beautiful hair like a halo.
“We’re here. Don’t be alarmed if people smother you and be nosey,” he tells her as he opens his door and then hers as they then walk hand in hand to the church. Once they enter, they notice Anne and Kat near the front of the church. Anne greets them and they sit next to her.
The church service goes well and after the sermon, Gracelynn thinks the pastor talked wonderfully, as if he talked directly to her soul. She realizes she needs to be more open and be happy with herself and her life. After mass is over, they decide that since Gracelynn is still in pain, they’ll head back to the cabin, and take a rain check on lunch. They promise they’ll get together with Kat and Anne again real soon though.
Chapter 23
ON MONDAY, GIO FINDS GRACELYNN at the desk in the library talking on the phone. She doesn’t realize he’s standing inside the doorway watching her. She twirls her hair in-between her fingers, listening intently and smiling. He’s jealous of the way she’s smiling at someone else rather than him. Get it together man. Get it together.
“Thank you so much. I know you do and I appreciate it so much. And whatever the extra project costs, I’ll pay for that as well. Thanks again. I look forward to your call.” She hangs up and stares at the pond in complete awe.
He clears his throat, which causes her to look up and smile at him. She smiles and it reaches all the way to her eyes. “Good morning, doll.” He wonders what she has planned for the day and figures he might as well ask. “What’s on the agenda today?” he says, staring out the window at nothing in particular.
“Well, I was thinking of maybe reading one of my many romantic books I have on my Kindle here.” She winks and moves her eyebrows up and down in a seductive manner.
“What does that really mean, Grace?”
“It means I’m going to enjoy a romantic book by myself reading all about some hot men doing some hot stuff to their women in the books.”
“Did Angelo let you read that type of smut?” he asks.
“Yes, he was the one who encouraged me to read the Fifty Shades of Grey series.” She blushes. “Not that I don’t enjoy talking with you, but can we move along to something else?”
“Who were you talking too? I noticed you were smiling when you were on the phone.” His voice betrays his jealousy.
She picks up on it immediately. “Are you jealous?”
“I, uh…no. I was just wondering who you were speaking to, that’s all.”
“I was talking to a friend. I’m working on a Christmas gift. Trust me.” She beams at him with radiating joy. He could get used to her being happy.
Why does he always doubt her and thinking about her talking to another man? Get it together, Gio. He smiles at her and she points for him to come sit down next to her. Gracelynn puts her head on his shoulder and looks out the window at the beauty surrounding her cabin.
“Are you happy with your life and your job?” This stumps him. He’s not sure of anything anymore.
“To be honest, no. I’m not. I haven’t been myself in a long time.” She comforts him by rubbing his back, which makes him moan. Then she shocks him again, whispering, “You have the choice to make yourself happy. Do something for yourself for a change and believe in yourself.” She stops and smiles as she continues, “I love looking outside this cabin, Giovanni. It’s beautiful. Beauty comes from loving yourself and then pours out into the way we live, act and love the surroundings around us.”
She takes her hand, places it on his heart and looks into his eyes which makes his heart beat rapidly. “Believe in yourself and know that I’m here should you ever need me.”
He looks down at her, knowing he should believe her. He sees the beauty too outside the cabin, but it’s hard to find the beauty on the inside when you have such turmoil and fear of losing the one person who has captivated your heart.
“Thank you. I know what you mean. I know I need to believe in myself and consider all options. I need to be more grateful for each day I’m alive and so much more.” He presses his head on her shoulder and enjoys her presence so much he doesn’t want to get back to work.
She steps back from him. She looks down at her watch. “Are you going to work today? It’s ten am.”
He chuckles. “Since I’m the boss I can do whatever I want, whenever I want, however I want,” he states with a sly grin. “Honestly, I was planning on just going to work, but holding you and talking to you makes me want to skip all that and just enjoy the day with you. Let’s go do something fun.”
“What would you recommend for a newbie in the town to try?” she asks.
“Well, we have several museums, theatres, many parks….” He looks to her, his eyes filled with longing. “Well, I could go on and on, but what would you like to do?”
“Do you own a canoe?”
“Yes, I do. But first, tell me. Are you feeling any better? Do your ribs still hurt?”
“I’m doing fine. Thank you. I appreciate your concern, but I’d like to see more of your backyard.” She bats her eyelashes at him.
He chuckles as he addresses her. “Yes, go get dressed and I’ll see you in the living room in half an hour. I have to get everything ready. Just make sure you’re bundled up.”
* * *
Gracelynn leaves the room, feeling giddy. She can’t believe Gio is taking her canoeing. Her ribs still hurt like hell, but she doesn’t want to tell him that. She carefully changes into a navy blue t-shirt, and then she puts on a heavy white sweater over her top with lined jeans. She puts boots on, curls her hair lightly and puts a matching white hat on her head. She grabs her coat, ready for their adventure.
When she steps into the living room, she gasps. At that moment, Gio looks exactly like Angelo. “Are you alright?” Gio asks while he turns around.
“Yes, everything is perfect. You just look so much like Angelo right now. Let’s get going shall we.”
Gio leads them to the canoe and stops. “I have a present for you. I wanted to give it to you before but then you were attacked and I didn’t think it was right to give it to you.” He looks rather angry before he gives her the gift. She opens it up, and is surprised it’s a camera. She told him she wanted one and he bought her the most expensive one there is.
She jumps up and hugs him tightly. “You truly are the sweetest man, Giovanni. Thank you so much.” She kisses him on the cheek.
She gets off him, wishing she didn’t have to. This man truly is a Greek Adonis, sexy as hell yet romantic, sweet, caring and patient. What more could she ask for?
Chapter 24
THE WATER AND SCENERY ARE AMAZING, and so is watching Gio row their canoe. Gracelynn can’t remember the last time she truly took in the beauty of the surroundings of her life. New Hope has given her new hope, a new outlook on life. She snaps picture after picture with her new camera, wondering if she should take up photography classes.
“This is just breathtaking,” she tells Gio as she gazes at the scenery of the mountains, snow, water and her companion in the canoe.
“Why, yes it is. I can’t compare it to anyone or anything else.”
She knows he means her rather than the scenery around them and she blushes.
“I love it when you blush, but I didn’t mean to embarrass you. You truly are as beautiful as the scenery around us,” he says, his voice filled with confidence. “I need to be more open to the beauty of nature and the people in my life. I took all of this for granted. You made me realize what I have in my backyard/hometown is something to treasure. Thank you.” He continues to row while she snaps picture after picture, and secretly even catching some of him a few times.
* * *