A Heart Decision

by Laurie Kellogg

  Luke turned to Ben. “Will that be a problem for you?”

  “Do I have an alternative?”

  “Yes. Just say the word, and I’ll skip the testing and remain the best man. Or we could all just fly to Vegas on Christmas Eve for a small private wedding,” Luke suggested as an alternative, “and then hold a reception at a later date after you know who your husband is.”

  “No,” Ben said emphatically. “I have no desire to have some tacky Elvis impersonator officiate the ceremony. I want to give Sabrina the wedding of her dreams.” He squeezed Luke’s shoulder. “If necessary, I can live with publicly stepping aside for you. But you have to let me give you your honeymoon as a wedding gift. It’ll already be bought and paid for, so you might as well use it.”

  She and Luke could never begin to afford the kind of wedding trip Ben had, no doubt, planned. When Tyler married Annie, Ben had booked a luxury four-bedroom Presidential condominium in Disney World for their family honeymoon and given them an all-expenses paid vacation, including Thomas’s services as their butler, chauffeur, and babysitter.

  Tyler would’ve had a fit if he knew how many charitable giveaways Ben had sponsored, and the strings he’d pulled to secure an exclusive reservation for a night in Cinderella’s castle—that, supposedly, money couldn’t buy—as a special treat for Mandy and Noah.

  Luke took her hand and pressed a kiss to it. “It’s a deal. Anything to make her happy.”

  “Oh, just shut the hell up and kiss her, already.”

  Their mouths all dropped open as Annie turned on the bed to stare at Tyler whose eyes were still closed. She stretched out on the mattress, burying her face in his neck. “Did you just say something?”

  Luke hoisted himself out of the wheelchair, hopped to the side of the bed, and bent over Tyler. “Are you awake, jackass?”

  Sabrina shoved his shoulder, nearly knocking him off balance. “Is that any way to talk to a man coming out of a coma?”

  “Yeah. He scared the crap out of us for two days.”

  “Please, sweetheart, say something more,” Annie pleaded. “Just a few words.”

  Tyler breathed out in a weak whisper, “I love you, baby.”

  The deluge of kisses she rained over his face suggested those were exactly the words she wanted to hear.

  CHAPTER 13

  “Come on, you two.” Sabrina huffed at the puppies leisurely sniffing around the rosebushes bordering the dark backyard. “I’m exhausted.”

  The scent of the flowers hung in the muggy night air like a heavy perfume. Thunder rumbled in the distance, sending the dogs scampering toward the kitchen door. It amazed her how a day could start so badly and end so wonderfully.

  The doctor had examined Tyler that afternoon and announced that, barring any complications and with a little physical therapy, her brother would probably make a full recovery.

  Add to that, if all went well, the man she loved would soon be her husband. Everything was almost perfect. Or so one would think.

  Strangely enough, though, ever since Luke had agreed to consider having the Huntington’s screening, a dark cloud had settled over her. What if he tested positive? Despite urging him to get tested, now she wasn’t so sure she could handle knowing his fate.

  Gnawing on her lower lip, she locked the backdoor and put Dusty and Mopsy in their crates. Now she understood how Luke had felt when he’d said it was easier to live in hope than to know the truth and spend life dreading the future.

  When she strolled into the bedroom a few minutes later, she found him perched on the edge of the mattress, fully dressed.

  Sabrina smiled down at him. “I was afraid, with as little sleep as you’ve had the last two days, you might have conked out.”

  “We need to talk.”

  She stood in front of him and ran her fingers through his hair. “Haven’t we done enough talking for one day?”

  “Not quite. I love you, and I want a lifetime with you more than I want my next breath, Brina. But we can’t sleep together again until I’m sure you won’t be marrying Ben.”

  Tears stung her eyes as she thought about how little time she’d had with him. She hugged him close and pressed her face to the top of his head. “What are you saying?”

  “I’m kicking you out tomorrow.” He pushed her back a step and gazed up at her.

  “Look, if you want to back out of having the test, I’m okay—”

  “I don’t. Or, at least right now, I think I want to go through with it.” He studied her face. “You sound as if maybe you no longer want me to have the test.”

  She closed her eyes, avoiding his gaze. “I’m not sure. I’d like reassurance you’re going to be okay. But....I now also understand how an absence of hope could end up stealing so much joy from our lives. I’d give anything to be your wife, but Tyler’s accident taught me the future isn’t guaranteed to any of us, so why worry about it? We need to just take each day as it comes and live it to the full—”

  “No.” He flopped back on the bed, pulling her down beside him. “My terms still stand. If I test positive, you’re marrying Ben. But while I was sitting here waiting for you, I realized, if I were Ben, I’d be going nuts right now, imagining you in bed with me.”

  “If you were Ben, I wouldn’t be sleeping with you.”

  “Smartass.” He smacked her on the fanny. “Seriously, Brina. I can’t torture BJ like that for the next few months. Especially considering he’s willing to step aside for me. I refuse to make love to you again unless I can give you everything he can.”

  She drew circles on the center of his chest with her finger. “And exactly how are you planning to afford to do that on a detective’s salary?”

  “I don’t mean financially, and you know it. We’re done in the bedroom unless I can offer you an optimistic future that includes a family.”

  She swallowed hard past the lump in her throat and forced a grin. “That still leaves at least fifty other places I can think of to make love. And that’s after eliminating all the kinky public locations.”

  He released a soft snort. “As if you’d ever be willing to have sex in public.”

  “There’s a lot of things I might do if they were the only way I could be with you.”

  He silently shook his head.

  “I understand. Your loyalty is one of the things I love about you.” She just wished she’d known when they made love together two days ago that it might be the very last time ever. “Will you at least hold me and let me sleep with you tonight? Just sleep, nothing else.”

  “Sure.” He squeezed her tightly. “Although, I’m not so sure I’ll sleep much if you’re in my arms.”

  ~*~

  Sabrina didn’t stir until nearly nine the next morning when the puppies’ barking downstairs woke her. The deep steady tempo of Luke’s breath in her ear told her he was still fast asleep. They’d lain awake together until nearly two a.m. while he’d shared so many things she hadn’t known about his career. He’d told her about his training at the police academy, his past undercover work on several RICO cases in conjunction with the FBI, and fascinating stories involving his current assignment to the county’s special investigation unit.

  The puppies barked again, this time more insistently.

  Those poor babies. She should’ve gotten up and let them out earlier. She eased herself out from under Luke’s arm and pulled on her robe.

  As soon as she took the dogs out and fed them, she made a strong pot of coffee. A second after she filled a steaming mug, Luke steered his wheelchair into the kitchen. “I hope you made enough for me.”

  “Of course. If you’re as exhausted as I am, you’ll need it.” She smiled and poured him a cup. “You know, if you were trying to make it easier to marry Ben by not making love last night, sharing all of your secrets with me was a lousy way to do it.”

  “I’m sorry I kept you awake. I should’ve insisted you sleep in the guest room.”

  “I’m glad you didn’t.” She wouldn’t have missed
last night for anything. “I could always stay a few more weeks. In the guestroom, of course.”

  “No. You’re leaving today. My wrist feels good enough to use the crutches for short distances.”

  “How do you plan to get around? You can’t drive your SUV.”

  “I phoned Cal right before I came downstairs. He’s willing to lend me his car and drive my Jeep until the doctor removes my cast.”

  “And what about all the things you have trouble doing for yourself?”

  “Such as?”

  “Like carrying groceries or the laundry basket. Or just getting your dinner plate from the stove to the table. You can’t do that on crutches.”

  “My mother and sisters will take turns coming by to help out every few days. And if they can’t, I’m sure my Explorers will volunteer.”

  He had an answer for everything.

  “However, there are two last things you can do for me before you leave. I need you to take me to visit my mother today. I want to talk to her about the Huntington’s screening.”

  “And what’s the second thing?”

  “Kiss me good-bye and go plan your wedding to Ben.”

  “That’s three things.”

  “I asked for two things before you leave.”

  She sank onto his lap and twined her arms around his neck. “Can I kiss you between now and then?”

  “As often as you want, Brina,” he whispered, holding her close. “Right up until the moment you drive away.”

  ~*~

  “Sabrina, sweetheart, thank you for taking care of my son,” Teresa Marino said with a hint of an accent that over thirty-five years in America hadn’t completely erased. “How’s he been behaving?” she asked hugging both of them.

  “He’s been a model patient. Unfortunately, he fired me, so I’ll be returning to my apartment this afternoon.”

  “You know I love you no matter what,”—Teresa slapped him lightly on the back of the head—“but why would you do something so stupid?”

  He leaned against the kitchen counter and shrugged. “I love you too, Mama.” A visit with his mother wouldn’t be complete if he didn’t give her some excuse to treat him like a disobedient child. “I saw Crissy’s car in the driveway. Is she ho—”

  “Luke! I knew I heard your voice.” His youngest sister, Cristina, dashed into the kitchen and threw her arms around him.

  “Hey, squirt, how are you?”

  She shoved his shoulder. “I’m twenty-four years old. Stop calling me that!”

  He glanced at Sabrina. “How about you and my sister go for a walk? I’d like to speak to my mother alone.”

  “Sure. I wanted to talk to her, anyway, about being one of my bridesmaids.”

  “Really!” Cristina hugged her. “I’d love to. Let’s go talk in my room. We can check out dresses on-line.” His sister dragged Sabrina down the hall.

  His mother crossed her arms over her ample chest. “What’s so secret you had to send the girls out of the room?”

  “Sabrina knows.”

  “What? That you’re in love with her?”

  His jaw dropped for a second. “How....who told—”

  “You’re my son, Lucca. I’m not blind. When I gave you that camera for Christmas your freshman year in college, did you think I wouldn’t notice your best friend’s sister starred in three-quarters of the photos you took?”

  “Oh.”

  “What I want to know is how can you let her marry someone else? I love your friends like family, but BJ isn’t right for Sabrina.”

  “You know why, Mama.” He sank into one of the chairs at the large round table. “That’s what I wanted to talk to you about. I’m thinking about having the test.”

  “Oh, I’m so glad.” She eased into the chair next to him, her face beaming. At fifty-two, his mother was still an extraordinarily beautiful woman—especially when she smiled. “If you could just convince the twins to do it with you.”

  “I said I’m thinking about it.” Was it all women, or just the stubborn ones his mother had raised and/or influenced—like Sabrina—who didn’t listen to what he actually said?

  He explained his deal with Ben and concluded by saying, “So when Sabrina sends out the wedding invitations, you need to make sure all of our family knows it may be called off at the last minute.”

  “Well, you’d better decide whether you’re having the test soon.” She brushed away a dark tendril that had escaped the twisted bun in which she routinely secured her long hair. “Do you realize there’s less than twelve weeks before Christmas? What happens if you don’t get the results in time for the wedding?”

  “That’s not gonna happen. I’m planning to go for genetic counseling as soon as possible.” He heaved a deep sigh. “If all goes well, I should be able to decide if I’m going to be screened by Thanksgiving. That’ll leave plenty of time to go for premarital sessions with the priest if you’re worrying about that. Sabrina insists she wants to marry me no matter what the outcome is.”

  “I would hope so. A woman who isn’t willing to stand by her husband in sickness and in health has no business marrying anyone.”

  “As much as I thank God none of my family has the damned disease, it might do her good to see firsthand what a nightmare her life could—”

  An intensely guilty look on his mother’s face stopped him cold.

  He narrowed his gaze at her. “What haven’t you told me, Ma?”

  “Nothing.” She blinked several times before her gaze dropped sharply to the left and her breathing accelerated. “Why would you think I’m k-keeping something from you?”

  “Because I’m a detective whose been trained to tell when someone’s lying. And right now, you’re showing all the classic signs that you’re hiding something.” He turned her face toward him. “Considering how deathly pale you’ve suddenly become, I suspect it’s something big.”

  “You must be thirsty.” His mother catapulted out of her seat and yanked open the refrigerator. “Would you like some iced tea?”

  “No. And don’t change the subject. Do we have a relative with Huntington’s who I don’t know about?”

  She sank back into her chair and nodded. “Your father’s younger brother.”

  He did a double take. He wouldn’t have been surprised to discover he had a long lost cousin twice removed with HD. But he definitely hadn’t anticipated a relative as close as an uncle. “Dad told us he was an orphan and had no family.”

  “He wanted you to believe that. After I learned why your father killed himself, I contacted his brother to let him know he might also be a carrier. I wanted to find out if he knew about it and if he’d been tested.”

  “Did he know?”

  “No. We confronted your grandfather together and demanded the truth. Apparently your grandmother had passed on the Huntington’s. She developed symptoms while she was pregnant with your dad’s brother and then killed herself when your father was only eight. Your grandfather didn’t want them to know what might lay ahead for them, so he told your dad and Antonio she accidentally overdosed on sleeping pills.”

  Luke stared at his mother, letting her words sink in. Several moments passed before his uncle’s name fully registered.

  Antonio Marino. No way.

  His surname ranked among the top ten most common in Italy, just as Tony landed in the top five most popular first names. So how likely was it that....

  “Please tell me it’s just a huge coincidence my uncle has the same name as one of the biggest Mafia underbosses in the northeast.”

  The same man who’d become ill about two years ago and handed the business over to his son, Dante.

  His mother turned away. “Your father and I didn’t want any part of that life. He only lied about his family because he was trying to protect you and your brothers and sisters.”

  “So, all these years I’ve been a cop with mob connections?”

  “Don’t be ridiculous. You’re not connected. You’ve never even met the man.”
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  “When I enrolled in the police academy, didn’t you think that information might be important for me to know?”

  “Would it have changed your mind about a career in law enforcement?”

  “No, but—”

  “I thought not. I figured it was better if you could honestly plead ignorance in the event your relationship to Tony ever came out.”

  “Well, I can’t claim I don’t know now, can I? Does Dad’s family have any idea that I’m a detective?”

  She hesitated, opening and closing her mouth almost as if she were trying to formulate an honest answer without divulging the full truth.

  “Damn it, Ma! Would you please give me a straight answer? Do Tony and Dante know I’m a police officer?”

  “Yes!” she blurted.

  “Now we’re getting somewhere.”

  “You’re not planning to take Sabrina to see them, are you?” she asked, anxiety infusing her voice. “She once mentioned she took care of a little boy with Huntington’s, so she already knows how awful it is. There’s really no reason to introduce her to Tony.”

  “I wasn’t planning to.” He tipped his head and studied the terror in his mother’s eyes. “But since you’re so worried I might....”

  “I’m not!” she denied too vehemently for him to believe her.

  “I’ve been your son for almost thirty-three years, Ma. I know when you’re hiding something. Now spill your guts. I want the entire story.”

  Tears welled in his mother’s eyes. “Your father never wanted you to know.”

  “But I do know, so what else are you keeping from me?”

  She silently shook her head.

  “Are you forgetting I’m a detective and very good at my job? If it’s something bad, wouldn’t you rather tell me yourself than have me find out—”

  “Antonio isn’t your uncle. That’s why I needed to find out if he’d been tested for Huntington’s.”

  “I don’t understand.” He frowned. “If he’s Dad’s brother, who else would he be but my uncle?”

  His mother stared at him wordlessly, pain and shame etched into her features.