Unlocking the Italian Doc's Heart

by Kate Hardy

  He shook his head. Of course it wasn’t her fault, and of course she hadn’t expected too much. ‘It’s not that at all.’ He grimaced. ‘I should’ve told you it was Florence’s birthday before we went. Actually. I probably should’ve arranged our weekend away for another date, one where my head wouldn’t have been in the wrong place. Stupidly, I thought that being with you and my family, and keeping myself busy, would mean I wouldn’t brood about not seeing my little girl on her birthday for the second year running—and I was wrong.’

  ‘I wouldn’t have said what I did if I’d known it was her birthday,’ Jenna said. ‘I know it’s hard for you to deal with what happened.’

  He nodded. ‘I find it hard to talk about Florence, about what a black hole it was when Georgia left. I could just about accept that she loved Scott so much, it overtook her feelings for me, and that was why she cheated on me. That hurt, but I came to terms with it. But I couldn’t accept not having my family any more. Not being a dad, when I’d loved it so much. And when you talked about having a family, all I could think about was how it felt to have that all ripped away from me.’

  ‘I’m not Georgia,’ she said softly.

  ‘I know, and you’d never take a child away from someone. I know you’re not like that. You’ve got a huge, huge heart and you’re an amazing woman.’

  ‘But I’m not the woman for you. It’s OK. You don’t have to say any more. I get it.’ Her face was filled with sadness. ‘I hope you find the right one for you, Renzo, because I’d hate you to spend the rest of your life feeling lonely. Even though Georgia said in that email she’d let you see Florence, she also made it clear that Florence isn’t your daughter—that maybe you’ll be like an uncle or a godfather or something, but Florence already has a dad and she doesn’t need another one.’

  Hard words, but he knew he needed to hear them. And he also knew that Jenna was right. ‘All I wanted to know is that she’s happy, that Scott’s being a good dad to her and bringing her up with as much love as I did,’ he said. ‘And you’re right. I’m not Florence’s dad. Maybe one day she’ll know that I was her dad for a little while, while Scott wasn’t there. But just knowing she’s happy, seeing her from time to time—that’ll be enough for me. And I realise now that’s what’s been missing from my life. What’s kept me stuck and unable to move on with anyone else.’

  ‘OK. Well, if you want some moral support when you meet up with Georgia, you know where to find me.’

  He was amazed at how generous she was being. ‘You’d do that for me, even though I pushed you away?’ Even though she thought he’d rejected her?

  ‘Of course.’

  ‘It’s like I said. You’ve got a huge, huge heart and you’re an amazing woman.’

  She sighed. ‘You don’t have to over-egg it, Renzo.’

  ‘I’m not. I’m trying to tell you that you’re wrong about something.’

  She frowned. ‘What?’

  ‘About you not being the right one for me. I meant what we did in Verona. Before I was really stupid in the evening, I mean,’ he said. ‘When we put our names on the wall of Juliet’s house and we kissed on the balcony.’ He hadn’t actually said the three little words, but he’d made it as clear as it could be.

  ‘But then you rejected me.’

  And the pain in her eyes made him suddenly realise. It wasn’t just that he’d backed away; it was that he’d backed away from her. ‘I’m not Danny. I’m not rejecting you because you don’t meet some ridiculous notion of what my partner ought to be.’

  ‘You rejected me,’ she repeated.

  ‘No. It wasn’t you. I panicked. And I couldn’t find the right words to explain what was wrong and why I was being such an idiot. You’d think that, growing up in a massive Italian family where everyone talks a lot, I’d be good at that sort of thing—but I’m not. After Georgia, I went kind of inward on myself and stopped knowing how to talk about my feelings. I spent all the time smiling and telling everyone I was absolutely fine, when actually I wasn’t.’

  He reached over and took her hand. ‘I should’ve told you that, although I was finding it hard to get my head round it, what you said you wanted was exactly what I want, too. And now I know that Florence is happy, that I can see her from time to time, it’s released me from being stuck in one place. Given me closure. And now I can move forward and I know what I want. A partner I love, one who loves me all the way back, and a baby to make our family complete. I admit it scares me, even though I know it’s what I want, because I’ve been there before and it went wrong—and I don’t want it to go wrong with you.’

  ‘It went wrong for me, too,’ she said. ‘Not the baby part—I don’t ever regret having Ava for my sister and I never will.’ She lifted her chin. ‘But I understand where you’re coming from about telling everyone you were OK when you weren’t.’

  ‘Because you did it, too?’ he guessed.

  She nodded.

  ‘I’m not Danny,’ he said. ‘I’m proud of you. Your priorities are in exactly the right place. And I know you’re not Georgia.’

  ‘But how do I know you’re not going to close off to me in future?’ she asked. ‘That next time you’re upset about something, instead of talking it over with me you’re going to brood and push me away?’

  It was a fair question, and she deserved an honest answer. ‘Because,’ he said, ‘it’s different now. My head isn’t in the same place that it was when we were in Verona. I’ve really missed being with you, and I’ve been miserable without you.’ Right now, he could see in her expression that she felt vulnerable. So maybe he needed to take a risk. Say the words. Show her that he meant it. ‘I love you, Jenna, and with you the world’s a much better place. It’s a place where I want to make a family. Where I can see us growing old together, watching our children grow up, and then having our home filled with grandchildren. Though I’ll be the one making cakes in the kitchen, and you’ll be the one teaching the little ones how to salsa.’

  She looked at him, her blue eyes filled with worry. ‘I love you, too, but it scares me.’

  ‘I’m not going to let you down again,’ he said. ‘Before today, I didn’t have closure, and that was what got in the way in Verona. Now things have changed. Georgia’s actually going to let me be part of Florence’s life. Not a huge part, but enough so I can see her grow up and know she’s happy.’ He looked at her. ‘I want to be a family with you, Jenna. It’ll be a blended family, but one full of love.’ He paused. ‘And I want a baby with you. Not a replacement for Florence, but someone for us both to love and help grow up.’

  * * *

  A partner she loved, one who loved her all the way back, and a baby to make their family complete. Everything that she’d seen make her sister so happy, and what she’d only recently realised was what she wanted, too.

  ‘Be a family with you,’ she said.

  Her doubts still clearly showed on her face, because his fingers tightened round hers. ‘I know this is a risk. I know that worries you. But I have your back, just as I know you have mine. So I’m going to ask you the question that makes me vulnerable, because I trust you and I know we can face anything together.’ He shifted slightly so he could drop down on one knee, and took a deep breath. ‘I love you, Jenna. I want to grow old with you and love you until my very last breath. Will you marry me?’

  She could see the sincerity in his eyes. He knew this was a risk for her—just as it was a risk for him. But it was one he was prepared to take. Did she have the courage to join him?

  He said he’d learned from the past. That shutting her out was a mistake.

  So she could continue to put a wall between them in the hope of keeping her heart safe, and stay lonely; or she could give him the second chance he was asking for and look forward to the future—together.

  And he’d said it first. That he loved her. And he loved her for herself, not for her position as a
doctor or her salary. He’d said she was an amazing woman with a huge, huge heart—the same way she felt about him.

  And that made the decision easy. She smiled. ‘Yes.’

  He whooped, pulled her to her feet, spun her round in a circle—and then kissed her until she was dizzy.

  ‘I won’t let you down,’ he said when he finally broke the kiss. ‘I love you. And even when life hits a sticky patch, we’re going to be all right—because we have each other.’

  EPILOGUE

  Six months later

  JENNA STOPPED TO catch her breath for a moment and grabbed a glass of water. Nearly everyone at the wedding was on the dance floor—their family, their colleagues, their friends outside work. The hospital band, Maybe Baby, was playing and really doing them proud. And the fast salsa she’d just done with her friends from her dance class had left her almost as breathless as her new husband did.

  Lorenzo looked incredibly handsome in his wedding outfit. But, more importantly for Jenna, he looked relaxed and happy. And he was dancing with all the bridesmaids at once: his sister, her sister, Ava, Emily—and Florence.

  ‘Look at them. They’re all having such a good time,’ Georgia said, coming up to her. ‘Thank you so much for asking Florence to be a bridesmaid. That’s so kind of you—I don’t have a sister and neither does Scott, so I never thought she’d have the chance to be a bridesmaid for anyone.’

  ‘We wanted her, because she’s part of our family,’ Jenna said with a smile. At the slight worry in Georgia’s eyes, she said, ‘Families come in all shapes and sizes, nowadays. And I’m so glad you’re able to let Renzo be part of Florence’s life now.’

  Georgia seemed to relax again. ‘I panicked when we moved to Birmingham. I guess I was scared I might’ve made the wrong choice, and...’ She looked over at Scott, who was rocking their little boy on his shoulder and talking to Will.

  Jenna understood exactly where she was coming from: scared that Scott would go back to his old ways. It wasn’t fear for herself, but fear for their daughter and that she’d chosen the wrong role model. But being a dad had clearly been the making of Scott.

  ‘We all make mistakes and wrong choices,’ Jenna said. ‘But if we learn from them and we can get a chance to do it right second time round, like your Scott has—well, it makes life better.’

  ‘You’re amazing.’ Georgia hugged her. ‘I hope you and Renzo are really, really happy.’

  Jenna hugged her back. ‘Thank you. And I’m so glad you all came to the wedding today.’

  ‘I wouldn’t have missed it,’ Georgia said. ‘I know I hurt him really badly and I’m sorry for that. But he looks happy now. Thanks to you.’

  ‘And to Florence. He’s really enjoying being Uncle Renzo to her—and to baby Ollie.’

  ‘That was Scott’s idea,’ Georgia said, confirming what Jenna knew Lorenzo had guessed a while back.

  ‘And it was an excellent one,’ Jenna said. ‘Now go and dance with your husband, while I reclaim mine from the bridesmaids.’

  She made a detour via the stage and asked Maybe Baby for a slow song; Keely gave her the thumbs-up. Then she walked over to Lorenzo. ‘Might I have this dance, Dr Conti?’

  ‘I’d be delighted, Dr Conti,’ he said with a grin, and drew her into his arms. ‘Happy?’ he asked, holding her close.

  She smiled. ‘Very happy. You?’

  ‘I’ve got a partner I love, and who loves me all the way back,’ he said. ‘Of course I’m happy. And I saw you just now with Georgia.’

  ‘We were talking about Florence. And how families are all different shapes and sizes. You were right, by the way. The uncle bit was Scott’s idea.’

  ‘Just like I said—you have an enormous heart.’

  She smiled. ‘Funnily enough, so has my husband.’ She paused. ‘There was something that I wanted to talk to you about.’

  She could see the faint worry in his eyes. ‘Oh?’ he asked carefully.

  ‘What you just said. You missed something off the list.’

  He went very still. ‘Are you telling me...?’

  ‘It’s why I only had the tiniest sips of Prosecco during the toasts. I did a test yesterday morning. In secret—which isn’t exactly easy when everyone’s around helping with wedding preparations. Our mums, our sisters, our grandmothers, our aunts...’ She smiled. ‘I almost told you yesterday—but I thought today would be better.’ Even though part of her worried, because this could be an opportunity for him to brood, the way he’d done in Verona. But hopefully he’d make the connection: Georgia hadn’t wanted to get married while she was pregnant, but Jenna most definitely had.

  ‘How long?’

  ‘It’s very early days. Six weeks, maybe. But we’re going to have a baby, Lorenzo.’

  She could see him doing the maths in his head. ‘An Italian baby, conceived on the shores of Lake Garda on New Year’s Eve.’

  ‘The night we watched the sun set,’ she said, ‘and you showed me that mountain that looked like a face and told me that story about Lady Gardenia.’

  ‘The immortal who fell in love with a mortal man, and when he died, she was so broken-hearted that she lay down and cried so much that her tears became the lake—Garda, which was named after her.’

  ‘That’s too sad a story to tell on our wedding day,’ she said.

  He kissed her again. ‘Ah, but, unlike Lady Gardenia, we have a happy ending in front of us. A baby. And that’s the best wedding present of all.’

  And finally Jenna could relax, knowing that Lorenzo had at last put his past behind him. And now they could really look forward to the future. As a family.

  * * * * *

  If you enjoyed this story, check out these other great reads from Kate Hardy

  THEIR PREGNANCY GIFT

  CHRISTMAS WITH HER DAREDEVIL DOC

  MOMMY, NURSE...DUCHESS?

  THE MIDWIFE’S PREGNANCY MIRACLE

  All available now!

  Keep reading for an excerpt from SAVING THE SINGLE DAD DOC by Louisa Heaton.

  Join Harlequin My Rewards today and earn a FREE ebook!

  Click here to Join Harlequin My Rewards

  http://www.harlequin.com/myrewards.html?mt=loyalty&cmpid=EBOOBPBPA201602010003

  Did you know that Harlequin My Rewards members earn FREE books and more?

  Join

  www.HarlequinMyRewards.com

  today to start earning your FREE books!

  * * *

  Connect with us on Harlequin.com for info on our new releases, access to exclusive offers, free online reads and much more!

  Other ways to keep in touch:

  Harlequin.com/newsletters

  Facebook.com/HarlequinBooks

  Twitter.com/HarlequinBooks

  HarlequinBlog.com

  Join Harlequin My Rewards and reward the book lover in you!

  Earn points for every Harlequin print and ebook you buy, wherever and whenever you shop.

  Turn your points into FREE BOOKS of your choice

  OR

  EXCLUSIVE GIFTS from your favorite authors or series.

  Click here to join for FREE

  Or visit us online to register at

  www.HarlequinMyRewards.com

  Harlequin My Rewards is a free program (no fees) without any commitments or obligations.

  Saving the Single Dad Doc

  by Louisa Heaton

  CHAPTER ONE

  ‘SO...YOU’RE GOING after all, then?’

  Dr Bethan Monroe didn’t need to look at her grandmother to know she was disappointed. She’d heard it in her voice. But what was she to do?

  ‘I have to, Nanna.’

  ‘No, you don’t. Not with him. Not with a Brodie.’

  Bethan groaned out loud. It really was quite childish, this feud her nanna had against that
family. Okay, maybe not the whole family, but most definitely against one of them in particular. Thankfully the one she was seeing today was not her nanna’s arch-nemesis—rather, he was his grandson.

  ‘I do!’ She stepped over to the kitchen table, snatched up the not insignificant pile of final demands in her fist and waved them about. ‘Because if I don’t then you lose the house. We had the phone cut off last week for a whole day!’

  Her exasperation wore off instantly when she noted the discomfort on her beloved grandmother’s face.

  She softened her tone. ‘Grace is in school now. I can work again and pay my way.’

  She’d missed it. Incredibly so. Being a doctor was her calling and, though she’d loved being a stay-at-home mum whilst her daughter grew to school age, she felt a real yearning to get back into the consulting room. It had always been the plan that she would take this break, but she’d not known how difficult it would be alone.

  ‘But surely there must be other posts you could apply for? Somewhere further afield? In Glencoe or Fort William?’

  Perhaps there were. But they lived here now. In Gilloch. And she didn’t want to be that far away from her loved ones. Not any more. Grace was growing up fast, and she didn’t want her nanna to miss any of it. Commuting for hours each day simply wasn’t on her agenda.

  Living in Cornwall had been wonderful, but that was in the past now. She’d returned to her proper home three years after Ashley had died. Back to the place she had been born. And it felt right. Coming home.

  ‘This job—right here in the village—it’s a gift in itself! I’ll be able to get home whenever I’m needed. Say, if there was an emergency.’

  She couldn’t help but feel guilty once again as she thought back to when Ashley had died. For weeks she’d sat by his bed—keeping him company, holding his hand, reading to him, never missing a minute—and then one day she’d been called into work. There’d been an emergency—a train derailment—and all hands had been needed on deck.