It didn’t help his anxiety that she was supposed to find out when she could return to Portugal. It had stopped snowing last night and, despite the airport reopening after a thirty-hour shutdown, it was still quite crowded and chaotic.
When Luciana entered through the side door to the café’s kitchen, Jack turned from the counter to look at her. “What does the update say?”
She unwound her scarf and unbuttoned her coat, then pulled out a chair and sat down to the other side of the counter. “I got a message saying to call a phone number for the airline and talked to a customer service agent. The airport is open but there’s a waiting line for the flights and a wait list for the passengers in each flight.”
A twinge of concern pricked Jack’s chest. “When are you leaving?”
She gave him a small smile. “On Sunday afternoon.”
Relief coursed through him. “We have some time then.” She wasn’t leaving just yet. His mind raced to plan something for the afternoon. “I have to work until after lunch, but can we spend some time together later?”
“Of course,” she said. “I’m going to call my family and see what else I need to do to get ready.”
She stood and grabbed his hand until they were out of sight from the customers in the café, went on tiptoes and kissed him.
Jack thread his hands in her hair and neck, but she stepped away. “That was not a kiss,” he complained.
Luciana chuckled. “You have panini to make and I have things to do. I’ll see you after lunch?”
“Definitely,” he said.
As soon as Luciana left, Jack called Liam and asked him if he could work for one hour after lunch and help Mom with the closing, to which Liam said yes. With that plan in place, Jack turned ideas in his mind for his date with Luciana while he took orders from the customers who’d dared out of the house with so much snow still on the ground.
Two hours later, he drove the truck up the mountain with Luciana sitting next to him in the passenger seat.
“Are we going to the resort?” she asked.
“Yes, but I promise no skiing and no chair lifts.” He glanced at her and smiled. “We’re doing something different.”
The roads had been cleared in anticipation of the New Year’s Eve crowds, and Jack was glad the place wasn’t as full today as it would be by Sunday.
After finding a parking place, they exited the truck and Luciana tucked her hand through the crook of his elbow. “Can you tell me what we’re going to do?”
“We’re going ice-skating,” Jack said. “But if you’d rather not to, we can find something else to do. To me, it’s more important that we spend time together and less important what we do.”
“With that kind of reply, how can I say no?” Luciana said with a smile. “I’ll give it a try.”
After renting the ice skates and helmets, Jack led Luciana to the outdoor rink where several families already skated. Mounds of snow had been plowed to the sides and, despite the low temperatures, every one looked at ease and having fun. They sat on a bench and Jack helped Luciana into her skates, then put his on and his helmet, and tucked their boots out of sight, while she placed her helmet on her head.
He stood and extended his hand to help Luciana.
Once on her feet, she wobbled and clung to the railing on the side. “I’m not so sure about this,” she said.
“Go easy and slowly until you get used to the feeling of standing on ice,” Jack told her. “It also helps to keep your knees bent and to keep lower to the ground.” He showed her the positions.
Luciana hung on to the railing for a few minutes, looking insecure.
“Put your arms out and march in place carefully.” Jack continued giving her tips.
“Did you look up ice skating for dummies or something?” she asked, following his instructions.
Jack chuckled. “No, but I watched a video on how to learn to skate in three minutes,” he confessed. “It’s bee so long since I learned. I wanted to make sure I could help you.”
Luciana glanced at him from her position, her arms out and her knees bent a little too much. “You’re always so thoughtful, Jack.”
Jack stuck to her side, in case she needed help. “I feel guilty for the fall you took when we went skiing.”
“It was not your fault. I should have paid more attention.”
She hadn’t moved much from her spot.
“Ready to try a few steps?” Again, Jack took his time and showed Luciana how to propel herself on the ice.
After a few minutes, her confidence grew and she started taking longer strides. “I think I’m getting the hang of this,” she said with a smile. “Maybe I can do a winter sport after all.”
Jack’s chest warmed at seeing Luciana content and having fun. He couldn’t stop grinning. Every time they spent time together, the connection he felt toward her deepened and he was beginning to be in denial about her departure.
Half an hour later, they returned the skates and helmets and Jack took Luciana to the main lodge where the restaurant was located.
“This place is amazing,” Luciana said as she looked to the cathedral ceiling. “Are those chandeliers made of deer horns?”
“Not real ones,” Jack replied. “They’re just made to look like that.”
Luciana removed her hat and coat. “I feel under-dressed for the occasion.”
“It’s a ski lodge. They’re used to guests in winter clothes and ski gear.”
They followed the maître d’ to a secluded table by a large window and, after Luciana sat down, Jack toook the chair closest to her instead of sitting across. In the fading day outside, the Christmas lights at the resort twinkled merrily, adding the perfect touch to the view.
After ordering their dinner, Jack pulled out a piece of paper from his pocket. “I hope you don’t think this is weird, but I printed out some questions.” He swallowed, suddenly more nervous than he’d anticipated.
“What kind of questions?” Luciana asked.
“Questions we can ask to help us get to know each other better,” Jack said. “We don’t have to do it if you don’t want to.”
“I love the idea,” she said. “Go ahead and ask the first question.”
Jack unfolded the sheet of paper and smoothed out the wrinkles. “What was the last book you read without skipping through anything?”
She chuckled. “At the risk of sounding like I only care about knitting, the last book I read from beginning to finish was A History of Knitting Around the World,” she said, explaining what she liked about the book.
Throughout the rest of dinner, they took turns asking each other the questions Jack had brought, sometimes sharing related experiences and other times veering into different topics. The conversation flowed naturally between them as they learned more about each other.
While they waited for dessert, Luciana leaned toward Jack and looped her arm through his. “Thank you, Jack. This has been the best day.”
Her voice was intimate and her eyes warm, and Jack wished he could make this moment last for longer than one night.
“It’s you,” Jack said. “You make everything better.”
Chapter Fourteen
Saturday, December 30th
Amy and her family arrived just before lunch.
Jack was glad they’d made the trip, and after a family meal, he played board games with his nephews and niece, and Luciana. The atmosphere in the home was charged. Even though they were not as loud as Kate and Leah’s families, with a twelve-year-old, a ten-year-old and and eight-year-old, peace and quiet were harder to come by.
As much as he Jack wanted to spend the day with Luciana, with a house full of people and children, it was nearly impossible to have a moment, let alone a whole day with her.
Sometime in the late afternoon, Jack found her in the laundry room, sitting on the floor with legs crossed on a pile of blankets, and listening to a music list on her phone. He sat beside her and Luciana pulled off the ear buds.
“I
’m just doing a last batch of washing and drying before I zip my suitcase,” she said.
“Nice spot.” He smiled. “With the door closed, and the machines going, you can hardly hear the anything else.”
“Was this your mom’s refuge when you were growing up? I bet you were a handful,” she said with a teasing smile.
“Not even. Kate and Leah got in more trouble than I ever did,” Jack said. His younger sisters were close in age and had been quite fond of coming up with their own entertainment when they were bored.
“I’ll have to check with your mom,” Luciana said. “She might remember things differently.”
Jack laughed. “I wouldn’t be surprised.”
She elbowed him playfully. “I’ll be out in a few minutes.”
Jack reached for her hand. “Not yet. I’ve been trying to find you alone all day.” He pulled her to his side in a soft embrace, and kissed her brow. “I missed you.”
Luciana placed her hand over his heart. She leaned up and kissed him lightly on the lips.
Jack’s mouth curved into a smile. “You missed me too.”
“Maybe a little bit,” she teased.
Jack reached for his pocket and took out his cell phone. Hesitation filled him for a moment. He’d been debating for days what to do when Luciana left. The time when Mom and Nonna had conspired to set him up with Luciana came to his mind—back then, he’d been relieved to find out she was only staying for two weeks. Thanks to the storm, she’d stayed a few more days, but fourteen days with Luciana were not enough. He was beginning to feel lost.
“I want to stay in contact.” He tapped on the screen. “Is that okay with you?”
Luciana took a deep breath and the conflict flashed in her eyes before her expression relaxed. “Yes, I’d like that.”
She’d been debating what to say; he’d seen it. What had made her change her mind? Maybe it was better he didn’t know. For now it was enough that she agreed to let him stay in touch with her. The texting between international plans would not work, but at least he’d be able to video chat, send messages, or do some other kind of communication. As long as he didn’t lose track of her, he didn’t care which way it was.
Luciana turned sideways and laid her head on his shoulder. Jack lifted his arm around her shoulders and brought her closer to his side. He picked up his phone and extended his arm in front of their embraced shape, while she smoothed her hair, tucking it behind her ears. He put a finger on the screen and took the picture. When it was done, he lingered a kiss on her forehead and pressed down again.
Two pictures to sum up her two weeks in Hudson Springs. It wasn’t enough.
Jack scrolled back to the pictures, and nodded in satisfaction. The lighting was less than ideal and the floor of the laundry room wasn’t the best place, but he wished to have more pictures together, and he wasn’t about to let her leave without a tangible record of her time here.
“Can I have a copy of those, please?”
Jack texted them to her. “What are your plans when you get home?” he asked, eager to keep her talking, to know more of her life in Lisbon.
“I have to drive from Lisbon to the country. My cousin Catarina is having her daughter’s christening on Monday morning and getting married in the evening.”
Jack raised an eyebrow. “Shouldn’t it be the wedding first then the christening?”
“It’s not like that.” She swatted at his arm. “She lost her first husband earlier this year, then found out she was pregnant, then she went away to our cousin Filipe’s country house where she met the man she’s getting married to.” She sighed. “Their story is so romantic.”
She told him about her family and who’d be there, and how much she was looking forward to seeing everyone. Jack laced his fingers through hers and listened, acutely aware he wouldn’t be a part of her days anymore, wishing for something he knew he couldn’t have.
This was how he wanted to remember his time with Luciana—just the two of them together, even if it was on the floor of the laundry room.
* * *
Sunday, December 31st
Luciana looked around the front room of the DiLorenzos one last time. She’d said goodbye to Paola and Nonna in the morning, thanking them for the hospitality she’d never be able to repay, and she’d exchanged addresses with them, promising to write. They and the rest of the family had gone to mass across town, now that the streets were cleared.
With everyone gone, the house was strangely quiet. The Christmas decorations were still up, the string lights still on. The sideboard was set with desserts and drinks for the New Year’s Eve celebration tonight, another custom that was like the Portuguese one. By then, she’d be on a plane headed to Lisbon.
When she turned, Jack stood at the bottom of the stairs, hands in his pockets and head down. “Will you let me drive you to the airport?”
She shook her head. They’d talked about it already—Jack wanted to prolong their time together, and she didn’t. It wouldn’t help at all; it would only make it harder. “Frank Callaway is picking me up.”
Matt Garrison had arranged the ride, as Jack knew. She’d be leaving Hudson Springs the same way she’d arrived from the airport, in a private car. So much had happened in her time here.
Before the chance was gone, Luciana removed the small package from her purse. “I wasn’t sure I’d be able to finish this in time, but I was.” She handed it to Jack.
“Can I open it now?”
She nodded and Jack quickly unwrapped the paper, turning the item in his hands.
“It’s a knit cap,” she said. “I noticed you don’t have one.” She’d estimated the head circumference, not wanting to give away the surprise, and she hoped it would fit.
“It’s amazing,” Jack said in a low tone. He put it on and turned to the mirror in the entry hall. “It fits great.” He pulled it off. “What’s it made of? The softness is incredible.”
“It’s a blend of merino, cashmere, and yak wool.” The dusky blue color complemented Jack as she’d thought it would. The yarn was a luxury, one of the softest blends she’d ever worked with, and she’d knit the cap in a simple 2/2 rib with cables that graduated into a fitted crown.
The corner of his mouth rose in a crooked smile. “Yak wool? Is that even a thing?”
She chuckled. “You’d be surprised what can be spun into yarn.”
He fingered it again. “It’s amazing,” he repeated. “You’re amazing. Thank you.” He stepped forward and kissed her on the cheek in a very simple gesture.
Luciana closed her eyes in a last effort to memorize the feeling of Jack close to her. If only there was a way of keeping the memories intact. She wished she’d be able to remember his dark eyes, the deep voice, the honest smile; the way his hair curled around his ears, his freshly-baked bread scent, and the taste of his cinnamon kisses. If only she could knit her memories into a blanket with all the details that had made her time in American special. Even this brief moment.
A knock sounded at the door and Jack opened it.
Frank greeted them. He grabbed her suitcase and the work carry-on sitting nearby. “I’ll be in the car when you’re ready, Miss Romano.”
“Thanks, Frank,” Luciana replied.
She stepped away from Jack and walked toward the front door, where Jack leaned against the wall. He followed behind her and took her hand.
Time to put on her brave face. “I guess this is it.” A deep breath, then a smile. She blinked rapidly, hoping Jack didn’t notice the unshed tears in her eyes.
His arms came around her, pulling her into a tight embrace. “Luciana,” he whispered.
She pressed her face to his chest and closed her eyes. “Jack.” She pulled back to look at him. “Maybe we can give this a try,” she told him.
His expression held a hint of frustration, maybe even confusion.
“You mean this between us?” he asked.
“Lots of people do long-distance.”
Jack hesitated, an
d Luciana doubted herself. Was this what she wanted? A boyfriend across the ocean?
“Will you at least think about it?” she asked Jack.
“I will,” he replied with a nod.
She would be thinking about nothing else.
One last hug, a kiss on the lips, and then he let go of her, taking a step back.
Luciana shouldered her purse, and walked down to the car, where Frank opened the door to let her inside the vehicle.
As Frank pulled away from the curb, she turned to look at the DiLorenzo house. Jack stood on the porch. He brought his fingers to his mouth and blew her a kiss.
When would she get a chance to see him again?
Chapter Fifteen
Monday, January 1st
Luciana held the baby to her shoulder as she bounced gently on the tips of her toes. From the corner in the corridor near the music room at Sunset Manor, she had a clear view to the entry hall and staircase. Chairs decorated with light blue covers and ribbons had been arranged in a semi-circular pattern facing the steps, and swaths of blue organdy wound in the banister. Afonso had recorded himself playing over the course of two weeks and the soft piano music played from concealed speakers, adding to the relaxed, warm ambiance in the manor house.
The dining room had also been dressed in light blues and shimmery pieces for a dinner following the ceremony. Even though not all the Romanos had been able to come, the house was full—full of laughter, full of family, and mostly full of love.
After Carlota’s christening in the Sete Fontes church, Tia Celestina and Tia Mariana, along with Avó Teresa, had put the final touches in the meal for after the ceremony.
No detail had been left to chance and Luciana was anxious to see the bride walking down the aisle. And to think Catarina had protested, saying she didn’t need a fancy party, but the Romanos knew how to throw a wedding, no matter the size. Thank goodness. Nobody deserved a happier, more beautiful day than Catarina and Afonso.
When a sudden hush came over the room, all heads turned upward. Catarina stood at the landing, the end of day light filtering from behind her. She wore a vintage-inspired tea-length wedding dress in a barely-blue color and 3/4 sleeves with a sweetheart neckline. As beautiful as she looked, it was the radiance in her eyes and smile that stood out, and the way she gazed at Afonso.
Keep Me At Christmas (Romano Family Book 4) Page 13