Mrs. Armstrong would not be returning. She was recovering, but she could no longer work. Matteo had gotten her a lovely private room in a care home, and now that she had been transferred, I wanted to see her again.
“It was one thing when it was for a few weeks, but now it is permanent…” His voice trailed off.
“I’m sure. Maybe in a few months or, ah, when things change, but for now, I like looking after you and cooking. The rest is all done by the company she had hired. They have been doing it so long, both inside and out, it’s like clockwork. They know exactly what to do, and it’s no trouble.”
“If you change your mind, you will tell me.” It wasn’t a question, but rather a statement.
“Yes.”
“All right.” He stood and bent over to kiss me. “I’m glad we’re not fighting, although the make-up sex was fucking incredible,” he growled low in my ear. “Both last night and this morning. I love it when you get all handsy and bossy with me, Mrs. Campari.”
“Just a taste of your own medicine, Mr. Campari,” I retorted. After last night’s intense lovemaking, this morning, he had been sweet and loving, making me come with his mouth and taking me on our bed and again in the shower, his touches gentle, his body showing me we were okay once again.
His gaze softened, his mouth lifting at the corners. “Your medicine is far sweeter, my wife.” He kissed me long and slow. “I’ll see you tonight.”
I watched him leave, feeling sad. I knew he struggled with what happened. With feeling less than perfect. He thought he had to be in control every moment of every day, but the bottom line was, that was simply not possible one hundred percent of the time. He regretted his anger and the feeling of being out of control. I knew, without a doubt, no matter how angry he was, he would never strike me. I didn’t fear him that way, and he would figure that out. He would also find the balance between the man he had to be and the man he was. The boss when required, my husband the rest of the time.
I sighed wistfully. He had told me the next while would be busy for him. He had two situations he was working on, and he would be coming and going over the following few weeks. I already missed him. I couldn’t think about the reason he’d be gone or what he would be doing. I still found that part of his life overwhelming and frightening. I didn’t like that side of Matteo, although without it, I would probably be dead.
I shook my head to clear those thoughts and stood to get ready to go see Mrs. Armstrong.
The room Matteo arranged for Mrs. Armstrong was large and bright, with a lovely view of the gardens out back. She was in fine form, delighted with her new space. Matteo had all her personal things brought from the small apartment over the garage, and her room was homey and warm. She was pleased with the cookies and flowers I had brought her, and I went to the main kitchen and brought us tea. Marcus had a quick visit with her while I was out of the room, then headed to the waiting area so we could visit in private.
“Mr. Campari has been so generous,” she told me as she sipped her tea. “I was so worried about having to live with my daughter and being a burden to her. Now, she can visit, I can go there whenever I want, and I have already made a couple of new friends. And there are so many activities to keep me busy,” she enthused.
I patted her hand. “He appreciates all you have done, and he’s happy to provide this for you. We both want you comfortable.” Matteo could easily afford it, and I was pleased to know he had done this for her.
She beamed. “He is a good man. There aren’t many men as busy and important as him who would come visit their old housekeeper or make sure they are so well looked after.”
I smiled. “He is.”
“I’m so glad he has you now. He needed his own angel.” She shook her head. “He was alone too much.”
I took a sip of tea, knowing Matteo would rather I not talk about him in too personal a fashion.
“How are you settling in? Finding everything all right?”
“Oh yes,” I said. “The kitchen is lovely, and you had everything running so well, it isn’t any trouble.”
She nodded. “It took a while, but I found the right companies. The outside is the hardest. The turnover there is the largest, and you know Mr. Campari is very careful. They are very good about sending new employee information. He screens and approves them. Students and migrant workers are the hardest to retain.”