Rini tried out the new words he’d learned. “Grazie mille, nonno mio.”
Leonardo got up and grasped Rini’s hands. “God has brought you back to us.”
“How do you feel about meeting the family?” his grandmother asked. “They’re all anxious to see you again.”
She felt Rini’s hesitation. “Could we put that off for a little while?” he murmured to her. Luna translated.
“Of course. I’ll suggest we wait on that decision until you’ve had your checkup with Doctor Romano in a week.”
Rini nodded, looking relieved when she explained to them.
“Would you like to walk around the palace and grounds?” Antonia queried.
Luna told him what his grandmother had asked but knew his answer before he responded. “Maybe another time.”
“Rini’s tired,” she explained to his grandparents. “We’ll come again in a few days for another visit. In the meantime, let us know when the helicopter will be available.” She hugged both of them. Rini had already stood up. He said goodbye and the two of them walked out of the palace.
“If it’s all right with you, I’d like to drive.”
Aha. “I was hoping you wanted to.” Like Dr. Romano said, it was up to Rini. Excitement swept through her that he was ready to take charge. Luna reached into her purse for the remote, which she handed to him. He pressed the icon that unlocked the doors. After helping her in, he walked around and got in the driver’s seat. But he had to adjust the seat to accommodate his long legs.
Rini was a quick study. He’d watched her drive and knew what to do. His memory loss didn’t hamper his driving. Her husband had always driven fast and today was no exception. He took them on a long drive around the city, probably driving security crazy. She pointed out a few landmarks for him. It shouldn’t have surprised her he knew where to go when he’d decided to head to their palazzo on the hillside.
After they pulled around the back, he turned off the engine and looked at her. “I’ve been wondering about the gift I could give Zigo. He’s the reason I’m home now.”
“Yes, he is. I’ll never be able to thank him enough.”
“What would you think if we drive this car to the gold mine tomorrow? I’d like to take a look at it. Then we’ll head to Rezana and deliver it to him personally.”
“You mean give him your car?”
“Why not? I earned it with my own money, right? It won’t be a gift from the taxpayers.”
“No.” Her heart was bursting with love for him. “Little does he realize what his kindness did for you. Oh, Rini. He’ll be speechless and won’t believe it. I can promise you it’ll be the only one in the town.”
He nodded. “We could arrange for a helicopter to fly us home from there.”
“Your grandfather will arrange it.”
His eyes lit up. More and more Rini was acting and sounding like the man she’d fallen fathoms deep in love with.
When they entered the palazzo, Viola met them with a bottled protein shake. Luna explained to him what it was. “She thought you might be hungry again. Dinner will be at seven.”
He nodded and thanked her. After he’d carried it upstairs, he drank the whole thing while Luna looked on. “That wasn’t bad.” He put the empty bottle in the wastebasket in their bedroom.
“You’ll need the title to the car. It’s in your inner sanctum.”
He followed her while she pulled an envelope out of a file cabinet. “Thank goodness you’ve always been so organized. When you give this to Zigo, he’ll sign it and that’s all there is to it.” As she lifted her eyes, the look of desire in his made her go weak.
After a quiet moment, “What would I do without you?”
She couldn’t hold back brushing her lips against his. “You’ll never have to find out.” Then she walked back to their bedroom. He came more slowly. She could tell he was upset about something. “What is it?”
“Luna—I feel so hampered because I can’t speak Italian, and I keep bothering you to teach me. It isn’t fair to you.”
“Fair doesn’t come into it. I’d be hurt if you wouldn’t accept my help, but I can only imagine your frustration. That’s why I bought a surprise for you.”
She saw him swallow hard. “Can I see it now?”