Reclaiming the Prince's Heart

They were both laughing, and the way the thirtyish, good-looking guy acted proprietorial with her caused Rini’s muscles to clench. He straightened as Luna ran toward him. “Rini? This is your friend and manager, Fabio Machetto.”

“Buongiorno, Fabio,” he responded. “Come va?”

Fabio answered something back Rini couldn’t understand and it frustrated the hell out of him. Luna rushed to translate. “Fabio said he’s so thrilled to see you. He feels like he’s dreaming.”

In the next instant the guy hugged him before stepping back and talking to Luna again. Their conversation didn’t last long, and she got in the car before Rini could come around to help her. Fabio shut her door and walked back to the office.

Rini climbed behind the wheel. He couldn’t take off fast enough for the autostrada leading to the border. The GPS guided him without problem.

“I’m sorry Fabio came outside with me, Rini. I asked him not to, but he didn’t listen.” The tension inside the car could be cut with a knife. “I know he made you uncomfortable hugging you like that, but he didn’t mean to.”

“The hugging didn’t bother me.”

“Then what’s wrong?”

He took a quick breath. “I realize he’s the one who hired you. Did he ever date you?”

She didn’t answer right away. Finally, “He asked me to go to dinner with him a week after I was hired, but I turned him down because I wasn’t attracted to him. We’ve been friends, nothing more.”

“I think it’s possible he hasn’t gotten the message yet.”

Luna looked over at him. “What makes you say that?”

“Because I just watched a man come out the door who’s in love with you.”

“No, Rini. He’s my boss, nothing more.”

“You’re not a man and didn’t see what I saw. The poor devil. I realize it’s nothing you can help.”

“Rini, you’re the only man in my life who ever made my heart come close to jumping out of my body. I’m so in love with you it’s ridiculous!” She laughed, sounding too happy for words. “I can quit working. If you want to know the truth, I’d much rather stay home with you full-time and be your wife and Italian tutor. After almost losing you, I want to spend every living moment with you from now on. Say the word and I’ll send in my resignation in the morning.”

Rini shouldn’t be so excited over her reaction. “You mean it?”

“Yes. When we were married, I didn’t want to become a clingy wife, so I told you I preferred to keep working. But I didn’t plan on doing it once we started a family.”

“You won’t miss going to your job every day?”

“There’s a different kind of work being home with a husband who’s having to learn a new language. I plan to be there every step of the way while you put your new world together piece by piece.”

“Let’s think it over, Luna. I don’t want you to make a decision you’ll regret.” He’d talk to Dr. Tullia about it at his next session.

Luna rolled her enticing green eyes at him. “If anyone will regret it, it will be you, having to put up with a wife around the clock.”

If she only knew...

* * *

Luna squeezed her eyelids shut for a moment. Had Rini been jealous? If it was true, it meant he was starting to care for her on an emotional level. She’d leave her job in a second knowing it was what he wanted.

But once again, he hadn’t asked her to quit. Was that because he had to think it over? She’d promised herself she wouldn’t push him. What would Dr. Tullia have to say about it? Maybe she’d call him and get his opinion.

Halfway to the mine they came to a village and enjoyed an al-fresco breakfast of caffe al vetro and large croissants that melted in your mouth. Rini ate four of them piled high with butter and plum preserves. At one point he reached out to flick some preserves at the corner of her luscious mouth into his. Little by little he was clearly finding it difficult to keep his hands off her.

Before they left the trattoria, Rini bought a half dozen more croissants to take to Zigo. The tension between them had vanished and she was in heaven.

They drove on toward the border, passing lush greenery and forests. Rini looked at her as they neared the signs for the mine located at a higher elevation. “You’ve lost your smile. Are you all right?”

“Yes and no,” she answered. “My emotions are bittersweet knowing that I got my husband back while seven of your former miners are buried here.”