His dark eyes pierced hers. “I’m the proud one that you would do that.”
“I learned from you.”
He reached for her hand and squeezed it. “You did exactly the right thing for them. Do you know you’re the perfect wife?” In an unexpected move he leaned over to press an urgent kiss to her mouth. She never wanted him to stop.
In a minute he pulled away and put on his sunglasses. They were off, but she reflected on what he’d said. Luna didn’t like being described as perfect, but knew it was meant as a compliment.
Before long the cluster of villages Rini had once described to her came into view on the horizon. Rezana was the first town located over the border, the one she’d seen from the air before the helicopter landed. By some miracle Rini had made his way out of the mine and had walked this far, looking for help.
What a shock it must have been to have fallen on the highway, let alone be taken to a hospital. He hadn’t been able to communicate. The thought of it knotted her stomach.
They drove into the small town. She looked at the buildings until she saw police headquarters and the word policija. “There it is, Rini.”
“I see it. Reminds me of polizia in Romansh.”
“It’s the same in Italian.”
“I’ve got a lot to learn, don’t I?”
“You’ve made remarkable progress already.”
He pulled up in front.
“Does the front look familiar?”
“No. Neither did the mine. I had prepared a speech to say to the miners, but when the men ran over to hug me, I forgot everything.”
“That was a sight I’ll never forget.”
Rini reached for her hand one more time and kissed it. “Thank you for being my savior.” Again, she understood what he was trying to say, but she’d rather be thought of simply as his wife. “Shall we go in and hope to find Zigo?”
She got out before he could help her. Rini opened the cargo space to pull out his valise and the sack of croissants. Together they entered the police station. Luna rejoiced to see Zigo in the front office. He was alone. This was going to be fun!
“Ciao, Zigo,” Rini called out to him, setting his valise on the floor.
The man looked up and got to his feet. His gaze swerved to Luna. “It’s you!”
She nodded. “My marito has come to thank you for saving him.”
Rini took off his sunglasses and approached Zigo, whose eyes almost popped out to see the change in him. “Impossibile!”
Her husband smiled and put the sack of croissants on the desk. “Per te.”
“For you, Zigo,” she said. “You were his salvation. He has another present for you out in front. Come with us.”
Zigo appeared to be in a daze as he followed them out the front doors. Already a group of teenagers stood nearby, rhapsodizing over the car. In the distance she could hear the sound of rotors. Carlo would be landing any minute.
Luna smiled. “This is your car now.”
Rini handed him the remote with the key. “Grazie mille.”
“I don’t understand.”
“You helped my marito. He wants to thank you.”
Zigo shook his head. “You give me this car?”
“Sì.” Rini nodded.