“Aie-yai-yai!” Zigo’s reaction was priceless. He held up his hands with his palms facing Rini. It was his way of saying he couldn’t believe what was happening.
Thank goodness the helicopter landed at the side of the station and Carlo emerged to join them. “I’m so glad you’re here, Carlo. Rini is giving this car to Zigo for his help, but he doesn’t think this is real. Will you explain to him in Slovene?”
She walked over to her husband while they waited for Carlo to talk to Zigo. In a minute the light dawned, and the officer hurried over to Rini. Carlo translated as the words came pouring out of Zigo.
“I never had anything given to me so wonderful. I don’t deserve it.”
Rini nodded. “Tell him when he helped my wife, he gave me my life back. I want to repay him with something I hope he will love. It’s easy to drive and there’s a booklet in the car.”
Luna translated so Carlo could convey the message. Zigo’s eyes filled with tears before he gave Rini a huge hug and broke down. She watched her husband hug him back.
“Carlo,” Luna murmured. “Rini has the title and will sign it over to him with you as witness. We’ll do it inside.”
After the officer had recovered, the four of them entered the office. Rini pulled the title out of the valise and signed it over to Zigo, who also signed and dated it. Then Carlo explained about the sack.
Zigo kept staring at Rini with tears in his eyes. Her husband’s dramatic transformation had shocked him. Bit by bit her husband was acting more himself even though he remembered nothing.
But what if he never did recover his memory? She’d tried not to think about it, but that eventuality had to be faced.
Before they left, Luna had a last message for Zigo that Carlo translated. “You helped me when I thought all hope was gone. Bless you for your goodness.”
Zigo smiled at her and told Carlo, who said, “Your eyes spoke to my soul when you talked about your husband. I wanted to help.”
Luna reached out to hug Zigo. Rini followed with a strong handshake and picked up his valise. The three of them walked outside to the helicopter. Zigo accompanied them. While Rini helped her on board, Carlo chatted with Zigo for a few minutes, then came on board.
Luna could tell by the gleam in those gray eyes that her husband was pleased. She knew the second part of today’s mission had now been accomplished.
For the short flight back to San Vitano, Rini kept his fingers tangled with hers, never letting go. There was only one problem. She wanted to feel more than his hand holding hers. Luna experienced pain that she couldn’t appease her hunger for him.
She craved the physical closeness they’d once shared. She wanted to tell him about the baby, but that raised another disturbing question. Would he want to start a family now? So much had to be going on inside him. It was another point she needed to discuss with Dr. Tullia.
Today’s visit to the mine where Rini had been caught in the quake had to have filled him with ter
rifying memories, yet he hadn’t indicated he was disturbed. The visit with Zigo seemed to have made him happy.
Luna stared out the window at the velvety green landscape below. If only she could get inside his brain to know what was really going on.
* * *
His wife was being particularly quiet. Once again, Luna had asked nothing for herself and did whatever he wanted with a smile. His needs had reduced her to a caregiver who waited on him around the clock, and his guilt hung heavy. This evening he wanted to do something to thank her but would wait to talk to her about it until they returned to San Vitano.
The helicopter landed at the rear of the palace. After parting company with Carlo, a limo drove him and Luna to the palazzo. He noticed their bodyguards following them. It was something he would have to get used to.
Their driver wove around to the rear. Rini helped her out, relishing the excuse to hold her arm. Anything to be close to her. When they reached the palazzo back entrance, he paused.
“What do you think if we go in and get dressed up?” He’d seen a summer suit in his closet that would do. “I’d like to take you to dinner where we can eat and dance. I’m sure you know such a place, so I’ll leave the choice up to you. Would you like to do that, or are you too tired?”
Her expression lit up. “You’ve been reading my mind.”
“Bene,” he murmured with satisfaction. On impulse he lowered his head to kiss that enticing mouth. The second they connected, she slid her hands up his chest and around his neck. Her action brought her body close to him and he deepened their kiss. “I’ve been wanting to do this all day.”
“Amore mio...” she murmured, kissing him again with an ardor that set him on fire. At least this time he understood the words she spoke. That was progress.
“Oh!” a cry resounded. Viola had opened the doors. “Scusa!”
Luna broke away from him with a flushed face and said something to the housekeeper who nodded, then scurried off. In the next breath Luna turned to Rini. “I told her we’re going out for dinner.”
Much as he’d rather stay here and make love to her until morning, he’d promised her an evening out. “Let’s go upstairs and get ready.”