Reclaiming the Prince's Heart

“How will he do that when he can’t understand?”

“He’s working on his Italian constantly. You’d be surprised how well he’s progressing. See you later.”

A half hour later Rini returned to the car, looking relieved. She flashed him a smile. “I can tell that session went well.”

He started the engine. “I had a short conversation with him in Italian. It surprised him. When I told him of my plans, he said taking an English class online was fine, but no college yet. He says I need more time to work on my marriage to you. A trip to the business office might not hurt, but don’t get overwhelmed.”

“That’s excellent advice. I’m sure he can’t believe you’re in such good spirits.”

Rini drove out to the street. “I gave you all the credit for my rehabilitation. But my guess is he already figured that out the first time he met you. Besides being a stunning beauty, there’s no woman to measure up to you.”

“You spoil me with compliments like that.” After a night of being loved by him, there was nothing wrong in her world. Until she remembered this was a new relationship to him. Maybe he was falling for her. But how long would that infatuation last? Could it survive while he tried to rebuild his life?

Luna was getting ahead of herself and needed to slow down. Take one step at a time and be thankful.

“That’s quite a conversation you’re having with yourself, sposa mia.”

Warmth crept up her neck into her cheeks. “I’ve been thinking about the great strides you’ve made since a week ago. You’re so courageous, I’m in awe.”

“There you go again. Building me up so I feel I could accomplish anything.”

She studied his chiseled profile. “You already have by staying alive until you were found. A lesser man would never have made it. You walked to the highway after crawling out of the mine. I don’t know how you did it.”

* * *

Luna’s words found their way deep into his soul. Last night she’d taught him what it was like to be married to the most wonderful, giving, passionate woman on earth. Rini didn’t deserve her. Not yet. But he’d do whatever it took to win her love again.

After leaving the hospital, they drove to the office. He parked in a reserved space near the entrance. Luna had told him there were eighty staff members who filled the two-story building. They dealt with the various departments. The accounting department contained three offices including hers on the main floor. Fabio had his own private office nearby.

Rini helped Luna out of the car and kept his arm around her waist as they entered the building. They passed a glassed-in office where an attractive young woman waved to them.

Luna waved back. “That’s Suzanne. She and I have become good friends.”

Within seconds they were ensconced in Luna’s office. She put another chair next to hers in front of her desk so they could sit together. He looked around, noticing she had a wedding picture of the two of them on one wall. They’d just come out of the cathedral where she’d said they’d been married.

“That was the happiest day of my life,” she murmured after noticing where his gaze had settled. “The only happier day was when I walked into that hospital room and saw you lying on the gurney.”

He gave her a piercing glance. “As I told you before, I heard an angel’s voice speaking to me. I couldn’t believe it and opened my eyes to see this exquisite woman at my side. She’d just told me she loved me in a language I understood. I’ll never forget that moment. I thought I was hallucinating when you said you were my wife. It didn’t seem possible I could be married to you.”

“Rini...”

Unable to suppress his desire for her, he reached over to cup her face. Hungry for his wife, he started kissing her.

“Mi scusi.”

A male voice broke in on them. Rini slowly relinquished her lips and turned. The manager stood in the doorway.

Rini got to his feet. “No c’e problema. Ciao, Fabio. Come va?”

His expression registered utter disbelief that Rini was speaking Italian. “Bene, Rini. E tu?”

“Molto, molto bene.” He darted Luna a smile. “Sto lavorando con mi bella moglie.” Rini said the words to make it clear to Fabio that he was back from the dead. Not only was he working with his wife, he was also more in love with her than ever.

Fabio’s eyes swerved to Luna, staring at her. After a minute he left and shut the door behind him. Rini sat down again and hugged his wife. “How did I do?”

She leaned into him. “You already know the answer to that. Your transformation surprised the daylights out of Fabio.”

“Did you tell him I would be coming to the office with you?”