Reclaiming the Prince's Heart

Dr. Tullia had told Rini he could call him anytime, even the middle of the night. After being unable to sleep, he took him at his word and phoned him at home at six in the morning. Somehow, he’d try to make himself understood despite his difficulty with Italian.

“Rini—what a surprise!”

“Sorry, but I need help.”

“Talk to me.”

“I divorce Luna. She wants vacation first. I don’t.”

“Why not?”

Frustrated by the question, Rini jumped out of bed and began pacing. “I want divorce now.”

“She found you?”

He blinked. “Sì.”

“She made you happy?”

“Sì.”

“Then no problem. Your turn to make her happy now. Correto?”

Rini heard the words loud and clear. “Correto.” Good old Dr. Tullia knew what he was doing all right. The woman hadn’t asked anything of him until now.

Bowing to the older man’s wisdom, Rini said, “Grazie, Dottore.”

“You’re welcome. Call me anytime.”

He hung up, standing there in a daze. As Rini thought over the time they’d been together since the quake, and all that Luna had done for him, shame consumed him. After breaking his promise to her yesterday, he’d come home late from the mine last night. With no lead up at all, he’d blurted that he wanted a divorce. To make certain she understood, he’d announced he’d be sleeping in the guest bedroom until he moved to a hotel.

But he would agree to take her on a trip.

With his mind made up, he went down the hall to their bedroom. He could hear the shower running. Now would be the best time to get dressed in casual clothes and meet her in the dining room.

Once he was ready, he grabbed his wallet and hurried downstairs. Viola greeted him with a cheery voice. She poured hot coffee for him and Luna and put a plate of freshly baked rolls on the table.

Rini enjoyed the homemade plum jam he’d learned came from their fruit trees out in back. He piled it on with butter. When Luna entered the dining room looking ravishing in a yellow print sundress, he’d eaten three rolls.

Her green eyes widened in surprise to see him. “Buongiorno, Rini.”

He got up and pulled out a chair for her. As usual her flowery fragrance assailed him. “I thought we were going to speak Romansh from now on.”

She lifted her head. “Does that mean what I think it means?” The happiness in her voice told him all he needed to know.

“I’m ready to leave on that trip whenever you are.”

Viola appeared with plates of eggs and ham. Rini dug in. Luna barely touched her food. He’d put her lack of appetite down to shock that he’d capitulated. She told the housekeeper they were leaving on vacation and would be gone a week.

“I’m so happy for you.” Viola beamed.

“So am I. All we have done is work, work, work. It’s time to play.”

She put her hands on her ample hips. “That’s exactly what you should do! Mateo will get the car ready for you.”

“Thank you, but we won’t be taking the car, Viola.”

“You’re going to fly?”