Miracle for the Girl Next Door (10 page)

Silvio paled while her father looked knocked off balance.

“I’ve already asked Father Orsini to marry us.”

At that news Clara almost fainted from shock. He held her tighter.

“Because of her condition, he’ll waive the normal waiting period and perform the private ceremony at four o’clock on Saturday at the church. He’ll make it short so it won’t be hard on her.”

She saw her mother start to weep.

“The only people we want in attendance will be your immediate family and mine, provided my father is well enough. If everyone will agree to keep this a secret, there won’t be any paparazzi around to ruin it. Do we have your blessing?”

Clara saw her parents stare at each other in amazement before her father turned to them. “Is this what you want,
figlia mia
?”

She took a deep breath. This was truth time.
It’s what you
feel
that matters
! her mother had counseled her earlier.

“
Sì
.”

Her father’s dark moist eyes swerved to Valentino. “Since my daughter says yes, then I say welcome to the family.” He walked around to embrace him and kiss him on both cheeks. Clara’s mother joined them.

Valentino kissed her on both cheeks. “Earlier today I told Clara that when I was a boy, I envied her belonging to a happy family like yours. Sometimes she let me eat the delicious food you made for her lunches.”

“That’s true,” Bianca chimed in with a smile on her face. “I watched it disappear, Mamma. Clara made me promise never to tell.”

“You’re the best cook in Monta Correnti, Signora Rossetti, but I’ve never told my father that. I let him think the food at Rosa is superior. Secretly I have to tell you I like the idea of belonging to your family.”

Clara knew he meant what he was saying. The loss of his mother and the tragic circumstances surrounding her death had blighted his life. She could also see his natural charm was lethal. Already he’d seduced everyone in the kitchen except Silvio, who eyed both of them with a hostile expression.

Valentino turned to her. His gaze played over her with relentless scrutiny. “You look tired. I’m going to leave so you can get to bed. I’ll let myself out.”

After kissing her cheek, he left the kitchen. She didn’t want him to go, but, with the family clamoring to talk to her, it was the only thing to do.

“So,” her mother said with a new sparkle in her eyes, “we will have to buy you a wedding dress. I always hoped you would wear mine, but look at you—you’re so thin it would fall off you and lie in a puddle on the floor.”

Everyone laughed including Clara, who needed to be satisfied with the reason Valentino was marrying her and allow her family to be happy for her. Until a few minutes ago they couldn’t have imagined another wedding taking place in the Rossetti family. Neither could she.

“Doesn’t it bother you that he didn’t propose until you lost all your weight?” Silvio’s question stunned everyone.

“No,” she answered in complete honesty. “If all he’d wanted was a thin wife, then how come he never married one of the film stars or top models he’s been seen with over the years? He’s had ample opportunity.” He could have married the girl
you
wanted, Silvio—but of course Clara would never have said anything that hurtful to her brother.

His face screwed up in pain. “Just tell me one thing—”

She knew what he was going to ask and took him aside out of earshot. They weren’t twins for nothing. Forestalling him, she said, “He needs me, Silvio.” Until she’d heard him talking to her mother, she hadn’t realized just how much.

Her brother didn’t say anything after that, but she knew what was on his mind.

Is he in love with you, Clara? Did he say those words to you? Because if he didn’t…

V
ALENTINO
drove to the restaurant and parked the truck behind the Ferrari. When he stepped inside, he walked over to Giorgio. “The truck’s outside filled with gas.”

“You didn’t have to do that.”

“I wanted to. I’m grateful for your help. Do you know where Isabella is?”

“Out in front tabulating the receipts.”

“Good. I need to talk to her. See you later. Thanks again for everything.” They traded keys.

“
Ciao
, Valentino.”

With a nod to the others still cleaning up, he walked through the door into the restaurant.

“There you are,” his sister said as soon as she saw him. “Papa is anxious to talk to you.”

“Did he find mistakes in the inventory?”

“No. He sounded sorry you ran off so fast.”

“That would be a first.”

“I told him you had to leave to meet up with Clara.”

“Clara’s the reason I’m here now. There’s something I have to tell you.”

“I’m all yours.” She finished the last of the receipts and closed up the register. “What’s going on?”

He eyed her directly. “Maybe you should sit down. This is important.”

A look of alarm crossed over her face and she did his bidding. For the next few minutes he told her about Clara’s kidney failure. As he explained the gravity of her condition tears rolled down Isabella’s cheeks. “Oh, Valentino. That poor, dear girl.”

“I have more news.” He sucked in his breath. “Father Orsini is going to marry us in a four o’clock ceremony on Saturday afternoon at the church.”

Isabella looked thunderstruck. His stunning revelation actually caused her to drop the money bag she’d been holding. He picked it up for her and put it on the counter.

“I’m not going to let her die if I can help it,” he vowed. “Until a kidney is available, she needs help around the clock. The only way to give her the kind of attention she requires is to be with her twenty-four hours a day, so I am going to become her husband.”

His sister stared at him in shock. “I don’t doubt your sincerity, but what about your racing?”

“Those days are over.”

“Just like that?” came her incredulous question.

“I’ve been considering it for quite a while now.”

“Will you live in Monaco?”

“No. At the villa here.”

“You’re serious—”

“Clara needs her family around. You and Papa need my help at the restaurant.”

The blue eyes studying him swam in liquid. “I take back the ugly things I shouted at you the night of Papa’s birthday party while you were driving away.” So saying, she threw her arms around him and gave him a surprisingly strong hug.

“Don’t get ahead of yourself. I’m everything you called me and more, but that girl doesn’t have a selfish atom in her entire body. What’s happening to her isn’t fair.”

“It’s awful.”

“I’m going to find her a kidney if it ends up taking all my money to do it.” That was what he intended to tell Dr. Arno when they talked. Clara’s doctor still hadn’t called him, which meant he hadn’t returned from his vacation yet. “Her chances of a long life will be vastly increased if one is found soon.”

“Then you
have
to make it happen! You’re known for doing the impossible.”

“Is that right?”

She smiled. “You know it’s true.”

“Let’s hope this time it is,” he ground out. “I’m going to ask the clinician to start training me how to do her dialysis so she can have it at home when we are married. Right now I’m going upstairs to tell Papa I’m getting married.”

“He’s always wanted you back home. Your news is going to make him happier than you know.”

“Happy enough to attend the ceremony with you?” Valentino knew otherwise, but that wasn’t important right now. He’d promised Clara he would try to get along with his father. “I’m not sure he’s well enough.”

“Papa wouldn’t miss it. Do you want me to phone Cristiano?”

In the past he’d always let Isabella do everything, but no longer. This was something Valentino had to do himself, though he dreaded it.

“I’ll call him,” he murmured. “Except for Clara’s immediate family, no one else is invited. I don’t want Aunt Lisa or our cousins to get wind of it. This has to be kept so quiet the media won’t have any idea of it until long after the fact. I’ll do anything to prevent the press from intruding on Clara’s private agony.”

“I understand.”

He breathed in deeply. “Once we’ve said our vows, we’ll drive straight to the villa. Fortunately with the church so close, it’ll be a quick trip for her.”

She put a hand on his arm. “No celebration?”

“Only if Clara is up to it after we’re home. I’m leaving that decision to Signora Rossetti.”

“You can count on me for any help.”

“I know that.” His dark brows furrowed. “Too bad you were let down in the younger brother department. From now on I’ll try to do better, Izzy.”

As he gave her a hug his father entered the empty dining room with his walker.

“What’s going on?”

Valentino intercepted Isabella’s glance before they moved toward him. “I was just on my way upstairs to talk to you.”

“Giorgio told me you were in here. I decided I’d better find you before you ran out again.”

“Let’s sit down, Papa.”

Isabella patted their father’s arm. “I’ll be right back.”

“I don’t need to sit. You did an excellent job on the inventory, by the way.”

Incredible. “You’re the one who taught me.”

They eyed each other cautiously. For the first time in his life Valentino got the impression his father seemed nervous of him. He thought back to what Clara had told him about Luca being terrified Valentino would leave town at the first sign of trouble.

His father squinted at him. “You said you had something to tell me?”

“Wouldn’t you rather sit? This could take a few minutes.”

“All right.” He moved the walker to the nearest table and planted himself on a chair. Valentino sat opposite him.

“I’ve been doing some research to help bring in more business. It’s just an idea, but it might be worth investigating.”

“I’m listening.”

Valentino presented his ideas about the Web site and attracting the tour-bus crowd. When he’d finished his explanation his
father pursed his lips. “That’s what you and Isabella were hugging about?”

The question wasn’t the response Valentino sought. He couldn’t tell what his father was thinking, but at least he hadn’t rejected the suggestions out of hand. “No. I was saving my other news until last.”

“Go on.”

“I’ve been seeing Clara Rossetti since I’ve been home. She has agreed to be my wife. We’re getting married on Saturday at the church and we’ll be living here in Monta Correnti. I would like it very much if you could be there.” Despite all grievances, he discovered it was true. “However, I know you’re not well,” he added to give him an out.

His father stared at him for a long time. “She’s a fine girl.”

“I agree,” Valentino said in a husky voice. I’m in love with her. He’d always been in love with her, but he hadn’t known until he’d seen her lying there in the clinic and realized she could be taken from him.

“What do you think?” Clara came out of the dressing room wearing a simple white A-line silk gown with a scooped neck and long lace sleeves that covered her graft.

Her mother, bedecked in the pale blue dress she wore to Mass, let out a sound of approval. The tears were never far away. “We bought the right one. You look like a princess.”

For once in her life Clara felt like one. It didn’t seem possible when just last week she hadn’t thought she’d live long enough to see this day. And certainly not with Valentino! How many times in her secret fantasies had she imagined him coming home to Monta Correnti because deep inside he’d always loved her and wanted her for his bride?

When she’d lost all her weight, she’d done it with him in mind. More than anything in the world Clara had wanted to be
the beautiful woman on the cover of the magazine standing next to him.

That first day on the stairs when he’d called her Clarissima and told her she was a remarkably beautiful woman, she’d known he’d meant it. She’d seen it in his eyes, in the tone of his voice. It was the look she’d always hoped to see. Today Clara knew a joy so powerful it was already draining her.

Her family had insisted she stay in bed this morning. For once she didn’t fight them. They brought her breakfast and lunch. While Bianca did Clara’s nails, her mother washed and combed her hair. They wouldn’t let her get up until it was time to drive to one of the local bridal shops in Monta Correnti.

Bianca, also in her Sunday best, carried the shoulder-length, matching lace mantilla Clara would put on right before the ceremony. She kissed her cheek. “The gown is perfect on you. I wish all the relatives could come to the church to see you.”

“So do I,” her mother said with a sigh, “but we’ll just have to take pictures for them to see later. Valentino was right about doing everything possible to keep the paparazzi away. So far no one knows anything.”

“Except the saleswoman,” Clara reminded her.

“Ah—but she has no idea who’s going to be your husband.”

“And he’s going to be upset if we don’t get her to the church right now!” Bianca put her arm through Clara’s good one. “We need to hurry out to the truck. Papa is waiting.”

The three of them made their way to the outside of the shop. Their mother got in the truck first with a bag holding Clara’s regular clothes. Bianca helped Clara in next, taking care with her wedding dress, then she got in Tomaso’s truck with the children. Silvio had muttered something about meeting them at the church.

Clara’s father drove the truck through the town and they followed the winding road up the hillside to the lovely
seventeenth-century baroque church of San Giovanni where their family had been attending for generations.

The air was warmer than the day Valentino had driven her to Gaeta. She couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful wedding day. While the others were brimming over with excitement—Silvio being the exception—a calm had descended over Clara.

This was a surreal moment for her. Within the hour she would be Signora Casali, a role many women had coveted. She wasn’t naïve. Clara understood exactly the unique place she held in Valentino’s psyche. She knew what marriage to him meant, and what it didn’t mean.

No one wanted to live a long life more than she did. If it wasn’t her destiny, then Valentino would be given his freedom soon, but it would be with the knowledge that he’d done everything in his power to keep her alive. She’d witnessed that desire yesterday when Serena had spent the four hours teaching him how to administer Clara’s dialysis.

His intelligence allowed him to absorb directions quickly. Valentino was at his best when faced with a challenge. Over the last few days she’d watched him take on this new job of health-care giver with a seriousness and dedication that touched her heart.

That plus his assurance that he was working on his relationship with his father meant more to her than he would ever know. For Luca and him to find peace would guarantee they had a happier marriage. She wanted that with every fiber of her being!

When the end came for her, she had every confidence there’d be no demons to torture him the way they had after his mother had died. In the meantime she planned to devote the time she had left to supporting him around his family and making him as happy as her sickness would allow.

Already she was tired, but that was because this was a day like no other. With so many emotions running rampant inside
her, she felt more drained than usual and prayed she’d make it through the ceremony before she wilted.

Her father drove them around the back of the church and pulled to a stop in front of a door used only by the clergy. Tomaso followed in his truck. After the women and children got out, Bianca draped the mantilla over Clara’s head. The oohs and ah-h-hs coming from everyone made her smile.

By now her other married brothers, Dante and Cesare, and their families had arrived, bringing her grandmother. She was thankful Tomaso was taking pictures so this day would be preserved.

Father Bruno opened the door and ushered them inside. The younger priest had a serious nature so different from Father Orsini’s. Clara got the feeling he didn’t approve of this clandestine marriage about to be performed behind doors locked to the public for the next half-hour.

“There you are,” Valentino murmured, suddenly appearing in the hallway behind the chapel. He mesmerized everyone as he moved swiftly toward her.

A white rose had been tucked into the lapel of his formal dove-gray suit. Beneath the jacket he wore a darker gray vest. The clothes fit his powerful frame like a glove. In the dazzling white shirt and silk jacquard tie of silver and gray, he could easily have been taken for some important Italian prince. He looked so handsome, her legs almost buckled.

“I can’t find the words for how lovely you are,” he whispered as his dark, searching eyes played over her face and figure. With that compliment she almost sank to the floor in a puddle, bringing to mind her mother’s comment about her wedding dress being too big for Clara.

Valentino seemed to have invisible radar because he put his arm around her waist for support and led her the rest of the way into the chapel. His dark-haired sister Isabella stood nearby.

“Clara? You look beautiful,” Isabella said softly and handed her a bouquet of white roses.

“Thank you for coming and for these. The flowers are gorgeous.” She buried her face in the petals to hide her emotions while she inhaled their sweet scent.

Next to her sat an imposing Luca Casali with his cane. He’d dressed in a midnight-blue suit for the occasion and looked very distinguished. Valentino helped his father to his feet. The older man patted his son’s arm before turning to Clara.

“Welcome to the family,” he said in a voice of surprising emotion and gave her a kiss on both cheeks.

“I’m so glad you were well enough to make it,” she whispered.

“I wouldn’t have missed it and couldn’t be more pleased with my son’s choice. You were always the best influence on him,” he confided sotto voce.