“Really?” I could hardly breathe. One word was all I could manage. “Why?”
“She told me things I needed to hear. Christina, I want Gregorio to be happy. And if cooking will make him happy, then so be it. Let him be a cook.” Leaving my fingers, he held up both hands in surrender.
“A chef,” I interjected. No way did I want Gregorio’s career brushed off as mere cooking. Hope rose in my heart.Oh, Sofia. How can I thank you?
“Yes, fine. A chef, wearing the white hat. Then I am fine with that. If he does not want Harvard, well, I will accept that.” Indeed, he did look resigned. “I want my son to have a happy life. Do you think it is too late, Christina? Have I made a mess of things?”
His eyes were liquid when he lifted them to mine, as if he were tormented.
“No. It is not too late. Gregorio will be so happy. You’ll see.”
As he listened carefully, the tension in Marco’s body eased. The gray kitten had wandered back to curl up next to me.
Reaching over, Marco petted the kitten. He could have such a gentle way about him. I almost felt those strokes on my own skin. But I had more work to do. “Before I leave, I’ll do some research on the right school for him.”
His hand stilled. “Oh, Christina. Those words make me so sad.” And he did look miserable.
“Don’t worry. We will find the right school for him. You and Gregorio can visit the campuses in the months ahead and see which program might be a good fit.”
“But I want you to come too.” His lower lip came out.
“I’m afraid there won’t be time for that.” A heavy sadness settled on my heart. “I’ll be back home teaching by then.”
For a long moment he studied me, this man that I loved. The man I would miss every day for the rest of my life. I knew that deep in my heart, felt it in my soul.
“Your leaving makes me so sad, Christina.” And he stopped, considering. “I want you to stay.”
How I cherished those words. But they didn’t change the situation. “I wish I could. But school is starting.” I’d come for this job and now the job was over.
“Marry me, Christina.”
The words came so softly. I almost missed them. “What did you just say?”
Setting the kitten aside, he tugged me gently into his arms. I could not push him away. He nuzzled my forehead, his lips in my hair. “You make me crazy and happy all at the same time. Please stay. Marry me. You know we will be happy together.”
“But that’s madness.” I wasn’t crazy but his lips might bring me to that point.
“Is it?” With a slow smile, he cupped my chin in one hand and kissed me. The kiss was slow and delicious. The warmth of his hands on my neck set the rest of my body on fire.
Could madness somehow become my future? “But what about Lexi?”
I could feel his smile. “She has already told Gregorio that she hopes we will marry.”
Now, that was a shock. “But her schooling?”
“She wants to go to school in the village with Gregorio. She thinks he will introduce her to some ‘hot guys.’ I think that’s what he told me.”
Sometimes a mother can be surprised.
“You have not had a good husband. Let me be your good husband. I promise, I will do everything to make you happy,” he murmured while my head spun between kisses.
“That might be a big order,” I murmured, “––making me happy.”
“Yes, I know,” he said, giving my nose a soft tap. “But I am the king. I can make things happen.”
“Is that a personal promise?” Pulling away, I poked his chest with a finger and ended up flattening my palm on his thudding heart. “I don’t want a promise from the king of Napolitano. I want a promise from Marco––the man I love.”
Taking my shoulders, he nudged me back into the hay, so warm against my back. “I promise now and forever. And we will have fun making each other happy. This I promise.” That roguish smile of his made my stomach quiver in anticipation.
