Page 26 of A Family Affair: The Vow
Pop forked a hunk of cheesy potato, held Harry’s gaze. “You sure have come a long way since you first landed in this town. One day soon, you’re going to take over for me as the Godfather of Magdalena. You’re ready, Harry, even if you think you aren’t.”
Harry’s blue eyes turned bright, glistened with tears. “Nobody’s ever going to be like you, Pop.”
Pop rubbed his eyes, tried to keep the tears back. “You don’t have to be like me; you just have to be yourself.” He spotted Lily across the room talking to Gina Reed. Boy, did that girl shine even from this distance. The smile, the sparkle, the glow that saidhappy and don’t want to be anyplace else. He turned back to Harry, swiped a tear. “Our girl certainly has grown up.”
Harry finished his manicotti and set down his fork. “I remember the first time I heard about Lily. I couldn’t believe it. Charlie always did the right thing, made the best choices, and then to find out he’s leading another life with a woman we never heard about—and he’s got a kid? It was crazy and surreal. Hell, it sounded like somethingIwould do.” His blue eyes turned bluer. “I was the screw-up.Iwas the one who said to hell with everyone else and did whatever I wanted, always thinking of myself first. But when I came here and met Lily and Miriam...” His voice drifted. “I got it. I understood exactly why Charlie did what he did. I only wished he had been a little more selfish and left Chicago for good and moved here.”
Pop wished that, too. It sure would have made life a lot easier for Miriam and Lily. It might have even smoothed things over between Nate and Charlie, made Nate calmer, less angry and agitated all the time. But Charlie was a weak man who couldn’t own up to the life he really wanted, one that didn’t include his life in Chicago. The letters Christine and Nate found at his cabin gave a person the feeling that Charlie was about to make that bold move, but who really knew? “The good Lord had a reason for bringing your brother to our town and I’m not going to pretend I didn’t have my issues with him because I certainly did. But if he hadn’t come, there would be no Lily… no Nate and Christine… And you wouldn’t be here either, Harry. Lily is our angel and she sees things we don’t, but we might just have to show her how to be a little more subtle in the matchmaking department.”
“Subtle? Really? She’s about as subtle as my dog on a bacon hunt. Ever notice how that girl comes at you sideways? She’ll ask if you’ve thought about something, which means you definitely should be thinking about it. And while you’re at it, don’t forget to consider the other five things you didn’t know you needed to consider.”
Pop nodded, scooped up a forkful of lasagna, plopped it in his mouth. He might have to think about having a shindig like this so he could get rigatoni and lasagna and all sorts of samples. No gifts, though. He didn’t need anything, at least nothing money could buy. A few more years with the people he loved, some good memories, a hearty bowl of minestrone, a plate of pasta, and pizzelles.
“Who’s Lily got a bead on now?” Harry asked. “I know she’s picked out her next target, but I’m wondering if she’s already taken action. What do you think?”
“You know Lily. Always on the lookout for what she calls happily-ever-after. She’s zeroed in on Vic Tramont. Poor boy doesn’t stand a chance, but I don’t think he knows it yet.” Pop smiled. “He will soon enough.”
“Vic?” Harry raised a brow. “That boy doesn’t need help finding a woman.”
“No, he certainly doesn’t, but finding therightwoman? That’s where Lily comes in. She’s got someone picked out for him already, even invited her to this party.”
Harry glanced around the room, rubbed his jaw. “I see a few possibilities but none I’d callthe right one. Besides, I think he might have already checked them off as the wrong ones. Or maybe they were the right ones for—” he caught himself, cleared his throat and corrected “—for the short term.”
“You mean a good time but doesn’t end at the altar? Yep, I’d say you’re right.” Pop glanced at the five available women in the room...and the one soon-to-be-available woman once her divorce went through.
“No, Lily’s choice isn’t here yet. I hope she comes, and if she does, just keep your eye on Vic over there in the corner talking to Ben and Cash. I bet you’ll see a change in the way he stands, his attention, and watch his expression.”
Harry leaned toward Pop, said in a low voice filled with curiosity, “You’re not going to tell me who it is?”
“Nope.” Eight minutes later Pop had worked his way through most of his food and just started on the hot peppers whensheappeared. “There, take a look toward the door.”
Harry turned around, spotted Rae Darlington. “Ah, Rachel Darlington, I heard about her. She’s a looker. And I like the leather jacket... Olive’s a good color on her.”
Pop nudged his arm. “Stop with the fashion critique and check out Vic.”
The future Godfather of Magdalena squinted. “I’ll be damned.”
Pop shifted his gaze to the corner where Vic Tramont stood. The man seemed to have forgotten everyone in the room but the woman who’d caught his attention. He stood still, his large frame waiting, the blue eyes focused in on the only woman he could see. Pop turned back to his food, decided he could use a few more rigatoni before he hit the dessert tray. “This is going to get interesting.”
Harry blew out a long breath, shifted in his chair. “Lily just made a beeline toward her, gave her a big hug, too. Wonder what’s going to happen next?”
Pop grinned. “Lily’s going to start using her matchmaking talents and if she has her way, Vic and Rae will be Magdalena’s next favorite couple.”
15
Rae stepped into Miriam Desantro’s garage, froze for a second as she took in the people scattered throughout the room, the music and chatter filling the space. She’d debated whether or not to attend Lily’s housewarming party. She didn’t fit in and while she’d probably know a lot of the guests here, she didn’t reallyknowthem. Yes, she might recognize several, might even recall Leah telling her about this person or that one, but it would be awkward. Still, when she thought of the pure sincerity and kindness of Lily Desantro’s gesture, how could she decline the invitation?
Josh had told her Vic would be here. Why would he think she’d want to know? He’d been watching her with a bit too much curiosity when Vic’s name came up, and she didn’t miss the way he paused or emphasized anything relating to the man. Great, just what she needed. Another busybody. Maybe this was payback for her comments about Hannah.
The last housewarming party she’d attended had been for her boss two years ago when he and his third wife moved into their 6000-square-foot home. The walnut bowl she’d purchased had been created by a well-known wood turner and cost a big chunk of her paycheck. Rae had fit in with the guests since two-thirds of them were fellow employees and talk of work was the main thread of conversation.
But Lily’s party? What would she talk about, and what would people ask her? No doubt she’d have to continue the lie about her employment and her boyfriend. Ugh, that had grown so tiresome. But how could she flat-out announce the truth to the next person who inquired? Should she just say,I lost my job and my boyfriend dumped me?
No, not happening. And what would Vic say if he knew the truth?Guess you didn’t see that coming? Why have you been pretending? Why didn’t you just tell everyone and stop the lies? Why didn’t you just tell me the truth?
Rae scanned the area, spotted Vic at the other end of the room, gaze trained on her as he smiled, lifted his beer, and saluted. That small gesture and the smile relaxed her, made her feel not so alone. He began making his way toward her when Lily burst through the crowd, hugged Rae, and pulled back, eyes bright, face shining.
“You came! You came!”
