Page 28 of A Family Affair: The Vow
“Rae? Do you plan to stay in Magdalena after your sister returns?”
This from Gina Reed, the serious woman with dark hair and a no-nonsense attitude. “I’m not sure what I’ll do.” She cleared her throat, blocked out the man next to her. “Leah’s doing really well, and I’ll have to see if she needs me and for how long.”
Gina’s husband, Ben, the Philly cop who landed in Magdalena for a short stay that turned into a lifetime, tag-teamed his wife’s question. “So, you might stay? At least until after Christmas?”
“It’s not even Thanksgiving yet, but…”Plans change. Isn’t that what she’d told Vic?
“You’ll have to excuse my husband’s questions.” Gina laughed, dark eyes shining as she placed a hand over her husband’s, squeezed. “Ben’s a big believer in Christmas, but it wasn’t always that way.”
Ben Reed’s voice gentled, his blue eyes softened. “Until my wife came along and I realized Christmas was every day.”
Gina’s eye roll said he was over-the-top ridiculous, but the smile said she didn’t mind one bit.
The conversation shifted after that, turned to talk of Thanksgiving and turkeys and get-togethers. There were also the speculations about Harry Blacksworth’s Christmas decorations, and word had it he was planning a big party. Apparently, the man loved displays, the bigger the better, and he even invited the children to a “winter carnival” in his back yard complete with an ice-skating rink, a snow cone machine, games, and tons of food. The man certainly had a big heart and a generous spirit with an imagination that matched both. Such kindness for its own sake was a bit foreign to Rae. For years, she’d been surrounded by people who helped others, but also expected to be “paid” for their services. Hadn’t she done that herself? When was the last time she offered knowledge, assistance, or guidance for the pure sake of helping someone with no expectation of a reward? Not in a very long time.
But taking a step back from the busyness and the goal-setting that had been her life made her see herself and the world from a different perspective—open, accepting, willing. The man beside her had something to do with that and she planned to tell him.
Rae worked her way through a cannoli, a lemon bar, and half a triple fudge brownie, more sugar than she’d had in a long time… But it tasted so good. And the pizzelles? Delicious. Everyone knew Pop Benito made them, a batch of anise for the diehard pizzelle fans and a batch of vanilla for those who preferred a sweeter taste. Rae favored the anise ones, wondered how difficult it would be to make them.
She’d been studying the intricate designs when the music stopped and Lily clapped her hands and shouted, “Dance time! Nate, Cash, Ben—” she pointed to several of the men in the room “—Pop, Uncle Harry, Vic, can you help move the tables out of the way?” Her voice burst with excitement, her face flushed pink. “Then grab your partner because we are going to dance!”
Not everybody seemed as excited as Lily about the prospect of dancing, especially Nate. He shook his head, rubbed the back of his neck, and a person didn’t need to hear the words coming out of his mouth to know he was not thrilled with Lily’s idea. But then his wife touched his jaw, smiled up at him, and the man people called fierce and unbending smiled back, his features softening, his expression filled with undeniable love.
The men moved the tables aside and one by one, they held out a hand to their partner. Lily paired up with Pop, which left Vic as the only unattached male in their group. Rae spotted three women moving into his line of vision, no doubt to offer themselves as dance partners—and anything else... Vic ignored them, his gaze trained on Rae, his expression serious as he extended a hand toward her.
Maybe she should hesitate or even decline. Accepting the offer might be construed as more than just a dance. Onlookers could view the offerandher acceptance as a mutual interest heading toward more. Goodness, Vic might even think that. But for once in her very organized, goal-oriented life, Rae ignored the tiny warnings that saidStay away. He doesn’t fit into your worldas she moved toward him and into his arms.
Of course, “Unchained Melody” would have to be the song Lily chose. Was there ever a more romantic song than this one? No, definitely not. Rae first heard it as a teen and the emotion had carried her through years of love-struck swooning over Vic Tramont—the man who at this very moment held her close as they moved about the garage floor. Rae tried to settle her breathing but it was difficult when she was in his arms, one hand resting on her lower back, the other clasping her hand against his chest. Such a strong chest. Such strong hands...such—
“Lily told me this is Christine’s favorite song and she wanted to play it for them.” His blue eyes sparkled as he darted a glance at the couple. “I didn’t think Nate would actually get on the dance floor, but love makes a person do crazy things.”
Had his voice dipped just now when he mentioned love and crazy things? She could have sworn it did. Rae spotted Nate and Christine Desantro on the far side of the room, his large hands holding her close, her head resting against his massive chest. They were barely moving and yet Rae thought it was one of the most graceful “dances” she’d ever witnessed. Probably because they moved together as one with a flow of emotion and love that enveloped them in their own world.Real love. True love. And they didn’t care who saw it. Wow, she would never have guessed Nate Desantro would be so open about sharing his feelings. Vic must have guessed her thoughts because his next words confirmed Nate would do anything for his wife.
“Yeah, imagine Nate on a dance floor with a look that says ‘You are my heart’. Never thought I’d see that one...until Christine.” A pause, a hint of a smile as he looked down at Rae. “She made him human and this town is forever indebted to her.”
One more glance at the Desantros before Rae nodded. “It must have taken a lot to get to that point.”Like opening your heart, trust, sharing, risk getting hurt...
“It did.” His voice dipped. “I guess you don’t get to the next level without a few falls.”
“I can feel the bruises now.” What would it be like to open up to another person and hold nothing back?
“No doubt some blood would be involved...a few scratches...” Those blue eyes turned to liquid silver, settled on her lips.
“Definitely blood.” Was that breathy voice really hers?
“But I guess if you were in it together, it wouldn’t be so bad. I mean, one person falls, the other runs with a bandage or an ice pack.”
“Maybe a ride to the emergency room for stitches.”
The corners of his eyes crinkled, his smile deepened. “Yes, absolutely that.”
“But it would seem that the happy times would be even better. Just guessing, but probably.” She’d thought about this a few times but usually in relation to Richard, and happiness was more about achieving a common goal, particularly with work. There’d never been a discussion about happiness or joy in regard to each other, or a state of mind or a common non-work goal. What would that look like? What would it…? She caught Vic staring at her as if he could peek right into her heart, touch her soul.
“I’ve heard the right person can make everything better, even the bad times.” His voice dipped, turned rough. “And if you find that person you should do everything you can to keep her.” The music had stopped and they’d ended up in the far corner of the room.
“It would be foolish to let him go, wouldn’t it? Even if she can’t understand the rationale for keeping him?”
“Yeah, even if it makes no sense and he knows it won’t be easy. I’ve heard there’s a time to trust your instinct and your heart because they won’t let you down.” He eased his hand from her back, cupped her chin. “And they can lead you to heaven.” He was two seconds from kissing her. Close, closer...
