LITMIR.BIZ

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the next three weeks he needed to fill each day with activities for both of them in order to face the ordeal coming up. Once the tumor had been removed, who knew what other problems might ensue. But right now he needed to shelve that worry and handle the present.

      He pulled up to the villa and hurried inside. Since his son was usually in the family room, he headed there first. “Dino? Papà is home!”

      There was no answering cry, and nothing from Ines. Luca paused long enough to see a giant set of building blocks on the table. The box it came in showed a winter wonderland scene. A certain amount of work had been done on it already. He was impressed.

      Apparently this was a surprise from Luca’s mother and that was why she’d gone to pick up Dino today. Maybe he’d gone home with his grandmother for dinner.

      Curious, he took the stairs two at a time to the next floor, passing Dino’s bedroom on the way to his own suite for a shower. That’s when he heard sobbing and opened the door to see Ines sitting on the side of the bed trying to comfort his son. Luca felt like he’d been kicked in the gut.

      Ines got to her feet and hurried over to him. Sorrow was written all over her face. “He’s had an upset today,” she whispered, “but it’s not because of a nightmare or a headache. He had a visit from a woman representing the Start with a Wish foundation. She brought him a gift, but when she had to leave, it upset Dino. I’m glad you’re home. He’ll be much better after talking to you.” On that note, she left the bedroom.

      Luca walked over to the side of the bed. Dino lay on top of the covers on his stomach, hugging a pillow. He was dressed in a T-shirt and jeans. Luca sat down and began to rub his back.

      “Polpetto mio.” The meatball endearment he’d used with him forever usually brought a laugh, but not this time. “Want to tell Papà what’s wrong?”

      He whirled around and sat up. His face was a study in misery. Luca hadn’t seen a look like that in a long time. “My nonna is mad at me. Did she call you?”

      His mother didn’t have a mean bone in her body, but clearly something had disturbed Dino to the point of tears. “No. I just got home from work.”

      “She didn’t say anything?”

      Luca put up both hands. “I swear it.”

      “Well, she’s going to.” He slid off the bed. “And then you’re going to be really mad at me.”

      Since when? What the devil had gone on here? “Why would I be mad?”

      “Because... I was rude to Gabi.”

      Gabi? “Who’s that?” he asked, though Ines had already informed him.

      “She brought me a present from that Start with a Wish program on TV.” Luca had heard of it, of course. Who hadn’t? How had they known about Dino?

      “We were having so much fun putting it together, and then she had to leave and I didn’t want her to go. I got so mad I ran out of the room. After I went upstairs, I watched her drive away. And now I know she’ll never come back.”

      He ran to Luca and wrapped his arms around him. “I’ll never see her again.”

      Luca didn’t have a clue what was going on, but with those words, he knew this had something to do with the loss of Dino’s mother. Luca needed to stop the bleeding before there was a full-blown emotional hemorrhage.

      * * *

      Gabi arrived at work Wednesday morning, anxious to talk to Edda when she came in. She hadn’t been in her office when Gabi returned yesterday. Today she needed to pass on Giustina’s concerns about certain contents of the letter and tell her what had happened at the Berettini villa. Dino hadn’t wanted her to leave, and heaven help her, she hadn’t wanted to leave either.

      His quick mind, his laughter, the funny things he said—everything about him tugged at her heart. She’d meant it when she’d told him she’d love a son just like him. It was true. What wasn’t there to like? The fact that he was facing a serious operation only made her feelings more tender toward him.

      An hour later, in the middle of opening more letters, Stefania told Gabi that Edda wanted to see her in her office. Gabi hadn’t realized her boss had already come in.

      She excused herself and walked down the hall. Edda welcomed her in and told her to sit down. “I’m happy to inform you that your visit yesterday made a deep impression on Dino Berettini. So much so in fact that he’s downstairs in the reception area with his father, who took time off from his work to drive them here. They’ve come specifically to see you.”

      What? His father had brought him? Gabi couldn’t credit any of it.

      “There’s more, Gabi. They’ve asked if you could spend the day with them while they’re here in Padova. I told them it would have to be your decision. Of course you have my permission. How do you feel about that?”

      How did she feel? “Do you think I should?”

      Edda scrutinized her. “Is there a reason you wouldn’t want to see him again?”

      “No, but I haven’t met his father.”

      “Ah. The idea makes you uncomfortable.”

      “Not at all, but I’m just surprised he’s here. Did you show him Dino’s letter?”

      “The subject didn’t come up. It appears he wants his son to apologize to you in person for the way he behaved toward you before you left their home. He’s concerned that Dino ran out on you and didn’t say goodbye or even thank you.”

      She shook her head. “That wasn’t important. He was like all children who don’t want something fun to end.”

      “Well, he’s here now and waiting to see you. I’ve informed Stefania.”

      “Thank you.” Gabi stood up. “I’ll go down.”

      “Keep me informed.”

      “Of course.”

      Fortunately, Gabi had worn her navy suit with a lighter blue collared blouse to work and felt presentable. She stopped in the conference room for her purse and waved to Luisa, who knew about her visit to Dino. Once outside in the hall, she brushed her hair and put on a fresh coat of pink frost lipstick before she made her way downstairs to the reception room.

      People doing business or needing information came to the foundation throughout the day. Gabi looked around at the half-dozen visitors until she saw Dino, who slid off the chair but didn’t run to her.

      Seated next to him had to be his father, who got to his feet. He was tall and fit, with black hair and blue eyes that matched his son’s. The thirtyish male who’d once won an Olympic gold medal for Italy’s ski team was beyond gorgeous despite the telltale lines of grief.

      She took a quick breath and walked the short distance to them. “Benvenuto, Dino! What a wonderful surprise! Here I thought you were at school this morning.”

      He looked so solemn. “I asked Papà to drive me here. I’m sorry about yesterday.”

      Gabi smiled. “I’m not. I had such a great time and didn’t want to go back to work. I felt just like you did.”

      A half smile broke out on his face. “So...you’re not mad at me?”

      “What do you think?”

      A huge smile broke out on his face. Over his dark head her eyes fused with his father’s.

      “Dino?” the man asked in a deep voice that penetrated her body. “Aren’t you going to introduce us?”

      His son looked at both of them. “Gabi? This is my papà.”

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