Secrets (68 page)

She slowly raised her hand and took the note.

“Under the rack with empty bottles, you’ll find a cache of silver certificate bills. I’m guessing about two hundred thousand face value.” He handed her another note. “This is what each is worth to collectors.”

She glanced down and her eyes widened.

“They’re from some business my great-grandfather was mixed up in, but they’re legal currency, free and clear.”

She looked into his face, pain evident in her eyes. He hadn’t meant for this to hurt her, but to free her. She probably thought it some ploy, but the last part should convince her.

“And there’s this.” He held out the deed.

Her fingers shook as she took the envelope and glanced inside. “Your grandmother’s deed?”

“She just wanted Nonno buried.” At least that was all she’d admit, and he was too weary to pursue it. He wanted so much to take Rese in his arms. He almost reached, but he forced his hands to stay. “I wish you the best of everything. You’re going to do just great.” And now he couldn’t fight it anymore. He turned and started for the bike.

“Lance.”

He stopped. She deserved to have her say. He should turn around and face it, but whether it was scorn or gratitude, if he looked at her once more…

“I need a maid.”

That did not register. He knew she needed help, but why was she telling him? “No cook?”

“I’ve got five breakfasts down pretty well.”

“No dinners?”

“I scrapped the dinner program.”

With his back still to her, he jumped when she touched his arm.

“I need a maid, but I’d settle for a partner.”

He jerked his head around and stared into her face. She was asking him to stay?

“A
business
partner.”

A critical clarification, lest he think it more than a job. “I’m not sure I can do that, Rese.” He swallowed. “I don’t meet your professional standards.” They’d established that right from the start.

“Well, if I can learn to cook…”

He shook his head, gripping his jacket edges. “No. I will touch you, and then you’ll fire me, and we’ll be right back—”

“I can’t fire you. You’re my partner.” Her gaze connected with his as she held up the notes and deed. “With your own assets.”

His assets? He stretched his head back. Didn’t she see what he was trying to do? He had to be emptied out so she could stand on her own without him.

“And abilities. Star thinks I’ll punch out the customers, and I’m not really sure I want to spend day and night in the kitchen.”

“Rese…” But he knew she needed help. Was it better to leave her with whatever she could find? There she was, trying to look confident and controlled, the lobes of her ears glittering with red stones, and the mouth that could be hard as steel or so, so soft.

She shrugged. “We just need … new rules.” She crossed her arms and stood there as though saying it would make it possible. But they’d tried that. For one miserable night.

He caught her by the elbows. “Same rules.” If she wasn’t able to take him on those terms, he understood. He had hurt her, and just having the chance to apologize was more than he’d expected. “I can’t pretend I don’t love you, and I’m wired to show it.” So wired it took everything in him to hold back. “If I stay, you have to know I want a future with you.” He watched the disbelief and concern come into her face. So that hadn’t been her intention. “I don’t expect anything.”

And there was her cynical stare.

“I don’t expect it, but that doesn’t mean I don’t want it.” Hurt filled her eyes. His own tears stung. “Just a chance. That’s all I ask.”

Way too long. She would have answered if she could. He dropped his chin. “Yeah, well…”

“What were those rules again?”

He cocked his gaze up, unsure what he’d see. “Neck rubs?”

She wasn’t showing anything. “I need them.”

He swallowed the tears. “Hugs.”

“Couldn’t hurt.”

Oh, but it could. Just the thought of drawing her close was turning his insides out. But he did it anyway. “You remember the rest.”

“I’m not sure I do.” She raised her chin.

He leaned in, but a woman approached them from the drive and cleared her throat.

Rese pulled back. “Oh … Michelle.” It was the brown-haired woman from Evvy’s funeral.

“Sorry to interrupt.” She directed that to him.

“No problem.” But the anticipation of that kiss must be almost visible.

“We were packing up Evvy’s things and found this.” She held up a book with a notepaper stuck to the front. “I’m guessing you’re Lance?”

He stared at the book, at his name on the sticky note and
Antonia’s diary
written beneath. As the dried leather slid into his palms a peace settled over him. Nonna had refused to tell him more. He wouldn’t read her diary without permission, but if he brought it to her, maybe…

He closed his eyes and told the woman, “Thank you.” And he didn’t mean just her.
Grazie Signore
.

Michelle turned with a raising of her brows and walked away. Lance tucked the diary under his arm and drew Rese close with the other. “Where were we?”

She smiled. “You were going to cook a marvelous dinner.”

He laughed, letting the anticipation settle deeper. A little restraint might not be a bad thing. “Want to help?”

“Of course.”

His heart surged. He was no hero, but it seemed he’d get another chance. If God was for him, and Rese beside him, he just might get it right.

Watch for the sequel to
Secrets

Unforgotten
returns with Lance and Rese to the Belmont neighborhood of the Bronx where Nonna Antonia hopes to find peace. Instead she learns that what she thought she knew was only a shadow of the truth. Not only has the past not disappeared, but it has affected their future in a real and painful way. Is forgiveness possible, and can it heal the wounds that time has not forgotten?