Secrets Of The Heart (Book 1, The Heart Series) (24 page)

But how can’t she when Vinnie died doing the same work?
Jewel hefted herself to her feet and held out a hand. “Come on, Sydney, I’ll help you gather up your gear from the back room so you can go home with your poppa.”

When he lowered Sydney to the floor, she said to him, “Now, don’t leave without me, ‘kay?”

“I wouldn’t dream of it, Princess.”

As Sydney bounded to the back room with Jewel, Bree gathered her courage and rose. “Hi.” She cringed at the breathy quality to her voice.

“Hi, yourself, sweetness,” he whispered huskily, leaning his elbows on the tall-backed desk and coming close.

Provocative sandalwood after-shave assaulted her senses. Closing her eyes for a moment, she inhaled deeply, savoring his scent. When she focused on him once again it was to find Nick staring at her with such love, such longing in his dark eyes. Blinking rapidly, she tried to brush away the sudden wave of dizziness.

“How…how was your day?”

He sent her a lop-sided grin. “The wakeup call was fantastic.”

She flushed deeply at his veiled reference to her ministrations. “I wasn’t talking about
that
and you know it, Carletti,” she admonished him, but glowed inwardly.

His chuckle, rich and deep, sent tingles scattering along her nerve endings.

“See, I told you, Mrs. Timmons, whenever they’re together they have no idea anyone else is around,” Tessa’s loudly whispered words yanked Bree from the intoxicating affect her husband had on her.

Bree rolled her eyes at Nick, and then laughed. He joined her, sharing a special intimacy.

Winking again at her, he raised his voice, saying, “Maybe it’s high time we find Tessa a boyfriend.”

“I heard that, Sarge,” Tessa said, looking into the mirrored reflection to him. “Got any friends like you?”

Mrs. Timmons peeped up in her sing-song voice, “Oh, I heard he’s one of a kind, isn’t that right, Bree?”

Bree looked first from the lively little old lady, and then to Nick. A sly smile inched up the corners of her mouth. “You’re definitely one of a kind, Mr. Carletti.”

A flare flashed in the depths of his eyes, one she’d become accustomed to whenever she tapped into his passionate nature. “You keep smiling at me like that, sweetness, and I’ll take you home and ravish you.”

The velvety, low timber of his voice sent a blaze of heat trailing through her bloodstream. She leaned close, whispering seductively, “Promises, promises.”

Three hours later, Nick still couldn’t shake the delicious effects of his wife’s flirtations as he reentered the beauty salon carrying a piping hot pan of lasagna.

Sydney, dragging the plastic bag that held the bowl of salad, breadsticks, dessert, paper plates, and silverware, scooted in ahead of him.

“We’re here, Mommy, and boy do we have a s’prise for you!”

Jewel popped her head out of the supply room. “Hey, you guys, she’s brewing a batch of java. Come on back. Perfect timing. We’re taking a quick break before the rush starts all over again in a few minutes.”

As Nick rounded the corner to the back room, he spotted Bree instantly. Replacing the lid on the coffee can, she sent him a soft, heartwarming look that caused his middle to dip.

“You didn’t have to go to all this trouble just for me, Nick.” A wealth of appreciation shone in her gaze and she blinked a few times.

A pinprick of tenderness jabbed his chest. The crusty barnacles that had clung to his heart for years had been scrubbed off the moment he revealed his love for Bree.

Now all that remained seemed to be a fresh newness that felt every little emotion. And it scared the hell out of him; he didn’t know how to deal with the raw, potent feelings coursing through him at every twist and turn.

Clearing his throat, he shrugged. “It’s the least we could do for you hard working ladies.” He purposely included Jewel.

On one hand, he wanted to take the spotlight off of himself. And on the other, he hoped Jewel would take the dinner invitation and olive branch he extended. He sensed how much it meant to Bree for her friends and him to get along.

The violet-eyed woman shook her head. “Oh, no, I couldn’t intrude on your family outing. And, anyway, I’m waiting for my son to call me, so I’ll just leave you guys alone.”

Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Bree’s frown and read the silent plea in her eyes. Nick blocked the doorway, preventing Jewel from escaping. “Now, you’re going to hurt Sydney’s feelings if you refuse. Isn’t that right, Princess?” He checked on his granddaughter as she knelt on a stool, unloading her bag of goodies.

“Uh huh. Please have some lazy-on-ah, Auntie Jewel. I’ll even keep you comp-knee while you wait for Sean to call.” Her wide smile revealed the dimple near her mouth. “I just
love
Sean. I’m going to marry him when I grow up, but he don’t know it yet.”

Her bold statement brought laughter gurgling up from the depths of Nick. “Is that right? Well, Jewel, I guess you’ve got to accept since your son and my granddaughter are practically engaged.”

He caught the twitch in the woman’s lips, but she refrained from smiling, something she seldom gave in to. “Well, since we’re almost in-laws I’ll be happy to have some lazy-on-ah.”

Ten minutes later, Nick settled on the stool Sydney had vacated, facing his wife on a matching one. He tilted his head toward the front of the shop where Jewel and Sydney’s low garbled tones came from. “I’m surprised she accepted. She’s a tough one, isn’t she?”

Nodding, Bree agreed. “Thanks for including her.”

“No problem.”
If it makes you happy, I’ll do anything you want
.

Having just taken a bite of the cheesy concoction, Bree moaned in pleasure. "This is so good. You’ve outdone yourself once again, Carletti.”

“I’m glad you like it. Your daughter and I had quite a time making it.” He paused, wondering if he should pursue the subject he and Sydney had stumbled on while preparing dinner.

Will Bree be receptive to my adopting her daughter?

Doubts snaked their way into his mind, stalling him.

The shrill ring of the phone sounded from the front of the shop. It stopped suddenly and Jewel’s muffled voice could be heard.

Digging in for another fork full, Bree peeked at him from under her long lashes, stealing his senses away. “I can’t wait to see what you’ve made for dessert. If I’m not mistaken, I think you’ve got something chocolate hiding in that bag.”

At her provocative, beguiling glance, he coughed. “Ah…if you keep that up I’m liable to spill it. You wouldn’t want me to spoil your daughter’s secret, now would you?”

This time Bree coughed, nearly choking on her dinner.

Frowning, he shoved a can of soda into her hand and helped her take a sip. “You all right?”

In a raspy voice, she managed, “I think so. Must have gone down the wrong way.” Tipping the can for a bigger swallow, she gulped greedily. She placed the drink on the counter producing a slight tinging sound as metal and wood connected. “All better.”

Concern crowded in his middle when she avoided looking directly at him, shutting him out. Her appetite seemed to have all but disappeared as she fiddled with her food.

What did I say to cause such a reaction? I didn’t even bring up the adoption
.

Tucking it away for a later time, he tried to make light of the suddenly tense situation. “You’re not going to try to worm it out of me, are you? Because, I have to tell you, I can only take so much of those delicious kisses of yours. Not to mention the way you touch me with your soft hands. And then there’s always the way—”

Blushing a delicate pink, she put her hand over his mouth to halt him in mid-stream. “Stop or I won’t be responsible for throwing myself at you right here and now.”

Wiggling his eyebrows at her, he mumbled behind her hand, “Oh really? I kinda like how that sounds.”

On an impish impulse, he stroked his tongue across her palm.

She hissed, pulling away and rubbing the wet spot. “You have the devil himself inside you, Nicholas Carletti.”

Hearty laughter burst out of him. “You sound just like Nana whenever I used to go peering in her simmering pots on the stove or poking around for my hidden Christmas presents. Or, better yet, Father Tom, whenever he caught my friends and me on Halloween night doing something I shouldn’t have been doing.”

With sparkling hazel eyes, Bree leaned close, so close her heady fragrance sent all his thoughts scattering in the wind. “Oh, tell me more.”

Talking was the last thing he longed to do right at the moment. Her lips drew all his attention
.

“Ahem! I hope I’m not disturbing the two of you.” Jewel’s voice from the doorway caused Bree to jump away from him.

Disappointment shafted through Nick. Looking over his shoulder to glare at the intrusion, he asked, “What made you think that?” He was hard pressed to cover the sarcastic edge in his tone.

Jewel actually giggled.
Probably at my sour expression
, he thought grimly. But as he twisted back to Bree, his mood altered; she was the picture of surprised amusement. The dark thoughts evaporated and enchantment forged a path to his heart.

“How’d you do that?” Bree asked on a whisper.

“Oh, I have my moments,” Jewel assured them both. “Forget that for now. My son and your granddaughter have a favor to ask you, Nick.”

He raised his eyebrows. “It sounds ominous.”

Bree rose too, saying, “Oh, brother, I’ve got to see what those two have cooked up this time.”

Grinning, Nick made his way to the reception area with Bree by his side. Jewel trailed behind them. His smile widened even more as he noted Sydney cradling the receiver between her shoulder and neck the same way her mother often did. “Okay, Princess, what’s this about a favor?”

“Can Sean come over tonight? He’s trying out for football and he needs you to help him with the throwing part. Could you please help him, Poppa?”

If her pleading voice didn’t twist his heart, then her woeful expression certainly did the trick. But a bubble of anxiety made it out of the pit of his belly, gurgling up to clog his throat.

The last time he’d tossed a football around was when Vinnie was a boy, alive and happy.

He’d purposely stayed away from any male child that reminded him of his dead son these last eighteen months. A trickle of sweat inched its way down the back of his neck.

Swallowing hard, he wondered if he could jump this hurdle without falling apart. Could he help this eleven-year-old boy without sticking a knife straight through himself? Did he dare take the chance?

A hushed silence hung over the little cluster of people gazing expectantly at him. Seeking out Bree, Nick read sympathy and understanding.

She won’t hold it against me if I say no
.

That one realization eased his conscience and set him free to take a giant step forward.

He turned to Sydney and said, “Sure, Princess, why not?”

“Oh, Poppa, you’re the bestest in the whole wide world. Sean says he’ll ride his bike up here to meet us.”

Nick frowned at that. “No way. It will be dark in a little while and I don’t want him riding after dark, understand? We’ll go pick him up. Ask him if he’s had his dinner yet. If not, we’ll bring him some.”

As she relayed his message, Nick caught the incredulous look on Jewel’s face. “Well, what did you think I was, an ogre, or something?”

She shot him the first genuine smile he’d ever witnessed from her. “I guess I have to adjust my opinion of you, Sergeant Carletti.”

“Call me Nick. After all we are going to be related someday if my granddaughter has her way.”

Bree chuckled, gaining his full attention. The happiness dancing in her sparkling eyes told him more than words could ever say: She was proud of him.

He’d taken a leap of faith, faith that he’d work through the hurt and find solace in teaching Sean while remembering Vinnie.

With a few short steps, she was in front of him. Hugging him close, she whispered in his ear, “You
are
the bestest in the whole wide world.”

Closing his eyes, he buried his face in her neck. He savored the welcoming feel and intoxicating scent of her. Cradling her whisked away his earlier, anxious thoughts. In her warm, loving embrace he knew he’d found his sanctuary.

The simultaneous clunky sound of the phone receiver being replaced and bells above the door ringing jarred him, bringing him back to the moment. Reluctantly, he pulled away from Bree. But before he released her completely, he dropped a kiss on her soft, sweet lips.

“Well, well, now, what do we have here?” Father Tom’s question jerked Nick from the hazy layer of love he’d willingly succumbed to.

Feeling all of ten again, Nick nervously shook the priest’s outstretched hand.

The strong, firm clasp of the elderly man always gained Nick’s notice. That and his keen, piercing blue gaze beneath his bushy eyebrows that knew so much. "Father Tom, what brings you here?”

He tunneled his fingers through his wind-tossed gray hair. “I was hoping Bree could squeeze me in for a haircut tomorrow morning.”

Bree stepped to the desk, and then flipped a page in the appointment book. “Is eight-thirty too early for you, Father?” “That’s perfect, just perfect. I’d love to stay around and chat but I have a pre-marital counseling session in twenty minutes. Ah…Nick, can you walk me out to my car, son? There’s something I’ve been wanting to discuss with you.”

Sydney piped up, “Is it about the Red Sox, Father Tom? Poppa and I are gonna watch the game in this many days.” She held up two fingers.

He winked at her. “I only wish it was about the ball game.”

Concern replaced Nick’s nervousness at being caught kissing his wife in front of the all-seeing, all-knowing priest. As he walked out the door behind Father Tom, he grew worried at the unusual somber mood hovering over the man.

Nick halted on the sidewalk with the elderly man beside him. “What’s this all about, Father? You seem so serious.”

“I’m afraid the subject is serious, Nick.” He paused, rubbing his chin, seemingly deep in thought. “We’ve received some phone calls at the rectory. At first I just thought it was curiosity about Bree’s wedding to you since the person mentioned reading that I had officiated at your ceremony.”