“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.”
GABI CHUCKLED. “SINCE you two look like each other, I figured he has to be your father. I’m delighted to meet you, Signor Berettini.”
The CEO of the Berettini empire had dressed in a charcoal-colored suit with a gray pullover and probably had to shave twice a day. No man’s looks or masculine aura had ever given her such a visceral reaction.
Amusement lurked in his eyes fringed with sooty black lashes. He took her breath. “After hearing about Gabi this and Gabi that, I’ve been the one anxious to meet you,” he said, shaking her hand.
She felt the contact zap through her like a bolt of lightning. His blue gaze traveled over her as if he were trying to piece everything together using his son’s assessment of her. In truth she’d been doing the same thing to him and hoped to heaven it didn’t show.
She looked down at Dino. “Edda told me you wanted to spend the day with me. Guess what? She gave me permission to leave.”
“Evviva! Do you know where we should go?”
“Since I’ve lived here all my life, I have a lot of ideas. One of my favorite places is the insect museum in Brusegana.”
“Insect—” His reaction was comical.
“That’s right. When I was in school, we took a field trip there. I thought it would be stupid until we arrived on the bus. Was I ever wrong! It’s a few kilometers from the center of the city.”
“Does it have real insects in it?”
“Thousands! Of course, most of them are dead, thank goodness.” His father laughed. “It’s an amazing museum, Dino. Maybe we could eat lunch at DaPretta’s first. It’s only a few blocks away. They do fast food and make the most delicious bacon and potato panzerottos.
“Afterward we’ll drive to Brusegana and spend part of the day there. If you want, we can watch a movie about insects while we’re at the museum and buy something in the book shop to add to your collection of books in your family room. I
