The Man, The Ring, The Wedding

Angelina kept her distance and watched the exchange, remembering that yesterday this man was just a stranger in town who had flirted with her. Now he held the future of Covelli and Sons—and her future in his hands.

“Don’t you think that you should be up there with them?” Tony asked as he came up behind her. “I mean, Rossi seems to have precise ideas on what he wants.”

Angelina wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize winning this bid. “Of course.” She hurried to the desk and listened, then began to write down instructions.

Ten minutes later they walked up the stairs to check out the second floor where there were two ballrooms. The largest one had sustained weather damage, and the window frames needed to be replaced, the floors required refinishing and the woodwork would have to be torn out and redone. Angelina took down the details as the men discussed them.

For the next two hours, Angelina followed the men into several of the rooms. She listened intently as John told his ideas on the modifications. He wanted to convert some of the larger rooms to business suites, complete with fax and computer facilities to attract the area businessmen. But he was adamant that the top floor remain as large suites for guests who would be willing to spend the money for the luxury that the Grand Haven Hotel had once offered—and would again.

Finally they returned to the lobby. Angelina was about to head back to the office when Rick invited everyone to lunch at the family restaurant.

John checked his watch, then looked at Angelina. “I guess we’ve been at this a while. Thanks, I could use a break. Angelina, will you be joining us? I’d love to hear more of the ideas you started telling me about yesterday.”

Angelina felt heat rush through her. “Sure. I’ll bring my notes.” She managed a smile, but refused to acknowledge Rafe’s curious look. No way did she want to explain to her overprotective brother what she was doing in a hotel alone with a man.

John read the sign, Maria’s Ristorante. Authentic Italian Food. The converted downtown storefront was homey with its hardwood-and-brick floor. The murals on the walls added atmosphere and color and each table was adorned with white tablecloths and candles.

Lunch turned out to be a family affair—they all took seats at the large table near the bar reserved for Covellis only. Maria Covelli, a petite woman with warm brown eyes, came out from the kitchen and greeted her children and their guest. Rick’s wife, Jill, a young attractive blonde who worked as a waitress, also joined them until the other customers demanded her attention.

Soon the table was filled with baskets of fresh-baked bread and generous helpings of Maria’s lasagna along with a bottle of chianti. While they ate, John, Rick and Rafe discussed the finer details of the project, but John’s thoughts weren’t totally on business, not while Angelina was seated across from him.

At first Angelina let her brothers do the talking, but it wasn’t long before John asked for her input. She felt shy, but knew this was her chance to show her stuff. She pushed ahead with her ideas. “I like your plan for focusing on the business trade, but don’t forget that the hotel made a name by catering to the rich. And if you’re going to make the top floor all luxury suites you need more to offer, something else to draw them. Since people love to be pampered, I believe the underground area would work well remodeled with a new pool, spa facilities and a gym.”

The silence was deafening as she raised her gaze to meet his, and soon the dark depths began to mesmerize her. She glanced away. “It’s just a suggestion.”

John Rossi finally spoke. “Do you think you could write up a proposal for me?”

She swallowed back her excitement and nodded.

He smiled then, too. “I guess your coming by the hotel early was a good idea.”

Angelina froze at the mention of her earlier visit.

“When was this?” Rafe asked.

“Your sister stopped by yesterday afternoon. I think she must have gotten her days confused, that’s all.”

John watched Rafe tense. Strange, they were all equal partners in the family business, but the men seemed also fiercely protective of their sister. Was a real family like this? Was this what he wanted to find out when he decided to come here? That the Covellis were a warm loving family?

How would John recognize a loving family? After his parents had died in an auto accident when he was ten years old, he had gone to live with his paternal grandparents. His grandfather had been obsessive about building the family business. His grandmother, a cold woman who busied herself with society functions, had ignored the little boy under her care.

John had looked forward to summers with his mother’s parents at their vineyard in Italy. However, even though both Nonno Giovanni and Nonna Lia had showered him with attention and love, he’d never once seen them exchange a kind word, or a loving touch. John’s ideas about love between a man and a woman had been formed at an early age, and he had never believed a permanent loving relationship was possible.

He looked across the table at Angelina. His gaze locked on her shimmering blue eyes, then lowered to her luscious mouth. A mouth that made him ache. His body took notice, too, reminding him that he’d been without the company of a woman for a long time. He glanced away, suddenly needing to go outside for some fresh air to clear his head.

Just then, an older woman came walking toward them. Small in stature, she was wearing a black dress and her snowy-white hair was pulled back from her face. It dawned on him who she was—the grandmother, Vittoria Covelli.

When she reached the table, John immediately stood. The Covelli men did the same.

“Nonna,” Rafe said and kissed both her cheeks. “We were wondering where you were.”

She smiled. “I was in the kitchen as always, preparing the food.” Then she turned her attention to John. “And who is this nice young man?”

John held out his hand and grasped hers. “I’m John Rossi, signora. I’m in Haven Springs on business.”

She eyed him closely. “Nice to meet you, Giovanni,” she said, using the Italian version of his name. “What part of Italy are your people from?”

John swallowed. “My father’s family was from Rome,” he answered. “Then, years ago they came to America, to New York.”

Vittoria smiled brightly. “I came to America over fifty years ago... for love. I hope you are able to get back to Italy often.” She looked sad. “Sometimes I miss the old places and the old ways.”

Angelina spoke up. “You should let us send you to Tuscany for a visit.”

Vittoria waved a hand. “Everyone I know is probably dead and gone. No one remembers me.”

“You might be surprised,” John found himself saying. “More than likely there’s a cousin or two still around.”

“Maybe there is.” She cocked her head to the side. “You seem so familiar ... something about your eyes...”

John masked his discomfort. He turned on his best smile. “Could be I’m one of your long-lost cousins.”

Vittoria laughed and patted his hand. “You are a charming young man, Signore Rossi. We will be your famiglia while you are here.”

John felt a tightening in his chest as he nodded.

“You have fed me like family,” he said. “And I want to thank you all for the lovely lunch. Grazie.”

“You’re welcome,” Rick said, shaking his hand.

“And I should get back to the hotel. I have work to finish,” John said, as everyone seemed to crowd around him.

“Where are you staying?” Rafe asked. “So many places are closed around here during the off-season.”

“Just outside of town at the Lone Pine Motor Lodge.”

Rafe frowned. “It’s more like the Lonely Pine Motor Lodge. There probably isn’t another soul around. Besides, it’s nearly twenty minutes away.” The eldest Covelli sibling smiled. “Hey, why not stay in town? We have a vacant apartment just down the street. Since I was married last month it’s been empty. It doesn’t have room service, but there’s a kitchenette and a big comfortable bed.”

“And it’s close to everything,” Jill said, stopping by the table. “Only a few blocks from the hotel.”

Angelina couldn’t help but notice John’s discomfort. Maybe he wasn’t going to give Covelli and Sons the hotel job, and he didn’t want to be indebted to them. No negative thoughts, she told herself. There wasn’t another company around more qualified or talented enough to handle the project. They needed this job. She needed this job.

Angelina spoke up. “There are also two phone lines so you can hook up your computer and fax, and still have one free for incoming calls.”

John looked thoughtful. “I can only take it if you’ll allow me a six-month lease.”

“You’re staying that long?” Rafe asked.

“No, just a month. I plan to be back in New York for the holidays. But my assistant, Mark, will replace me and he’ll fly down intermittently to check on the hotel’s progress. So unless you need a longer lease...”