Page 21 of Their UnBearable Destiny

The little girl gave his appearance due consideration as if she were performing a serious duty. When she was done she looked at Emiliana and shook her head.

“No?”

Renatta shook her head again.

Turned to Uberto with shock clearly written on her features, Emiliana looked over the table at him. He wondered if she was waiting for him to say or do something.

Years ago, before he’d gone to New York, before he’d held his niece in his hands, he would have sat there, still as stone.

But now, he leaned closer to the edge of the table and asked the little girl, “Who is the scary bear?”

Renatta’s nose moved first, the bridge wrinkled up and her eyes narrowed as she opened her mouth so wide he could see the teeth at the back. Lifting her hands, and curling her fingers like claws, little Renatta gave the biggest little growl he’d ever heard.

Daniel came to a sudden stop beside the table, his eyes round as saucers, his face a mask of horror.

Everyone in the small cafe waited to see how Uberto would react.

Covering his face with his hands, he cowered back from the table. “Oh no! A big scary bear!” He made a few snuffling sounds that may have sounded like sobs. “Please don’t hurt me.”

He made quite a show of it and began to enjoy the little scene he was playing. He was sure that by now, Amara would have been giggling and shaking at the sight.

Uberto would have gone on longer if he hadn’t felt someone touch his arm.

Looking down, he saw Renatta standing beside him, stroking his arm like a puppy. “There, there,” she gently gave his sleeve a pat, “don’t be afraid.”

He lowered his hands and looked down at her, his expression a curious mix of emotions. “Why not?”

She grinned at him and cocked her head to the side to look up at him. “Because in Santa Biago, the bears protect us.”

He felt Daniel’s breath rush from his lips and saw Dante sitting near the kitchen at a small unmade table. But the most important countenance that he looked for was Emiliana’s across the table.

Instead of laughing at his antics, his mate had a slight look of panic on her face.

He expected laughter. Mocking was something as natural to them as breathing.

He could have handled nearly anything, but panic?

Renatta saved the day for them all. Narrowing her gaze at his face, her lips pushed out in a little pout. “Are you a bear?” Leaning down a little, he was nearly nose to nose with the little girl.

“Would you be afraid of me if I said yes?”

She shook her head and reached her arms up to him. “Up.”

And she got exactly what she wanted. Uberto plucked her up from the ground and set her down on his lap.

Whenhe looked up again, Emiliana had schooled her expression into something softer than it had been, but there was still something ghosting in her eyes.

Daniel set the plate down between them as Maria produced a bottle of wine and a grateful smile for Uberto.

The rest of the meal continued in a jovial mood, but Uberto was convinced that Emiliana’s smile didn’t quite reach her eyes.

The cafe was no place for a discussion, not with the curious ears of Renatta at the table. He would have to be content with waiting until they were back home for him to delve into the issue.

And even that was a stretch, he was rarely content about anything.

---