Page 65 of Unexpected Gifts

Mia crossed the room to greet them. “Welcome to my humble establishment. We’ll be taking good care of you tonight.”

“Thank you,” Abby said.

“This is your first visit with us, is that correct?” Mia gave them a weak smile that seemed born from sadness rather than pleasure. A dim quality in her eyes hinted at some inner pain, yet her strength of character was also obvious.

“Yes, I’m new to town,” Abby said.

“You’ll like Sugarville Grove, I imagine. There’s something magical here that heals a heart. I do hope you’ll enjoy your meal with us and come back many times.” Mia bobbed her head and then hustled over to greet another table.

Soft Italian melodies from speakers overhead mingled with the gentle crackling of the fireplace. Candlelight reflected off the windows, the glass a mirror in the dark night.

Remi brought them each a glass of prosecco and a basket of freshly baked bread, followed shortly thereafter with a beautifully arranged platter of prosciutto, salami, and mortadella, mozzarella, sharp pecorino, and fresh ricotta served alongside marinated olives, artichoke hearts, and roasted red peppers.

“This is lovely,” Abby said to Remi.

“Enjoy,” Remi said, with a deferential bow of his head.

They dug into the food as if neither had eaten in weeks. Between their groans of pleasure over the creamy cheeses and spicy meats, they sipped their prosecco and conversed in hushed tones, mindful of the other visitors. Luke learned more about Abby’s mother, who had beaten cancer when Abby was sixteen, only to have it come back again. “She only made it another two months after it came back.”

Luke reached across the table to squeeze her wrist. “I’m sorry.”

“I was devastated. I’ve spent the years since then and now working myself harder than anyone should. I can see now that I was only trying to escape my grief. It doesn’t work, by the way. It’s still there, waiting for those moments when your guard’s down and brings you to your knees. The only good I can see that’s come of it is that I can understand Sophie’s pain and hopefully help her through it.”

The next course came, along with a glass of Chianti. Fresh, wide ribbons of pappardelle pasta were topped with a hearty wild mushroom ragù, paired with an earthy blend of local mushrooms simmered in a rich red wine sauce. They were too busy twisting pasta around their forks and savoring the spices to speak much.

“Is it bad manners to wipe this clean with a piece of bread?” Abby’s eyes danced in the candlelight.

“No way. None of Mia’s food should go to waste.”

Remi returned, filling their glasses with another red wine. “This is a Barolo,” Remi said. “A full-bodied red from the Piedmont region. You’ll notice complex layers of dark fruit, licorice, and truffle, which pairs magnificently with the rich, slow-braised veal.”

Luke waited for Remi to be out of earshot before he leaned over the table to say to his beautiful date, “I doubt I’ll notice any of those elements in the wine.”

She laughed softly. “Me either. But I’ll drink it just the same.”

The rest of the evening flew by. Luke shared more about the time after his wife’s departure and how gob-smacked fatherhood had rendered him. “I never knew it was possible to love anyone with such intensity. The first time I held her in my arms—she was so tiny—my heart was never the same. I hope it’s made me a better man.” He told her of the sleepless nights, his mother’s sacrifices, and his father’s steady support.To his embarrassment, he choked up talking about his mother. “Without that woman, I don’t know where I’d be. Or Lily.”

He went on to tell her that he hadn’t dated anyone since his divorce. “I didn’t want to risk hurting Lily.”

“But now?”

“You’re different. You’re like my mother. The person everyone counts on. The center of everything that matters.”

Her eyes brimmed with tears, and she reached across the table to cup his chin in her hand. “If I am half the woman she is, I’ll consider myself a success.”

She went on to share how ambition had been her only motivator for so long. “I didn’t have time to date, even if I’d wanted to. I’ve always been a loner. Except for my two best friends.” She described Breck and Arabella and how they’d been her cheerleaders and supporters all through school. “Both of them are salt of the earth. The types who would drop anything to help a friend. I hope you’ll get to meet them soon.”

“I’d like that.” Meeting her friends? He would adore being part of her life in that way.

The tiramisu came with a sweet dessert wine that Remi explained was from Tuscany and known for its caramel, dried fruit, and nutty flavors. “It’s the ideal match for tiramisu. Like the two of you, it would appear.” He smiled, a hint of mischief in his eyes.

After Remi left, Luke tucked a lock of hair behind her ear, thankful for the small table and length of his arm. He would never grow tired of touching her, feeling her warmth and soft skin and silky hair. “Is it possible? That this is actually happening? Just out of nowhere like this?”

“In the words of our new friend Remi, it would appear so.”

18

ABBY

---