Page 67 of To Have and To Hold

Chapter

Twenty-Five

Isabella

It shouldn’t be a surprise that I had a difficult time falling asleep. Once I was upstairs in my room, I called my mother. It was nearly midnight in Kansas City, and the call went to voice mail. I told her I loved her. I stared up at the ceiling. Between the memories of Em’s and my first date and complete shock over the way my world has been turned upside down in the course of a few weeks, sleep was elusive.

This morning, after I showered and dressed for work, I went downstairs. Mia was sitting at an umbrella table and drinking coffee out by the pool. Jorge was content and babbling in that colorful fence thingy. I stepped into the sunshine. “Thank you for what you did last night.”

She turned toward me and wrapped her fingers around the warm cup. Her expression was sober. “Have a seat.”

My heart fell as I sat across the table from her. “Dario said no.”

Mia shook her head. “Jano kept his word. He called last night. My brother didn’t commit one way or the other. I would expect he’ll be in discussions with Uncle Carmine. Honestly, you could hear in five minutes or at midnight tonight. There will be a decision made today especially since they want you home tomorrow.” She lifted her eyebrows. “You know, if you go back home, I’m sure they’ll find you an Italian husband.”

My eyes fell to the table. “They already have.” I looked up. “I wasn’t looking for a husband. I wanted to go to school.”

“Wait. They’ve found you a husband. Is it official?”

I shook my head. “Papà said it would be when I went back to Kansas City.”

“But you didn’t want to marry, and you do now. What changed?”

A smile curled my lips. “Emiliano. The apartments. The realization of the lies I’ve been told my entire life. I feel like a heavy veil has been ripped away from my eyes. I’m seeing the sky for the first time.”

“Concentrate on the first one. Emiliano Ruiz. Did you know that he’s thirty years old?”

I looked down and back up. “No. I guessed somewhere around there. There’s a lot about him I don’t know.”

“Then why do you want to marry him?”

I sighed with a grin. “Because of what you said about a good man. Em is a good man. He listens when I talk. He helped me with the different programs for the apartments but didn’t smother me. He guided me and sat back, like he knew I was capable. I remember my father getting frustrated with Mom. When she was having difficulties with something, he didn’t offer to help her achieve the task—he’d just take it from her.” I lowered my voice. “I remember the first time I heard him tell her she was stupid.” I met Mia’s gaze. “I couldn’t believe he’d say that to her. I think what made the memory lasting was Mom’s response.”

“What was it?”

“Nothing. Acceptance. Submission. I don’t want a husband like that.”

“There are probably good men closer to your age.”

I shook my head. “Do you really think Papà will let me wait five or six years to marry?”

Mia pinched her lips together. “Probably not. But that isn’t a reason to jump into?—”

“I love him,” I blurted out. “I don’t know if it’s love or lust or infatuation, but I know that when I’m with him, I feel special, valued. I want to see him happy. I like when he touches me.”

Mia’s eyebrows jumped. “He touched you?”

“He held my hand and wrapped his arm around me. I know what he does, but that doesn’t mean I’m frightened of him.” I sighed. “His job scares meforhim. Last night I lay awake wondering about our future, fearful that one day he’d be a casualty of the war.”

“I know that feeling.”

“When I’m at his side, I feel safe. Isn’t that the way it’s supposed to be? I mean this is unquestionably fast, but the thought of being separated from him forever frightens me more.”

“There’s also the matter of Lieutenant Andrés Ruiz.”

“Em’s father.”

Mia nodded. “He’s married both of his daughters to Lucianos. I can’t see him arguing with Jano, especially when Em wants you, but at this point he’s still an unknown.” She leaned back with her coffee mug. “I helped Camila marry because I believe in the woman’s right to have a voice in her future. I like your answers, and I know Em. He is a good man. I’m here to help all I can. There’s a chance with the war that a big wedding will be out of the question.”

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