Page 46 of Broken Rules
Savannah smiled, happy for the subject change. “There is someone I would like you to meet.”
~ * ~
SHE SQUEEZED DAMIEN’Shand. “Are you ready?”
He smiled softly. “I am.” But then his smile faltered. “You’re certain she won’t remember me?”
She nodded. “Not even a little.”
His brows drew together. “I’m sorry, Savannah. I can only imagine how difficult her memory loss has been for you.”
She lifted her shoulders. “In a way it’s a blessing. Before, my nonna could have been described in many great terms, kind, strong, discerning, intelligent, curious, imaginative, beautiful, generous, but never would anyone have called her sweet. Her dementia has softened her, making her rather agreeable, which isn’t a bad thing when you rely so heavily on others for your care. Her nurses love her. They all say they’ve never had such a sweet patient. I laugh because as dear and lovely as she is with the nurses, two years ago, if one of them had told her it was time for bed or that she had to do her exercises, she would have given them an arthritic but well-manicured middle finger.”
He chuckled. “So, what sort of reception am I to receive now?”
She smiled. “Nonna will love you, and she would have loved you before, too. Having listened to the accounts of her beaus from the past, you would have been just her type.”
She led him inside. From the entryway hall, she could see the back of her Nonna’s favorite chair and her full head of white curls peaking out over the top.
“Hi, Nonna,” she called loudly as she entered the room. “It’s me, Savannah.”
She came around to the front of her chair and pressed a kissed to Nonna’s soft cheek. “You look beautiful. Amanda must have washed and set your hair.”
Nonna slowly lifted her hand and gently patted her curls. “She did, indeed. It took most of the afternoon. She just left a few minutes ago. Such a sweet girl.” But then her voice dropped to a whisper. “Although I find it hard to trust her.”
Savannah’s eyes widened. “Why? What happened?”
Nonna motioned for Savannah to lean closer. “There’s a story there,” she whispered.
“What do you mean?” Savannah whispered back.
“She’s too beautiful to be a nurse.”
Savannah straightened. “What the heck are you talking about, Nonna?”
“She is one of the prettiest girls I’ve ever seen.”
“True,” Savannah agreed. Amanda was, indeed, lovely. She was the kind of beautiful seldom glimpsed outside magazines. Her perfectly symmetrical features were delicate. She was slim and petite but had a huge rack. She had definitely won some kind of gene lottery. “But what do her looks have to do with trusting her. She is highly experienced and came with excellent references. She’s kind, smart, and capable. What more do you want?”
“Girls like that don’t need jobs. She could have her pick of wealthy men. In my day, the only reason a girl like that washed old ladies for a living was because she was hiding something.”
Savannah shook her head and smiled. “Nonna, it’s not 1942. These days, the most beautiful women have all manner of jobs, even washing adorable old ladies. Trust me when I say, Amanda is an excellent nurse.”
Nonna patted her hand. “If you say so, my dear.” Her faded blue eyes crinkled at the edges and a heartfelt smile lit her face. “I’ve missed you,” she said. “Where have you been?”
“I was here yesterday, Nonna.”
“Oh my stars, Really?” A shadow crossed her beautiful, creased face. “It feels like it’s been weeks.”
Savannah smiled and squeezed her nonna’s hand. “An army of ninjas couldn’t keep me away from you. You’re my woman.”
Nonna’s smile returned. “And you’re my gal.”
Savannah looked up and met Damien’s amused amber eyes. “Nonna, I brought someone to meet you.”
Damien came around to stand at Savannah’s side.
“Nonna, this is Damien.” Then Savannah’s gaze shifted to his. “Damien, this is Isabella Soldani.”
