Page 25 of Pick Yourself Up
“Lucky.”
“The luckiest. Mamma was the best.”
Her eyes softened. “I’m sorry for your loss.”
He had to pull in a slow breath at her heartfelt words. “Thanks. She’s been gone for a few years now.”
Amber nodded, and he knew she was probably thinking of her losses. “Do you have other family?”
He shook his head again. “Not anymore. Dad died of cancer when I was little, and I don’t remember him. And I lost my sister when she was seventeen.”
Tears filled Amber’s eyes, and she reached out to squeeze his forearm. “I’m so sorry, Gray. That’s terrible.”
He nodded. “Thanks. Angelina lived with cerebral palsy and had trouble with her lungs. One night, they simply shut down, and she passed peacefully in her sleep.”
His words shook so he pulled in another breath. He thought of them often, but rarely spoke of either his mother or Angelina. Their passing had taken a lot out of him and he usually kept that pain deep down inside. Here was Amber, pulling it all from him with a few soft questions and empathy in her gaze.
Amber stepped closer and wrapped her arms around him. The shock at her gentle action almost had him hesitating, but his body knew better, and his arms wrapped around her. Not much had ever felt as good. Ever.
Her warmth and caring surrounded him. For a moment, he said nothing, simply let the emotions wash through him.
His. Hers.
He lowered his head and breathed in her goodness. Her scent was pure and clean. No perfume or perfumed products to clog up the air. Just warm, beautiful woman.
The memories of his mom and sister swirled through him, causing his breathing to deepen as he struggled to keep the emotions inside. Not that he thought Amber would judge him for tears, but he needed to keep in control. Weeping over the loss of his family before seven in the morning wouldn’t be the best start to a day.
Although holding Amber and feeling her compassion made it a hell of a start.
He figured Mamma and Angelina would gladly make room for her in the pocket of his soul where his favorite females resided.
His mamma would be prodding him to kiss the girl already.
Not yet.
Still, he couldn’t stop himself from kissing her hair and squeezing her warmly. “Thanks. I miss them and think of them a lot.”
Amber loosened her arms and stood back. “Tell me about them.”
That hit in the heart as well. “Mamma was a stereotypical Italian mother. Loving. Fabulous cook. Hard worker. She would do anything for family and friends, but she had more than her fair share of fireworks in her soul.”
Amber grinned. “I bet she was a joy to be around.”
He chuckled. “Absolutely, unless you’d pissed her off. No one can do censure and guilt like an Italian mamma.”
“Did Angelina have the same fire?”
He smiled. “Not so much. Angelina was just like her name. An angel. Her CP was pretty advanced. She couldn’t move much on her own, and she wasn’t verbal, but she loved life. She took joy in the simple things. The scents from the kitchen. She’d squeal with delight when she realized Mamma was cooking her favorites.”
His smile spread as he thought of the contented joy his sister always exuded. “She loved sunshine almost as much as she loved a soft rain on her face. Thunder and lightning had her clapping her hands.”
Amber’s wide smile and intense gaze had him continuing.
“She loved the outdoors best. We had a garden in the back. Herbs, vegetables, flowers. She loved the scent of basil and oregano. Her muscles were all tight, but she had some control with her arms and hands. She loved touching the different plants, everything from soft moss to prickly succulents.”
Amber squeezed his arm again. “She sounds like someone who made the most of life and brought happiness to those around her. You’re going to make these gardens sparkle. For her. For both of them. It’s going to be a paradise of peace, scents, and experiences. They’d be so proud of you.”
His eyes filled with tears, and he huffed out a breath.
