Home > The Vineyard at Painted Moon(7)

The Vineyard at Painted Moon(7)
Author: Susan Mallery

   She passed both the microphone and small cloth bag to him, then stepped back into the crowd that had gathered.

   Avery, her sixteen-year-old daughter, slid in beside her. “What’s going on?”

   “Watch. It’s going to be epic.”

   Avery sighed. “Mom, I’ve talked to you about trying to use slang. It’s not a good look.”

   “I just do it to annoy you.”

   They linked arms and leaned in to each other. Stephanie didn’t care if the word was too young for her. It was perfect—because this was going to be 100 percent epic. She could feel it in her gut.

 

 

three


   Barbara had no idea what was happening, and she didn’t like that one bit. She looked between Stephanie and Giorgio, hoping they weren’t going to do something ridiculous like sing a duet. Stephanie didn’t have much of a voice.

   Still, she trusted Giorgio. The man took care of her the way no one ever had, so she should just relax and pretend to enjoy whatever silly thing they had planned.

   Giorgio smiled at her as he spoke into the microphone. “Hello, my love.”

   She smiled back without speaking. He knew she didn’t like to be played for a fool and she trusted him. Whatever misgivings she had, she should ignore.

   He glanced at the circle of people around them. “For those of you who don’t know me very well, I met this wonderful woman two years ago, in Italy. We were tasting wine at a little place outside of Tuscany. The day was beautiful, but the woman next to me was even more appealing. I found myself unable to look away.”

   “You were very charming,” she said, relaxing as he spoke.

   “On the outside. On the inside, my heart was beating so quickly. At my age, that can be a dangerous thing.”

   Everyone laughed.

   “I introduced myself and suggested we share a glass of wine.” He smiled again. “She agreed and I was so happy, I could barely speak. You told me about Bel Après and your children and Mackenzie, and I could hear the love and pride in your voice. Within the hour, I was smitten.”

   Barbara felt herself getting lost in the memories of that first meeting. He’d surprised her by talking to her. She hadn’t known what to think. Handsome men simply didn’t ever talk to her—not the way he had. He’d been funny and kind and the afternoon had flown by.

   “I was married before,” he said. “My wife passed away five years ago, and it never occurred to me that I would find love again, but I have. A great, glorious love that has filled my heart.”

   She placed her hands on her chest and mouthed, “Me, too.”

   He handed Stephanie the microphone and took something out of a small bag, then stunned her by dropping to one knee.

   “Barbara Barcellona, you are the love of my life. I love you and adore you. I want to make you happy, and spend the rest of my days with you. Will you marry me?”

   She hadn’t seen it coming, she thought, genuinely stunned by the proposal. She stared at Giorgio, trying to take it all in. The sound of the music retreated until she could hear only her own heartbeat.

   Happiness swelled, becoming joy, and she knew that she would never again experience a moment so perfect.

   “Yes,” she said, fighting tears. “Oh, yes, Giorgio. I’ll marry you.” Around them, everyone began to cheer and applaud.

   He stood and slid a large diamond solitaire onto her finger, then cupped her face and kissed her. The feel of his warm lips on hers was magical. She felt like a princess. She felt thirty years younger.

   “I love you,” he whispered into her ear.

   “I love you, too.”

   Around them, the clapping continued. Her children gathered around, hugging her and Giorgio.

   “Did you know?” she asked Rhys.

   Rhys grinned. “He asked for my permission. It was very honorable of him and I’m happy for you both, Mom.”

   “I didn’t know,” Mackenzie said, kissing her cheek. “Barbara, congratulations. You’re going to be a beautiful bride. I know Giorgio will make you so happy.”

   Four and Lori rushed in to hug her.

   “No one told us,” Four said with a laugh. “What a wonderful surprise.”

   “I’m happy for you,” Lori added, sounding slightly less than thrilled.

   Barbara supposed the living arrangements would be a problem. Lori had never moved out of the large family home at the center of the compound. It was one thing to have Giorgio staying there when he visited, but another to have him a permanent resident. A problem she would deal with tomorrow, she told herself, determined to enjoy every moment of the very perfect evening.

   The music resumed and Giorgio drew her to the dance floor. She laughed when she heard the opening notes of “Lady in Red,” then glanced down at her red cocktail dress.

   “So that’s why you asked me to wear this,” she said, gazing up at him.

   “It was all part of the plan.”

   She leaned her head against his shoulder. “I was surprised.”

   “I’m glad. Rhys knew, of course, and Stephanie.”

   “They kept the secret.”

   “Barbara?”

   She looked at him.

   “I don’t want you to worry about anything,” he said, his gaze filled with affection. “I’ll be happy to sign a prenuptial agreement. I want no part of Bel Après.”

   “You will?”

   She hadn’t even thought of a prenup. She would have, probably before midnight, which would have kept her up the rest of the night. “Thank you for that. I’ll sign whatever you want, as well.”

   Giorgio had plenty of money from the aerospace manufacturing firm he’d run in upstate New York.

   “We’re a very modern couple,” he teased.

   She raised herself on tiptoe and whispered in his ear, “Yes, and later, we’re going to have lots of modern sex.”

   He chuckled. “How is it modern? I think of our lovemaking style as more traditional.”

   She grinned. “We keep the lights on.”

   “That we do.”

   They danced for another three songs before going to get something to drink. Several of the female guests stopped her to admire her ring. Barbara hadn’t had much of a chance to study it herself. She would guess the diamond was at least three carats. A little large and flashy, but she was confident she could carry it off.

   Stephanie met them by the bar.

   “That was amazing,” she said with a happy sigh. “I’m so thrilled for you both.”

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