RICO’S RETURN by Patricia Thayer

Author:Patricia Thayer [Thayer, Patricia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Patricia Wright
Published: 2023-06-03T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TEN

Thirty minutes later, the Covelli men convinced the women to go relax while they did the dishes. Nonna warned them to not break her china. With a solemn promise, Tony managed to steer her out of the kitchen.

Jill went into the living room and watched as Maria sat in an old rocker and held a tired Lucas. Finally the child stopped fighting sleep and closed his eyes. Jill knew she should say her thanks and head home. Then she wouldn’t have to worry about spending any more time with Rico.

Angelina sat on the carpeted floor in front of her grandmother. “Nonna, tell us the story about you and Nonno Enrico falling in love.”

Nonna Vittoria smiled. “Again?”

“Please, I want Jill to hear the story. It’s so romantic.”

Jill glanced at Vittoria Covelli and could see the joy and pain in the older woman’s dark eyes.

Vittoria nodded and began the story of her family in Italy during the Second World War. Although it had been decades ago Nonna told the story in vivid detail, as if it were only yesterday.

The love of Vittoria’s beloved Enrico was expressed so wonderfully it brought tears to Jill’s eyes. To find such a perfect love with a man. She thought about Rico and wished things could be different.

Angelina sighed dreamily. “Oh, Nonna. It’s such a wonderful story.”

Maria continued to rock a sleeping Lucas. “Don’t forget, Nonna, you and Papa still had to tell Giovanni.”

Vittoria sobered and went back to the story. “We both went to see the Valentes. And oh my, Giovanni was furious when I said I couldn’t marry him. So angry, he refused to release me. Enrico argued that before the war ended, I’d already agreed to marry him on his return. Giovanni ignored him and took the bride’s ring and slipped it onto his little finger. He said he’d wear it as a symbol of his stolen bride. Then Mamma Valente placed a curse on the rings, stating that until they were joined again, it would be a rough road to love for the Covelli famiglia.”

There was silence in the room as Nonna Vittoria got up, went to the desk and took out a velvet box. She came back to her chair and sat down. She opened the case and turned it toward Jill, showing her a beautiful ring, a circle of small diamonds and a blood red ruby. “I had the groom’s ring to give to my husband, but it doesn’t matter. We need both rings together to erase the curse.”

“Do you ever have regrets about what happened?” Jill asked.

Vittoria smiled, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “I regret the curse. I pray every day that something will happen to erase it. It hasn’t been an easy road. Although Enrico and I were so in love, and we wanted many bambinos, but it took many years to have my sons.” She looked at Angelina. “Then your mamma and padre nearly didn’t make it to the altar because of a silly argument.”

“At the time, I didn’t think it was silly,” Maria argued, then went on to explain.

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