A Passionate Reunion in Fiji by Michelle Smart

Author:Michelle Smart
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2019-07-10T12:43:08+00:00

CHAPTER EIGHT

THE SETTING SUN bathed the lodge in a warm golden glow. The glow bounced off the delicate lights that adorned the exterior of the lodge and the high trees nestled around it, creating a sight that made Livia sigh with pleasure. The abundance of flowering shrubs filled the air with exotic scents that seemed more pronounced than usual to her sensitised state.

The lodge’s huge double doors were open. Music and chattering voices echoed out of it like a friendly greeting.

She walked in step with Massimo, heartbreakingly gorgeous in a black tuxedo and a black tie she doubted would stay around his neck for any length of time. In thirteen minutes flat he’d showered, dressed and trimmed his beard. He’d even tamed his thick black hair.

From the moment they’d closed their chalet door behind them, the urge to take his hand had been all-consuming. It swung by his hip as he made his graceful long strides. All she had to do was stretch her fingers...

Temptation was taken away when they entered the lodge. They were welcomed by a sea of happy faces all dressed in their finest clothes, embraces and smacking kisses flowing free and fast.

Madeline pounced at the earliest opportunity. ‘Come with me and introduce yourself to anyone you’ve never met before,’ she hissed in Livia’s ear. ‘Everyone seems to know my name but I have no idea who lots of them are and I don’t want to embarrass myself or them by saying so.’

Laughing, Livia happily stepped into the throng and introduced herself to the strangers, making sure to repeat their names for Madeline’s benefit. A handful were Jimmy’s old childhood friends, people who had once called this island home, others soldiers he’d befriended during his voluntary deployment in the Second World War. In all, there were ninety guests celebrating Jimmy’s birthday with him. The language barrier between herself and the native English speakers was easy to overcome, she found, by simply placing her hand to her chest and reciting her name. After that, Madeline would take over and translate.

Getting everyone to the island for the party had been a logistical nightmare but the look on Jimmy’s face proved all the effort Massimo had made and the vast expense had been worth it. Currently talking to an old school-friend who was in his own wheelchair and had his own carer in attendance, Jimmy was smiling from ear to ear.

Livia’s heart swelled with love for the elderly man whose home she had entered as his nurse and left as his granddaughter-in-law. He had an inherent kindness and a decency about him that had shone through from their first meeting, qualities inherent in his daughter and granddaughter too. This was the kind of family Livia had longed for as a child. A family where you felt safe and cocooned in love. There had been love of a sort in the Esposito home but it was a hard love, the kind that came with conditions.

Her gaze drifted to Jimmy’s grandson and somehow her heart swelled even more.

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