Secret Ingredient: Love (15 page)

“True love. That wasn’t what Beth and I had. The moment I saw you, you brought light back into my life as no other woman could have. Your spirit breathed energy and sustenance into my withered soul. It scared me. I didn’t want to care because it hurts too much
when it’s taken away. But being around you, it’s impossible not to get caught up in your zest for living.”

“Really?”

“I love it when you fish for compliments.” He grinned, then his expression turned serious. “Like limbs with restricted circulation coming back to life, my growing feelings for you were like pins and needles to the heart. It’s normal to resist something that hurts. So I pushed you away.”

“What are you trying to tell me?” She held her breath.

“I love you, Frannie Carlino. I don’t care if you hate the nickname. It’s cute, just like you. You’re funny and wonderful.”

“So are you, as much as I’d prepared myself that you wouldn’t be.” She curled her fingers into his shirt, holding on for all she was worth. “I was hiding, too, from the humiliation and hurt of being used. But I don’t need your glasses to see that you’re not like that. You’re what I’ve always wanted and was so afraid I’d never find that I wouldn’t even look.”

He put his hands over hers. “Well, you’ve got me. I want you to marry me. Please say you will. Be my valentine forever and a day.” He pulled her into his arms and held her so tightly it hurt. But it was discomfort she reveled in. “I promise that if you’ll become a Marchetti, our marriage will be a fifty-fifty partnership.”

How could she say no? Her mother was right. Fran could have it all. And the best part was that he was the man of her dreams.

“I would love to marry you, Alex. With everything I’ve got I love you and want to make you happy. Be your valentine forever and a day,” she said.

“Thank God,” he breathed against her hair.

His words put a glow in her heart that would last the rest of her life. Her spirit was restored, along with her pesky inclination to tease him.

“So, you want to make me a member of the family? And it has nothing to do with putting the Marchetti name on my original recipe?” she asked, pulling away just far enough to see his expression.

He grinned. “Maybe. Because I have very fond memories of that particular dish. Your very unique and special brand of dishing out kisses to negotiate is what made me fall in love with you. And so I have very selfish reasons for wanting to keep it—but mostly you—in the family.”

He kissed her again, and she felt that she was the luckiest woman in the world. She had Alex. Together they had found that love was the secret ingredient in their own recipe for happy ever after.

ISBN: 978-1-4268-6767-5

SECRET INGREDIENT: LOVE

Copyright © 2001 by Teresa Ann Southwick

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