The Calendar Brides (20 page)

“You’re so sentimental.”

“Yeah.”

“I love that about you.” He placed his hand on top of hers on the table, and Zoe’s heart pounded, pumping harder as she tracked the soaring bouquet that sailed through the air and straight for… No! It was headed right for Bev. Fortunately, Bev was a fast thinker. She’d also played volleyball in high school. That aided in her quick-elbowed assault on the nosegay, which she drove with precision right into Nona’s grasp. Nona clutched the flowers, her eyes wide and jaw unhinged, as wedding guests broke out in happy cheers and applause.

“I guess that seals it,” Dillon said. His voice was husky when he leaned toward her and whispered in her ear. “Nona and Luigi were meant to be.”

Zoe got ready for bed with a deep melancholy in her heart. While it was silly to feel down this way, she’d been unable to shake it all the way home from the reception. Dillon had driven silently in some sort of meditative trance. He probably thought she was being weird, because she was. Extra weird. And she knew it. She tried not to let it bother her when Dillon did things like that, skirting around the
L
word, but it ate at her anyway. He
loved things
about her, but hadn’t said those three little words. Perhaps because he didn’t feel them. And, that was okay. Dillon’s honesty was one of the things Zoe had grown to love about him. It was hard not to love Dillon. But it was also hard to take that he didn’t love her back. At least, not in the same way. Not in the way she’d hoped for…and daydreamed about during the long lazy days they’d shared together in their loft. Now Zoe was being stupid. But she couldn’t blame it on the champagne going to her head. She’d only had one glass.

Zoe brushed her teeth and washed up, her gaze grazing the plastic shower curtain. What did she care if their bathroom went to rot? Or if the roof leaked, or the heat failed to work half the time? She and Dillon were making their own way, and at least they had each other. Zoe needed to grow up and be grateful for what she had.

“Holy crap! Will you look at that!” It was Dillon’s voice shouting from the next room. She ran toward him, her pulse racing.

“Dillon! What’s…?”

She followed his eyes to the small double bed in the nook by the kitchen. The one with the old worn quilt and two thrift-store feather pillows. On one of those pillows sat a little wrapped box.

Dillon cocked his chin in wonder. “Looks like the tooth fairy came.”

“Tooth...?”

Dillon gingerly lifted the box and studied it from top to bottom, like he’d never seen it before. He even flipped it over in his palm to examine its underside before turning it back over and peeling back the small gift card that was attached. “Oh.” His face fell in sad disappointment. “It’s for you.”

Zoe’s head spun as she tried to process this. Was this Dillon’s crazy idea of a surprise? He handed her the package and motioned for her to sit. Zoe took a spot on the bed, staring at the small gift. It was wrapped in burlap and tied with thin leather strips fashioned into bows. She slowly raised her eyes to his and found him watching her with hopeful anticipation.
 

“I…don’t understand.”

He locked on her gaze and didn’t let go. His voice was rough with emotion when he spoke. “I saw what you wrote, Zoe. What you wrote for the calendar.”

Heat welled in her cheeks. “What?”

“I didn’t mean to, I swear! I wasn’t snooping or anything like that. You know me, I wouldn’t do that.” He swallowed hard and then continued. “I was cleaning up the loft. The super was coming over and…”

His confession was lost in the pounding in her ears. Zoe felt lightheaded like she might faint. Oh, my God, he saw it? She’d only been playing with ideas, scribbling down some thoughts.
 

“I guess I’ve known it for a while,” he said. “Somewhere deep inside, you know? It just took time to work its way up to the surface. When you started talking about that project and your Nona… I thought to myself, everyone should be like them.”

“Nona and Luigi?” Zoe asked.

Dillon nodded, then stunned her by dropping to his knees—both of them. He took her free hand in his. “
We were made for each other;
you’re right.”

Fire welled in her throat and her eyes felt blistering hot. She didn’t think she was crying, but couldn’t promise she wasn’t about to. She wanted to say something, but all that came out was his name in a pitiful squeak.

“Open it,” he urged, releasing her.

One by one, she unlaced the tiny leather ribbons. When she folded back the burlap wrapping, she found a small white box. She removed the lid and spied an incredible ring resting on a soft cotton pillow inside. A real cotton pillow, as in a cotton flower that looked like it had been freshly picked. She lifted the ring, pinching it between her thumb and index finger. A pretty honey-colored stone sat in a webbing of twined wire, which wound its way around in a circle to form the base of the ring. She slid it on her finger. It was a perfect fit.

“It’s copper wire,” he told her. “Two kinds. The stone is amber.”

Her heart raced.
 

“It reminds me of your eyes when you wake up in the morning and they’re filled with sunlight.”

Dillon placed his palms on the bed on either side of where she sat and angled toward her, looking up. “I don’t want any other guy to see that. Not the way that I have. And not the way I always want to. I mean, forever.
Forever and ever.
” He slipped his arms around her back and pulled her forward until she was pressed right up against him as he perched beside the bed. “Zoe D’Amato,” he practically crowed, “I love you.” He broke into an enormous grin. “Will you be my wife?”

Zoe was too stunned to answer, but she was bawling now. Oh, yes, she was. One heck of a lot. “Did you just propose to me?”

He gave a sheepish grin. “Yeah, I guess I did.”

Zoe burst out laughing and grabbed him to her, so darned happy she could barely speak.

“This is such a surprise!”

“But a good one, huh?”
 

She threaded her fingers through his hair. “The very best.”

He nuzzled his face into her T-shirt and then peered up through dark lashes. “Tell me that means yes.”

She studied him with love, and longing, and… Zoe couldn’t even put words to all her emotions. Her throat felt raw when she spoke. “There’s nobody I’d marry but you.”

“That’s such a relief!” Zoe noticed he’d broken a sweat at his hairline. “I was scared to goodness you’d say no.”

“Not a chance.”

His eyes shone brightly as he lifted himself off the floor and slid her over on the bed. Zoe scooted back, making room for him, thinking she must be dreaming or maybe had imagined the whole thing. Then she caught a glimpse of the gorgeous ring on her finger and knew it was real. It had actually happened! She and Dillon were engaged!
 

He clambered over her, lowering her to the mattress in his arms. “I can’t wait to tell your Nona,” he said in a husky rasp.

She gave a surprised laugh. “Nona?”

He nodded and kissed her eyebrows…and then her nose…and then her lips…

“She’s wanted me to marry you forever.”
 

“She’ll be very happy, I’m sure.”

“Do you think we can have babies?” he asked between feathery kisses.

“Eventually,” she whispered, “but not yet.”

“Can we practice anyway?”

“Yeah.”

Before his mouth closed in again, she asked him, “Dillon?”

“Huh?”

“Will you teach them to use miter saws?”

His warm laugh rumbled. “You bet I will. But I’ll probably wait until they’re out of diapers first.”

Then, as Zoe’s heart thudded, he reached over and switched off the light.

Chapter Eighteen

Nona

It was just an ordinary day with one important difference: It was her birthday. So much happy news had come to the family, she couldn’t imagine wanting any other gifts. All her granddaughters were in joyful relationships. Even Bev and Susan had finally found men. And Tiny and Jimmy were expecting their first baby—another great-grandchild! To heap happiness on top of happiness, Zoe and Dillon were at long last engaged, God bless them. “God bless you all,” Nona said, looking around her living room. “I’m so happy you came.”

It was a little unusual that her twelve granddaughters had insisted on having a private celebration first. Though the extended family typically gathered for a big party, complete with Nona’s favorite—amaretto cake with pistachio ice cream—the girls had asked if they could drop by early with a bit of good news. Nona couldn’t imagine any better news than what she’d already been given. Plus, Luigi had video conferenced her yesterday evening to say he was thinking of her. It had been in the middle of the night in Sicily, but he said he didn’t care.
The sun and the moon rise in my Lucia,
he’d told her.
Who cares what’s really happening outdoors?
It had been lovely to hear from him, and, as always, she’d cherished their conversation. Oh, to be that carefree child of all those years ago, and still swept up in his arms.

Haley spoke first, her face still carrying that honeymoon glow. She and Peter had gone to someplace called the Poconos. That sounded more like an Indian princess than a vacation spot, but Nona didn’t care. They’d apparently had a great time. So great, they’d extended their weeklong getaway by three days. They blamed it on getting “snowed in,” but Nona knew better. She wasn’t born yesterday. Besides, Peter’s SUV had four-wheel drive. “Well, Nona, we’re so very excited to be here and help you celebrate.”

“Yeah,” Angie chirped. “Haley barely got back in time!” Nona noticed she was still wearing workout clothes, and wished she’d dress up sometimes. At least on special occasions. Ah, well, Jason obviously didn’t mind.

The other girls tittered with laughter while Rachel carried the customary bottle of prosecco around the room and filled their glasses. “You all have to be proud of me now,” she said with a smile. “I didn’t spill a bean!”

Nona didn’t know what she was talking about. Cooking?

Claire perched on the arm of Nona’s chair, her perfect hair framing her face. It was amazing it could look that good in person and not just on television. “We’re proud of you, Rachel.” She raised her glass toward her baby sister.

Emma nodded, replying, “Well done!” The “puppy” that snoozed at her heels seemed suddenly as large as a pig. Nona didn’t know how it could have grown so fast, but guessed maybe Emma and Donny were feeding it pizza.

Jane had the most exquisite nose but was always pinching it like it was on too tight. “I think we all did well to keep the secret.”

“Yes,” Trish agreed mysteriously. “And what a secret it is!”

“Uh-huh!” Bev adjusted the scarf around her neck, and now everyone understood why she wore it. Although they all told her she didn’t have to. She was just as beautiful either way.
I’ll be beautiful enough after my surgery,
she’d told them. Nona also knew, because Rachel
had spilled
this part: Only Will got to see Bev without the scarf on. That was likely more information than Nona needed, but she took it in stride like she did the rest of the data Rachel habitually dumped on her. At least she was keeping up with the family happenings.

Nona narrowed her eyes and stared around the room. One by one, her granddaughters avoided her gaze. “What exactly is going on?”

Susan looked up from her knitting, her lips firmly pressed together.

Then Lena picked up the guitar she’d brought in with her and started to play. The chorus of “Happy Birthday” was delightful and heartfelt. Nona smiled and clapped. Then her hands stopped moving when she saw Tiny and Zoe carting something in from the next room. It was an enormous box! But, it was plain cardboard. Not wrapped or anything.

“Tiny?” Nona questioned with concern. “Should you…?”
 

Tiny stopped her with a grin. “Nona, I’m fine.”

They carted the thing over and set it by Nona’s chair. She couldn’t imagine what they’d given her, though it seemed they’d all pooled in together.

“Why, girls!” she said sweetly. “You shouldn’t have!”

“You don’t even know what it is,” Jane told her.

“I already know I’ll love it.” She tried to pull back a flap but it was stuck with thick tape.

“Oh, gosh!” Zoe said scampering off. “Let me get the scissors.” When she returned and handed them over, Nona once more admired her ring. It was so unusual, just like Zoe. But perfect for her, exactly as Dillon was. She put some muscle into it and cut the heavy tape with satisfaction. One side of the box popped up and Nona pried its flaps apart. She couldn’t tell what was in there. Stacks of something. Books? No, they were thinner.

She took the top one in her hands and examined it. “A calendar!” she said, trying to show genuine appreciation. “How nice! I was needing a new one for my wall.”

The others waited and watched until it occurred to Nona that she probably only needed one. This box appeared to be filled with… She glanced down to check it… Dozens! That’s when the cover photo hit her. It was a lovely array of women all in bridal regalia… But, wait! Those weren’t just any women! She blinked and held the picture up into the light at arm’s length so she could see it better. Sure enough, those were her girls! All twelve of them! “But what…?” she asked with confusion. “What are you all doing here?”