Christmas Choices (8 page)

His hand was warm and big just like Kellen’s. She smiled, thinking about him again. With a sigh, she pushed him to the back of her mind not wanting him to overshadow her delight today.

Dante spoke to the deliverymen in Italian. “Portario qui per favore.”

Rhian stood back and listened, admiring how the men did everything he asked without question. They brought in the canvases and boxes while she told them where to place each item.

When they were done, he slapped the eldest man on the back. “Grazie, thank you for bringing it so quickly, Sergio.”

The older man laughed and replied “You’re welcome, Dante. Ehi, lei e una gioia per gli occhi che si.”

“Si, lei e Sergio. Un ottimo donna in cerca. Grazi ancora. Now get out of here so I can help the lady with her supplies.” Dante winked at the older man. “Ciao!”

Dante turned to Rhian, his eyes sparkling with amusement. “He is a funny old man that one.”

“What were ya’ll talking about? It sounded so lovely.” She smiled at him.

“I thanked him for his help and he told me you were a real
looker,
as you Americans say
.”

Rhian felt the heat of her blush spreading across her face. “Oh that is sweet.” She blushed even more when she looked down at her slippers. “Goodness, I’m still in my nightclothes. I haven’t even brushed my hair. Would you excuse me while I go dress?”

“No problem. Let me get everything unboxed and set up for you. I think you will find the light for painting perfect here just off the veranda. I always did. You don’t mind if I stay, do you?”  

“I don’t mind, and thank you. I won’t be long.” She hurried back to her bedroom, flustered because she had entertained a strange man in her nightgown. The scandal would give her father a heart attack if he found out. A rebellious giggle escaped her lips. She grabbed a little dress and laid it on her bed. She started the shower and again wondered what Kellen was doing as she pulled her hair into a ponytail and stepped onto the wet tiles.

I guess I had better call him in a few days—just to check on the progress at the cafe.
Her thoughts turned to the handsome Dante. Maybe she would visit him next week to check out his paintings. It would be nice if he could give her some advice on portraits.

Showered and dressed, she let her hair down on a whim and walked back into the living room. Dante was hard at work with her easel already set up and a small table placed beside it with brushes and paints.

He turned when he heard her behind him. Looking her up and down, he met her eyes and said, “Well, you look very lovely, Rhian. What a beautiful dress.”

“Thank you, Dante. It was my mother’s. Thank you so much for getting everything set up for me. Was I gone that long?” She knew she rambled on again but couldn’t help herself.

“No, I have set my easel and paints up here many times over the years. I just know what works. I hope you don’t mind.” He shrugged his shoulders and tilted his head, his eyes dancing.

“Of course I don’t mind. It’s less work for me to have to do.” She walked over to her easel and glanced out the veranda doors. “You are right, this is the perfect spot. Look at how the light filters in. I can’t wait to get to work.”

“Well, I’ll get out of your way. I’m sure you have more to do to get settled in.” He reached in his pocket and pulled out a business card. “Call me if you need anything.”

She took the card from him and placed it on the little table. “I will. Thank you again for coming over and making me feel so welcome in your home. I hope I will see you again.”

“You will, Rhian. As often as you like.” He took her hand and brought it to his lips. “Call me soon.”

She remained in the doorway as he walked to his car, the gravel crunching underneath his feet. He turned and waved at her just before he got in. “Ciao,” he called.

She stared until his car drove out of sight over a hill.

K
ellen spent the morning working on the café with Denny, who chitchatted away about all sorts of things. Kellen, however, could do nothing but think about Rhian. He speculated about where she was and what she had been doing these last few weeks. He actually found himself feeling guilty about his romp in the sack with Julie the night before. That pissed him off. He paced back and forth, mumbling under his breath.

“Mr. Slade, what’s wrong with you?” He backed up.

Kellen spun. Denny’s eyes were wide, his mouth drawn down. “Shit, I didn’t mean to scare you.”

Denny looked at him. “You just looked really mad. Did I do something wrong?”

“No, you didn’t. I think I did. Rhian’s gone and didn’t call me and won’t answer her phone. I haven’t heard from her in a couple of weeks. I gave her space but... Where do you think she went?”

“I don’t know, someplace in Italy. Are you sure she left? Do you want me to call her? She answered the phone that day I called her when the café caught fire and I found her grandfather.” He rocked back and forth from foot to foot, his eyes wide. “I can try to call her, Mr. Slade.”

“You would do that for me? That would be awesome.” He smiled and extended his hand to shake Denny’s. “You didn’t do anything wrong.”

Denny looked at him and smiled. He took a hesitant step forward, watching Kellen’s face. When Kellen smiled back, he rushed forward and grabbed his hand pumping it up and down. “Great, that’s just great. I’m so glad you aren’t mad at me. Let me try calling her right now.” He took a phone out of his pocket and flipped it open.

Kellen shook his head when he saw the out-of-date phone. “I think you are going to have to use my phone to call her. I don’t think yours will reach Italy.” He handed the phone to Denny after hitting dial.

His face lit up. “Ms. Rhian, it’s me Denny. I haven’t seen you. Are you okay? Can you please call me back? Are you still in Italy? Oh, I’m still working with Mr. Kellen. He let me use his phone to call you. He said mine wouldn’t reach all the way to Italy. We got the place looking pretty good now. Okay, call me. It’s Denny.” He disconnected the call and handed the phone back to Kellen. “She’ll call me back, you wait and see. Come on sir, we’d best get workin’. I told her we was doing good.”

Kellen slapped the man on the back. “You’re a good man. You let me know where she is when you talk to her, okay?”

“I will Mr. Kellen, don’t you worry.” He picked up the next board and laid it across the two sawhorses. “Ready for you to make this one, sir.” He hummed a tune Kellen didn’t recognize as they worked.

R
hian awoke eager to see the first portrait she had almost finished in Italy. Glancing at her phone, she saw a missed call and message from Kellen last night. Her heart fluttered as she clicked “play.” Disappointment hit her when she heard Denny’s voice. She listened carefully to the message and realized she missed the big man. She counted backwards and knew it was midnight in Savannah, so she would have to wait until later today to return his call.

Pulling on her paint clothes, she slipped on her shoes and made her way to the kitchen to make coffee. She looked at her painting as the coffee brewed.
Why am I painting Kellen?
She slowly walked towards the canvas, staring at the pain and hurt in his eyes.
Is this what I see when I look at him?
The sadness on his face hurt her heart.
Oh Kellen, could I be enough for you? What hurt you so badly that you have hardened your heart?

Her phone rang and she ran to grab it. She found herself hoping it would be Kellen. She slid the lock and saw an unknown number lighting up on the cell. “Hello?”

“Good morning, Rhian. I hope I didn’t wake you. This is Dante Barone calling.”

“Good morning, Dante. Actually, I’m having coffee and looking at my first portrait. How are you today?” She twisted a strand of her hair between her fingers and leaned back against the counter.

“I’m wonderful. I just wanted to check in to see if you need anything or if you would like some company? I thought I could show you around a bit, take you to dinner.”

She took a deep breath, glanced over at the portrait of Kellen, and placed her hand over her heart. “Sure, that would be great. When?”

“I thought I could pick you up around eleven today, if that’s all right with you?”

“Today?” She glanced at the clock—only seven thirty. “Sure, eleven sounds perfect. I can get some painting in and be ready when you get here. What should I wear?”

“Something comfortable and some good walking shoes, Mia Bella. I will see you soon. Ciao.”

Rhian heard the disconnecting click of the phone. She looked forward to some time with him, but part of her felt as if she were cheating on Kellen.
How stupid! Kellen is nothing to me.
But she knew she had feelings for him. He was one of the reasons she had left.

She placed paints on her pallet and began working on his portrait. Her desire to create a beautiful piece of art soon made her forget the ache in her heart for this man she created on canvas. She wanted to show a man who had been hurt so deeply he turned off his humanity and ability to love.

When she finished for the morning, she stepped back and looked at the portrait. Tears streamed down her face as she imagined the pain inside him.
I pray one day someone can find the real you, Kellen, and draw you out from the wall you have closed yourself behind.
She cleaned her brushes and put everything away. As she turned from the painting, she glanced at the clock—ten fifteen.

Panicked, she rushed to the bathroom, stripping off her clothes as she ran. She took what had to be the fastest shower in history, quickly dried her hair, and put on lotion and minimal makeup.

She snagged a cute, rose-colored sweater and a pair of black jeans. Underneath, she put on the rose-colored Victoria Secrets demi-bra and matching thongs. She had just finished dressing when she heard a soft knock on the front door. Glancing in the mirror, she hurried to the door to let Dante in.

“Mia Bella, how lovely you look,” he exclaimed, as he took her hand and brought it to his lips. “You take my breath away.”

“You are too kind, Dante. Thank you for the compliment. Please come in while I grab my shoes. I’m sorry I’m not ready. I confess I got lost in my work this morning.” She shrugged her shoulders.

“I understand. He glanced down. “You even have beautiful feet.”

She laughed. “You are too much. No one has pretty feet. Make yourself comfortable, I’ll be right back.”

When she returned, she found him examining her painting. She took in a sharp breath as he turned to look at her.

“What’s the matter Rhian?”

“I didn’t expect anyone to see my painting yet, especially you. I’m really embarrassed.”

“Don’t be. This painting is outstanding. You have captured such pain and sorrow in this man’s eyes. It makes me feel much compassion for this person. His story seems to be one of hurt. Maybe he is hiding a secret deep down inside of himself?”

Rhian turned pale, she felt light-headed as she held her breath while Dante spoke.

“Who did you use as a model, Mia Bella?”

“You really see the pain in his eyes?” she whispered.

“Yes, I do. Very few artists can accomplish what you have, Rhian. I am very impressed.”

She let out a sigh. “I didn’t know if anyone would see that other than me.”

“You painted it beautifully. I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone capture so much expression before, not even me!”

“I’m just amazed you could see what I saw in his eyes.”

“Ah, this man ...” He pointed toward the painting. “He is someone you know, someone you have feelings for?”

She glanced up into his eyes and saw no judgment, only concern for her. “Yes, but he doesn’t return those feelings. He might be too damaged.”

“What happened to him? Do you know?” he asked gently.

“I don’t know what happened to cause him to close himself off. He acts hard, as if he doesn’t care about anyone but himself.”

“Mia Bella, don’t be upset. If he is someone who could not love a woman like you, he is not worth another thought. You are a woman who feels deeply in her soul, and he may not be capable of returning those feelings. I’m so sorry you were hurt. Is that why you came here, to leave him behind?”

She felt her face flush crimson. “Yes.” A tear slid down her cheek. “It’s one of the reasons.”

“Oh, please don’t cry. It is not a crime to feel such passion. I think it is wonderful to have such deep feelings and to care so much for others. Here in Italy, we feel emotion is nothing to be ashamed of.”

“Really?” she asked, looking into his eyes. “You don’t think I’m a stupid woman feeling this upset over a man I have no relationship with?”

“Mia Bella, did your heart feel something for this man?”

She nodded her head.

“Then why would I think you were foolish?” he asked her gently.

“I don’t know. Maybe because I wanted to be with him, consequences be damned? I left out of fear that my feelings would not be returned—and my daddy’s anger toward the relationship. I guess I got what I wanted.”

“You got what your mind reasoned you wanted. Your heart and body didn’t get what they wanted. I don’t feel it’s wrong to make love to someone you feel a connection with. We don’t think like Americans.” He put his hand under her chin. “Now you must let your mind rest and not worry about what your heart wanted so badly. Do you understand me?”

“I’ll try. I just don’t know how strong I can be. I hope I haven’t spoiled our day.”

“No. Come, splash some water on your face. I think you need to go out today with me, Rhian. Hurry up.” He smiled and kissed her on the forehead. “I shall wait right here for you.” He crossed his arms and tipped his head toward the bedroom. “Go on.”

“Thank you.” She hurried down the hallway.
I’ll be damned if I'll let daddy or Kellen ruin my visit to Italy! I will enjoy my time here to the fullest.

As they drove away, Rhian glanced over at Dante, thinking what a wonderful man he was. He understood so much and had an open, nonjudgmental attitude. She made up her mind to live her life her way while she was here. No father, grandfather, or nosey friends to spy on her and judge her every move. She felt a peace come over her as she made her decision.