Chapter Thirty-Four
Cat stood looking out of her bedroom window. A cold wind blew across the lake and trailed chilly fingers through the trees at its edge, trying unsuccessfully to remove the last remaining golden leaves.
It was early November and there had still been no call from Luke.
The opening of Hotel Isabella Di Marco with its luxury spa had come and gone, providing her with a moment of distraction, blotting out her disappointment.
Her whole concentration had focussed on supporting étienne and Raphael, making sure both the opening and gala evening went without a hitch.
She’d experienced a heady feeling; of being part of something special.
The hotel glittered, extravagant and beautiful, a fitting memorial to étienne’s wife.
He had not only poured a huge amount of money into the project, he’d delivered his whole heart and soul, too.
One of the high points of the event was the surprise arrival of her father. étienne had kept his invitation a secret and although she had been delighted to see him, there were moments when his presence reminded her a little too much of home and things left unresolved.
Cat moved away from the window. Currently there was a gourmet Christmas lunch and a New Year’s Eve Ball to organise – plenty to keep her occupied in Raphael’s absence.
He had left the hotel a few days ago to journey back to his home in Rome, although he had not told her the reason for his sudden departure.
Since their return from Em’s party he had been distracted and at times looked thoroughly miserable.
She hoped it had nothing to do with his engagement to Sara.
She’d become so concerned about him she’d raised the subject with étienne over dinner one evening.
‘It is simply a family issue,’ he reassured her, ‘nothing at all to do with affairs of the heart.’
Well, that was one worrying issue out of the way.
But what about Luke? Silly girl, her sensible inner voice uttered.
It’s finished. Let go. He’s gone. She had to admit too much time had passed now for there ever to be any hope he would get in touch.
A week ago she thought of contacting Mia who had called shortly after her return here to confirm she had left a message with Luke en route to Valencia.
Then she thought of Aunt Em, just back from her cruise.
No, she told herself firmly, I’m not going to use a third party.
He has to contact me because he wants to, not because he is pressurised by someone else.
‘Face it, Cat,’ she said to her reflection in the mirror.
‘It’s over. Time to close the door and get on with your life. ’
Leaving her room, she made her way to the bar where Siena served her a glass of chilled white wine. They chatted, mostly about her new boyfriend, a young officer on the ferries.
‘There is nothing like a man in uniform,’ Siena said, rolling her eyes. ‘Remember that old movie? An Officer and a Gentleman? Well, let me tell you, Alessandro is so Richard Gere: tall, dark, handsome.’
‘Ah yes, I remember,’ Cat said. ‘My grandmother has the film in her collection. She’s a great fan of his. She says today’s movie stars cannot compare to him. She says he has true sex appeal.’
‘Who is this who has sex appeal? Are you girls talking about me again?’
Neither Cat nor Siena noticed the tall figure who had just joined them at the bar. Wearing a grey cashmere overcoat, suitcase at his feet, Raphael pushed his dark windblown hair back from his face and smiled at both of them.
‘Raphael, you’re back.’ Cat slipped from her seat and gave him a welcoming hug. ‘I’ve missed you so much. Are things okay with you now?’ She stepped back to look at him. ‘I was so worried.’
‘Everything is fine,’ he said, bending to kiss her cheek. ‘In fact, everything is perfect.’ He gifted her with another of his beautiful dark-eyed smiles. ‘And I have bought you something back from my travels. A special gift. I hope you will like it.’
‘A present? For me?’
‘Yes, it will be here any moment now. Special delivery for you. Wait on the terrace.’
‘Special delivery?’ Cat frowned.
‘Si.’ Raphael nodded. ‘Go, shoo.’
Still totally confused by his behaviour, Cat left him talking to Siena and went to await the arrival of her mystery gift.
As she seated herself on the hotel’s front terrace she watched families and couples wandering along the tree lined lakeside walkway on the other side of the road, wrapped up against the chilly wind.
A Mercedes taxi pulled up outside the front of the hotel.
The driver got out and opened the rear door.
A plump, dark-haired woman wearing a turquoise suit slipped from the back and waited while the driver retrieved her luggage from the boot.
He then accompanied her into the hotel, handing her suitcases to a waiting porter.
Pulling her purse from the huge bag she carried, she paid him and he left, driving off in the direction of Lido de Lonato.
Turning her attention away from the departing taxi, she noticed another vehicle had arrived. This time the passenger was a man. Wrapped in a dark woollen overcoat, he climbed out of the vehicle and looked up at the building with a smile. Cat stilled. It couldn’t be.
‘Ah, at last your special gift has arrived,’ Raphael said as he joined her.
‘You?’ She dragged her gaze away from Luke to stare at him. ‘You did this?’
‘Si, I felt responsible for what happened back in England. étienne gained a son but you lost a lover. I know how sad you have been without him,’ he said quietly, ‘how you thought he no longer cared. So I went back to find him. And there he was, still angry about all that had happened but as miserable without you as you are without him. We did some tough talking, but in the end he saw his foolishness and agreed to return with me. Now, my lovely Cat, the rest is up to you.’
‘Oh, Raphael.’ She threw her arms around his neck and hugged him. He really was an amazing friend.
‘Now quickly, you must go,’ he urged, prising her hands away. ‘Your eyes must be only for him.’
Luke was in the hotel foyer, his case being taken by a uniformed porter as Cat caught up with him. At the sound of her voice he turned, surprise quickly dissolving into a smile as she ran to greet him. Catching her in his arms, he spun her around.
‘Cat, I’m sorry, I’ve been so stupid …’
‘Oh, Luke, I’ve missed you so much …’
Their words collided then were lost as he pulled her into his arms and kissed her. Cat closed her eyes, enjoying the warm pressure of his mouth against hers. How much she had longed for a moment like this, she thought, as his arms wrapped around her and she melted into the warmth of his body.
They broke apart, both smiling. There was so much to say. So much time to make up.
‘Come on, let’s get you checked in,’ she said as he wrapped his arm around her shoulder and they made their way to reception. ‘How long are you planning to stay?’
‘Not sure.’ He paused thoughtfully. ‘I guess enough time to catch up with my father, see something of the lake, oh, and try and persuade this amazing woman I’ve come all this way to see that she’d be crazy if she didn’t marry me.’
Cat pulled him to a halt. ‘Are you proposing, Luke Carrack?’ she asked, taken totally by surprise at his announcement.
‘Yes, I decided to follow some advice,’ he said, arching an eyebrow as he pushed back his sleeve to reveal the silver and jet cuff and the engraving Seize the Moment. ‘So, what’s it to be? Are you up for the challenge?’
‘I think,’ she said as she pulled him into her arms, eager for another kiss, ‘you might just have got yourself a deal.’
THE END