Chapter Forty
Rico had abruptly canceled game night via text yesterday without explanation. Franco had been looking forward to seeing him and Gina all week, but he must have a good reason. Maybe Gina was having problems again.
Unfortunately, this left him without anything to do. He’d been keeping Fridays open for them since Michelle’s passing, unless work had interfered.
He’d thought about going to the Masters at Arms, but didn’t want to play with anyone but Rico anymore. So he’d opted to stay at home and listen to music, order pizza delivery, and chill. But his mind never strayed far from Rico. He had a sense something was wrong but had no clue what that might be. They’d hung out at the skating rink last Sunday, and everything had been normal. They’d had fun, then the three of them had gone to Gina’s favorite pasta place. Franco had hung out after Gina had gone to bed, and he and Rico had made out on the couch.
They’d parted, reluctantly, with a promise that they’d make arrangements for a date night soon. Not that they had, but Franco had hoped to see them for their longstanding Friday game night at least.
What was going on? Should he stop by today on some pretense of just passing by?
No, if Rico didn’t want him there, he had a reason.
But what could that be?
Thinking about this would drive him insane, so he texted Rafe and asked if he could crash at his place tonight.
RAFE: Sure. I’m on duty. You have the key.
Franco quickly packed a bag and left his apartment before noon. If, by any chance, Rico asked him to come over this weekend, he’d only be two hours away. Something told him he’d probably be spending the entire weekend in Aspen Corners, though.
His mind swirled on the drive west as he tried to sort out what was going on. He could neither shake the sense of impending doom nor understand it.
After stopping in Breck for a quick visit with Mama, he headed to Aspen Corners. She’d said Gina would be staying with her tomorrow, which surprised Franco. Of course, Rico wasn’t letting him know his schedule these days. Must be in town to take care of things at daVinci’s.
Driving into town, he stopped by the firehouse rather than going straight to Rafe’s. Sure enough, the kitchen was bustling. Firefighters loved to eat. Some, like Tony, even liked to cook. Most seemed to be hanging out and talking, though, rather than eating.
“Hey, guys!” Franco greeted them as he entered the room.
Rafe raised his coffee cup. “Grab a mug and pull up a chair.”
He did, and chatted with them a while before Rafe asked, “So what brings you to our podunk town, Bro?”
“Can’t a guy come home for a visit every now and then?”
Rafe shrugged then winked. “Thought you had more keeping you in the big city lately than anything here.”
Franco didn’t want to go into what was going on with Rico, as if he even knew, so he asked, “How have things been going around here?”
Rafe relayed the details of a couple of recent calls then threw him for a loop. “Rico texted me earlier today. Said he needed to talk. He’s coming tomorrow.”
Rico? What could he possibly have to say to Rafe that he wouldn’t tell Franco about?
His expression must have intrigued Rafe. “Maybe he wants to ask for advice on picking out a ring for you.”
Franco was still a traditionalist. He’d be the one to ask Rico when the time was right. But clearly that wasn’t why he was coming. He wouldn’t cut Franco off if he wanted to get married.
But Rafe didn’t need to know about that.
When the guys went on to talking about other matters, Franco found his mind wandering. What the hell was going on with Rico? Why didn’t he tell him he wanted to talk with Rafe?
Why didn’t he tell him anything anymore?
Rafe opened the door, smiling at Rico. He probably wouldn’t hold that smile once Rico spilled why he was here.
“Come in out of the cold.”
Nervous as hell, he drew a slow, deep breath and blew it out, clenching his fist so as not to plant it in Rafe’s mouth. He wasn’t a violent man but had a difficult time controlling the anger he felt toward this man at the moment after stewing all night over this.
He had tucked Michelle’s framed picture inside his jacket.
“Take your coat?”
“That’s okay. I’ll keep it on.” He doubted he’d be here long, once he made his accusation.
“Well, come into the kitchen. Want some coffee, or would you prefer a beer?”
Rico was even less sure how this was going to go down now. How do you broach a subject like this? “Rafe, wait.”
Rafe turned around in the living room, facing him expectantly. Was that the face of a man about to be told he had a daughter? An eleven-year-old one at that.
“You just missed Franco.”
He’d been here? Rico hadn’t thought to find out if he was in town, but he came here a lot more often than he used to.
Absently, he said, “Sorry I missed him.” Now, time to get down to business. “Listen, I can’t stay long”—because you’ll probably kick me out—“but I needed to ask you about something.” Pulling the framed photo from his jacket, he held it out to him but didn’t ask if Rafe recognized her. He didn’t say a word, waiting to see his raw reaction.
“Who’s this?” Rafe took the photo and looked at it. “Pretty girl.”
That’s it? That’s all he had to say?
“Recognize her?”
Rafe held the photo closer, squinting his eyes. “Let’s go in the kitchen. The lighting’s better there.”
Rico sighed. Apparently, he wasn’t going to get this over with as quickly as he wanted. Was it really a case of bad lighting, or was Rafe stalling? Did he truly have zero memory of having sex with her? How many women had he fucked and left behind during college? Did Gina have a string of half-siblings out there somewhere?
If so, their DNA hadn’t shown up in the databases—yet.
Rico followed him into the kitchen. Rafe set the photo on the island and scrutinized it again. “She reminds me of Gina. Is this her mama?”
Like you don’t fucking know.
“Remember her from college maybe?”
Rafe wrinkled his brows as he looked at the photo again. “Not that I recall.” He turned his gaze to Rico again. “Should I?”
“Yeah.” Rico couldn’t hide the venom in his voice.
“What’s going on? You seem pissed at me, but I have no clue why.”
“She’s Gina’s mama. My cousin. When I had Gina’s DNA tested, it came back as a match to you.” Not exactly true, but who else could be the likely culprit?
Rafe scowled. “Whoa, now wait a minute. What the fuck are you talking about?” He glanced at the photo again and pointed. “I’ve never seen her before in my life. And as far as I know, my DNA isn’t in any database.”
“Maybe not directly, but Mama J’s is. And you went to college in Denver same time as Michelle.”
“So did Franco.”
“But we both know he’s not Gina’s bio dad.”
“Well, neither am I. I’ve never had unprotected sex in my life.”
“Condoms can fail.”
Rafe seemed momentarily uncertain, then shook his head defiantly. “No, I didn’t sleep with so many women I’d forget one.”
The urge to punch him again rose and fell until a niggling doubt made him wonder if perhaps he did have the wrong brother. “She said they were both drunk. Maybe you just don’t remember.”
“I’ve never gotten that drunk, but…”
Rico waited for Rafe to complete the sentence, but he seemed to be lost in thought.
Rico, on the other hand, didn’t know what to think. “Did Matt or Tony ever visit you guys in Denver and party with you? Around the time your papa died?”
His words pulled Rafe back, partially at least. He still seemed to be thinking about something else. “Matt did a couple of times, but we just went out to a bar for some beers, and it was long before Papa died. Tony had his own party scene in Breckenridge. Did she ever go there?”
God, this was getting complicated. It could be either Matt or Tony at this point. Accusing them would be a little harder. Rico didn’t want to upset anyone’s happy home. To be honest, he didn’t really want the bio dad in the picture anyway. But he was inextricably linked to the Giardanos and had been for the majority of his life. Now that Rafe knew, there was little chance something like this could be kept secret from the others.
Rico dragged his fingers through his hair. “What am I supposed to do now?”
“I don’t think you need to be accusing any of my brothers of fathering Gina based on some DNA testing company that’s not giving legally binding results. How do you know the samples didn’t get mixed up and matched to Mama’s by mistake?”
“I guess I could have a blood test done by a medical lab somewhere.”
“I’d trust that more. You can test me. But don’t go after Matt or Tony right now. If there’s a familial connection, it’ll still show up in my blood. If it does, then we can decide how to deal with my brothers.”
Could he forgive and try to forget? Rafe had been an easy target. He had nothing to lose. Realistically, Rico didn’t know if he’d do anything about it if Matt or Tony had fathered Gina.
“Let me think about it first.”
“Well, you have me pretty damned curious now. I don’t want this shadow of guilt hanging over anyone in my family. The sooner we’re cleared, the sooner you can search for her real bio dad, if you really want to find him.”
Rico felt a little hemmed in as Rafe turned the tables on him. He wasn’t convinced that the test had it wrong, though. He picked up the photo. “Sorry I bothered you. But I’m still not sure what I’m going to do just yet.”
“Don’t say anything to anyone else in the family until we know something more certain.”
Rico nodded. “I can wait a while. And I won’t say anything.”
“Not even to Franco?” Rafe asked.
“I haven’t mentioned it to anyone but you as of now.”
“Good. If the time comes where you’re 99.9999 percent sure who’s the daddy—and it’s one of my brothers—I want to know. But you need to keep something in mind. You said yourself they both were drunk. And Michelle didn’t seek out Gina’s father, perhaps for a reason.”
Same reason I’m reluctant to go any further.
“They were both adults, and consent was out the window if both were too drunk to even remember the other one’s name. But you know all my brothers. They’ll do the right thing. And if they don’t, I’ll be the first to bust his chops, whoever it was. Keep me posted.”
Rico wasn’t sure he wanted to relinquish control over how this proceeded. If anyone would be seeking restitution for Gina—no, for Michelle—it would be Rico. He glanced away then gave him a curt nod. Hopefully, Rafe wouldn’t read that as agreement.
With their conversation and visit at an end, Rico said goodbye and headed for the front door. This wasn’t going to be easy to keep just between Rafe and himself, but he needed to protect Gina, first and foremost.
One thing was certain, he couldn’t be around Franco or his brothers until this had been sorted out.
Despite several attempts to reach Rico by text and phone over the next two weeks, Franco continued to strike out, whether for game nights, to have dinner together, or just enjoy some time to themselves. Rafe had said that what was discussed during Rico’s visit was between them but assured him Rico would reach out when he was ready.
Most of the Giardano family had shown up in Leadville for the annual Ski Joring Festival this weekend. Competing to hold their titles, Matteo and Dakota were both entrants, she on horseback, and he on skis. Riding a galloping horse down the snow-and-ice-packed Harrison Street skijoring course sounded unbearably painful to him for someone who had given birth eight weeks ago, but she’d been determined. They’d both won their runs yesterday and probably would today as well.
Not that Franco had paid much attention. First of all, he’d hoped to have a chance to talk with Rafe and see if perhaps he could glean some nugget of information about what Rico and he had talked about. But his eldest brother had been the only family member not to show, despite being off duty.
Without much hope of Sunday being any different, Franco left the festival after Dakota’s first ride to head back to the ranch where Mama had insisted on keeping the babies while the grownups enjoyed the frigid sporting event. Today, she’d also be busy preparing her monthly dinner for everyone to enjoy after the competition was over this afternoon. Mama knew everything that went on in the family, or just about.
Would Rico and Gina show up for dinner at least? They had a standing invitation and hadn’t missed one in longer than Franco could remember. Not that Franco held out a lot of hope. They hadn’t visited any of the family since shortly after Gina’s birthday a month ago. Rico had once promised to bring Gina to the festival, too, but they’d been nowhere to be seen yesterday. He’d looked for them as he walked the entire course over several blocks, up the sidewalk on one side and down the other, searching the crowds.
He didn’t realize how much a part of the family Rico and Gina had become, until they were absent. He wished he could figure out what the hell had happened for him to freeze Franco out.
When he walked into the kitchen and living room area, Mama was walking the floor with one of the babies who didn’t seem too happy at the moment.
“What are you doing back so early?” she asked.
“I need to talk. Looks like it’s a good time to give you a break too.” He held out his hands to take—hmm, hard to tell which baby, because Dakota refused to put her daughter in pink.
“He’s been cross all morning. I haven’t been able to get anything prepped for dinner.”
Ah, it’s Nick.
“Hey, buddy,” Franco said, as he took the baby boy. “What’s all the fuss?”
Nicholas stopped crying at the sound of his voice and stared at him. Did Franco sound anything like Tony? Did he think his papa had come home?
“You certainly have the touch,” Mama said with a smile. “Now, I’m going to be in the kitchen. We can talk while you entertain Nicholas.”
Not the ideal environment for a heart-to-heart, but at least Nick wouldn’t give up any confidences.
“I’m surprised Paul didn’t stay to help out.”
“Oh, he offered, but you know how much he loves horses. I assured him I had everything under control—but I must admit I’m not as young as I used to be, and I never had two this close in age to care for before.”
Thoughts of Mama aging didn’t sit well with him. “You’re an amazing Nonna, just as you were a Mama. They’re lucky to have you.”
“I’m the one who’s been blessed.”
Franco settled onto a high stool, still gently rocking Nick. Time to broach the reason he sought out the woman who gave the best advice. “Mama, I don’t know what’s going on with Rico. He’s shutting me out.”
“Did you have a fight?” She glanced at him but continued to peel onions.
“No. He suddenly quit talking, answering texts, or seeing me two weeks ago.”
“Doesn’t sound like him. I don’t want to pry, but I hate to see any of my babies hurting so much. You’re sure you don’t know why?”
“Not a clue. We went roller skating three Sundays ago then he abruptly cancelled our Friday game night that week with a curt text.”
“Are you sure that it’s permanent? All couples face their ups and downs. Perhaps he’s just been busy.”
“I’d need to talk with him first to see what’s going on but can’t get through to him.” Franco continued to bounce Nick in his arms to keep him calm, knowing this wasn’t a case of Rico being too busy. Not nonstop over this much time. Perhaps Mama knew something he didn’t. “Rafe hasn’t said anything to you, has he?”
She stopped chopping onions and looked up. “About Rico?”
“Yeah. Right after he canceled game night, he came to the Corners to meet with Rafe.”
“Oh, yes. I took care of Gina that day. I remember he looked a little tired, but he’d been going through some things with Gina, so I chalked it up to sleepless nights. Parents do have a few of those over the years.” She gave him a lopsided grin.
Struck out there. Not unusual for Rafe not to want to worry Mama, though, and to simply take care of things on his own. He’d been doing it since Papa died, likely even before then.
When Nick’s head began to loll, he whispered, “Should I put him back in his bed?”
Mama nodded, indicating with a tilt of her head where his portable crib was in the connected living room.
When he had the baby settled, he returned to the kitchen island and asked softly, “Anything I can do to help?”
“No, I should be able to handle it. There’s coffee, if you want a mug. Then sit down over here, and we’ll keep talking this through.”
With a mug of black coffee steaming in front of him, he continued, “I don’t know what I’d do without him. This separation has made me see how important he is to me.”
“You two are so right for each other. I’ve known it for years.” Mama resumed her chopping.
“Years? But I just came out to you in the last six months.”
Mama smiled. “Sweetie, I told you I’ve had my suspicions. I’ve been trying to steer the two of you in each other’s direction for years now.”
Now Franco was flat-out confused. “What are you talking about?”
She didn’t miss a stroke of the knife as she continued to chop another onion. “Remember at daVinci’s, the night of Angelina’s rehearsal dinner when I asked you to go to the bar and have Rico pour me a drink? I wasn’t sure I’d ever get that drink, not that I really wanted one. You two began talking and were inseparable the rest of the evening.”
“I hadn’t seen him since my senior year in high school. We had a lot to catch up on.”
“And you two were still huddled up at the wedding reception the next day where I had the two of you seated next to each other.”
Franco hadn’t thought anything of the seating arrangement. Mama and Angelina always treated Rico like family, so of course he’d be seated with the Giardano family.
“I still can’t figure out why you thought to encourage the two of us.”
“I saw the way Rico looked at you from across the room and just had a hunch there might be something there.”
“But it wasn’t until Matteo’s reception where we actually acted on…our interest for each other.” He refused to use the word lust with Mama, but it very much is what led to the kiss that day.
“Who do you think sent Rico out to help you decorate the getaway buggy?”
Well, I’ll be damned. My mother, the matchmaker.
“So what are you cooking up for Rafe?”
Mama gave a heavy sigh. “That boy. I’ve almost given up on him. He lives and breathes the fire department and unless he starts showing an interest in someone, I’m not sure I’ll be able to keep my perfect track record.”
“You have a track record?”
With a smile, she said, “Oh, yes. I’ve done what I could to encourage each of my children in their relationships when sometimes they just couldn’t see what was right in front of their noses.”
Franco wasn’t sure she’d succeeded with him and Rico, though. “I hope we can get this sorted out soon.”
Mama wiped her hands on a towel and squeezed his arm in a gesture of comfort, but it had little effect today. “You know I’m here if you need me. And I’ll say some extra prayers that everything will work itself out for all of you.”
“Thanks, Mama. I know you care about us both, as well as Gina.”
“That sweet girl.” Mama smiled wistfully. “I think of her as my first granddaughter.” She resumed prepping. “And Rico another son. He’s a good man. Whatever is troubling him, I’m sure he’ll figure it out and do what’s best for the three of you.”
Franco was afraid Rico would decide Rico and Gina would be fine without him, leaving Franco out of their lives. That prospect hurt and scared him worst of all.
Rather than pine away here, he decided to head back to Denver early.
“I hope you won’t mind if I miss the family dinner tonight, but this arson case I’m working has me stumped. I think I’ll go back early and put in some more time going back over the evidence to see if I’ve missed anything.”
“I wish I had something to send you home with. Wait! I made a cobbler for dessert. You get the first piece.” She went off to prepare him a container. Mama hated to send her kids off without food of some kind.
A few minutes later, he hugged her goodbye. “I promise I’ll be at the April family dinner, Mama.” He gave her a kiss and left the house.
The drive home gave him no more answers than he’d had before. He’d never felt so alone in his life. Felt as if the walls had begun closing in around him.