Granted Wishes (The Granted Series Book 1) (13 page)

GIO WAKES
UP TO FIND GRACELYNN
getting dressed. She’s trying to zipper up the back of a beautiful green dress that accentuates the color of her eyes.

“You gonna ogle at me all morning?” she says, giving him a good look at her behind. Not that he minds. The entire package of her is exquisite. No woman has ever captivated him the way she does. He tries to discreetly adjust himself in his bed pants to be able to leave the bed, to help her zipper the back of her dress, lightly caressing her skin and kissing the side of her neck in the process.

He turns her around, grabs her and embraces her in a hug which has her body completely touching his. You can’t tell where his body begins and where hers ends. They’re like two puzzle pieces fitting together and he loves the way her body feels against his. Not only does he but so does something else below, which he knows she can feel.

“Thank you so much for comforting me last night. You didn’t say a word, but comforted me anyways. I know that you’re hurting due to all of this, but it means a great deal to have you listen to my bull shit and everything…”

“You don’t need to thank me. We’ll continue our talk later today, but we have to get ready to go to church with your grandmother and Kat.” She steps out of his embrace so they can get ready for their day.

When she leaves the bedroom, Giovanni feels the loss of her touch. He wants to kiss her senseless. He knows it would be too soon to do that again; but his body craves hers and not just in a sexual way, but also on a much deeper level. He could see himself having her by his side, maybe even forever, but there’s no way that’s happening. She’ll be leaving at some point and he doesn’t want to think about that. He leaves the room to go get himself ready for the church service.

When he’s finished getting dressed, he decides to go find his lovely lady and finds her still getting ready. “You really do look amazing when you blush. You look radiant today. I would love to spend more time with you until you leave,” he surprises himself with the words that come from his mouth.

She smiles and hugs him. “I would love to spend more time with you and your family while I’m on vacation. I couldn’t imagine doing anything else.”

He’s overjoyed by her statement. “Let’s get going so we can make it on time. Grandmother likes to get there early and get her favorite seat.” With those words, he leads them out of the house after petting Holly goodbye.

THEY’RE QUIET
THE ENTIRE WAY
to the church. Gio grips the steering wheel until his knuckles are white. “Are you afraid of attending mass today?” Gracelynn asks when she notices. “If not, I can attend and you can come pick me up later?”

Giovanni doesn’t know how to tell her he hasn’t been in church for three years.

He looks over at her and sees a sincere woman who cares about everyone. He envies her caring nature. “I appreciate you thinking of me, but I haven’t been to church since my late wife passed away.”

Gracelynn inhales and he takes his one hand off the steering wheel and places it in hers. The simple gesture of touching her skin comforts him.

“I am so sorry, Giovanni. Why didn’t you tell me you had a wife? You knew I lost Angelo and you couldn’t tell me about your loss?” She looks sad and he doesn’t want her pity.

“I told you I had my own loss, if you remember. I just can’t talk about it yet. Maybe one day we can…I just can’t right now and I hope you can understand.” He grips her hand hoping that she understands that he’ll tell her, just not now. She must get it because she squeezes his hand right back, smiles at him and looks out the window smiling at the sunshine passing through the beautiful scenery. But nothing could be more beautiful than her sitting next to him, with the sun shining down and seeing it hit her beautiful hair like a halo.

“We’re here. Don’t be alarmed if people smother you and be nosey,” he tells her as he opens his door and then hers as they then walk hand in hand to the church. Once they enter, they notice Anne and Kat near the front of the church. Anne greets them and they sit next to her.

The church service goes well and after the sermon, Gracelynn thinks the pastor talked wonderfully, as if he talked directly to her soul. She realizes she needs to be more open and be happy with herself and her life. After mass is over, they decide that since Gracelynn is still in pain, they’ll head back to the cabin, and take a rain check on lunch. They promise they’ll get together with Kat and Anne again real soon though.

ON MONDAY,
GIO FINDS GRACELYNN
at the desk in the library talking on the phone. She doesn’t realize he’s standing inside the doorway watching her. She twirls her hair in-between her fingers, listening intently and smiling. He’s jealous of the way she’s smiling at someone else rather than him.
Get it together man. Get it together.

“Thank you so much. I know you do and I appreciate it so much. And whatever the extra project costs, I’ll pay for that as well. Thanks again. I look forward to your call.” She hangs up and stares at the pond in complete awe.

He clears his throat, which causes her to look up and smile at him. She smiles and it reaches all the way to her eyes. “Good morning, doll.” He wonders what she has planned for the day and figures he might as well ask. “What’s on the agenda today?” he says, staring out the window at nothing in particular.

“Well, I was thinking of maybe reading one of my many romantic books I have on my Kindle here.” She winks and moves her eyebrows up and down in a seductive manner.

“What does that really mean, Grace?”

“It means I’m going to enjoy a romantic book by myself reading all about some hot men doing some hot stuff to their women in the books.”

“Did Angelo let you read that type of smut?” he asks.

“Yes, he was the one who encouraged me to read the Fifty Shades of Grey series.” She blushes. “Not that I don’t enjoy talking with you, but can we move along to something else?”

“Who were you talking too? I noticed you were smiling when you were on the phone.” His voice betrays his jealousy.

She picks up on it immediately. “Are you jealous?”

“I, uh…no. I was just wondering who you were speaking to, that’s all.”

“I was talking to a friend. I’m working on a Christmas gift. Trust me.” She beams at him with radiating joy. He could get used to her being happy.

Why does he always doubt her and thinking about her talking to another man?
Get it together, Gio.
He smiles at her and she points for him to come sit down next to her. Gracelynn puts her head on his shoulder and looks out the window at the beauty surrounding her cabin.

“Are you happy with your life and your job?” This stumps him. He’s not sure of anything anymore.

“To be honest, no. I’m not. I haven’t been myself in a long time.” She comforts him by rubbing his back, which makes him moan. Then she shocks him again, whispering, “You have the choice to make yourself happy. Do something for yourself for a change and believe in yourself.” She stops and smiles as she continues, “I love looking outside this cabin, Giovanni. It’s beautiful. Beauty comes from loving yourself and then pours out into the way we live, act and love the surroundings around us.”

She takes her hand, places it on his heart and looks into his eyes which makes his heart beat rapidly. “Believe in yourself and know that I’m here should you ever need me.”

He looks down at her, knowing he should believe her. He sees the beauty too outside the cabin, but it’s hard to find the beauty on the inside when you have such turmoil and fear of losing the one person who has captivated your heart.

“Thank you. I know what you mean. I know I need to believe in myself and consider all options. I need to be more grateful for each day I’m alive and so much more.” He presses his head on her shoulder and enjoys her presence so much he doesn’t want to get back to work.

She steps back from him. She looks down at her watch. “Are you going to work today? It’s ten am.”

He chuckles. “Since I’m the boss I can do whatever I want, whenever I want, however I want,” he states with a sly grin. “Honestly, I was planning on just going to work, but holding you and talking to you makes me want to skip all that and just enjoy the day with you. Let’s go do something fun.”

“What would you recommend for a newbie in the town to try?” she asks.

“Well, we have several museums, theatres, many parks….” He looks to her, his eyes filled with longing. “Well, I could go on and on, but what would you like to do?”

“Do you own a canoe?”

“Yes, I do. But first, tell me. Are you feeling any better? Do your ribs still hurt?”

“I’m doing fine. Thank you. I appreciate your concern, but I’d like to see more of your backyard.” She bats her eyelashes at him.

He chuckles as he addresses her. “Yes, go get dressed and I’ll see you in the living room in half an hour. I have to get everything ready. Just make sure you’re bundled up.”

* * *

Gracelynn leaves the room, feeling giddy. She can’t believe Gio is taking her canoeing. Her ribs still hurt like hell, but she doesn’t want to tell him that. She carefully changes into a navy blue t-shirt, and then she puts on a heavy white sweater over her top with lined jeans. She puts boots on, curls her hair lightly and puts a matching white hat on her head. She grabs her coat, ready for their adventure.

When she steps into the living room, she gasps. At that moment, Gio looks exactly like Angelo. “Are you alright?” Gio asks while he turns around.

“Yes, everything is perfect. You just look so much like Angelo right now. Let’s get going shall we.”

Gio leads them to the canoe and stops. “I have a present for you. I wanted to give it to you before but then you were attacked and I didn’t think it was right to give it to you.” He looks rather angry before he gives her the gift. She opens it up, and is surprised it’s a camera. She told him she wanted one and he bought her the most expensive one there is.

She jumps up and hugs him tightly. “You truly are the sweetest man, Giovanni. Thank you so much.” She kisses him on the cheek.

She gets off him, wishing she didn’t have to. This man truly is a Greek Adonis, sexy as hell yet romantic, sweet, caring and patient. What more could she ask for?

THE WATER
AND SCENERY ARE AMAZING
, and so is watching Gio row their canoe. Gracelynn can’t remember the last time she truly took in the beauty of the surroundings of her life. New Hope has given her new hope, a new outlook on life. She snaps picture after picture with her new camera, wondering if she should take up photography classes.

“This is just breathtaking,” she tells Gio as she gazes at the scenery of the mountains, snow, water and her companion in the canoe.

“Why, yes it is. I can’t compare it to anyone or anything else.”

She knows he means her rather than the scenery around them and she blushes.

“I love it when you blush, but I didn’t mean to embarrass you. You truly are as beautiful as the scenery around us,” he says, his voice filled with confidence. “I need to be more open to the beauty of nature and the people in my life. I took all of this for granted. You made me realize what I have in my backyard/hometown is something to treasure. Thank you.” He continues to row while she snaps picture after picture, and secretly even catching some of him a few times.

* * *

Gio is amazed by Gracelynn’s beauty. She’s unique and this town helps blossom her. He enjoys seeing the shine and sparkle that’s in her eyes when she’s in nature. She looks so beautiful in the white hat, white coat and sweater.

“Can I hold you while we go down stream?” he asks, without really thinking about it.

“Alright.” She leans back and starts talking to him about her life, dreams and goals.

After they are done with their canoe ride, they go back to the cabin, have dinner and then decide to watch a movie. Holly joins them and they’re a cozy family of three.

“I meant to say I’m sorry for my outburst earlier and not asking you how you felt about Angelo’s letter,“ he whispers as he plays with a lock of her hair while she puts her head on the pillow of his lap.

“I don’t know what to say. He was my rock. He was a wonderful man…good, kind, loving and honest which makes me scared that if he hid that from me, what else did he hide?” She leans her body so that she isn’t facing the movie anymore and looks up at him now while still keeping her head on the pillow. “I mean, how could he keep that from me? Yes, I would’ve been worried but I would’ve found us the best of doctors. Who knows, maybe I could’ve been a match?”

“I know, Gracelynn, I know. I keep wondering myself… how long did he know before writing this or thinking of coming to find me? I wish I could’ve met him in the flesh.” He gently plays with a piece of her hair while he talks.

“What was he like? Did he have a wicked crazy sense of humor or anything like that?” He wants to know more about his brother, and about the beauty sitting next to him.

“He was charming. Just like you. He was irresistible and always had someone checking him out even when I was around.” This brings a frown on her face. “He was a good man, but definitely did have a wicked crazy sense of humor at times. You’re very much like him.” She turns around to focus back on the movie. “Thank you for the wonderful day. I enjoyed our canoe trip and so much more,” she whispers before falling asleep.

THE NEXT
TWO DAYS ARE A BLUR
. Gio kept working non-stop and Gracelynn spent her time reading and enjoying her catch-up time with her fabulous book boyfriends, while letting her ribs heal. She also spent some time talking to Kat and Anne. She was thrilled Anne also could help her with a present, one she wanted to show Gio later in the month.

On Thursday, a young man called stating he could help her with her other special project. She looked forward to giving it to a special someone in a few short weeks, when Christmas would arrive. Speaking of the holidays, she glances around realizing there aren’t any holiday decorations in Gio’s home. She decides that she’ll ask Gio about them tonight and if he’d like to go shopping for them together.

As the day progresses, she enjoys the music playing in her ear buds so much that she doesn’t realize that Gio is home and staring at her when she looks up from cooking. “You scared me, Gio.”

“I’m sorry but you just looked so happy listening to the music, and so focused I just had to stand back and stare at the beauty before me.” His compliment makes her blush.

“By the way, what are we having for dinner tonight? It smells delicious.” He licks his lips.

“We’re having chicken and broccoli alfredo and a special desert,” she tells him, smiling widely.

They eat dinner and enjoy each other’s company. As they finish their dinner, Gracelynn picks up their plates and takes them to the sink.

As she moves away from Gio, she notices him checking out her ass. She glances his way. He looks smug and winks at her.

She brings him back a piece of pumpkin pie and Gio moans in appreciation. “Woman. I could get used to your cooking. You’re amazing.” She thanks him as they continue to eat and go into the living room.

She stares at the fire crackling in fire place. It makes her remember the Christmas decorations, which she hasn’t asked about yet.

“I know that I don’t live here, but I was wondering if we could look for some Christmas decorations.” Gio appears shocked as he sits next to her with Holly on his lap.

“With it just being me and Holly I don’t usually decorate for the holidays. We can go some time soon. I would love to go with you and besides, it would be nice to have this place decorated again.”

She leans into him and enjoys the silence between them, loving the idea that he’ll go shopping with her. “That would be great. I love the holidays.” She rests her head on his shoulder and falls asleep.

* * *

Gio loves how she fell asleep on his shoulder. He could definitely see himself getting used to having her with him every day. Her presence has started to affect him. He never does holiday decorations, but for her he would do just about anything. He’s so lucky to have her here, but at the same time he’s sad his brother isn’t here, and feels ashamed to feel something for his dead brother’s wife.

He scoops her off his shoulder gently and places her in the guest bedroom. She stirs and opens her eyes for a second, asking for him to stay. He nods, lying down next to her. He wishes she’d stay in New Hope since she has brought him much joy in the short period of time he’s known her.