The Harvest (15 page)

T
he garage door rumbled to a close behind the Land Rover. Nick turned off the engine, muttering a curse when the key caught momentarily in the ignition. All the way home his anger had been mounting.

He’d always heard that redheads had a temper, but he’d never seen that side of Grace until tonight.

The evening had gone bad from the start. He’d endured Melanie’s clinging and inane conversation with one thought in mind—seeing Grace at evening’s end.

When he’d dropped Melanie off, he hadn’t even been conscious of the time. Looking back, 2:00 a.m. may have been a bit late to stop over but still, her tirade had been out of line. He thought she’d be happy to see him, no matter what the time.

Nick wiped a weary hand across his face. It was unbelievable how something so good could go bad so quickly.

Entering the house a few minutes later, he tried to walk softly. Eleanora was a light sleeper and he wasn’t in the mood to talk.

When he saw the light coming from the living room, Nick groaned. His bad luck had followed him home.

Heaving a resigned sigh, Nick entered the room. “Eleanora, I can’t believe you’re still up.”

Nellie lifted her gaze from the romance novel she was reading and placed the book in her lap.

“She sent you home.” Nellie’s voice rang with satisfaction.

Nick stared. “What are you talking about?”

“Gracie.” Nellie shifted her gaze to the mantle clock. “You were with her.”

“I stopped by her house,” Nick said, feeling as if he were sixteen again and had missed a curfew. He plopped into a nearby chair and exhaled a weary sigh. “And you’re right. She told me to leave.”

“Good for her,” Nellie said. “I don’t care if she loves you or not. It’s not proper for a single woman to entertain a gentleman friend in her apartment—”

“Whoa, wait one minute.” Nick straightened in the chair and wondered if his foggy brain was playing tricks on him. “Say that again.”

Nellie paused and blinked several times, clearly nonplussed at being interrupted. “You know it’s not proper—”

“No, not that.” Though his mother would cringe at his poor manners, Nick stopped her. “The one before that. About her loving me.”

Nellie’s brow rose. “I said her loving you doesn’t—”

“How do you know she loves me?” Nick demanded, not caring if he was interrupting her again.

“She told me so,” Nellie said matter-of-factly.

Happiness bubbled up inside him. Obviously her holding back hadn’t meant she didn’t care.
She loves me.
The night that had seemed so dark only moments before, now was bright. He leaned back in his chair and laughed, suddenly lighthearted.

Nellie’s gaze narrowed. “Nicholas, have you been drinking?”

Nick’s smile widened. “A couple of glasses of wine with dinner. Why do you ask?”

“Because you’re acting strange,” Nellie said.

“Strange?” Nick chuckled, wondering what Eleanora would do if he suddenly burst into song. He chuckled again. “I’m just happy.”

Now that he knew Grace loved him, all was right with the world. Tonight’s episode fell into perspective. She’d been hurt and jealous, and it was all his fault.

He’d never told her he loved her. He’d never even taken the time to introduce her to his family.

Nick would remedy both those oversights tomorrow night. Grace would meet his family. Later, when they were alone, he’d confess his love. Then he’d ask her to marry him.

It was a good solid plan, practically foolproof. After all, she loved him and he loved her. What could go wrong?

Grace glanced at the clock and hurriedly finished fixing her hair. After the way she’d acted last night, she wanted to at least be ready when Nick arrived.

Shame rose up inside her. She’d behaved like such a shrew. Granted he shouldn’t have come knocking at her door in the middle of the night, but she could have handled the situation with a little more maturity. After all, she had no claim on him.

And she’d practically shut the door in his face. All because she’d been jealous.

Grace heaved a resigned sigh. She’d really blown it. Hadn’t she learned long ago that men didn’t put up with such theatrics? They didn’t have to be understanding, because there were plenty of women who would give them their space and smile while doing it.

As sure as she knew her own name, she knew that tonight over a dessert and coffee, Nick would end the relationship. Though it didn’t make sense to her why he hadn’t done it when she’d practically ordered him out of the house, she’d finally concluded he had too much class to end even a brief relationship in such an uncivilized manner.

She turned away from the mirror and blinked back unexpected tears. Though she’d told herself since day one that this relationship would be short-lived and had mentally prepared herself, the knowledge didn’t lessen the pain she now felt.

In some ways she wished she could just call him and break it off. Her gaze drifted longingly toward
the phone. It would be a coward’s way out, but it would be better than trying to keep it together at a restaurant.

Last night, she’d been angry and in control. Now all she felt was sad.

Grace’s hand inched closer to the phone and her heart picked up speed. Her fingers closed around the receiver. But she couldn’t bring herself to pick it up. Because Aunt Nellie wasn’t the only romantic in the family. And though Grace was ninety-nine percent sure tonight would be the end, a tiny spark of hope still flickered.

Maybe he doesn’t want to break up with me. Maybe he wants to tell me he loves me.

The thought had been tugging at her all day. Though she knew it was crazy, she’d still dressed with extra care—selecting a green jersey dress that hugged her curves and accentuated her eyes. She’d even taken extra time with her hair, blow drying it straight so that it lay softly against her shoulders. And the new shade of lipstick that she’d bought over lunch made her lips look full and kissable.

She could feel his fingers weaving through her hair as his lips closed over—

The telephone rang and Grace jumped back, pulling the receiver from its base and knocking it to the floor.

Her heart pounding, Grace snatched the phone from the floor. “Hello.”

“Oh, hello.” A feminine voice paused. “May I speak with Grace Comstock, please?”

“This is Grace Comstock.”

“Ms. Comstock, I’m calling from Children’s Hospital for Dr. Nicholas Tucci. He—”

“Before you go any further I need to tell you that Nick isn’t here,” Grace said. “But I am expecting him anytime, so I can have him call, or you could try his pager….”

“Ma’am, I’m aware Dr. Tucci isn’t there.” A hint of amusement sounded in the woman’s voice. “That’s why I’m calling. He’s been unexpectedly delayed in surgery and wanted to know if he could meet you at the restaurant.”

Grace paused, wondering if this could be her out. But as quickly as the thought entered her mind, she discarded it. “That would be fine. What time?”

“Dr. Tucci indicated he should be able to make it by seven.”

“I’ll be there.”

“Have a good evening,” the secretary said.

“You, too,” Grace said, and hung up the phone.

She glanced at the clock. An hour’s reprieve. At this point she didn’t know whether to be upset…or relieved.

Sal Tucci stood next to the wall of the Grotto and wondered if this occasion really warranted wearing a tie.

He glanced around the crowded lobby noting casually dressed men. But when Sara had heard the purpose of tonight’s hastily arranged family dinner,
she’d insisted on the tie, as well as the sport coat and dress slacks.

Sal ran his finger around the inside of his collar. His younger brother had dated lots of women over the years, but none of them had ever come close to capturing his heart. But this one had. Sal could hear it in Nick’s voice. His brother was finally in love. Sal could recognize the symptoms because he had the same affliction.

A moment later, Sal caught a glimpse of his wife exiting the ladies’ room. He couldn’t help but smile. With her long blond hair and big blue eyes, Sara drew admiring glances wherever she went. But when she caught his eyes and smiled, he felt a surge of pride. She was his. Every day he thanked God for bringing her into his life.

In only moments she stood before him and his arm automatically circled her waist. “Are you feeling better?”

“I’m still a little queasy.” Sara laid her hand on her rounded ball of a stomach. “I knew I should have eaten something before I left the house.”

She raised a hand to her brow and swayed slightly and Sal tightened his grip.

As a former undercover police officer, Sal had seen his share of hazardous duty and he wasn’t ashamed to admit he’d been afraid a time or two. But that was nothing compared to what he felt now, holding his pregnant wife.

“I’ll get you something right now,” Sal said,
panic edging his tone. He looked around, trying to find a waiter to flag down.

“Honey—” Sara smiled reassuringly “—I’m fine. Really. Once we sit down, we’ll order an appetizer and—”

“Is this the reason you invited me here?” The feminine voice was filled with anger. “To humiliate me?”

Sal jerked his head up at the sound of the angry voice. A young woman stood before him, her hands on her hips.

“You cad.” With a strength that would have done a longshoreman proud, the woman slapped Sal across the face.

Even as Sal took the blow he stepped protectively in front of Sara. But the woman had already turned on her heel and headed toward the door.

You could have heard a pin drop. Sal forced a laugh, his hand rising to rub his stinging cheek.

“Mistaken identity,” he told the onlookers.

“What was that about?” Sara’s eyes were wide and her voice trembled.

Sal pulled his wife close in a comforting embrace while his gaze shifted to the doorway just in time to see the woman leave.

“Red hair. Green eyes. Great figure.” Sal smiled, still rubbing his cheek. “I think I just met the woman Nick is going to marry.”

G
race wrapped her arms around herself and headed down the sidewalk. Though it was warm for December, forty degrees was still too cold to be walking without a coat.

But she’d rather freeze to death on the streets of St. Louis than go back in that restaurant and face Nick and Melanie. How could he have brought her? And for what purpose? To tell Grace what she already knew—that she couldn’t hold a candle to the gorgeous socialite?

Melanie was even more beautiful in person than in those old newspaper photographs. Her hair was a silvery blond that fell in loose waves past her shoulders. And her eyes that had been nondescript in the black-and-white photos had been large and startlingly blue.

Though Melanie was striking, Grace hadn’t initially noticed her. Grace had been checking her coat
when she’d caught a glimpse of Nick standing against the far wall. The waiting area was crowded, and by the time Grace got close, Melanie had reached him.

The look in his eyes when he’d seen the statuesque blonde had taken Grace’s breath away. It was obvious the two were lovers.

Grace had decided right then and there that she was just going to walk out the door without saying a word. Until she’d seen the blonde at a different angle and realized that she wasn’t just beautiful, she was
pregnant.

You cad.

The words she’d uttered ran through her mind like a grade B movie.

Cad?
Did anyone even use that word anymore?

Grace set her lips in a grim line remembering the shock in Nick’s eyes. Whether he was familiar with the word or not, she was sure he’d gotten the message. But if he had the nerve to ever call her again, she’d be glad to let him know in no uncertain terms what she thought of his immoral behavior.

That’s why, when the Land Rover pulled into an alley blocking her path and Nick pushed open the door, Grace got in.

“Mind telling me what you’re doing walking in this weather without a coat?”

Grace had to give him points for his acting ability. Obviously he had even more talent for deception than she’d realized. And even though the best defense had always been a good offense, Grace wanted to tell him
that only worked when both players were in the game. As far as she was concerned, this game was over.

“Mind telling me why you didn’t tell me Melanie was pregnant with your baby?” Grace shot back.

“Melanie is pregnant?”

If she hadn’t seen the two of them together, the shocked look on his face would have been believable. Instead it was laughable.

“Oh, c’mon, Nick.” Grace couldn’t keep the disgust from her voice. “I just saw the two of you. It was obvious—”

“Saw us?” Nick’s voice was filled with confusion. “Where? What are you talking about?”

“You know very well what I’m talking about.” Either Nick was a pathological liar or he thought she was incredibly stupid. Either way, Grace refused to play along. “I suppose you’ve already forgotten that I slapped you?”

“You slapped someone?”

“I don’t know what kind of game you’re playing—”

Suddenly Nick started laughing. “I can’t believe it. You hit Sal.”

Grace frowned, not finding one ounce of humor in this whole situation. “Sal?”

“My older brother.” Nick shook his head and chuckled. “He’s the one married to Sara Michaels. People say we look a lot alike, except his eyes are hazel and mine are blue.”

Grace thought back. She remembered the man’s startled gaze, but she couldn’t recall his eyes.

A knot formed in the pit of her stomach. “Your sister-in-law’s pregnant?”

Nick nodded. “Due in April.”

“But why were they at the Grotto?” Grace had a feeling she didn’t want to know.

“To meet you.” Nick’s gaze met hers. “My whole family is there now, waiting for us.”

“But why?”

“Because I asked them,” Nick said. “I told them I wanted them to meet the woman I was going to marry.”

Grace’s heart slammed against her rib cage and all she could do was stare.

“I’m serious.” Nick put the vehicle into park and shut off the engine. “I love you, Grace. Please say you’ll be my wife.”

Grace hesitated and thought of her greatest fear—that she’d profess her love and he’d back off, or maybe even laugh at her. But the more she pondered the point, the more she realized that the Nick Tucci she’d come to know and love was an honorable man. He wouldn’t say he loved her if he didn’t. He wouldn’t have brought up marriage if he wasn’t serious.

The lump in Grace’s stomach now rose and blocked her throat. “You really want to marry me?”

Nick nodded and his gaze softened. “If you’ll have me?”

“I slapped your brother.”

Nick seemed to find her horrified tone amusing. He smiled and took her hands in his. “Don’t worry. He’s used to it. When Sal was a cop, people were always punching him.”

Grace pulled away from his amused smile and covered her face with her hands. “I can’t believe I acted that way.”

“Sweetheart, this isn’t your fault. It’s mine,” he said. “I should have told you how I felt long before this. But I didn’t want to rush you. But when your aunt told me you loved me—”

“Aunt Nellie said that?” Grace sat up straight. “I told her that in confidence.”

“She didn’t betray your confidence,” Nick said. “She thought I already knew.”

“Still, she had no right—”

“She has every right. She loves you and wants you to be happy,” Nick said. “I want to be happy, too. And I will be if you’ll agree to be my wife.”

Grace could scarcely breathe. “Is this a dream?”

“It’s no dream.” Nick folded her into his arms. “I love you. I want you to be my wife, Grace. If you will, I promise I’ll spend the rest of my life making you happy.”

She gently touched his cheek. “I love you, Nick.”

He smiled and she could see happiness in his eyes, happiness and contentment and a deep inner peace.

“And I will marry you,” Grace said softly. “But I do have one condition.”

Nick stilled. “What’s that?”

Grace flashed an impish smile, unable to stay se
rious for a moment longer. “That you stand between your brother and I the first time we’re introduced.”

Nick laughed out loud. “Sweetheart, don’t you worry about Sal. He’s going to love you. All my family will.”

“Your family.” Grace sat up straight. “They’re waiting at the restaurant. We need to go.”

“Not so fast.” Nick reached into his pocket and pulled out a tiny velvet box. “First you need to put this on.”

Grace slowly opened the lid and stared at a glittering diamond that had to be at least three carats. “It’s beautiful.”

He carefully lifted the ring out and took her left hand, placing it on her finger. “Forever.”

Grace swallowed hard and met his gaze.

“Forever,” she said. And as his lips lowered to hers, she found herself hoping what everyone said was true: that forever was indeed a long, long time.