Worth Everything by Karen Erickson Page A

making him look a little dazed. Relief flooded her at that look. He liked the space, thank goodness. “I almost feel like you went to too much trouble.”
    “Absolutely not. It was no trouble at all.” She’d made a phone call and that’s all it took to make it happen. “Oh good, Renzo is here with your luggage.”
    Renzo set Gavin’s single black suitcase next to the dresser, then set his computer bag on top of it. “You find it to your liking, eh?” His gravel-voiced question was aimed at Gavin.
    “It’s amazing. I appreciate the hospitality.”
    “Anything for Miss Renaldi’s friend, si? She’s never brought any friends like you to visit. A few girlfriends, but when she was still a girl in school. I assume the two of you are…” Renzo left the question unspoken, but there was no denying the twinkle in his eye, the raising of his white, bushy brows.
    Mortified, Stasia shook her head. Just the thing she didn’t need to happen, Renzo and everyone else assuming she and Gavin were somehow involved. Not that she’d discouraged it when she called Renzo to make the arrangements. She’d kept quiet so her mother wouldn’t be suspicious. “I think you might’ve misunderstood...”
    “You’re right, we are good friends.” Gavin stepped close to her, grabbing her hand and giving it a meaningful squeeze. His hand was large, his touch electric and she took a deep breath, desperate to calm her suddenly racing heart. “I couldn’t refuse her invitation to the villa for a little escape from the city.”
    “A fine choice, signore. Miss Renaldi can show you many sights. She has explored this entire area since she was young. She knows all its secrets.”
    “I look forward to exploring it with her.” Another squeeze, his long fingers were tight around hers.
    She sent him a look, hoping he got the message. That she expected a thorough explanation the moment Renzo left. What the hell was he doing?
    “Very good.” Renzo clasped his hands together and bowed. “Dinner will be served at precisely eight o’clock.”
    “And my mother, Renzo? Will she be in attendance this evening?” Gavin released his hold on her, smoothed his hand down the middle of her back in a reassuring gesture, which she found oddly comforting.
    She could not depend on this man for comfort, not like this.
    “Ah.” Renzo shook his head, his mouth turning grim. “I’m afraid she takes every meal in her suite.”
    Disappointment crashed through her. Mama wasn’t going to make this easy. “Does she know we’re here? That I’m here?”
    Renzo nodded. “I told signora and she seemed to understand. Sometimes it is as if she’s left us, you know? She’s not…all here.” He tapped his temple with his index finger.
    Sadness filled Stasia. Her mother wasn’t in a well state of being. It wasn’t right, wallowing in her loss, allowing it to consume her life. Claudia Renaldi needed to find a purpose again. Needed to realize she had a family depending on her to be strong and pull through. A young grandson who surely missed his grandmother, her sons and their wives, her only daughter...
    Stasia frowned. It had been too long since she’d seen her only nephew, Matteo’s son, Matty. The first grandchild, the prodigal grandson and heir, he was precious, the sweet, bright light in her mother’s life.
    She knew for a fact her mother hadn’t seen Matteo or his family since their father’s death either. Despite her earlier worry that she was all alone, her brothers did their best to stay in contact with her and keep her informed on what was happening in Italy. Her eldest brother called or emailed Stasia at least once a week, as did Rafe and Vincenzo, though Matteo stayed in touch more frequently. Her big brother had no idea how much she appreciated his efforts. He was the one connection to her old world she could depend on.
    “Thank you, Renzo,” she finally said with a faint smile. She couldn’t remember life at the villa without the man. “We