The Marcelli Bride

Joe ignored the list and looked at her. The shadows that had finally started to fade had returned. She looked thin and pale and unbearably sad.

“You shouldn’t be making calls,” he said. “What if someone recognized your voice?”

“I had to help.” She moved into the room and sat down across from his desk. “I didn’t call any friends or family members. Then I would have had to explain who I was. But I took care of the church and the catering. Tessa is saying she wants to cook, but I spoke to Colleen and Marco and they agree it’s just too much for her. They’re expecting nearly five hundred people at the funeral and nearly that many back here. Katie told me who to call, and they’re going to be ready on time. I’m working on getting tents set up in the backyard, along with tables. I should have confirmation before five.”

“You’re good at this,” he said, appreciative of the help. What did he know about putting together a funeral for a man who had been a part of the community for nearly eighty years?

“I grew up in politics,” she said with a shrug. “I know how to organize parties. I know Katie was the more logical choice, but she’s pretty broken up. They all are. Oh, and Mia just got here.”

The youngest Marcelli sister had been missing for the past two days. “Where was she?” he asked.

“She and Ian went down to Mexico and didn’t tell anyone. She got to her hotel in San Diego this morning and got the message. They drove right back. I’m sure she’ll be in to see you in a second.”

He leaned back in his chair and rubbed his eyes. “There’s too much to do.”

There wasn’t. He’d organized tactical assignments for entire SEAL teams. This was nothing, in the logistics department. But emotionally-it was hell.

“It’ll get done,” Darcy said. “There are plenty of hands to lighten the load.”

“When did you get philosophical?”

“When Lorenzo Marcelli died in my arms.”

“I want to talk to you about that.”

She looked away. “I’m okay.”

He doubted that, but before he could say anything, Mia ran into the room. Tears poured down her cheeks as she headed directly for Joe. He pushed back from the desk in time for her to drop into his lap and rest her face against his shoulder.

“I can’t believe he’s gone,” she cried. “I loved him so much and I never told him.”

“He knew,” Joe told her as he awkwardly put his arms around her.

She cried until he felt the moisture seep through his shirt. He patted her back and looked at Darcy, desperate to know what to do next.

“It was very quick,” Darcy said. “He was at peace.”

Mia straightened and looked at her. “You swear? He wasn’t in pain.”

“Not at all.”

“I’m glad.” The tears made her face all blotchy.

Ian walked into the room, and Mia left Joe to hurry into his arms. “I can’t believe it,” she said. “He was fine when we left. Just fine.”

For once Ian didn’t seem to have anything to say. He gave them a sympathetic smile and ushered a sobbing Mia out of the library.

“Too much emotion,” Joe said when she’d left.

“Mia leads with her heart,” Darcy told him. “I’m going to guess she’ll keep doing that until someone breaks it.”

He didn’t want to think about that happening. Honestly, he didn’t want to think about anything. Right now he would sell his left nut for a military crisis calling him back to duty. He didn’t care where, just so long as it was away from here.

But the phone didn’t ring and Tessa entered the room with a tray of sandwiches and a pot of coffee.

“You’ve been in here so long,” she said quietly. “You missed lunch.”

She seemed smaller and more frail. As if the essence of who she was had been lost. As she set the tray down, she began to tremble. Joe stood, then looked helplessly at Darcy.

“Hold her,” she mouthed.

Joe stared at the tiny woman, then opened his arms to her. Tessa stepped into his embrace and began to cry. He pulled her close and stroked her back. She barely came to the center of his chest, and he was afraid if he held her too tightly, she would snap in two.

Darcy stood and moved to the bookcase, where she grabbed a box of tissues and passed them to him. He offered a couple to Tessa, who took them and wiped her face.

“I’m a foolish old woman,” she murmured.

Darcy hugged her. “You’re wonderful and you miss your husband. Of course there are tears. We’re all sad. Lorenzo would probably tell us we were being foolish, crying over what we can’t change. Then he’d want to know if anyone is checking on the grapes.”

Tessa looked at her. A slight smiled pulled at the corners of her mouth. “Yes, you are right. That is what he would have said. But he would have been happy, too, to know how much we miss him.”

She touched the large, carved desk. “He would sit here sometimes in the evening. He would do the books and I would read to Marco, or knit. In the winter we’d have a fire.” Tears filled her eyes again. She opened her mouth, closed it, then quickly left.

Joe sank back onto his chair. “I’ve reached my limit. When is this going to be over?”

“Not for a long time.”

He didn’t like the sound of that. “Marco should be running things. Everyone’s looking to me.”

“Because you’re the strong one. Those with natural leadership ability always rise to a position of authority.”

“It’s his family.”

She walked around the desk and crouched in front of him. After taking both his hands in hers, she looked at him. Just looked.

He knew what she wanted-for him to admit it was his family, too. But he couldn’t. Accepting the Marcellis as his own changed too much.

“I’m not one of them,” he said stubbornly. “I know that makes me a real bastard, but I’m okay with that.”

“Denial doesn’t change reality.”

“This isn’t my reality.”

She rose and, still holding his hands, leaned forward and lightly kissed him.

“Don’t keep pushing them away. Learn from your past.”

He jerked free. “You don’t know what the hell you’re talking about.”

He hadn’t pushed Alicia away. She’d gone on her own.

Darcy shrugged. “Have it your way.” She left.

Alone in the silence, he thought. It was all he wanted. All he’d ever wanted.

Thursday morning Darcy reported for kitchen duty. Grandma Tessa had found out about the caterers and had a fit. She’d called in all the Marcelli women and Darcy to prepare everything. A menu had been posted on the refrigerator, Mia, Colleen, and Ian had been sent out for supplies, and now Grandma Tessa assigned tasks.

“Brenna, you’ll need to stay off your feet,” she said. “You can sit at the table and chop. Nothing more.”

Brenna nodded. “Anything you want. You know that.”

Her grandmother glared at her. “Stop being so nice to me. It makes me want to cry. No tears today. Today we cook. Tomorrow all those people will come to pay their respects to Lorenzo. They’ll drink Marcelli wine and they’ll eat Marcelli food. Nothing else.” Her gaze narrowed as she turned her attention to Katie.

“I was only trying to help,” her granddaughter said. “I thought I was helping.”

“No. Helping is washing all the chickens when Mia brings them back.”

The back door opened and Grammy M walked into the kitchen. Tessa stared at her for a long moment, then held open her arms. The two old ladies rushed together and hugged tightly.

“I’m sorry,” Grammy M murmured. “Oh, Tessa, your pain. I would have come sooner, but I was thinkin’…” She gave a little sob. “I don’t know what I was thinkin’. I can’t believe he’s gone. I’ve barely seen him these past three years. I regret that. And not seein’ you.”

They rocked back and forth.