When It Falls Apart (The D'Angelos, #1)(77)

She nodded.

“It’s been a hard couple of weeks.”

“Papa?”

“Yes?”

Franny’s eyes shifted from side to side, a question weighing on her. “Can I call her Antonia and not Mama?”

The air in Luca’s lungs was sucked out with the question.

He glanced at Brooke, who offered a subtle nod.

“Absolutely, tesorina. If that’s what you want to do.”

The three of them walked over to a bench, where Franny tossed her backpack. “Wanna play Frisbee?”

Luca reached inside the pocket of the windbreaker he wore. “Yes, but before we do, I have something for both of you.”

Brooke and Franny looked over at him.

He removed two small boxes, one in silver and the other gold. Handed the gold one to Brooke and the silver to Franny. “I saw these and thought of the two special girls in my life.”

Brooke tilted her head with a smile. “Macaroni?”

He winked. “Open it.”

Luca watched Brooke’s expression when she saw the gold heart dangling from a chain.

“Luca, it’s beautiful.”

She removed it from the box.

“Mine is like yours,” Franny said.

It was, only smaller and in silver. “Thank you, Papa.”

“You’re getting so grown-up, you should have pretty things.”

Brooke set the box down and fiddled with the clasp.

“Here, let me.” He took it from her.

She turned around and lifted her hair out of the way.

Once it was in place, she modeled it for him. “Thank you.”

He leaned over, kissed her. “You’re welcome.”

“My turn,” Franny said.

Luca put the necklace on his daughter and accepted her kiss on his cheek.

He sat back and looked at them both.

“Bellissima.”

“Who is ready to play some Frisbee?” Brooke asked.

Franny jumped up. “I am!”



Mari sat with Rosa at one of the outside tables at the restaurant drinking cappuccino.

“I’m glad you could meet on such short notice.”

“You make it sound so formal,” Mari said to her friend.

Rosa sighed. “Antonia called me, twice now . . . asking to stay in my spare room.”

Mari’s smile fell. “You want my blessing.”

Rosa waved a hand in the air. “You tell me no. Then no. But she is Franny’s mama, and I didn’t want to put her on the street without talking to you first.”

“She won’t be on the street.”

Rosa shrugged. “I don’t know. Most people are loyal to Luca and you. She doesn’t have much money and hasn’t been well.”

“As she keeps telling everyone.” Mari wasn’t convinced. “What is her game? She has to work eventually . . . or find another man to support her. I think she returned to snare my Luca again. Thank God for Brooke.”

“Perhaps I let her stay with me long enough to learn her plan? If she is in my home, I can see her coming and going . . . maybe discover what she is thinking. And again . . . she was your daughter-in-law . . . for what that’s worth.”

Mari hesitated.

“And if Francesca visits her mama, she’ll be in my home. A familiar face where I can watch and be available.”

That wasn’t something Mari had considered.

Rosa sipped her coffee. “But if you don’t like it, I say no.”

“No, no. You make good points.”

“And if Antonia has truly changed, we have all given her a chance.”

Mari cradled her cup with both hands. “And if she hasn’t . . . we see what she is doing before she does it.”

“Sí, sí.”

“Thank you for coming to me first, Rosa. You’re a dear friend.”

“Always.”

They drank their coffee, and beyond the restaurant patio, Mari noticed her son’s head above the other people walking on the sidewalk.

The crowd parted enough to see Brooke at his side, the two of them holding hands and Franny skipping alongside.

Her heart warmed. “Now that is the family I want to see happen.”

Rosa turned in her chair. “It appears it already has.”

“Send up your prayers, my friend.”

Franny saw the two of them and ran their way. “Nonna, Nonna . . . look what Papa gave me.”

Franny was holding the pendant on the end of a chain.

“Your papa is so thoughtful.”

“Isn’t it pretty?”

“Very.”

Franny shoved it in Rosa’s face. “See? He gave one to Brooke, too. Only hers is gold.”

Mari glanced at Rosa, the two of them shared a smile.

Luca and Brooke approached, and Mari found herself staring at the heart necklace hanging from Brooke’s neck.

“Buonasera,” Mari said to both of them. “Good to have you home.”

“I can’t tell you how nice it is to be back.”

Mari stood and kissed Brooke on both cheeks. She purposely looked at the necklace and then to her son. “Your father taught you well.”

Brooke’s face took on a crimson glow.