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"She will be coe said ents in the church But she’s going to that funeral"

"Fine," he said curtly "Straight to the church and straight back Nothing graveside, and I’ll post agents on the stairs so no one gets up to her floor during the wake"

The victory surprised Paige What had caused Alex to give in? She’d thought they’d have to fight a lot longer and she would have to threaten hi her father

As it was, she was all charged up for a fight that had ended too soon Lucky for her--there was still one lared at hi with me unless you intend to finish it I’ame"

Under other circuht now it just pissed her off

"What on earth are you talking about?" he asked

"Figure it out," she told him, then stalked away

The Catholic church closest to the Marcelli vineyards usually held three hundred On a foggy, cool, Friday iven Joe an idea of whom to expect Even so, he was surprised to see so many unfamiliar faces

Some were old--conteer Distant relatives, employees, fellow vintners A half a dozen politicians sat in the pews

There had been over two hundred requests to speak at the funeral Last night Colleen and her daughters had gone through them and picked thirty Twenty would speak in the church, the other ten by the graveside

Joe listened to the religious service, then to the first few mourners He heard stories about a Lorenzo he had never known In soain

Tessa sat next to hih the service, see to shrink with every minute that passed Unable to stand her quiet tears, he put an arm around her and pulled her close

She looked up at hirandfather was so proud of you," she whispered frorandfather He’d never claimed that relationship with Lorenzo Joe had been careful to avoid calling him by name, much as he did with Marco and Colleen and Tessa Grama because her title didn’t seem to be about any faht, wanting to bolt He forced his He felt Darcy’s presence in the church She sat in the back, on the side, where she would be whisked away before the service ended She’d insisted on co she wanted to be there for the family and for herself

He knew in his head funerals were supposed to help That the ceremony clarified theto move on It had never worked that way for Joe He’d been to funerals of guys he’d worked with, and the pomp and circumstance had only pissed him off, as it did now

Nic stood and walked to the front of the church He nodded at Tessa and Marco, then introduced himself

"I first met Lorenzo when I was ten I’d walked over frorapes I was a kid--what did I know?" Nic s and tookHe listened to my opinion and told me his I was terrified, of course He was a Marcelli and eren’t supposed to get along, but he was kind that day and made me wish I could be a part of his family"

Nic paused and stared into the crowded church "Years later, I hter Brenna After a little co because I was a Giovanni, Lorenzo welcorateful to have known hih to see what the future would require of those around hi us a haven of support and caring"

Joe let the words wash over him Speaker after speaker spoke of a ht of all the times Lorenzo had pressed him to be part of the family, and of all the times Joe had refused Lorenzo had wanted little randson, but Joe had been determined to make sure that never happened

Why? What was the point of disappointing an old ?

And noas too late He couldn’t go to Lorenzo and say he understood why he, Joe, had been sent away all those years ago He couldn’t acknowledge that whatever his last naht be, Marcelli blood flowed in his veins He couldn’t stop rejecting what had been offered because the one

Several hours later Joekept outside by a co them in that direction Tessa held court over the stove, accepting the condolences of those who stopped by to see her and share stories Colleen and Grammy M stayed close, while Marco, Francesca, Katie, and Mia circulated with the guests Nic had taken Brenna home She’d been inconsolable after the funeral, and with her due date so close, everyone had agreed she needed to rest

For the first tio or what to do Several farandfather, but he hadn’t knohat he should say in return He had no stories to share, no fond

Finally he made his way to the back of the house and went upstairs The agent on the landing nodded, then stepped aside to let Joe pass He walked to Darcy’s room, knocked once, and entered when she called for him to come in

She sat on her bed The plain black dress was still in place, but she’d kicked off her shoes and ree and filled with pain

"How are you holding up?" he asked

"That’s my question for you," she told him as she stood and stepped toward him "Are you okay?"

She wasn’t h, but she was all heart

"I’h it"

She studied his face, then touched her fingers to his cheeks "I don’t think so"

He sed "I never told hiized to ive ave him He thinks I’ainst him "No, he doesn’t He knohat’s in your heart, Joe"

If only that were true But in his book, it was a bunch of crap "I never said I cared I never admitted that I was one of them A Marcelli I wouldn’t say it I wouldn’t even call hirandfather"

Tears filled her eyes and spilled down her cheeks He touched the ?"