“Fausto—I thought you were gone.” He moved around, keeping his distance, but he didn’t run off. “You’re not ready to go home yet and I suspect you’re hungry. Don’t worry. We’ll feed you in a minute.”
She removed her snowshoes and took them inside. When she went back out, she was met with another surprise. In the distance she saw Stefano’s tall, striking physique coming closer. He dragged the little tree behind him that he’d broken off for her.
The trouble he’d gone to in order to make her happy caught at her heart. This husband of hers was turning out to be a very different person from the man she’d envisioned.
“You didn’t have to do this.”
He lowered it to the snow and shot her a penetrating glance. “I’ve never put up a Christmas tree in the chalet before. It’ll be a first for me. I like the idea that we’re doing this together to set a tradition. How’s our fox?”
“He’s been waiting for us. I’m sure he’s hungry.”
“Go ahead and feed him while I erect a stand for the tree.” Stefano reached inside his parka and handed her the bag of food.
While he took off his snowshoes, she put some of the food in the dish. The fox must have smelled it because he hurried over to the box and began to eat. “Yup. I’ve ruined him. While you’re busy, I’ll go inside and get dinner started.”
She went inside to remove her ski clothes, then hurried upstairs to turn on the fireplace before going to the kitchen. They’d been out much longer than she’d realized. Stefano had to be starving, too. She’d seen some filet mignon steaks she could thaw and decided to make cheese dumplings. Along with potatoes and onions to cook, she would put a salad together.
While she’d been preparing their meal, Stefano had come upstairs several times. Once to bring up the box with Fausto, then the tree that he stood in one corner of the living room against the window.
He’d brought Christmas inside, thrilling her.
The sight of him placing it in the right position appealed to her deepest emotions and fulfilled fantasies she’d never thought would come true.
After he disappeared again, she found a bottle of red wine on the shelf and put it on the table. Soon she had it set and brought out two wineglasses. Lanza also lighted two candles ensconced in brass holders from one of the end tables and used them for a centerpiece. Everything was set.
Since he still hadn’t appeared, she hurried to her bedroom to change into a blue silk blouse and khaki pants. After brushing her hair so that it fell from a side part, she left it undone and put on her pink frost lipstick. Now she felt more presentable.
When she left the bedroom, she almost ran into Stefano, who was just coming out of his room. He’d shaved and looked so incredibly attractive in a black silk shirt and trousers, her legs came close to buckling.
His dark gaze enveloped her, sending heat throughout her body. “I wondered where the cook had gone. Something smells wonderful.”
They headed for the living room. “I made cheese dumplings. They’ll be done in five minutes.” She’d wanted to make something special for him. Heaven help her, but her desire for him was becoming overwhelming. She couldn’t believe she was the same woman who before coming to the chalet had considered her life a disaster area.
Stefano put more water in a bowl for Fausto while she fixed their dinner plates and took them to the table. “Come and eat while everything is hot.”
It amused her to watch him devour all his dumplings first. After he put down his fork, his eyes bored into hers. “I’ve never tasted dumplings like these before and could eat the whole pan.”
“I like them, too. Bianca, the head cook, says they’re her signature recipe.”
“I can see why.”
“Sometimes she makes them with spinach.”
“I prefer them just the way they are. In fact, this whole dinner is exceptional. You’re an excellent cook.”
“Thank you.”
He opened the wine and poured some into their glasses. Then he lifted his in her direction. “Felice Anno Nuovo, Signora Casale.”
He’d just called her Mrs. Casale, reminding her she was his wife. It seemed he hadn’t minded her using the name, after all. The words sent a delicious shiver down her spine. She picked up her glass in salute.
“Our New Year has swept in with an apocalyptic force. Who would have thought we’d be spending it with a little red creature and a broken off treetop? Thank you for going to that trouble. The tree makes the room more festive.”
There was a glimmer in his eyes that melted her bones. “So do the candles and the wine.” She could tell he wanted to get on a more intimate footing, and she knew she’d like that, too. But she couldn’t prevent feeling anxious about the future. It was lovely being together while they were snowed in. Once they returned to Domodossola and he was free to make plans, they might not have this closeness again.
“Stefano, can we talk frankly this evening?” She needed some answers.
He cast her a level glance. “Isn’t that what we’ve been doing?”