“Why?”
“It’s your home. I want to know it. I don’t like thinking about you having to leave here one day and being away for months on end or longer.”
She huffed out a nervous laugh. “You make it sound like a tragedy.”
“I just want you to know I...”
She put her index finger to his chin before he could bow his head again. “Tell me.”
“I never want you to hate me.”
Her body chilled, despite the pleasant evening. “Roman-”
“My family is-”
“Stop this,” she grabbed handfuls of the white linen dashiki her mother had specially made for him. She shook him with as much strength as she could muster. “All families have issues, Roman-”
“We’re talkin’ about the Tesanos, Princess- a whole other breed. Being with me will be hard for you when you’re around them.” He pulled her fingers from his shirt, kissed her knuckles. “I’ll walk away from them before I let that happen.”
“Roman please,” she pressed his hand to her cheek. “We’re each other's family now. Besides, my father isn’t eager to have me here more than I have to be. We’re in the middle of a civil war. Our village has been extraordinarily blessed but there are no promises on how long that will last. So it seems we’re surrounded by drama on all sides. We deal with whatever comes, yes?”
Her absolute confidence in that, melted his heart. He put his forehead to hers. “I really love you,” he pulled back and leveled a playful frown her way. “How did that happen?” he asked.
She laughed. “I hoped you could tell me. I love you too.”
He linked both arms around her waist, locked a hand over his wrist to keep her still. “Guess we should do something about that, huh?”
Imani pretended to concentrate. “I know!” She snapped her fingers. “We could get married.”
“Say...” Roman lifted his brows in mock realization. “That’s a good idea.”
She looped her arms around his neck. “More where that came from.”
“Oh yeah?” He pressed her back to the tree. “I’ve got time to find out if you’re willing to share.”
“I’d love to share with you, Mr. Tesano.”
“La mia serenita, ti amo.”
She smiled as if another cool breeze had drifted across her face. “What does that mean?”
“I love you,” he said simply and kissed her.
~14~
Six Days Later...
Candace enjoyed a good shopping trip as much as the next girl. Standing on a small round platform for almost an hour and being tugged at measured and turned, not so much. Still, it was for an outstanding cause and in an outstanding place.
She breathed in a refreshing dose of air and told herself that her rejuvenation was as much about the fitting being over as it was about the potent African climate. Truth was, the climate had everything to do with it.
She was honored by Imani’s offer to have her take such a prominent role in the wedding party. A secret smile tugged Candace’s mouth over how pissed Ashira Morris was that the offer hadn’t gone to her as the bride’s oldest female cousin.
Standing there now outside the row of small cottages where a team of expert seamstresses toiled night and day, Candace felt honored on a whole other level. Imani was right. Africa reminded you of how small you were-how small your problems were.
Candace squeezed her eyes shut and refused to take her thoughts there. When she heard her name on his voice, she was sure her mind was rebelling and playing tricks on her. Her jaw dropped when she saw Pitch standing at the far end of one of the cottages.
“Didn’t mean to scare you,” he said.
“You didn’t,” her chin lifted. “When did you get here?”
“We’ve been here about ninety minutes.”
“We?” Candace braced. “Not...Athena and Liam?”
“God no!” Pitch roared a laugh. “Although, I’d like to see Miss Isis put the woman in her place.”
Candace laughed then. “Yeah, that would be something to see.”
“Anyway, um it’s just me and Pop,” he gave a satisfied smile. “It was a good trip.”
“I’m glad you had time with him.” She enjoyed seeing how happy he was.
Pitch trudged across the red dirt walkway, shaving off some of their distance. “Ari and Stone wanted to come, but there was too much business stuff. On the bright side, Ro and Imani lucked out on some great presents.”
Concern was etched across Candace’s face. “Is everything alright back there?”
He scowled. “Alright is relative in my family. Let’s just say Ari didn’t want to leave Stone to handle...whatever might need to be handled.” He seemed to shake off his agitation then and fixed her with an encouraging look. “How’s Miss Dani?”
