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“What has you grinning like an idiot?” Natalie teased me.
I looked up to respond when I saw a stranger walk into Abberly’s. The cut of his suit was clear to me that this was no ordinary man.
“What in the world?” Knox muttered.
“Not what, but who?” Candice added
“Well now, this is cozy,” said the handsome stranger with a clipped English accent.
“No,” Natalie murmured from beside me. Her hands clenched at her sides, just as she straightened in her seat.
The man walked directly toward our table. There was some graying at the temples of his hairline, but it only made him appear more engaging.
“Who is he?” I asked as I reached over and took Natalie’s hand.
I wondered if she even realized her hands were shaking. The connection between the two of them was nearly palpable. It was obvious that they not only knew each other, but they had meant something special to one another.
He spoke directly toward Natalie. “Want to tell them who I am, dearest?”
The mocking endearment seemed to break the spell surrounding her. Natalie gently pulled her hand free and pushed her honey-blonde hair behind her ears. She looked cool and confident. “No, I would rather not.”
The man’s eyes sparkled. Was it because she was sparring with him? I honestly couldn’t tell.
“I would be more than happy to make introductions,” he began.
“No,” Natalie interrupted. “Listen up, everyone. This is Julio Cerone, my husband, and the head of the Italian Mafia.” She leaned over to address Knox, “You might want to keep those handcuffs ready, Sheriff.”
There was silence as everyone looked at each other, waiting for the explosion that never came. Suddenly, Julio began to laugh. “You haven’t changed, I see.”
Knox gave Julio a pointed look. “Italian Mafia? Is she joking? Why do you speak with an English accent?”
Julio scoffed. “Natalia, she always did exaggerate. I sell insurance.”
Natalie snorted loudly. “And I’m the queen of England.”
“You’re the queen of my heart,” Julio said proudly.
“I’m going to be sick,” Natalie announced, pushing her chair back.
Knox sighed, speaking to nobody and everyone at the same time. “Just when you think things are going to settle down.”
Julio raised his hands in mock surrender. “I want no trouble. I just came to get my wife.”
Natalie bristled. “I am not a package. I’m not going with you, Julio. My life is here now.”
Julio nodded slowly. “I see.”
Natalie continued. “So you might as well go back to Italy, or wherever you are living now because I want no part of that life.”
“Insurance can indeed get a little dicey,” Julio said, straight-faced. “However, if this is what you want and what makes you happy, I have no desire to take that away from you.”
Natalie’s eyes narrowed. “That doesn’t sound anything like you.”
“People change, Natalia.”
I could tell that the handsome man was getting to her. There was a flush on Natalie’s cheeks, and she had a death grip on the arms of the chair.
“So,” she said faintly as she licked her dry lips. “When are you leaving?”