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Gabby sat on her front porch and lifted her needlepoint project onto her lap. Her disagreement that morning with Baxter had been refreshing. The way he kept carrying on about Faith was positive proof that he had feelings for her. Gabby knew her son. He was drawn to Faith physically and emotionally, and he was fighting it like it was World War III. She smiled.
A car slowed and entered the drive that ran to the parking lot at the rear of the house. Her smile faded. It was Leonardo Constanzo. She lifted a hand to smooth her hair and then jerked it back when her mind traveled thirty-seven years into the past. She put the brakes on any remembrances.
Methodically, she continued making cross stitches and stabbed her finger. "Damn!"
Leo rounded the path leading from the back to the front and paused at the porch steps. "Lovely day," he said.
"Yes. What brings you here, Leonardo?"
He started up the steps and corrected her, "That's Leo. We've known each other too long, Gabriella." He grinned. "I mean Gabby."
Gabby felt the usual kick to her gut whenever Leo smiled and purposefully pricked her finger again.
He motioned to the wicker chair across from her. "May I?"
"And if I say no?"
His grinned widened. "I'll sit anyway." He folded his long, lean frame into the chair, which made Gabby aware of the extra pounds she carried, but usually didn't bother her.
"You're looking well," he said. "I always liked your hair in a French braid down your back."
Self consciously she brushed a wisp from her cheek and then berated herself. She wouldn't let Leo fluster her. Bluntly, she repeated, "Why are you here?"
Leo's chiseled features again broke into a smile. "I love a woman who speaks her mind."
Gabby frowned and waited for him to answer her question.
His smile vanished. "I've come to warn you about someone."
When he didn't continue, she said, "Who?"
"Me."
Her heart began thumping wildly.
He said seriously, "We've been dancing around each other for years and you know it. There's always been an attraction between us and that kiss years ago nailed it."
Anger made Gabby's heart pound even faster and she exclaimed, "I loved my husband–"
"And I loved my wife. That goes without saying. We both had wonderful marriages, but our spouses are dead, and we're alive." He leaned closer. "And we both know that kiss lit a spark between us that's never died, whether you want to admit it or not."
Gabby began gathering her needlepoint. "I will not discuss this."
Leo reached a hand and placed it gently on her forearm. "I've been doing a lot of soul searching lately and I've come to the conclusion that I want you in my life Gabby, and not as a relative related by marriage."
Lifting her gaze from Leo's hand to his eyes she felt immobilized. His eyes were just as blue as in his youth; just as blue as the day he'd lowered his head to hers in the boathouse and kissed her with a passion she'd never forgotten." She jerked her arm away and abruptly stood. "It's not possible."
Before she entered the house he replied, "It is possible, and that's why I'm giving you fair warning that I'm out to win your heart once and for all."