He’d discovered the silver charm bracelet in the window at a little shop while he was on duty.
He’d gone back after work, and the saleswoman, Venus, who looked an awful lot like someone he knew but couldn’t place, had gushed over the bracelet and told him it would make a great gift for a special woman. Maybe not now, but in the future.
Showcasing delicate silver charms of the sun, moon, and the stars studded with garnets, the bracelet seemed to be made for Dawn. What was it about Dawn that attracted him? She certainly wasn’t the typical girl he usually liked, but she was stunning. Lisa had been sweet as honey on the outside and then tough as leather on the inside. Dawn was the exact opposite, tough on the outside and sweet and sensitive on the inside. He suddenly realized that’s what made her special.
“My family is going to love you,” he whispered in her ear as he helped her into her trench coat.
“Dawn is the most lovable girl in the world,” Annette echoed, clearly having heard his comment.
It didn’t matter. He agreed with her and flashed her a grin.
“Okay, you two, get on out of here before you make me cry.”
“Gran, why on earth would you cry?”
“You two just look like I’d always imagined you would if Dawnie had attended her prom.”
“Aww…” Dawn wrapped her arms around Annette. “I’ll text you later if I’m going to be home late.”
“Don’t you worry about me. I’m going to make some popcorn, watch an old movie on TV, and enjoy my roses.” Annette beamed at them.
Luca thought she was a sweet woman. He changed his vow. He would do everything he could to get them both out of this neighborhood.
As he helped Dawn into his car, he noticed she looked at him with a special glow in her eyes. He’d never had a woman look at him that way.
He got into the driver’s side, started the engine, and reached for her hand. “They’re going to adore you. Don’t worry.”
“Now who’s psychic?”
“I’m just imagining someone brand-new walking into not one but two families who all know each other now—and one of those families with seven sons and various daughters-in-law. Please don’t worry. Many of them have been in your shoes, and they’ll welcome you with open arms.”
She gave him a tremulous smile. “I hope so.”
“Try to relax. We’re going to meet up with some of them at my home first, and you’ve already been there. Besides, you’ve met my parents, and they really like you.”
“What about Gabe?”
“Gabe doesn’t count, but he thinks you’re great too.”
“Everyone counts. I don’t want to make a bad impression on anyone.”
“Well, you’re the psychic. How do you think they’re gonna react to you?”
“I’m too nervous to feel anything. Besides, it’s harder to sense things when it relates to myself.”
“Speaking of sensing things, I have something for you that I was hoping you could have a look at.”
She raised a fine brow. “Is this about Mandy?”
“Yes. I ran into Mandy’s father, Jack, and he asked for my help. He gave me Mandy’s pink unicorn, the one you saw in your vision.”
“Do you have it with you?” Her eyes were alight with excitement. “Maybe if I held the unicorn, I could figure out where she is.”
“It’s in my trunk. When we get to a place and time where you can concentrate, I’ll get it for you.”
“Do you think Jack would allow me into his home?”
“I don’t know. He’s pretty raw.” Luca appreciated her desire to help, but he remembered the warning Joe had given him. It was the firm, no-nonsense, forbidding type. “And I need to tell you something. You need to leave me out of it. I could get fired for interfering.”
