Gabriella gave her shoulders a little squeeze and whispered that she wanted to show her something. Dawn’s eyes met Luca’s across the room. Luca seemed to be on the receiving end of some good-natured ribbing from his father and older brothers.
Dawn’s mouth practically fell when he’d introduced her to everyone. Luca had told her the Fierro family gatherings were a challenge to pull off, since everyone was so busy and some were scattered in other countries, but since Mallory and Dante hadn’t had a formal engagement party and now Noah and Kizzy had announced their engagement, Antonio and Gabriella had insisted on celebrating the special occasions with a huge family dinner, which would require a restaurant’s function room. They’d all be going there shortly.
Dawn followed Gabriella upstairs to the sprawling master bedroom. A seating area consisting of a red love seat and two matching plush chairs sat facing a cozy fireplace.
“Have a seat,” Gabriella told her. “I’ll be right back.” Dawn sat on the comfortable love seat and gazed into the fire. Relaxing back into the sofa, she closed her eyes and allowed the warmth of the fireplace to envelop her.
Feeling the familiar pull of a vision, she allowed her mind to follow and saw herself walking down a hallway into a bright, sunny kitchen with a patio door leading onto a back deck and beyond that, a big backyard with a swing set. Luca was pushing a little girl on a swing. The only trees in the yard were palm trees. “Push me higher, Papa,” the little girl squealed with delight. He grinned and complied. Then he looked up, and his eyes met hers. He winked at her, and she melted with a feeling of love so strong, it almost took her breath away.
“Here we go.” Gabriella sat down beside Dawn, and the vision floated away. “Are you all right?”
Dawn read the look of concern on Gabriella’s face and sought to reassure her. “I’m fine. I just had a vision.”
“Was it about the missing child?” Gabriella reached for Dawn’s hand. “Luca told me not to tell anyone you were helping, and I haven’t, but naturally, I can tell you…you already know.”
Dawn shook her head. “No, it was about Luca.”
Gabriella’s eyes widened in alarm. “What did you see? Is it his job? Can we stop something awful from happening?”
“No, he was happy. He was pushing a little girl on a swing. His daughter.”
Tears sprang to Gabriella’s eyes. And she gasped. “No female child has been born into this family in generations. You can’t imagine how much I’ve craved a little girl to spoil.”
Dawn didn’t want to tell her that she was in the vision as well. She didn’t want Gabriella to think she was trying to angle her way into this amazing family.
Gabriella placed a hand on her chest and breathed deeply. “Thank you for sharing your vision with me. We’ll keep it to ourselves for now. But it makes me so happy to know you saw Luca with a little girl.”
“You’re welcome,” Dawn replied, smiling.
“I hope you were in that vision too,” Gabriella added.
Dawn’s gaze dropped to her lap. She had little experience dealing with so many members of a big, extended family, and all the emotions pinging around were a little overwhelming. Now, to have Gabriella say something so wonderful to her almost made her break down in tears.
Gabriella must have realized what Dawn was going through, because she wrapped her arms around her in a fierce hug.
“I know you have been through some difficult times in your life, but now, you’re part of us. No matter what, we all have each other’s backs. And I want you to know I’m very happy Luca brought you with him tonight.”
“Th-thank you,” Dawn stuttered in a whisper. She didn’t know what else to say. She was touched.
Dawn’s own mother had tried, she really had, but the pull of heroin had been too much for her, and Annette had had to fill the role of both mother and father for Dawn. Being welcomed into this loud, loving, boisterous family was more than Dawn could have ever imagined. She’d never even realized how badly she needed this.
“I noticed your lovely bracelet, and I think I have something that goes perfectly with it.” Gabriella opened a small velvet sack and pulled out a beautiful silver necklace with the same matching charms on it. A few links were studded with garnets as well. It matched the bracelet Luca had given her perfectly.
“I bought this necklace on a whim,” Gabriella said. “I was shopping and stopped by this new little shop called Goddess Fashions, and the saleswoman was so kind. I ended up buying something for each of my daughters-in-law, and then I saw this necklace and just knew I had to have it, even though I didn’t know why at the time. Isn’t that a remarkable coincidence?”
Dawn nodded in agreement. “I have something to tell you, Mrs. Fierro.”
“Uh-uh, I’m Gabriella.” The older woman wagged her finger at Dawn.
“Okay, Gabriella. Luca gave me this bracelet earlier tonight. He bought it at the same store. Did you know about that?”
“No, I didn’t. I swear.” She crossed her heart.
And it’s the same store where I bought my dress. Dawn wondered if Lynda and company had something to do with this coincidence. It certainly seemed a little too odd to be a complete accident. She would ask her at their next meeting before jumping to conclusions.
“Imagine that!” Gabriella’s eyes widened. “I knew my son had good taste. Let me put this on you.” She draped the necklace around Dawn’s neck and fastened the clasp, then she sat back. “It suits you perfectly. Maybe it’s a sign.” Gabriella’s eyes glittered, and Dawn wondered if the older woman was going to start crying.
“I’m just so happy you’re here.” Gabriella sighed. “You are a very special young woman, and Luca is a very special young man. I can tell you care about my son, and I can see that he cares about you. That is a very good place to build from.” Gabriella squeezed Dawn’s hand. “I’m very worried about Luca’s job. I know it’s dangerous. I’m counting on you to keep him from trying to be a hero. He can be very stubborn and doesn’t tell us even a fraction of what he goes through. And while I’m not psychic like you are, a mother has certain intuitions about her children.”
