To Love Again by Danielle Steel

and poured herself a small glass of red wine. And then as though she had forgotten something, she jumped to her feet and ran to the tree.
    I almost forgot. She picked up two small boxes wrapped in gold and returned to the fire. For you.
    If it's not a carousel of my very own, I don't want it. And again they both laughed. But the laughter dimmed very quickly as he discovered what was inside. The first was a tiny immensely intricate calculator in its own silver case; it looked like a very elegant cigarette case and could be worn concealed in his vest.
    I had it sent from the States. I don't understand it. But you will.
    Isabella, you're crazy!
    Don't be silly. I should have gotten you a hot-water bottle for your ulcer, but I thought this might be more fun. She kissed him fondly on the cheek and handed him the next box. But this time she turned away, staring into the fire. And when he had opened it, he fell silent as well. There was very little he could say. It was the pocket watch he knew Amadeo had treasured and had almost never worn because it was so sacred to him. It had belonged to his father, and on its back initials of three generations of San Gregorio's were elaborately engraved. Beneath them, he suddenly realized, were his own.
    I don't know what to say.
    Ni+?nte, caro. There is nothing to say.
    Alessandro should have this. But she only shook her head.
    No, Nardo. You should. And for an endless moment her eyes held his. She wanted him to know that no matter how great the friction between them at work, he was precious to her, and he mattered. A great deal. He and Alessandro were all she had left now. And Bernardo would always be special to her. He was her friend. As he had been Amadeo's friend too. The watch was to remind him of that, that he was something more than simply the director of San Gregorio or the man she yelled at every day, twenty-seven times before noon. Away from the office he was someone important to her, a kind of family. He was a part of her other life. And the look in her eyes told him all that now as he watched her. His eyes seemed to hold hers for a very long time as though he were wondering about something, as though he were trying to resist a tidal wave over which he had no control.
    Isabella' . He sounded suddenly oddly formal, and she waited, knowing he was deeply moved by the gift. I I have something to say to you. I have for a long time. It may be the wrong time. It probably is' . I'm not sure. But I have to tell you. I must be honest with you now. It's ' very important ' to me. He hesitated lengthily between words as though what he was saying was very difficult for him, and the look in his eyes told her it was.
    Is something wrong? Her eyes suddenly filled with compassion. He looked agonized, poor man, and she had been so hard lately. What in God's name was he about to say? She sat very still and waited. Nardo ' you look frightened, caro. You needn't. Whatever it is, you can say it to me. God knows we've been outspoken enough for all these years. She tried to make him smile and he wouldn't, and for the first time in all the years he had known her, he thought her insensitive. My God, how could she not know? But it wasn't insensitivity, it was blindness. He knew it as he watched her, and then he nodded and put down his glass.
    I am frightened. What I have to tell you used to frighten me a great deal. And what worries me now is that it might frighten you. And I don't want it to. That's the last thing I want. She sat very still, watching him, waiting.
    Nardo' . She started to speak, holding out a long graceful white hand. He took it and held it fast in his own. His eyes never left hers.
    I will tell you very simply, Bellezza. There's no other way. I love you. And then softly, I have for years.
    She seemed almost to jump at his words, as though a current had suddenly gone through her and shocked her entire body. What?
    I love you. He seemed less frightened this time and more like the Bernardo she