Lavished with Lavender - Valerie Comer Page 0,68
eyed the pile of presents under the tree and the overstuffed stockings on the mantle, they seemed patient enough.
Wait a sec. Kenna studied the row of stockings. Eight of them? And a delicately quilted one had her name embroidered on it. No way. Her hand flew up to cover her mouth, and she glanced at Tony.
He leaned closer, his eyes twinkling. “Mom made it for you.”
“But... it has my name on it.” Like she belonged. Like she was permanent. She managed a shaky breath. “And your parents have some, too? I thought it was only for kids.”
“Not in my family.” Tony chuckled. “Gina and I didn’t want to give up stockings when we got older, so we made a pact with Mom and Dad that each of us would pick up two or three little things to tuck in everyone else’s stocking. Late Christmas Eve, we take turns adding our stuff, making sure not to peek inside.”
“I didn’t know. I would have—”
He kissed her. “This year, you’re a guest.”
This year? What about in the future? More than anything, she wanted a future with Tony.
His dad brought a tray in from the kitchen. “Hot chocolate for the kids. Coffee for the adults.” Matt set the children’s mugs on coasters on the coffee table before turning to Kenna. “I think this one is fixed the way you like it.”
She couldn’t believe the attentiveness. The spoiling, really. She reached for the rustic pottery mug. “Thank you.”
Matt sat down and read the Christmas story from the book of Luke. The family sang a couple of carols, and the children’s sweet voices carried Away in a Manger. Then Matt prayed a blessing over each person in the room. “Father God, thank You for bringing Kenna and Tony together, and I ask that You would guide them in their future. I pray that You would bless Kenna for the great care she’s given my mamma. I ask that You would lavish her with Your love. That You would keep her close to You.”
He went on to pray for other members of his family, but Kenna’s heart was so full it overflowed her eyes. She clenched Tony’s hand and knew, no matter what happened, she could never be happier or more loved than she was right here, right now.
Epilogue
The upscale lounge was packed with men in tuxedoes and women in gowns seated at small round tables.
Tony had claimed, over and over, that it no longer mattered if Antonio’s won an award from the culinary guild but, now that he was here at the annual gala, his heart rate skittered and his hands were clammy.
But Kenna was in her element in a gorgeous pink gown. On a whim — and as a nod to their early days — he’d asked the florist to tuck a few sprigs of lavender in her wrist corsage. It had brought a chuckle and a kiss. Totally worth the effort.
Soon the host began the presentations. Tony’s knee jittered as he sat through the best bar, the best coffee spot, the best food truck. But then the woman in the black gown leaned back into the mic. “It’s challenging to launch a brand-new upscale restaurant and make a splash within the first year, but Spokane saw some great contenders this year. Several were highly reviewed and recommended, but the top spot goes to...”
Tony held his breath as she opened the envelope.
“Antonio’s on West Main! Chef Santoro, would you accept this award on behalf of your restaurant?”
Polite applause filled the room, but it was Kenna’s fingers squeezing his that anchored him. “Go, you,” she whispered around a huge smile.
Cameras flashed as he made his way to the podium and accepted the coveted award. He held it up with a big smile then tugged his speech out of his chest pocket. “Thank you, Spokane! Thank you for visiting Antonio’s and giving us the chance to wow you with our updated Italian cuisine. My nonna will treasure this award and tell all her friends how much influence she had in my training.”
Light laughter filtered through the lounge.
“And she won’t be wrong. I’d also like to thank Chef Claire Kenzie of Galena Landing for inspiring a cheeky teenager, my instructors at Seattle Culinary School for teaching me to wield a knife, and my uncle, Chef Leo Ricci, of Italiana in Twin Falls, for teaching me how to run a kitchen.”
He paused at the ripple of applause and took a deep breath before meeting Kenna’s gaze. She sat with