Introduction

Bella couldn't be happier that her long-feuding Aunt Rosa and Uncle Lazarro have finally admitted their love for one another and are getting married. Their forties-style wedding is sure to be a night to remember. But when the Rossi house begins to fill up with family from Italy--and an old mobster from New Jersey--life starts to get complicated. Will Lazarro's friend from the past drive the happy couple apart once more? And will Bella ever have time to think of her own rapidly-approaching wedding amidst the chaos? Full of laugh-out-loud humor, plenty of Italian passion, and a bit of Texas gumption, It Had to Be You is the satisfying conclusion to an entertaining series.

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Excerpt

You Make Me Feel So Young

If Aunt Rosa and Uncle Lazarro hadn’t wasted sixteen years

bickering over who was the better singer—Frank Sinatra or

Dean Martin—they probably would have ended up married

years ago . . . and I would never have found myself trying to

factor a mob boss into the wedding party. Still, I’ve learned

not to question God’s timing, particularly in matters of the

heart. So what if the sixtysomething lovebirds waited until

their golden years to confess their undying love for each other?

The blissful couple still had plenty of days ahead to make

up for lost time. And I made it my goal to give them the best

possible chance at happiness by coordinating a wedding they

wouldn’t soon forget, even if it did include a few questionable

characters from their past.

Laz and Rosa’s desire for a forties-themed reception came

as no surprise. They were both born during the swing era,

after all. But their plan to transform our family’s Galveston

Island wedding facility into a big band wonderland would take some work . . . and lots of it. With only six weeks till the

mid-December extravaganza, I had my hands full. Hiring a

band, designing the room, helping Rosa pick out her gown

and forties-themed bridesmaids’ dresses. Whew! And all while

planning my own wedding to D.J. Neeley, the hunkiest cowboy

on the island. How could I possibly handle it all?

Ah yes, with the Lord’s help. He alone would see me through

this. And I might even have a little fun along the way.

I met with the happy couple on a Tuesday afternoon in

late October to talk things through. We didn’t have to go far

to meet. After all, our family-run wedding facility was just

next door to the Rossi home on Broadway, near the heart of

the island.

Rosa, my mother’s older sister, grinned like a Cheshire cat

as she settled into her seat on the opposite side of my desk.

Rosa had never been the sort to pay much attention to her hair

or makeup, and her simple dresses—which were usually hidden

behind a tomato-stained apron—weren’t exactly couture.

The sagging knee-highs were a bit of a distraction at times,

as were the orthopedic shoes. Oh, but as she sat across from

me now, a blushing bride-to-be, the joy of the Lord radiated

from her smile and her eyes. In that moment I thought her

the most beautiful bride I’d ever seen. I could hardly wait to

see her walk down the aisle in her white wedding gown.

My gaze shifted to Lazarro, my father’s older brother.

Laz had always been the cocky, sophisticated sort with a

somewhat brusque demeanor. These days, however, he was

a changed man, a happier version of his old self. That’s what

love would do to you. This I knew from firsthand experience,

having finally met the man of my dreams. Like Uncle Laz, I

had been transformed.

Rosa glanced at the clock on the wall, her eyes narrowing.

“We can’t stay long, Bella. Laz and I have already started

dinner. We’ll need to get back to the house by 5:30.”

“No problem. I’ll have you out of here in plenty of time.”

I leaned back in my chair, my gaze shifting between my aunt

and uncle. “So, let’s start with you. What’s up? You two said

you had something special to tell me. I’m dying to know.”

“Bella, the most wonderful thing has happened.” Rosa

looked at Uncle Lazarro, then back at me. She clasped her

hands together and grinned. “Laz has found the perfect swing

band for our reception.”

“Oh?” This news surprised me, particularly in light of the

fact that I’d been looking for a band for over a week now and

hadn’t been able to locate one yet. Apparently, there was a

run on swing bands during the Christmas season. Most were

booked well into the New Year. How my uncle had accomplished

this feat was nothing short of a miracle.

Laz leaned forward, and I could read the excitement in his

eyes. “These guys are based out of Houston. They’re called

Band of Gold. Want to guess why?”

“Um, they have matching gold jackets?”

“Nope.”

“Gold teeth?” I tried.

“No.” Laz laughed. “I’ll put you out of your misery. They’re

all in their golden years. The youngest guy in the group is

sixty-seven. The oldest is eighty-four.”

“Whoa.” I swallowed hard, curious as to how this would

work. “Laz, have you heard their music? How do you know

they’re any good?”

“I went to their website this morning,” he said with a wave

of his hand. “Heard samples of their stuff. They’re amazing.

And they know all of the best swing music—Glenn Miller,

Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey, Cab Calloway, Kay Kyser,Count Basie, Paul Whiteman, Artie Shaw.” He went off on

a tangent, listing bands I’d never even heard of. Apparently

Band of Gold knew them all and played their tunes to perfection,

at least according to Laz.

“They even feature a few Rosemary Clooney songs,” Rosa

threw in when Laz paused for breath. “You know how much

I love her music.” She began to list Rosemary’s top ten songs,

her eyes wide with excitement. Then she began to sing “Come

On-a My House” in perfect pitch. Hmm. Maybe we could

get Rosa to sing a number at her own reception. Something

to think about.

My aunt finally stopped singing and flashed a girlish smile.

“Great music sets the tone for a wonderful event, and we want

the best.” As she began to explain her passion for music, her

language shifted to Italian. I had to smile. She often did this

when excited, though she rarely realized it.

“Well, speaking of the best music around, what about Sinatra

and Dino?” I asked the question hesitantly, predicting the

answer before it was spoken. For years, Rosa had listened to

nothing but Ol’ Blue Eyes. And my uncle’s addiction to Dean

Martin had spilled over to his restaurant, Parma John’s, where

the daily pizza specials were named after some of Dino’s most

famous songs. The Mambo Italiano was still my favorite, but

the Simpatico came in a close second. Just thinking about

that pepperoni made my mouth water, even now. view abbreviated excerpt only...

Discussion Questions

From the publisher:

1. At the beginning of this story, we learn that Aunt Rosa and Uncle Laz are marrying. Though she is in her golden years, this is Rosa’s first marriage. Do you know others who’ve married later in life? What can romance be richer during the golden years?

2. Bella’s extended family members come from far away (Italy), and she hasn’t seen them in years. Think about your extended family. Where do they come from (initially or recently)? What would it be like to have the whole clan together again? How might your perception of them have changed over time?

3. The females in this story have several preconceived ideas about Francesca, Emilio’s new, young, beautiful wife. Have you ever judged someone prematurely, only to be proven wrong in the end? Or has someone judged you, only to be proven wrong?

4. Gordy, the bandleader, found the Lord in prison and was given a new start in life. What do you know people “with a past” who have come to know the Lord? How have they challenged you in your faith?

5. Gordy and the others in the swing band are in their golden years but still are very active with their talents. Can you think of seniors in your own life who are still using their talents? How can you encourage them?

6. When Bella sees Sal for the first time, she realizes he is dramatically changed—at least physically. Think about your own aging process. The Bible says that the outward man perishes but the inward man is being renewed daily. When you’re older, what do you want people to see in you?

7. Sal is prejudiced against Rosa and tries to put an end to her and Laz’s wedding. Have you ever experienced unfair prejudice in your own life or witnessed it in the life of another? How did you respond?

8. The members of the swing band are firm believers in praising your way through life’s trials. Do you ever feel like you’re Jehoshaphat, on the front lines of battle? How do you respond in those situations?

9. When Rosa and Laz marry, they have a huge Italian wedding feast. Think of your own family. If you could go all out for a major family event, what sorts of foods would you serve and why? How can gathering around the table at a feast or celebration strengthen family ties?

10. Bella’s sister Sophia almost misses what was right in front of her—Tony. Have you ever almost missed something that should have been obvious? What was the result?

11. When Bella takes on too much for others, she finds herself so physically stressed that she lands in the hospital. Have you ever gone overboard trying to meet the demands of others that you stressed yourself out, emotionally or physically? What did you do to recuperate?

12. When it comes to her own wedding, Bella has to hand over the reins to D.J. and her family and friends. Letting go can be tough. How do you deal with handing over the reins when you’re overwhelmed?

13. In the end, Sal is drawn to the Rossis and decides to stay put in Galveston. What is it that draws him to the Rossi clan?

14. D.J. takes Bella on the honeymoon of a lifetime—to Italy. If you could travel anywhere you like, where would you go? Back to your family’s roots? Someplace else? Why?

15. With all of the swing-dance references in this story, one could conclude that life itself is a dance. One step leads to another. How is the choreography going in your life’s dance? What changes might you need to make?

Weblinks

»	Publisher's Book Info
»	Read Chapter One
»	Author Janice Thompson's blog
»	Weddings by Bella

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