Page 54 of Nico
Linda handed her the glass. "A good red. We own vineyards in California and Tuscany." She took a sip and eyed the young woman over her glass. She admired the ruby red wool dress she had on. Her hair was loose around her shoulders and brushed away from her face. She could see the appeal of course. What man could resist a face like hers?
"You're very lovely."
"Thanks. So are you."
Linda smiled. "My son tells us that he asked for your hand in marriage."
"He did, yes."
"Are you prepared to mother another woman's child?"
"I happen to love Gracie and it's not her fault that her mother left her."
"No, she's innocent." Linda smiled whimsically. "She's only been here for a couple of months, and I already love her." She stared at Sadie. "You have a very demanding career."
"I do."
"And you intend to go on working."
"Why should I stop?"
"Gracie needs a lot of attention."
"And she's getting it from her family. I'm not cut out to be a society wife."
"You'll be the wife of a multi-billionaire."
The clutch in her stomach made her feel weak. "I'm aware of that."
"You won't need the salary."
"I do it for more than the salary. I love being around art. And I'm sure Nico does not have a problem with that. It's between us."
Linda nodded sagely. Turning her head away, she allowed her gaze to sweep around the room. "I inherited this house. This place has been in the family for several hundred years." She walked over to the cherry wood table with the Faberge egg resting in the center. "I had to get rid of some things, not entirely get rid of them, because the furnishings are handed down from one generation to the next." She turned to face Sadie. "Family heirlooms, priceless and timeless." She gestured to amagnificent mahogany side table. "I brought that with me when I married James. I wanted to add pieces of myself, and I was given the go ahead to replace what I wanted to replace."
Taking a sip of wine, she turned to look at Sadie. "You're marrying into a very old family, my dear, and on top of that, you're inheriting a daughter. Are you prepared for what that entails?"
Sadie felt the clutch getting tighter. Inside the pool house, she could almost pretend that Nico was just a normal guy. The place was a mess most of the time and he did not stand on ceremony. There were a few treasures here and there, but not much. He was also not into designer labels. His clothing was shabby and well worn. But behind it all, he was an heir to a fortune and would one day inherit all of it. Or most of it.
She wanted to sit and process. She loved him to pieces, but she was going to be required to take on a lot.
Sadie took a slow breath, feeling the weight of expectations settle in the room. She glanced at Linda, searching for some sign of reassurance and found only that steady, assessing gaze. "I know it won't be easy," she admitted, her voice low but unwavering."But I also know what I want. I want a life with Nico and Gracie. I want to find my own way to fit into this family, even if it means learning as I go."
Linda's lips curved into a thoughtful smile. "Learning is good. It's how we've all managed to survive here." She paused, letting the words hang. "Just remember, love is the easy part. It's everything else that takes work."
Sadie nodded, accepting both the warning and the possibility woven into Linda's words. Outside, the snow kept falling. Inside, Sadie felt herself stepping forward into a future that would demand everything she had, but one she was finally ready to claim.
Upstairs, Nico sat on the edge of the princess bed and smiled at the little girl tucked securely under the pink and lavender quilt. Her hair was brushed back from her rosy face, and she was looking at him as if trying to decipher his thoughts.
"I want the princess book."
"Aren't you getting tired of hearing that story over and over again?" he asked softly, running his finger down her left cheek, amazed at how soft her skin was. She smelled of powder and baby oil and he could feel the love flowing inside his heart.
"No." She shook her head. "Will Sadie be my new mommy?" There was a seriousness about her that made her look much older than her eighteen months. In fact, the pediatrician was amazed at how clear her speech was and her grasp of words at this early stage.
He paused, surprised by the question. For a moment, Nico searched the child's face, taking in the hope and uncertainty in her wide eyes.
"Would you like that?" he asked gently.
