by Terri Marie
“Most of the people in Prairie don’t have the money to be renting a fancy apartment. I’m afraid it would just sit there empty.”
“Andy, I’ll insist that the rent on the apartments be a sliding scale, and I’ll hire the staff to run everything. There are many people who owe me favors in the business world and I plan on involving as many of them as I can. I need to offer Beatrice a job and give her the opportunity to make money the honest way, not by taking advantage of people. It's not my mission to bring her harm, but I will be taking her customers. There can be a separate restaurant, and Rosie can design the menus if she’s willing. She’s a glorious cook! With three hundred acres we could turn the grounds into something really special.”
“I don’t think that’s going to be good enough to get people to come back to Prairie.” Andy wanted so badly to believe in these plans.
“We could hold art fairs, as I’m sure there’s a lot of local talent. Rosie told me she sold some of her quilts in one, but it was located in Nashville. The art fair was her idea. Perhaps we could build more things and bring some attention back to Prairie." Francesco paused, cleared his throat, and continued. "Part of the property will stay as it is. There is a beautiful meadow that holds a special meaning for both Rosie and my son. That’s to be left untouched.”
“Francesco, you’re talking about a lot of money. I am seriously in debt.”
“No, you’re not in debt. I’m prepared to take care of all your financial obligations, as well as any medical bills you accrue. I will pay off the bar, but I want the current building to be torn down.”
“Wait, why are you doing this? You don’t even know me.”
“I know my son, and he loves your niece Katherine. That makes us family, and I take care of my own. In due time, the farm will take care of itself and you’ll be making money. Until that time comes, I’ll handle the costs. You have nothing to lose, and from what I understand, your bar isn’t that far from the farm, so your regular customers shouldn’t have a problem returning. If there’s anything you want to add to the plans, by all means let me know. You can even have that kind of singing show..uh..like whatever you call it.”
“Karaoke?” Andy laughed.
“Yes, that is the word.”
“I want a list of some people who are interested in running businesses, and who deserve the help. I’d like to put in some specialty shops and boost the town. Maybe add a bakery and other things. Sounds good, no?” The old Italian spoke fast and with much enthusiasm.
“Francesco, I don’t know what to say.” Andy had never felt so humble in his life. This can't be real. Francesco Giordano is sounding like a politician.
“Just say you’re in! I can’t run anything, as I reside in New York. I’ll pay you well until we can make the land lucrative. I have more money than I could ever spend, and I’m not getting any younger.”
“Is your last name going to be on the town now? Are you planning on running for some kind of office?” Andy looked hard to try and find deceit in Francesco’s eyes.
“My name is on my business. I’m doing this to help the people I love. That is the only reason. I will have many papers drawn up and involve the town, government officials, and wealthy businessmen. I'll make sure that my motives don't end up being tainted. I won't leave any room for someone to take advantage of your town.”
Andy stared at the man for a long time. "I want to see all paperwork before anything gets started. The people couldn't handle any bad surprises."
"I will hire you and put it in writing that you have final approval. I promise you, Francesco Giordano hurts no one. I am an honest man. Hurting that town would mean hurting you, which would mean I'd hurt Katherine and my son. Rosie would fall out of love with me. I will never allow that to happen."
Andy stretched his hand out. “I’m in!”
“I’ll be seeing you in Prairie, Andy.”
The nurse came in with a lunch tray and sat it in front of Andy. He lifted the lid. “This stuff isn’t even food!”
“Andy, you must understand that you have to be healthy in order to take on a business venture that will last for years to come. If you don’t take care of yourself, there’s no point in doing any of this. Katherine needs you.” Francesco stood up, reached over and grasped Andy’s hand again. “I’ll talk to you soon. Enjoy your lunch and get strong. We have lots to do.”
“Yes, Sir!” Andy watched as Francesco left the room. He hadn’t been expecting much out of this life. Now, I’ll have a new one!
Daniel was walking hand in hand with Katherine in the direction of the hospital. He stopped to answer his phone.
“Daniel!”
“Father, I’m so glad you called. I have so much to tell you.” Daniel smiled at Katherine.
“Actually I’m in Prairie at the farm, and I have a lot to tell you also. But I wondered if you could fly back to New York with me. In five days the business will be yours, so we need to go to my office. Can you fly back with me?”
“Are you leaving now?” Daniel looked at the curious expression on Katherine’s face.
“I’m driving back to Nashville and having a bite to eat first.”
“Let me call you back in just a few minutes.”
“Is something wrong?” Katherine asked when Daniel hung up the phone.
“Sweetheart, I have to go back to New York. Will you come with me? The final arrangements need to be made regarding Giordano Seas. I don’t want to be away from you.”
“Let me talk to my uncle, then we can go pack our things. I’m not going to live my life through other people anymore.” Daniel bent down to taste her sweet lips. His smile was wide.
Katherine and Daniel walked into the hospital room and heard someone whistling.
“Uncle Andy! You’re very happy today. I haven’t heard you whistle like that since I was a little girl.”
“Daniel, your father is amazing. He’s a great man.” Andy gave Katherine a big hug and shook Daniel’s hand.
“Yes, he is indeed an amazing man. Did he call you?”
“No, my boy, he came to visit me. You won’t believe what he’s offered. Seriously, you’re not going to believe this.”
Daniel and Katherine sat down and listened to Andy recite the words from Francesco. The enormous love and respect that Daniel and Katherine felt for both men was evident.
“Uncle Andy, that’s wonderful! Are you excited?”
“Katherine, it’s been many years since I looked forward to the next day. Now, I’m actually looking forward to the next chapter of my life!”
“And I’m looking forward to mine. I want to ask you if you’d be okay if I left with Daniel to go to New York. He has some business he needs to take care of. You were right, Daniel’s my home. Thank you.”
“Oh?” Andy was clearly puzzled.
“You gave me the courage to open up my heart. I did, and Daniel and I are very happy together. So thank you!” Katherine embraced her uncle, whose coloring had greatly improved.
“Katherine, I don’t need a babysitter in here, I have plenty of them. Go to New York, get married and start a family. I’ve already told you not to waste time with someone you love.”
“Andy, did you want to come to New York and recuperate? We would really like to spend as much time with you as we can.” Katherine noticed that Daniel was wearing his business face. She knew he meant what he said.
“I can’t travel for a few weeks, but when I can I’d love to come and visit. But my home is in Prairie.”
“I can live with that. Seems like you and Francesco have a lot of plans, and I’m very excited for you.” Katherine squeezed Daniel’s hand as she felt a huge burden get lifted from her shoulders.
“I’m not going to close the bar until the other one is opened. That will take some time, but at least the folks will have something to look forward to. Francesco is only hiring people in Prairie, unless the work projects become bigger. Daniel, your father has made me a very happy man.”
“And
y, how about we have someone else do the work at the bar, that way you could just do some management. You also have to eat better, don’t forget.”
“Daniel, I’ll look for someone but I can’t right now. I don’t have any money to pay them!” Andy let out a boisterous laugh, but Daniel didn’t miss the shame on his face.
“No, I’ll hire someone for you. Not unless you have a person in mind.”
“There is a man named Gary Hitchingham. He’s a local farmer who couldn’t afford to keep his family fed. He works three minimum wage jobs to support his wife and four children. They barely scrape by. I’m afraid he wouldn’t make much money working at the bar.”
“He will indeed make money, and so will you. Give me his number and I’ll offer him the job. You’ll definitely live comfortably while we build up that land. Everyone in the Giordano family is taken care of. That includes you.”
“I don’t understand this, really. You and Katherine are only dating, and yet you and your father consider me family.”
“Trust me, Andy. In our hearts, you’re family. But Katherine and I have to get going. My father is waiting for us in Nashville. We’ll call you soon to check on you, and if any problems arise or you aren’t getting the attention you should be given in here, we’ll be on our way back in a flash.”
“Katherine, you need to marry this man. He has a good heart.”
Daniel looked at Katherine’s face as she blushed. That's exactly what he had in mind.
Chapter 16
When Francesco saw his son’s face, the look in his eyes, he knew it was because of Katherine. Their love for each other was never hidden, and he was happy to finally see his son have his heart belong to someone.
When the jet took off, they discussed the plans for the land, and he even told them about his engagement to Rosie. They wanted to have a wedding on Christmas day because he felt like that would be the greatest gift to one another. They planned it for next year, and Rosie was excited to make her own dress. He asked Daniel to be his best man.
“Father, I’d be honored! I’m so happy for the both of you, and I absolutely love Rosie.”
“So do I, Daniel, so do I. Katherine, I'm so happy you're coming back to New York with us. Remember that you have to make yourself at home. There are no strangers under my roof." He reached over and squeezed Katherine's hand.
Katherine couldn’t help but feel the huge amount of love that was around, within, and for her. When the conversations had quieted down and Francesco closed his eyes, Katherine put the headphones on and chose a music selection. First, she started out humming as she closed her own eyes. Without even thinking about it, Katherine started to sing.
Francesco quickly opened his eyes in amazement. Daniel was falling in love even more. They listened to her gorgeous voice singing without music, at least none that they could hear, with complete perfection.
Francesco stared at his son. Daniel nodded and his smile widened. He looked at his father as he gladly accepted this beautiful nourishment for his soul.
“Canti come un angelo!!” Francesco exclaimed, much louder than he wanted to. He sat straight up and stared at Katherine with his eyes wide and mouth open.
Katherine stopped singing and removed the headphones. Daniel sighed heavily.
“I’m sorry, Francesco, I didn’t hear you. Did I do something wrong? You two are staring at me.” Katherine began to get uncomfortable. Maybe she did something outside of proper etiquette, but Daniel was very laid back. She didn’t understand.
“My father said, ‘You sing like an angel.’ I could listen to you sing forever.”
Katherine blushed and turned the music off. “I’m sorry, sometimes I sing and I don’t even realize it. I didn’t mean to wake you up, Francesco. I know you were trying to rest.”
“Rest?! Katherine, your voice is incredible!”
“I owe Daniel only twelve more songs then!” Katherine laughed.
“I hired a recording studio called Blue Nights, in Manhattan. Someday I’d hoped to get her in there, but I know she’s not going to go. I won’t even bother to book a date.” Daniel laughed and held Katherine close to him.
When the limo drove up to the estate, Katherine gasped. “You live here?”
“Well so do you, so don’t say anything bad about us to the neighbors,” said Daniel jokingly.
“The horses! They’re here!” Katherine remembered them with fondness.
“Yes, this was a surprise for Rosie, from my father. You can visit them anytime you’d like. They’re such sweet horses.”
“I asked Rosie to marry me right there in that stable. I got down on one knee and surprised her with a ring.”
“You got down on one knee?” Daniel was quite impressed.
“Well, I had a little bit of help from the post, but it was harder getting up. I’d do anything for her though.” Francesco looked at the stable post and smiled. “Soon, it’s your turn, Daniel. Don’t waste time.”
Katherine blushed while Daniel had a smile from ear to ear.
Carl arrived and opened the limo door. Francesco walked inside the house.
Daniel asked Carl which room Katherine would be staying in. He didn’t want to overstep his bounds or cause any disrespect inside of his father’s home.
“She’s staying upstairs. Welcome, Katherine, follow me and I’ll take you to your lovely room.”
Katherine linked her arm in Carl’s as he led her up the stairs. Daniel followed close behind. He was hoping that at least her room would be close to his.
“Here we are,” said Carl as he opened the door to a very large, beautifully designed room.
The first thing that Daniel noticed was the white quilt that had little blue flowers sewn on it. “This is just like the quilt I had on my bed at Rosie’s.” Daniel walked over and ran his hand over the soft fabric.
“Yes, Daniel, Rosie made this quilt for you. She worked very hard and for long hours at a time.”
“Katherine,” began Daniel as he smiled at her, “you will love this quilt.” She made something special to make Katherine feel at home. His love and respect for the older woman grew over the heartfelt gift that she’d made. “My room is about six doors down on the right, Katherine. If you’d like I’ll show it to you.”
“Daniel, this is your room too. Your father insisted.”
Daniel stood there looking stunned for a moment, then thanked Carl. When he left, Daniel threw his arms around Katherine so excitedly, that her feet lifted from the ground. “I love you, Katherine, welcome home,” he whispered, with his face buried in her neck.
After helping to unpack Katherine’s things, Daniel led her downstairs by the hand and into Francesco’s study.
“Francesco, I can’t thank you enough,” Katherine said. Her words just seemed to be stuck in her throat. She wanted to say more, but the last thing she wanted to do was to break down in front of this kind man. Everything that Francesco and Daniel had done for her and her uncle was overwhelming her.
“Katherine, you’re family. My son loves you, therefore I love you. Rosie is on the way in from visiting the horses. She’s really looking forward to seeing you both.”
“And here I am!” Rosie walked in at the exact moment and threw her arms around Daniel. “I’ve missed you so much!”
“I’ve missed you too, Rosie. Father told me about the engagement! I couldn’t be happier. I love you both so much.”
“I always wanted a son like you. I can spoil you more frequently now, Daniel.” Rosie winked and patted his face.
“Speaking of spoiled, that quilt you made…it’s a replica of the one that was in my room on the farm.”
“I knew you liked that quilt. When it burned in the fire, I had to make another one. It’s just like the old one, only a little bit bigger.”
“Rosie, thank you.” Daniel kissed her cheek and wrapped his arms around her. “Do you know Katherine?”
“I’ve seen her uncle a few times, but I wasn’t able to get out much. Nice to fina
lly meet this special girl I’ve heard so much about.” Rosie gave Katherine a nice hug.
“Likewise! I’ve heard such beautiful things about you, Rosie. Through Daniel, I feel like I already know you. You’re one amazing woman.” Katherine smiled, meaning every word she said.
