Escaping Vegas (The Inheritance Book 1)
Page 23
Cole stepped out the front door, jarring her from her musings. Dressed in new blue jeans, a white button-down, and an ash-gray blazer, along with his favorite snakeskin boots, he looked devastatingly handsome. Sometimes Madalina couldn’t believe he was hers. They’d come a long way in repairing any emotional damage Madalina had suffered from his original deception. Cole had proven these last weeks to be honest, forthright, dependable, and honorable. He kept every promise and followed through on his word.
“Hey, I’ve got a few errands to run. You want to come along?” he asked, approaching on the cobbled path that cut through the deep-green manicured grass.
“Actually, I think I’ll stay here. I need to place another order for the boutique before I go in later. How long will you be gone?” She tipped her face up for his kiss.
Cole lingered, dusting two more kisses on her lips. The faint layer of dark whiskers scratched her skin. “About an hour, maybe two. I should be back before you leave. If not, I’ll stop by the store.”
“Okay. Be careful.” Madalina slid her palm down his chest, then off. She never tired of feeling the honed perfection of his physique.
“I will. Call if you need anything.” He cupped her jaw, brushed another kiss on her cheek, then whispered, “I love you, Madalina Maitland.”
Drawing in a surprised breath, she tilted her head back far enough to meet his eyes. It was the first time he’d ever said he loved her. He’d shown his affection in many different ways these last weeks, but she adored hearing the endearment from his lips.
“I love you, Cole,” she whispered back, and meant it. His eyes crinkled at the corners when he smiled.
Madalina watched him traverse the cobbled path where it forked off to the driveway and the garage. Minutes later, the Jaguar cruised by; she waved, finally tearing her gaze off the car when he turned onto the street.
Making her way inside, reeling with emotion and affection, she crossed the luxuriously decorated foyer to the staircase. Cole had allowed her free rein to furnish the rental in any way she saw fit. He’d approved of the rich mahogany, elegant tapestries, soft leather, and accents of crystal she’d spread throughout the home. Their shopping trips together had been pure fun and filled with typical banter. Not only had he allowed her to decorate the new rental, but Cole had also stepped up in other ways. He’d organized a team to clear and clean the other house, sparing her the agony and heartbreak. Madalina adored him for his thoughtfulness, his selfless acts on her behalf. He’d also become a regular at the boutique, popping in often to admire the store, give suggestions, and steal her away for lunch whenever possible. Although she sometimes found the ritual workday tedious, Cole made up for it with his surprise visits and random bouquets of flowers.
Consumed with thoughts of love—and the future—she made her way to the second level, down a long hallway, to the very last door on the left. Another staircase awaited, this one narrower and steeper than the last. Snapping on a light, she ascended into a quaint, finished attic. Here the wood had been stained a deep brown and polished to a shine. Decently sized, the peak-roofed attic held little in the way of boxes or bins. There hadn’t been much time yet to collect seasonal decorations to store here.
There were three clear bins with Madalina’s name prominently displayed, remnants salvaged from her old garage. High school memorabilia, mostly, along with a few dishes not in use in their new kitchen.
It wasn’t to the bins she walked, but to the very corner of the attic, at the far back, where the shadows were deepest. She reached high, standing on her tiptoes, and fished around on a small crossbeam for the object she knew would be there. Encountering a small box, she brought it down and walked it toward the light. Opening the lid, she ran her finger over the side of the Treasure Dragon replica, reassured to find it exactly as she’d left it. She was amazed by the resemblance to the original. Even the most minor details had been added, right down to the color and shape of the eye to a few speckles of black near a hind leg. The aged patina must have been difficult to master.
Now and then she paid the dragon a visit, both to reassure herself it was still there and to recall fond memories of her grandfather. She didn’t feel comfortable yet leaving the dragon in the open, where anyone might see it. Her abductions and the unrelenting determination of the agents had left a lasting mark; Madalina preferred to hide the replica out of sight, as if displaying the dragon in plain view might invite tragedy to the new house. An irrational fear, perhaps, but a fear nevertheless. Soon, maybe, she would feel confident enough to have a special curio cabinet made to exhibit the collectible to its fullest potential. If only her grandfather knew that he’d gifted her with much more than a dragon when he’d left it to her in his will. He’d gifted her a new life, a new love.
It was more than she could ever ask for.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I’d like to thank my editor, Maria Gomez, for her unfailing support. It’s been a pleasure working with you! I would also like to thank Tim Sleigh, Kathy Sleigh, Jerry Bourdon, and Felecia Bourdon, who all unselfishly gave their time and input whenever I needed a sounding board or honest opinion regarding the many facets of book writing. And my husband, Michael Johnson, for being willing to go through this craziness with me, all without complaint. Thank you.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Photo © 2013 Bruce Heinsius
Danielle Bourdon is the author of twenty-three novels and nine short stories. Her bestselling series, the Latvala Royals, has sold more than 350,000 copies worldwide. Born in Corona, California, she now resides in Texas with her husband, two sons, and a black cat named Sheba. Besides writing, she loves traveling, photography, football, and strawberry margaritas.