by Hayden Wolfe
She unlocked her phone and glanced at the time. Iona’s flight wasn’t scheduled to land for another three hours, but almost forty-five minutes had passed since Ronnie had left Mr. Randall. The guilt over her choice hadn’t lessened, no matter how many times she recalled her reasons for staying in the States.
Maybe she was being selfish by refusing to go to Russia. It was only six months. Meeting the distant relatives who seemed so adamant about claiming her as part of their family would be nice too. Not everyone could say they were related to royalty, but then again, a title meant little without a decent personality. Some of the best people she’d ever met were blue-collar workers without any title or famous relative, and there was one in particular she was desperately missing.
Ronnie scrolled through her missed calls and selected Kyle’s number. She picked a photo of him from her album for his profile picture, selected a ringtone—one she’d never used before—then added his contact information. Seeing his image at the top of her favorites list, brought a smile to her face.
She tapped his picture and dialed.
He answered on the second ring. “Hey, doll. What’s up?”
Ronnie’s smile widened with the happiness in his voice. It chased away the gloom that had hung over her since leaving her lawyer’s office. “I just wanted to call and talk to you about some stuff. Are you busy?”
“Even if I was, I’d make time for you. You know that.”
She did. Warmth spread through her, easing the tension in her muscles. She rested her head against the back of her seat. “I do, and I’m grateful for you.”
“Well?” Kyle finally asked, breaking the silence. “What’s bothering you? Is it about us?”
“In a roundabout way. Mostly, it’s about me.” She took a deep breath, then told Kyle about her visit with the lawyer, but left out what she planned to do. She wanted his opinion. No amount of rationalizing eased her guilt.
“You don’t care what Gerald’s family or the art community thinks about you, do you?”
“No. I don’t care what they say about me. I care about…” She couldn’t bring herself to finish her statement. Her dedication to growing the Axel’s influence in the art world had been one of the reasons she’d left Kyle a decade ago. No matter how much she loved him, her commitment to the family business hadn’t changed. She wasn’t sure what to do about the conflicting demands either.
“You care about the Axel legacy.”
“Yes.” She worried her lower lip between her teeth and hoped she could come up with the right words to explain her feelings. “The Axel name is renowned and respected in the art world. People know the works we display and sell are the best of the best. That’s the reputation I worry about being tarnished. The artists who rely on us to get their creations in front of those who will enjoy and hopefully buy them need the boost we can give them. We have the power to make or break careers, Kyle. That’s a huge responsibility.”
“Who are you referring to you when you say ‘we’? You’re the only Axel left.”
“Yes, but I don’t handle everything. I have Mr. Randall to deal with the legal stuff and give me advice on our finances, buyers who bring in clients and artists to the galleries, photographers who catalog our work for the website, writers who handle the newsletters and promotional displays, and the workers who make sure the gallery looks perfect every day.”
The weight of responsibly settled on her shoulders again. “All those people rely on me, Kyle. I don’t want to snub the Russian Royal Family if doing so will hurt the Axel name, but…”
“But you don’t want to leave home.”
More like she didn’t want to leave Kyle.
“No, I don’t want to leave. I have too much going on in my life.” The vague response bothered her. Until she could figure out how she was going to balance her obligations to the gallery and her heart, it’d be best to keep the truth to herself, though. She didn’t want to make any promises she couldn’t keep.
“You have a lot going on, and you might be the last Axel, but you’re not alone.”
“Yes, I am. There—”
“There are a whole bunch of people who can handle the day-to-day stuff. Let them do it. You can oversee everything remotely. That’s the beauty of technology, Ronnie. Email, video conferences, shared networks. Those are things the Axels before you didn’t have. They had to physically be at the gallery to oversee things. You don’t. All those people you mentioned are probably the best of the best. They want the gallery and auction business and whatever else you handle to succeed as much as you do. It’s their livelihood on the line.”
Kyle’s words hit her like a punch to the gut. He was right. She didn’t have to go to the gallery every day. She could work from home, Russia…or Sander’s Valley.
“Why don’t you see if they’ll postpone this movie and tour?”
“I suggested that. Mr. Randall thinks it will be taken as a slap in the face.”
“What if you had a good reason?”
She didn’t think the Russian Royal Family and those in the art world would care about her love life. She shook her head. “Maybe, but I’m not sure what that would be.”
“The promise of new art.”
“They won’t be interested in new pieces from the States. This whole affair is to focus the spotlight to Gerald Volkova and his accomplishments.”
“Exactly. It’s about Gerald. So give them something that reflects his influence.”
“I don’t understand what you mean.”
“Your mom had paintings and stuff stashed all over the country. Isn’t it possible she made stuff for Gerald? Maybe portraits like she’d created for Frank?”
Ronnie grinned. “Family ones of the three of us.”
“Through all the stages of your childhood.”
A wave of resentment swept through her. She loved Frank and had been proud to call him ‘Dad’, but she’d never gotten the opportunity to develop the same relationship with Gerald. Her mother had deprived her of her birth father’s love. Ronnie clenched her jaw. No. Holding on to the regret would leave her bitter. She didn’t want that. She wanted to move on. A deep breath eased the tightness in her chest.
“Yes, I can see Mom doing that. They’d be a wonderful addition to the tour and documentary.”
“Then work your magic on them. Convince them to postpone the tour at least a couple of months. I think it takes that long to get a passport anyway.”
She frowned. “I already have a passport.”
“Sure, but I don’t, and I need one if I’m going to go with you.”
“You don’t need—”
“No arguments. I’m going with you. When am I ever going to get another chance to see Russia?”
She wanted to argue that he couldn’t just pick up and go, but her heart swelled at his offer. He was willing to drop everything for her and travel halfway across the world so she wouldn’t be alone. “Okay, I’d like having you with me. Exhibit openings can be extremely stressful. It’ll be nice to know I have you there to lean on.”
“Whether I’m with you or not, I’ll always have your back. Being there will just make it easier to lift you up when you get knocked down.”
His words settled over her. She wanted that, for Kyle to be her cornerstone.
Her home.
“Then, it’s set.” She blinked back tears. “We’re heading to Russia. Together.”
“That’s the best damn word I’ve ever heard, doll.”
It was. Once she figured out the details of her plan for the gallery, she’d be able to tack on another word that would make it better.
Together forever.
Chapter 16
“What’s wrong, Ronnie?”
She met Iona’s eyes, brown like Gerald’s had been. Actually, her new sister reminded her a lot of the man who’d visited Ronnie’s house over the years. Maybe not so much in her features, but in her mannerisms.
Head held high and back straight, Iona could’ve been a princes
s. The simple dress she wore accentuated her slender frame. Her makeup was artfully done and nails were painted a pale pink. She easily fit the role of socialite. The bottle of beer in her hand and sports magazine spread over her lap ruined the image, however.
Iona was fun. Ronnie didn’t know how else to explain it. They’d gone clubbing the night before and enjoyed a tour of a museum today. Later they planned to take in a play before hitting a bar where a local blues band played.
Iona was determined to embrace American life while visiting. Ronnie had tried to oblige her, but thoughts of the past and the future kept wandering into her mind. Even her fake smile had been drooping. Her plan to return to Kyle had seemed so much simpler a couple of days ago.
The details kept compounding, both legally and personally. Trying to cancel or reschedule close to a year’s worth of business obligations had irritated people across the globe. On top of that, her own insecurities were choking her. She’d lived alone her entire life, even when she’d shared a home with her mother. What if she made a horrible live-in girlfriend…or wife?
“It’s about a man, isn’t it?” Iona pressed.
Ronnie hesitated. Thoughts of Kyle, their future, and the smooth transition to working remotely were only part of it. The reaction of the art community to the paintings her mother had created of Gerald’s secret family added to her grim mood.
She hated the assumption people were drawing about why Iona and Gerald’s wife were left out of his will—that he hadn’t loved them as much as Ronnie and her mother. The fact that he had only set up a meager allowance for his wife validated the rumor.
Iona had fared better with the trust fund she’d received at eighteen, but not inheriting a dime at his death had also fed the rumor mill. People were speculating on what Iona had done to lose his favor. Some of the ideas Ronnie had heard, ranging from Iona’s lack of artistic ability to her love life, had angered Ronnie. None of the theories circulating should have dimmed a father’s love. If those reasons were true, maybe not getting to know Gerard had been a blessing in disguise.
“Isn’t it always about a man?” Ronnie grinned, trying to lighten the mood.
Iona matched her smile. “Usually. Tell me about yours.”
Ronnie ran her hands over her thighs, smoothing the skirt she wore. Where to start? And which man—Kyle, Gerald, or Frank? All had been on her mind. Only one had any hold over her future, however. “His name’s Kyle. He was my first boyfriend. I left him a decade ago, but we’ve reconnected over the last couple of weeks. We both want to start over, but his life is tied to his family, and they live five hours away.”
Iona stared at her. Minutes passed. Finally, Iona raised a brow. “And?”
“And mine is here.” Ronnie twisted her fingers. “The only way things are going to work between us is if I move there, which I’m not against doing. In fact, I’ve been working on shifting my responsibilities. Plus, I love being in the country. It’s beautiful there.”
“But?” Iona prompted.
It pained Ronnie to admit her weakness, that something as silly as her insecurities would keep her up at night, but there was a reason Axels always ended up alone. They sucked at relationships. Every last one of them. “But I’m starting to wonder if I should take things slower, not just pick up and move. Maybe go visit for long weekends or something.”
Iona set the bottle on the table next to her and leaned forward. “Why? Doesn’t Kyle love you? Or want you to move in with him?”
“He does. With his heart and soul. I’d bet my life on it. He’d love to have me in his house, too. It’s just that I wasted ten years. What if he brings it up every time we fight?”
“Do you think he will?”
Ronnie worried her lower lip. “He said he wouldn’t.”
“And do you believe him?”
“Yes.” Ronnie nodded. “But I hate the years we wasted too. All for nothing. Do you understand? I left him for the wrong reasons.”
“And now? Aren’t you holding him at arm’s length for the wrong reasons too?”
“I’m not holding him at arm’s length. I’m just afraid of failing him. My family has a bad track record when it comes to love. All the Axels who inherited the family’s fortune ended up alone.”
“You’re talking about the Axel family curse, right? All of your relatives died violently too.”
Apparently, talk of the dreaded curse had even circulated in Russia. Honestly, she shouldn’t be surprised. Gossiping was a common way to pass the time at many dinner parties and social events. She was guilty of it too.
“Not all of them. Only the heirs.” Ronnie slumped in her seat. “I don’t believe in the curse. It’s just a coincidence, but Kyle does. He’s convinced moving to Sander’s Valley, marrying him, and taking his name will break it.”
Iona frowned. “If you love him, aren’t those things you are planning to do anyway?”
“If I do, the Axel name will end with me.” Ronnie looked imploringly at her sister. “The legacy will end.”
Iona raised a brow. “Why? Are you planning to change the name of the gallery or the auction business?”
“No, but everything is legally passed to the eldest Axel, and—”
“And nothing.” Iona shook her head. “It’s just a name. Have your lawyer change the wording of the legal documents to say the eldest direct descendant. That’s what our grandfather did, and that’s how you ended up with everything.”
“So Gerald didn’t leave you out…” Ronnie couldn’t finish the statement. She didn’t want to hurt Iona by bringing up the will.
Iona chuckled. “No. Despite what the rumors say, Father loved me. He just never thought to change it. I don’t hold it against him. That’s simply the way he was.”
“I would’ve liked to have gotten to know him better.”
“It’s probably best you didn’t. My mother isn’t handling the affair well and—” Iona’s ringing cell phone cut off her words. She pulled it from her purse and glanced at the display. On a sigh, she answered, “Yes, Mother?”
The color drained from Iona’s face. The magazine slipped from her lap. She flicked her gaze to Ronnie. “Don’t be ridiculous. She deserves—” Iona tightened her grip on the phone until her knuckles turned white. “No, I will not ask Ronnie to do that. Daddy wanted this. I want this. If you insist on making idle threats, I’ll move out. Do you understand me?”
Iona’s eyes widened. Without saying another word, she ended the call. She took a deep breath. The anxiety that had tightened her features faded on her slow exhale. “Sorry about that. Now, what was I saying? Oh… What play are we going to see tonight?”
She ignored Iona’s obvious attempt to change the subject and asked, “What does your mother want me to do?”
Iona shook her head. “Don’t worry about it. She’s just upset and feeling betrayed. She didn’t know about Daddy’s longtime affair.”
Ronnie sat forward. “Please tell me. I’d hate to cause any animosity between the two of you. If it’s about money, I—”
“Stop.” Iona set her magazine aside. “My mother says a lot of things she doesn’t mean. It’s nothing. In a few weeks, she’ll turn her displeasure back on her disappointment of a daughter, wishing I’d never been born.”
Ronnie’s back went ramrod straight. Protective instincts flared. “What could your mother find disappointing in you?”
Iona shrugged. “It might have something to do with calling off my engagement the night before my wedding.”
“Really?” That hadn’t been what she’d expected. “What happened?”
Iona stood and grabbed Ronnie’s hand. “Enough talk about my crazy life. Come on. I’ve changed my mind. I want to go shopping instead of seeing a play. If you’re going to move to the country, I’ll have nothing to wear when I visit you. I’d certainly hate to stand out.”
Ronnie wanted to insist on the truth, but she wanted a sister more. “Okay, let’s go.”
“Great.” Iona flashed a smile
. “I’d love a new wardrobe. Maybe a new life too.”
So did Ronnie. Actually, she wanted the one she’d turned her back on a decade ago. She’d get it too. She was ready to move on.
Chapter 17
Ronnie glanced at the picture of Kyle displayed on her nightstand. He leaned against the railing on his deck, a sexy grin on his face. Sander’s Lake and the mountains in the distance served as a backdrop. It was beautiful, but so was the man—her man. She was ready to slap the label of “mine” on him.
She picked up her phone and dialed.
“Hey, doll. I was just getting ready to call you.”
“Were you?”
“Yeah, I have something to talk to you about.”
“Me too. I’ve been thinking about the past”—she pressed Kyle’s photo to her chest—“and the future.”
Silence stretched. Finally, he cleared his throat. “And am I a part of it?”
“I’d like you to be.”
“Good, because I—”
“Kyle?”
“Yeah?”
“What I have to tell you, I’d like to say in person. Is it okay if I come up today instead of this weekend?”
His shaky exhale filled the line. “Yeah. I’ll be waiting.”
“Great. I should be there by three. See you soon.” She ended the call before he could tell her he loved her. She’d feel obligated to return the sentiment, and she didn’t want to simply give him the words.
She wanted to show him.
Desire warmed her body at the images of how she’d go about proving her feelings to him. She shook her head, pushing her lusty thoughts aside, and turned her attention to the pile of stuff she’d deemed necessary to pack. She’d never fit it all in her car. On a sigh, she started organizing it into piles—essential and soon.
Her hands shook. The decision she’d made was the right one. In her heart she knew it was the only one she could make. She was moving to Sander’s Valley. A sense of rightness swept through her. The dark cloud she’d been living under had lifted.
