[Cardello Ruth] For Love or Legacy(Bookos.org) (22 page)

―About a month,‖ Dominic said.

Stephan said, ―That‘s not much time."

Alessandro patted his nephew‘s shoulder in support and said, ―I know some people who might be able to help us track them down. If they are alive, I‘ll have their location within a week.‖

Sweaty and still in his kitchen apron, Richard opened the door to the patio with a huge smile and said, ―Dominic, your presence is being requested in the kitchen.‖

Dominic looked around at the other men who were also suspiciously smiling. Alessandro walked over and gave Dominic a sympathetic pat on the back. ―It‘s never a good sign.‖

Victor joked, ―Maybe they have an extra apron.‖

Dominic wordlessly appealed to Stephan for help. Stephan gave him no sympathy, just a wicked smile. ―The mighty Dominic Corisi cowers before a kitchen of women?‖

Not denying the accusation, Dominic growled, ―If you think it‘s so funny, you go see what they want.‖

Stephan hopped up onto the wide stone railing and didn‘t attempt to hide his amusement.

―They asked for
you
.‖

Dominic headed into the house, tossing a threat over his shoulder. ―I‘ll remember this, Stephan.‖

Turning back to his father and uncle, Stephan said, ―What do you think they want to see him for?‖

Alessandro shrugged. ―I‘ll ask Maddy later.‖

Stephan shook his head with humor, then a thought came to him. ―Dad, I have one more confession.‖ Both older men went absolutely still and Stephan wished he had chosen his words more carefully. He hoped he never had another of
those
confessions. This one was much easier to share. ―I told Nicole that we know about the red bikini scam.‖

Victor said sadly, ―Now your mother won‘t wear hers anymore.‖

―Dad!‖ Stephan jumped off the railing and tried to block out the mental image his father had just scarred him with.

Ever optimistic, Alessandro said, ―Maybe they‘ll come up with something even better.

Although, I will miss Elise meeting me at the door in hers.‖

Time to go.
―I‘m going to see if Dominic needs me.‖

Stephan stopped at the door of the kitchen and took in the scene before him. Richard had returned to his post at the stove. Maddy was enthusiastically laying out some wild scheme to Dominic whose entire demeanor was softer here with the women. Dominic looked across at Abby, shared a laugh with her and nodded in agreement with something Elise said.

One month. They had one month to fix Dominic‘s server.

We can do it.
He thought.
We have to.

Nicole caught a glimpse of him and headed over to his side. She hugged him, and the weight of the world slid off his shoulders. She said, ―The rest of the family will be here soon. How did it go out there? You‘re both still alive and smiling, so I‘m guessing it went ok.‖

―My father liked him, I could tell. And Uncle Alessandro is going to locate someone who could help him remove the virus.‖

Nicole turned her face into Stephan‘s shirt and he felt her shudder against him. He eased her back a little so he could see her expression. ―What is it, Nicole? I‘d thought you‘d be happy.‖

Fighting back tears, she said huskily, ―I
am
happy. I‘m so happy that I‘m afraid. Can this really be my life? What if I wake up and none of this happened?‖

He tucked a stray lock behind her ear and said, ―If you do, come to my office in Manhattan.

I‘m sitting there with your photo in my desk, waiting for you.‖

Then he kissed her, the kind of kiss that makes an overprotective brother growl something from across the room, and a crazy aunt give a standing ovation.

***The End***

If you enjoyed Nicole and Stephan, please look for

Book 3: Bedding the Billionaire (expected release - Summer 2012)

Book 4: Saving the Sheik (Because imagining a sheik kidnapping a woman like Zhang is just too much fun not to write about!)

If you'd like to contact the author, you can find Ruth Cardello on Facebook at Author Ruth Cardello or you can email her via her website at www.ruthiecardello.com.

EXTRA SCENES

The following scene was contributed by a reader in Ohio, Karen Lawson. She is a retired

school teacher, a wife, a mother and a grandmother. Karen originally met me through my

author Facebook page, but has become a friend along the way.

I held a contest in September of 2011. Readers were encouraged to write scenes loosely

related to either Maid for the Billioniare or For Love or Legacy. Although her writing will not

be incorporated into the actual storyline, it is well written and entertaining to read.

So, please take a few moments to enjoy my characters through the eyes of one of their

fans:

Jeff's doctoral dissertation won him much acclaim. He received his Ph.D. in psychology the spring after his adventure with Nicole. When Dr. Jeff started his counseling practice an invitation was sent to the Corisi/Andrade/Dartley family for a complementary group session. They were -

of course - the reason his dissertation had been such a triumph.

After many scheduling conflicts and days of phone tag, the day finally arrived. Arnold graciously chauffeured the group of fifteen to his son‘s new spacious office complex.

The large facility had been recently remodeled with Arnold‘s help thanks to the huge bonus Nicole had given him. Because Nicole wasn‘t using Arnold during the day, he had had time to help Jeff design a state of the art facility that catered to family groups. The innovative center housed a fully-staffed childcare station and three enormous group rooms.

As the group entered the building, the small children - Colby clutching Joey‘s hand - headed straight for the childcare room. Lil and Maddy followed closely behind to make sure their sons were checked in with the staff. Victor and Katrine accompanied Rosella to the first group room.

Elise and Alessandro walked behind them with Richard closely trailing. Dominic, hand in hand with Abby, entered with Jake to bring up the rear. Several minutes later Nicole and Stephan rushed in looking a bit frazzled, but smiling. Arnold was behind them letting his son know that he tried to hurry them out of the limo, but as they were the last to leave, it took them a bit longer to exit. Victor and Katrine shared a knowing glance, remembering young love. Finally Lil and Maddy entered from the side door closest to the daycare station.

Nicole was still having problems warming up to her mother; one of the reasons Dr. Jeff had requested this session. In fact, there were so many issues with all these people that Jeff had everyone sit in a circle and proceeded to ask each one to communicate any problems they felt they had.

―Well,‖ said Nicole, ―I‘ll start. I know you think my mother is my real issue. You are probably right, but there are some other things that I need to talk about. Ever since I made millions selling Dad‘s estate, Abby and I can‘t decide how to decorate the Abuse Center.‖

―That‘s right,‖ answered Abby. ―I‘m not sure I even want to continue with the Abuse Center. I‘m trying to find a charity that will meet my needs too. How about Inner School Reading Programs?‖

Lil chimed in. ―I‘m so tired of hearing all about my soon-to-be-rich sister! I am a single parent still supporting Colby in our small house, while she is living in the lap of luxury. How come I can‘t have a great story too?‖

―Oh don‘t worry about that Lil,‖ said Jake. ―There are many things you have yet to learn about me. When we have our time, you will be well taken care of, just wait! I just want to get to the rest of this saga!‖

―How about our whole problem in China?‖ whined Dominic. ―We only have a limited

amount of time before the servers start. If it wasn‘t for Stephan, this wouldn‘t be a problem!‖

―Are you kidding? I am trying to help, but you have threatened me so much with your sister that I have to keep her happy,‖ retorted Stephan. ―All she wants to talk about is wedding plans.‖

―I can understand that,‖ replied Dominic. ―Maybe we should all elope and just get these weddings over with. I think there is a possibility that Abby could be pregnant.‖

―Pregnant?‖ exclaimed Rosella. ―Can I finally be a grandmother?‖

―You can‘t even be a mother!‖ whispered Nicole.

―Dominic, that is not your story to tell now! Besides, we still need to figure out how we can split Isola Santos with Nicole and Stephan. I think they should take down the garish steel and glass monstrosity and we should remodel the 18th century castle,‖ hinted Abby.

Victor piped in, ―If Stephan and Nicole will be moving to the island, Katrine and I won‘t have to move back here to see our future grandchildren.‖

―That would be great,‖ contended Alessandro. ―Our house has become party central with all of you. Elise and I would like some alone time. Ever since Maddy blabbed about the Step Solution, I haven‘t seen my wife in a bikini. Then again, with Richard cooking all the time, she doesn‘t look that great in one anymore.‖

―See if I will make dinner for you anymore!‖ exclaimed Richard. ―You can have your Italian cooking. Joey and Maddy and I will eat fine French cuisine without you! Now that I think about it, his name is back to Laurent.‖

―Stop!‖ screamed Abby. ―We all sound like a bunch of children. We love each other.

Katrine once said that ‗love is a decision to care about someone even when you want to strangle them and forgive them for not being perfect.‘ I think we can all say that no one here is perfect.

And I for one would like to strangle a few of you right now.‖

Dr. Jeff finally spoke. ―Let‘s get back on track. Rosella, how do you feel about how you treated your children?‖

―I love my children, and I can see that I did the wrong thing. However, Thomas and I have recently started seeing each other and I think I am madly in love with him. We want to run away and live in Italy. The children can come visit us whenever.‖

―I think you all need another session with me. It is true that ‗life doesn‘t stop when the book ends.‘ We may need a whole new novel for all of you!‖ said Dr. Jeff.

THE END

Author Contact

website: RuthieCardello.com

email: [email protected]

FB: Author Ruth Cardello

Twitter: RuthieCardello

Book 3: Bedding the Billionaire (Coming: Summer 2012)

Book 4: Saving the Sheik (Coming: 2012-2013)