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‘Yes, well, I think you made the right decision,’ Addie said. ‘I’ve really enjoyed seeing Vic’s villa. It’s so beautiful here.’
Isabella’s smile changed to a more wistful one. ‘Yes, isn’t it? I hope Katerina will remember it in the future. But Vic is determined to redevelop it and he’s not one to change his mind once he decides on something.’
‘Yes, I know,’ Addie said, trying not to show how hard it was to accept that inescapable truth.
‘How are you two getting on?’ Isabella said with a twinkling light in her eyes.
Addie could feel a blush stealing over her cheeks, but there was nothing she could do to disguise it. ‘Fine.’
Isabella arched a slim eyebrow. ‘Just fine?’
‘He’s been a perfect gentleman and he’s wonderful with Katerina,’ Addie said.
Isabella put her head to one side in a musing fashion. ‘I know what’s different about you.’
Addie stiffened. Surely her sister-in-law couldn’t tell she had recently been kissed. ‘Different, in what way?’
‘You’re wearing colour, and it suits you. It makes your skin glow, and your eyes stand out.’
‘Oh, yes, well, we went shopping. I packed in rather a hurry and—’
‘We?’ Both Isabella’s eyebrows lifted this time. ‘Did Vic spoil you?’
Addie was blushing so hotly she was worried she was contributing to climate change. ‘Yes, he did but it was totally unnecessary, but he insisted. He can be very…erm…persuasive.’
‘I’m so glad you two are getting along well,’ Isabella said, smiling.
‘Now, now, darling,’ Marcus interjected. ‘Don’t go playing matchmaker. Vic’s not the settling down type.’
Isabella gave him a playful shoulder bump, looking at him tenderly. ‘And nor were you until you met me.’
Marcus smiled back in an indulgent manner and Addie couldn’t help feeling a pang of envy. But Vic didn’t believe in for ever love or at least not for himself. And Addie had never envisaged falling for anyone until now. Her feelings for Vic were confusing to her. She wasn’t sure how to describe them. She had had a crush on him since she met him, but that wasn’t love, was it? It was probably more along the lines of infatuation. Hardly a grown-up, mature love that would last. It was probably just a phase she was going through since she had not had much experience around sophisticated men.
And they didn’t get more sophisticated and sexier than Vic Jacobetti.
A little later that day, Vic took Addie and Katerina to the grotto at the back of the estate. It had been years since he had been down to the hidden cave his father had built out of the natural rock face. When Vic was a child, they had spent many hours there together just hanging out. One of the last times he had been with his father had been the day before his father’s death. If only Vic had known back then he only had a handful of hours left with his father…
Katerina had insisted on bringing a bunch of soft toys with her that she was now busily setting up along the rock ledges with painstaking precision. Vic remembered lining up his toy cars with the same focussed attention and smiled at the memory. But such memories were always tinged with sadness. His father had missed out on so many years of life. He had been Vic’s age when he died—thirty-four. So young. So tragically young, his potential snatched away, snuffed out. So many milestones of his life to have missed, let alone those of Vic’s. He thought of what a wonderful grandfather his father would have been…but why was he thinking about such things? Vic didn’t plan on having a family, so it was a moot point. And yet, he couldn’t help wondering if his father hadn’t died, would he be so adamant about remaining single and childless?
Addie ran her hand along the wall of the cave, her features cast in lines of delight. ‘This is the ultimate in cubby houses. What a wonderful place to explore.’
Vic had to stoop to enter the cave just as his father used to do, triggering another host of poignant memories. ‘I used to spend hours down here with my father.’ He too ran his hand over the cool rock, his heart squeezing as he recalled how it felt to have those special times with his father. Never once had his father made him feel as if he was taking up too much of his time or was in any way bored by the silly little games Vic wanted to play. He wondered if he had children of his own would he be as present, as involved, as loving as his father had been with him. But he didn’t want children, did he? It was a decision he had made a long time ago and it wasn’t one he was going to revisit. He didn’t want the responsibility of trying to protect those he loved. It was easier, safer not to love.
‘So, what will happen to this place when you redevelop the villa?’ Addie asked, helping Katerina prop up her floppy-eared rabbit on a little rock shelf on the back wall of the grotto. She turned to look at him and he found himself uncharacteristically lost for words. The light breeze had mussed her light brown hair giving her an untamed look that was mesmerising. Her tawny brown eyes were fringed with dark lashes and her lack of makeup only made her more attractive. He was used to being around highly polished women, groomed to the point of perfection. But he found Addie’s natural and unadorned beauty totally captivating. Kissing her had been a mistake because now that he had tasted the sweet softness of her lips he wanted more. It had triggered a deep longing in him that he was finding hard to ignore. He was reassured to know Marcus and Isabella were on their way back to relieve them of their babysitting duties but another part of him was disappointed this time together was coming to an end. He had enjoyed getting to know Addie better. She had lowered her guard as indeed he had done his. It had created a different dynamic between them, so too had looking after their goddaughter together. Their team effort had helped the little toddler cope with the separation from her parents without too much drama, and that he believed was largely due to Addie. She was a natural nurturer, gentle and intuitive in handling young children.
‘Vic?’ Addie was frowning at him, and he suddenly realised he had been so lost in his thoughts he hadn’t answered her question about what he planned to do with the grotto once he redeveloped the villa. Whathadhe planned to do with it? It was well away from the villa and the formal gardens. It didn’t need to be a part of the new development and yet why would he hold on to it? It meant nothing to anyone but him and he wasn’t the sentimental type. And yet…and yet…closing it off, bricking it up or refashioning it into something else made him feel edgy, unsettled, rattled.
Vic glanced at his watch and frowned. ‘I forgot I need to make a couple of calls. Are you okay with Katerina for a bit? I’ll see you at dinner.’
Addie went back to helping Katerina organise her toys in the crevices of the grotto. The coolness of the little homemade cave was refreshing after the late afternoon heat. But she was puzzled as to why Vic had left without answering her question. He had mentioned his father had made the grotto for him when he was a child. She imagined it must hold a lot of memories for him. He was so determined to redevelop the villa, but would he keep the grotto as some sort of shrine to his father?
Katerina was tired after her busy afternoon of swimming and playing in the grotto, so Addie fed her early and tucked her in to bed and read her a story. The little toddler snuggled against the pillow, her lashes flickering as she tried to stay awake.
‘Mummy come soon?’ she murmured as Addie stroked her silky black curls.
‘Yes, sweetie, Mummy and Daddy will be back soon. Now, close those eyes and dream lovely dreams. You’ve had a big day.’
Addie sat by her and watched as Katerina finally succumbed to the sleep she so desperately needed. Katerina gave a soft little sigh and drifted off, her little hand clutching her floppy-eared rabbit.