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“I know.”
She could hear the tears in his voice.
“Do you like it here, Phillip?”
“I love it. Do you?”
If ever she heard a searching question, that was it. “Who wouldn’t love Switzerland. It’s out of this world.”
“Dad’s so fun. I don’t want to leave, but I don’t want you to go.” Moisture bathed his cheeks. He burrowed his head in her shoulder.
“I have to go home, sweetheart.”
He sniffed. “Then I guess I’ll go with you. Isabella won’t want me around for all their wedding stuff.”
Such a gut-wrenching dilemma for a twelve-year-old. It thrilled her he loved Darrell that much, but her heart ached for him.
“Tell you what. I’m not feeling as nauseous as before. Let’s spend the rest of today with your father.”
“Honest?”
“Yes.”
Because Phillip had made a decision, she could get through a few more hours in Alex’s company knowing other people would be around.
“When he comes back with us to say good-night, then you can tell him we’re flying home the minute we can make reservations.”
“Okay.”
“Think of all the fun stuff you have to tell your friends. You can show them the pictures you’ve taken. They’ll love all the souvenirs you bought them the other day with the boys. Especially all that Swiss chocolate!”
“Yeah.”
With the matter settled for the time being, they both freshened up before leaving the castle. Phillip knew the way to the pale yellow palace located on the west end of the grounds. It lay nestled amidst a grove of giant trees like a hidden jewel.
“Hey, Mom—don’t you think this place looks like that house in Sound of Music?” They’d just entered the courtyard where water had pooled here and there because of the storm.
“A little, but this is much grander.”
“Vito said their grandparents live here with them.”
“How lucky the boys are to have Evelyn’s parents around now that their father is gone.”
“Not her parents, Mom. They live in Bavaria. I’m talking about dad’s aunt and uncle, but they’re away on a trip right now. Jules says his Grandpa Vittorio is mean.”
“Is that description yours or his?”
“His. He says Vito’s afraid of him.”
That didn’t sound good.
Phillip knocked on the door, breaking her train of thought. Soon a maid answered followed by the boys.
Once inside the elegant foyer flanked by various rooms, Darrell marveled over the twin staircases on either side rising like a swan’s neck to the second floor.
The beauty and symmetry of the architecture was stunning.
“I’ve always loved this palace.” Alex’s deep voice came from somewhere behind her.
She swung around and discovered him standing next to a very pretty brunette woman. She appeared to be in her early thirties.
“Evelyn and Darrell? It’s time you two met.”
“Hello,” Darrell said first and extended her hand. “Thank you for inviting us to your home. I’ve been anxious to meet you. Your boys are charming.”
Evelyn flashed her a friendly smile. “So is Phillip. I don’t believe this family has ever had so much excitement.”
“I’m sure you haven’t,” Darrell said.
Thankfully the other woman didn’t sound judgmental, which was more than Darrell could have hoped for.
“Come in and sit down.”
The room they entered was surprisingly comfortable and modern in its decor. Darrell found the nearest chair. Alex remained standing while Evelyn took a place on one of the couches opposite her.
“We’re expecting Aunt Katerina any minute. I was so wishing you would recover enough to make it.”
Alex’s mother was coming, too? Darrell had hoped to avoid meeting her this trip, but maybe it was better to get it over with. After all, she was Phillip’s grandmother.
“I’m feeling better, thank you. It will be an honor to meet her.”
Evelyn cocked her head. “I can’t believe Alex talked you into going down under the castle. Charles could never get me near it.”
“I’m afraid Phillip wouldn’t have let me live it down if I hadn’t joined in.”
“Jules was very impressed with you. It was the boys’ first time ghost hunting. He told me I had to go next time.”
Alex chuckled. “If you two will excuse me, I believe mother has arrived.”
After he left the room Evelyn confided, “Another Valleder in the family has already transformed my boys’ lives. What’s amazing is how much they look alike. All three could be brothers.”
Darrell nodded. “That’s what I was thinking earlier. If I didn’t know better, I would have thought they were all Alex’s children.”
“Vito reminds me of Alex’s father, very serious and steady. Jules on the other hand has a happy-go-lucky temperament, more like my husband’s.”
Darrell’s glance darted to a credenza against the wall. “Is that a picture of your husband?”
“Yes, that’s Charles.”
“I’m so sorry about his accident.”
“So am I…” Her voice trailed.
“May I look at it?”
“Of course.” She got up and handed it to Darrell. “It’s a family portrait of the four of us taken a few months before his plane crashed.”
“I don’t know how you lived through it,” Darrell murmured, fighting tears.
“I’m afraid I’ll never get over losing him.”
As Darrell studied it, she was astonished to discover that Alex’s cousin looked enough like him to be his brother. In fact the more she looked at the picture, the more she noticed striking similarities between the boys’ father and Phillip. If he was as wonderful as Alex, she couldn’t imagine how Evelyn was functioning.
“Darrell?”
At the sound of Alex’s voice she glanced over at the entry, almost dropping the picture.
“I’d like you to meet my mother, Katerina Valleder.”
The lovely brown-haired woman possessed all the style and grace of a former queen. At a glance Darrell could see she’d bequeathed her good looks to her son who was devastatingly attractive in a formal, dark blue suit. The pristine white shirt and specially monogrammed tie with the Valleder crest proclaimed him the royal head of their centuries-old dynasty.
She got up from the chair. “How do you do, Mrs. Valleder.” They both shook hands. Darrell knew that wasn’t the way his mother was normally addressed. No doubt people said “Your Highness.” Yet Alex had made it easy for Darrell.
He made everything easy. She trembled to realize she’d never be able to banish his image from her mind, or heart.
His mother’s gray eyes studying Darrell so intently reminded her of the man who haunted her dreams. “It’s a pleasure to meet the mother of my grandson.”
“Thank you. He has yearned for a grandmother since he was old enough to ask why he didn’t have one like his friends.”
Alex took that moment to tell his mother what Phillip had said on the jet about the queen-size bed. The older woman actually laughed and Evelyn joined in. When it subsided she said, “I see you’re holding a picture of Evelyn’s family.”
“Yes. We were just remarking on the dominance of the Valleder genes.”
Katerina nodded. “After spending a few hours with the boys, I’ve decided Phillip is a composite of all the men in our family.”
Emotion welled up in Darrell to realize her son came from a great heritage. Whatever their true feelings, these women were great to be kind and gracious to her and Phillip. Their impeccable breeding could be a model for others.
Melissa had gravitated to Alex, instinctively recognizing without knowing that he was a man hewn from clay reserved for those with a special destiny.
“I wish you could have seen the boys’ eyes once we started down that spooky staircase with Alex today. They’re all so cute—”
“Aren’t they?” Evelyn’s eyes had grown moist.
Darrell handed the picture back to her. She set it on the table, then smiled.
“Now that everyone’s here, shall we go in to dinner? It’s ready.”
Alex escorted his mother across the foyer to the charming dining room. Jules took over and helped her to her seat at one end of the table. Vito assisted his mother to the chair next to her.
Not to be outdone, Phillip—a quick study—came around and guided Darrell to her place opposite Evelyn. It was a first for him. Judging by the mirthful glance Alex flashed Darrell, he knew it, too.
Enjoying the moment too much, she averted her eyes while he sat down at the head of the candlelit table. It was resplendent with royal Valleder china and silverware placed on the cutwork lace linen.
He patted the chair on his right side for Phillip to join him. Once he was seated, Alex looked at his nephews. They weren’t really his nephews, but as he’d told her and Phillip, he felt like their uncle. “Who wants to say grace?”
Darrell fought not to laugh at the dismay on their faces.
“Maybe Phillip would like to say it,” his mother suggested.
“Sure, Grandma.”
He folded his arms, closed his eyes and gave the usual prayer Darrell had taught him to say over the food.
After a collective “amen,” Alex thanked him, then two of the staff began serving dinner.
Darrell was so proud of Phillip right then she could have burst. Though he was like an unpolished diamond and always would be, he had his shining moments and this had been one of them.
She saw the tender look Alex gave his son. It dissolved Darrell’s bones.
No sooner had they started to eat than his cell phone rang. She noticed him glance at the caller ID, then get up from the table. “Excuse me for a moment.”
The moment turned into twenty minutes. By the time he came back in the dining room, they were finishing their strudel dessert.
“I’m sorry, but something important has come up and I have to leave.”
“Are you going to San Ravino to see Isabella?” Phillip asked the question no one else dared.
“Yes.”
“When will you be back?”
“Tomorrow.”
A crestfallen look crossed over Phillip’s face, one everyone could see.
“Thank you for dinner, Evelyn.”
“It was my pleasure.”
Darrell knew everyone at the table was thinking how out-spoken Phillip had been. It was something they would have to get used to because he’d been born with that trait. She couldn’t look at Alex right then.
“I’ll take Darrell and Phillip home when I go,” Katerina spoke up.
“Thank you, Mother. I’ll see you tomorrow, Phillip.”
“Sure, Dad.”
Alex flashed Darrell a hooded glance she couldn’t decipher before he departed. It left her shaken. Did he kiss Isabella with the same passion he’d kissed her? Was he counting the minutes until they were together? Darrell couldn’t take much more of this.
