I crossed my fingers childishly.
Some promises were more complicated than others.
The next day, Nicholas picked me up in the now familiar black SUV. My few suitcases were loaded into the trunk, and we set off for the Russo estate. I watched the city recede in the side mirror, feeling as if I were closing one chapter of my life and opening another, far more unpredictable one.
When we arrived, Mrs. Abernathy was waiting to show me around. She was a kind-faced older woman with steel-gray hair and knowing eyes.
“You’ll do fine, dear,” she said after giving me a tour. “The boy needs someone young. Someone with energy. These old bones can’t keep up with him anymore.”
“How long have you worked for the Russos?”
“Fifteen years. I cared for Dante when he was just a boy, after his mother passed. Then I stayed on. And when Marco came along…”
She smiled fondly.
“He’s a special child. Much like his father was.”
“What was Dante like as a child?”
Her expression grew sad.
“Serious. Too serious for a boy his age. His father was a hard man. Expected too much too soon.”
She shook her head.
“Dante is different with Marco. Gentler.”
“That’s good.”
Before I could ask more questions, Marco burst into the room, his cast now completely covered in signatures and dinosaur drawings.
“Miss Ellie, you’re here to stay!”
He threw his good arm around my waist.
“I told Papa you would say yes.”
I hugged him back, surprised by the rush of affection I felt.
“Yes, I’m staying. We’re going to have a great time together.”
“Can we see your apartment? Papa had it all fixed up for you.”
Mrs. Abernathy chuckled.
“Go on, then. I’ve shown her everything she needs to know for now.”
Marco grabbed my hand, tugging me toward the back of the house. We exited through a rear door and followed a stone path that wound through immaculately landscaped gardens to a small cottage nestled among flowering trees.
I was stunned by the charming exterior.
