Who Wants to Marry A Billionaire?(44)

Daniel watched a young family crossing the plaza below the balcony. The mother had a small baby in a carrier strapped to her chest, and the father pushed a toddler in a cheap stroller. The couple was laughing and talking animatedly. They weren’t wealthy, Daniel thought, just people who worked hard in order to do their best for their family, people who loved each other. The toddler kicked his sandal off, and the father kneeled down to buckle it back on while the mother looked on indulgently, stroking her baby’s head. As soon as the father finished, the toddler kicked off his other sandal, and the parents broke up laughing. It was such an ordinary moment, and yet it was exactly what Daniel wished for in his life. The simple pleasure of being able to laugh surrounded by people you truly love.

It hit Daniel how his bad behavior and lack of discipline was just his way of asking for someone to love him unconditionally and not because he adhered to certain standards and expectations. He knew his parents must really love him to have put up with his antics as long as they had, but Nina was the person who’d helped him be truly himself—and helped him to become a better man. That was a gift worth far more than any bank account. He had to find Ariadne and force her to confess to Nina that she was trying to extort Daniel. How he was going to do that, he had no idea, but it seemed like the thing to do. He needed backup, though, and he picked up the phone to call Boris.





Chapter Thirty Three



Nina felt a little better after she talked to Boris. It helped a lot to just get things off her chest. She told him everything—how it seemed like she and Daniel were having a real romance—only leaving out the part about them sleeping together. And as she described the bizarre encounter at the pool, it suddenly hit her that Daniel had mentioned that he’d told Elsa that things were getting real between them. He had been away on the telephone for some time the evening that Kennedy called, and everything leading up to the rum-soaked lovemaking and even the day after, had felt absolutely genuine between them. She remembered how Daniel had brushed her hair that morning, and he would have to be some kind of sociopath to fake emotions like that. Boris listened intently as she shared her suspicion that somehow Elsa was involved, but why would Elsa want to muff the deal? That part of it made no sense. And she told Boris about Arturo’s job offer.

Boris advised Nina to not do anything rash, that maybe something would exonerate Daniel, and at any rate, before she made a life-changing decision like moving to Panama, she should take a little time to think about it. And he told her he would try to look into things from his end. Nina agreed that it was wise to just cool off a little, and wait before she spoke again to either Daniel or Arturo.

It hardly seemed like the time to go zip lining or whitewater rafting, and the thought of going to the pool for a swim made Nina completely ill. She thought about how peaceful it was the day they had hiked to the waterfalls, and Nina thought perhaps communing with nature was the way to go. She checked with the concierge about overnight camping trips, and he told her that there was a wonderful trail to a beautiful overlook. There were a few rough places on the way, but it was fine for an experienced hiker. He told her they could set her up with everything she needed to overnight—backpack, lightweight sleeping bag, mosquito netting—and he assured her she’d see plenty of beautiful plants and birds. It sounded to Nina like just the thing—some time away from everyone to think and breathe and find herself in all the confusion. She asked them if they could have things ready for her to leave the next morning.

Sometimes, Nina knew, the best way to stop feeling sorry for one’s self is to think about others. And the fact was, while she didn’t want to put a damper on their spirits, she still needed her family, so she decided to call her mom.

“Mom—hi!”

“Oh it’s great to hear your voice, honey. How’s Panama?”

“It’s beautiful, people are very nice, there’s a lot to see and do.” Nina tried to be perky.

“I’m glad you’re having a good time. Reuben got his cast off today—it was pretty exciting!”

“That’s fantastic, is he on crutches now?”

“Yeah, and he and his little performance artist had a double date with Rita and her goalie, Mark. I’m so sorry about Kennedy, I made dinner for her and Rita the other night. It’s terrible to feel betrayed.”

No kidding, Nina thought, as her throat began to tighten. “Yeah, she called me, is she doing okay?”

“Time heals all wounds, Nina, if you let it. Look how long it took me to deal with your Dad’s passing, but now I’m really having fun with Leonard. You know, you’re the one that pulled me back from the edge—you’ve always held it together, no matter how bad things were. And thanks to you and the engagement party and Wilson DeVere, I’m met an incredibly wonderful man who treats me like a princess.”

“I’m so happy for you Mom, I really am.”

“It’s like your engagement to Daniel has helped and inspired the entire family. I guess true love has a way of multiplying.”

Tears were welling up in Nina’s eyes. She knew that any moment she would burst into sobs. “I’ve got to go Mom, but give everyone big hugs from me.”

“Sure thing. Love you honey.”

“I love you too.”

True love? But she didn’t want to think about it any more. She found her mystery and went and read next to the waterfall.