Chapter 5

Caprice POV

The silence grew heavy between us. I tried to wrap my brain around what she was saying. My father hadn’t abandoned us because he’d wanted to. My parents might even have loved each other, but not enough. My life would have been completely different if it weren’t for this woman sabotaging it.

When I could finally speak again, I asked, “Why did you think she wasn’t good enough?”

“It’s so stupid, looking back on it now. But I wanted him to marry an Italian-American. And one of us. When he fell in love with a woman from Cyprus, well…”

Her mournful eyes found mine.

“Do you wish to leave?”

I shook my head. She may have ruined my life, but she was the only family I had. And she seemed to feel horrible about what she’d done to me.

“I’m glad you want to stay.”

She took some bites of half-melted ice cream.

“I’ve set some things in place…in an attempt to make up for what I’ve done. I know nothing will ever be enough to change the past, but perhaps your future can be happier.”

Her lips lifted in a sad smile.

“Your father was an only child, so I’ve made you my heir. I had a good feeling about you after speaking with you on the phone. I will also be covering your college tuition. Maybe Europe for college?”

I set the bowl down in my lap so I wouldn’t drop it. With a few sentences, my entire life had changed. I’d been planning on finding a job so that I could work full-time and attend college, to minimize the amount of debt I’d graduate with.

“I-I can’t—you don’t even know me,” I said.

People didn’t just give you everything, did they? My mind reeled with the implications of what she was offering. Paying for college? Traveling to Europe?

Isabella smiled, and the warmth was back. “I am very good at reading people, Caprice. You are a good person. I have complete faith in you, and I want you to have my legacy.”

Besides this house, I wondered what her legacy included. Was she really rich enough to pay for college outright? In Europe? I felt like I was taking advantage of a remorseful old woman. It didn’t feel right.

“You must be tired after such a long day,” she said. “Come. I’ll show you to your room.”

We dropped our bowls off in the kitchen sink, then walked through the dining room to the staircase. Upstairs were four bedrooms and two bathrooms. Mine was in the northwest corner.

The room was tastefully decorated in white and pale green. The two brand-new suitcases that my foster parents had bought for me stood near a whitewashed dresser. The bed was a four-poster draped in green fabric that matched the curtains.

Isabella stood just inside the door. “I hope this room suits you. Sleep in if you’d like tomorrow. I know the time difference can be a challenge. Good night.”

She closed the door, leaving me alone.

I fished my phone out of my pocket. It was almost ten here, which meant my internal clock was at one in the morning. Between that and taking in everything that Isabella had said this evening, I was exhausted.

My phone chirped several times on the nightstand, waking me up. I reached for it. The time read seven in the morning. The texts were from Elena.

How was your flight? What’s your grandma like? Call me when you get this!

Are you awake?

What time is it there?

I groaned, silenced the phone, and rolled over. Because of tossing and turning so much last night, I’d had like five hours of solid sleep. It always took a while to adjust to new surroundings. For the first few nights in a new place, I never slept deeply.

By the time I got up, at ten, my phone had nearly twenty texts on it from both Elena and my foster parents. Geez, couldn’t they wait a minute?

I went to the bathroom and brushed my teeth and smoothed my hair. Feeling a little bit refreshed, I called Antonio first so that he wouldn’t freak out.

He answered with, “There you are.”

“Yeah. You know it’s like three hours earlier over here, right?”

“When I didn’t hear from you last night, I got a little worried, Caprice. How was your flight?”

“It was fine. Isabella is really nice. She cooked dinner and we talked.”

I’d fill him in on the details later, once I’d decided what to do with Isabella’s offer.

“Good to hear. Well, I won’t keep you. Just wanted to make sure you arrived safely. Now call me on Sunday to check in, okay?”

“I won’t forget. Say hi to Vanessa and Max for me.”

We said our goodbyes and hung up.

I knew the conversation with Elena was going to be much longer. So I sent her a summary text, telling her I’d call a little later. I couldn’t wait to fill her in on everything. First, though, I needed food.

Making my way down the hall, then down the stairs, the air filled with the smell of pancakes. This grandma was amazing. Maybe a little too perfect with all the cooking. As I neared the kitchen, the aroma intensified and my stomach gurgled.

I hadn’t bothered to get dressed yet, so I stepped into the kitchen wearing a new set of satin pajamas. They were black with little pink flowers. And I immediately regretted my laziness.

Standing in front of the stove was Jaxon. He wore those hip-hugging jeans and a black T-shirt, with what had to be one of Isabella’s lace-bordered blue aprons. He flipped pancakes in the air while chatting with my grandma. She sat at the table, already set for three, and stroked the black cat on her lap.

I stood immobile, trying to decide if I should stay or run back up to my room. Unfortunately, Isabella spotted me before I could get my wits in order.

“Good morning, Caprice.”

She set the cat down and came to give me a hug.

Jaxon turned. His golden hair caught the morning sunlight. He took in my pajamas and bare feet, his intense gaze making me blush. Then, with a wink, he went back to preparing breakfast.

My knees grew weak at that wink. I thought I might collapse, but Isabella led me to the table in time. Jaxon was way too hot for a lazy morning like this. He shouldn’t be allowed out into the world until at least noon.

Friend of the family, huh? He had to be Isabella’s best friend to show up and make breakfast. And he could cook—that just added to his attractiveness. Wasn’t he neglecting his gorgeous girlfriend right now? He had to have one. So where was she?

Isabella sat across from me, leaving the spot in the middle for Jaxon. “Did you sleep okay last night?” she asked.

I shrugged. “It’s so quiet out here. Not like Baltimore at all.”

“We are way outside of the city here. It is peaceful. Today I’ll show you around.”

Jaxon set warmed plates in front of us, filled with pancakes and bacon.

My kind of breakfast.

I willed the butterflies inside of me to calm down so I could eat. It mostly worked. I focused on the delicious food rather than the hunk sitting next to me. Again, I felt that overwhelming presence from him. It was like power rolled off him in waves, even though he was casually eating and talking with Isabella. Such a mismatch. Was I imagining it?

“Full moon is on Sunday night,” he said to her. “We’ll have to make the best of it.”

Isabella glanced straight at me, but spoke to Jaxon. “Yes. We will. I’m sure it will be fine.”

My interest was piqued. “What happens at the full moon?”

They both grew still and quiet. Okay…

Isabella spoke. “The town has a tradition. The August full moon is similar to Halloween. Except instead of going out, we stay in and hide from the evil spirits who roam that night.”

I’d never heard of such a thing. What a weird town. I was about to ask a question when I caught the glance shared between Isabella and Jaxon.

They were lying to me.

Why lie about the full moon?