Maddie shot her a slightly piqued expression. “There’s more upstairs,” Maddie muttered.
Maddie led the way past several more bedrooms and baths, along with a playroom where Joel immediately began exploring the many new toys. Even though the mansion needed more furniture before it would feel like a home, Nicole couldn’t help being impressed with how much decorating progress had already been made.
“How did you do this so quickly?” Nicole asked.
Maddie laughed. “Rafe and I have been together so long. He can give me a few sentences,” she said and snapped her fingers, “and I know exactly what he wants.”
Nicole felt the little stab of a question again about their relationship. “Where will I sleep?”
“I thought I’d put you near Joel in this wing. Rafe will take the other wing.”
“I don’t think I saw that.”
Maddie hesitated a half beat. “Oh, I guess I forgot. There’s a master bedroom on each floor. The master on this floor is all the way down the hall and to the left. It includes a gym because Rafe is very big on working out. Now about the nanny—”
“Nanny,” Nicole repeated, frowning. “I’m here—Joel won’t need a nanny.”
Maddie hesitated again. “Perhaps not in the traditional sense. But you may find you’ll need someone to take care of the driving and to give you breaks. I’ve already set up a meeting for Joel at a preschool based on what Rafe described to me.”
“I’ll need to visit before a final decision is made.”
“Of course,” Maddie said, but something about her voice bothered Nicole. She gave a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “It really is remarkable how similar the two of you looked. I almost feel as if I’m looking at a ghost.”
“We were identical twins with very different personalities.”
Maddie nodded. “Rafe and Tabitha were like oil and water. I knew it wasn’t going to work from the beginning. Rafe doesn’t need a pampered heiress. He needs more of an independent type.”
Nicole felt a rush of protectiveness for her sister. “Tabitha may not have been perfect, but no one is. If it weren’t for Tabitha, we wouldn’t have Joel.”
Impatience flashed through Maddie’s eyes and her lips tightened. “You’re right. Without Tabitha, there would be no Joel,” she said, her tone laced with irritation. “Now tomorrow, I’ll be sending over three na—” She broke off and corrected herself. “Three candidates to assist you with Joel. Choose which one you like best and then perhaps you can visit the preschool in the afternoon. I would have sent the assistants today, but Rafe insisted you and Joel needed a chance to relax.” Maddie led the way down the stairs then pressed her card into Nicole’s hand. “I know you’re only staying here temporarily, but Rafe and I want to make sure you’re as comfortable as possible. In his position he can get terribly busy, so if you need anything at all, please feel free to call me.”
The proprietary tone in Maddie’s voice rose again. It grated on Nicole, although she couldn’t say why. “Thank you. Hopefully Joel and I will be able to manage on our own.”
“Okay. I’ll just have a word with Rafe before I leave. Good-bye now,” Maddie said and turned away.
Nicole walked to the kitchen to get a bottle of water and surveyed the contents of the refrigerator. Hearing footsteps behind her, she turned to find Rafe looking at her.
“Hungry?” he asked. “We have a housekeeper and chef. I’m sure they can whip up whatever you like.”
“I was just looking to see what I could fix for Joel tonight.”
He shook his head and closed the refrigerator door. “You’re not preparing meals. You’re supposed to help Joel adjust.”
“That’s part of making him adjust,” she said. “I always cook at home.”
“Tell the chef the time you want dinner and what you want. Would you like to take a shower, spend some time in the Jacuzzi?”
“I might have time for that. I’m not sure when I’ll be able to pry Joel out of the playroom. He’s fascinated by all the new toys. You need to be careful about spoiling him.”
“I know, but I’ve got four years to make up for. Plus, I want him to be comfortable here.”
“But will you be?” she asked. “Won’t you miss living on the sea?”
“I’ll be there every day.” He shrugged. “Maybe I can take the three of us out for a weekend if I ever get caught up. Maddie gave you the rundown on the applicants for the nanny position, right?”
“Yes, and I told her that since I’ll be here, Joel won’t need a nanny.”
He shook his head. “You’ve had to do this by yourself for a long time. You may not want to admit it, but I’m sure there have been times when being a single parent has been overwhelming. I want you to have all the help you need.”
“Thank you,” she said, still a little irked by the idea. “About Maddie,” she said.
“She’s amazing, isn’t she? Most efficient woman I’ve ever met,” he said.
She opened her mouth to ask the question that burned inside her, then thought better of it. “Very efficient.”
“Take some time to relax.” He nodded and put his hand on her arm. “You and I can talk more after dinner.”
After Nicole finally got Joel settled in for the night, she wandered downstairs to join Rafe on the patio. He stood, staring into the distance, appearing lost in thought. She didn’t know what to make of him. His strength appealed to her at the same time that it frightened her. Was he the kind of man to use his strength against those weaker than him?
She hesitated joining him, but he must have sensed her presence because he turned around. “Hi. Have a seat. I bet you’re tired.”
“Not too much,” she said and sat down.
He pointed to the two glasses of wine on the table. “Have some wine.”
“Thank you. It’s been a long day.”
He sat beside her. “Tomorrow will be easier.”
Taking a sip of the red wine, she was not at all sure she agreed with him. “This is just the first day in a whole new world.”
“It will be much easier for both you and Joel now. You won’t have to worry about financial matters. You’ll have assistance whenever you need it. I have to tell you I’m still surprised that you and Joel didn’t live with your father.”
Her stomach clenched. “My father can be controlling. With him it’s his way or the highway. I’ve found it’s better for me to go my own way.”
“What about Tabitha?” he asked.
“Tabitha had a different relationship with our father. She was able to walk a fine line of charm with him and most of the time, it worked.”
“When it didn’t?” he asked.
“It wasn’t pleasant,” she said.
“Are you saying—”
“I’d rather not discuss my father, if you don’t mind,” she said and fought against that trapped feeling she so strongly associated with her father. She didn’t have to discuss him, she reminded herself and rose.
“Let’s walk,” he said, superseding her desire to leave. He stood and took a sip of red wine, then led the way into the landscaped backyard, lit with soft floodlights and trees wrapped in minilights.
“It’s