Daddy's Coming Home For Christmas

Daddy's Chasing His Valentine:1-Third Wheel

Noelle

Nothing quite makes you feel like more of a third wheel than helping your drop-dead gorgeous boss plan a romantic New Year’s proposal.

Not that I’m bitter or jealous or anything. I had only known Beth for a week, and I already loved her. She was quiet and thoughtful, very talented and she was an amazing mom. She deserved all the happiness in the world, and I believed my boss was ready to give it to her. He clearly adored her.

Besides, Raphael Segretto wasn’t my type.

I wasn’t sure exactly what my type was, because I’d never actually had a boyfriend, I just knew my boss wasn’t it. Raphael was just too perfect, like a movie star. He was nice to admire from afar, but you didn’t really want to marry the guy.

I was too busy to think about men anyway. By January 2nd, Raphael was back to work with a vengeance. He was like a maestro conducting an orchestra of construction workers, painters, decorators, salesmen, vendors, new and old employees, inspectors and investors. And my job was to make it all happen in harmony, so to speak. I managed his schedule, made phone calls, took notes in meetings, typed up reports and was his general right hand woman.

It felt good to be busy, good to be in my element.

And then about a week into the new year, he called me into his home office. “Alright Noelle, they’ve finished with the executive rooms on the ground floor, I think we can move you into the resort now.”

I felt a little pang of hurt, but I was careful to cover it behind a smile. Raphael had made it very clear that I would only be staying in his family home for a couple weeks. Who knew I would get so attached to his family in such a short time? Maybe it was because I’d never had a real family of my own, but I’d really enjoyed watching cartoons with six year old Lucy, or putting together jigsaw puzzles with Nana Charlie. I even kind of liked washing the dishes with the housekeeper after dinner.

“Not that we haven’t enjoyed staying with you,” Rafe said easily, “But I think it would be really helpful to have eyes on the project from the inside. Normally I would stay on premises too, but…”

He didn’t need to elaborate. He had a new fiancée and a newly discovered daughter, and a disabled mom that needed his time and attention more than a resort.

“No problem, Sir. I’ve got it covered.” I wouldn’t let myself feel sad when I went upstairs to pack a suitcase. After all, I lived for my work. I wouldn’t feel rejected, because this wasn’t my family.

I had just borrowed them for a couple weeks.

The guy in Segretto Star HR had given me a strict warning not to blur the line between business and personal life with Mr. Segretto. I thought he was worried I might fall in love with the boss. I didn’t realize I might fall in love with his whole family.

“Before you go, I have a present for you!” Beth stopped me at the bottom of the stairs and pressed a shiny gift bag into my hands. I pulled apart the handles and peeked inside. It was the dress she had designed and created just for me. I recognized the soft violet fabric.

“Thank you! How much do I owe you?” I asked.

“It’s a gift,” Beth said firmly. “No payment necessary.”

I blinked at her unexpected generosity. I silently vowed that I would find a way to return the favor. “Thank you, Beth.”

She hugged me spontaneously. I stood stiffly in her embrace. Hugging was not a thing that was done in my family of origin, and I felt awkward. Was I supposed to hug her back? And for how long? Was there a prescribed number of seconds for a casual hug? One should know the proper rules and etiquette before one attempts such an intimate gesture.

Luckily she released me before I could work up to a proper panic attack.

Lucy tugged on my elbow. “Don’t worry, Noelle. We’ll see you soon. Daddy says we can go to work with him sometimes to see the horses. And you can come here for dinner sometimes too,” she said innocently.

“Sure thing, kid,” I said, offering her a sad smile before I followed Raphael out the door. He was still driving a rented Lexus, but he had a plan to buy himself a new car, since he was making Townline his new center of operations. Plus it was a twenty-five minute drive from the Segretto House to the new Segretto Star Mountain Resort.

The resort sprawled over twenty acres on a mountain that was too small for downhill skiing, but it had a small lake, a golf course, a stable for horseback riding, and miles of cross country skiing and hiking trails. I’d never been an outdoorsy girl myself, but even I could understand the appeal.

The grand lodge, which looked like something plucked from the Swiss Alps, was at the center of the resort, with a half a dozen private chalets scattered around it. The place still had that “new” smell from the ongoing reservations. The chemical twang of new carpeting, fresh varnish, and wet paint. It also had a vacant feeling as the new furnishings had not yet arrived, so the lobby was empty except for the massive fireplace between the floor to ceiling windows that overlooked the lake.

Raphael showed me to the room that I was going to call home. It was nicer than the standard rooms, but not quite as cushy as the VIP suites. It had a king-sized bed, a work space with a desk, a large television mounted on the wall, chairs to lounge in, and a little kitchenette tucked in the corner.

I wheeled my suitcase over to the closet. “It’s nice,” I said. “I’ll need to get some groceries.”

“Later,” Mr. Segretto waved his hand like he was swatting the idea away. “We’ve opened up the kitchen and we will be training staff. You can eat in the dining room and test the dishes, or just help yourself from the kitchen coolers for now.” He went and sat in one of the overstuffed chairs that was angled toward the window and the picturesque view.

“Now, down to business. I’m flying one of my best managers in from Sydney. His name is Robert Quinn. He will be coming with his family so he’ll be living in Chalet #5, just as soon as the renovations are finished. Until then we will use the two finished rooms across the hall. I know you haven’t been here that long yourself, but I would appreciate it if you would help bring him up to speed, and assist him and his family to get acclimated. I’m sure snowy Vermont is going to be quite a shock after five years in sunny Sydney, Australia.”

“I bet,” I said. I’d just arrived from Italy, which can be a bit wintery, but I was still having a bit of culture shock.

“Alright,” he jumped out of the chair like he had far too much energy to sit still even for a moment. “You can get unpacked later, we’ve got a meeting with Don over at the ski shop. Grab your coat!”