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They left the building and walked back to his office. “There’s a restroom inside, where the two of you can freshen up, Princess.”
“Thank you. I’ll be right back.”
She went inside first. It thrilled her to have met the man who’d given Nico a real home and family until he’d turned eighteen. Fausta thought him and his wife remarkable people.
To give them time alone, she went back to the car and reached for another soda while she waited. The two of them talked and laughed. She got another lump in her throat when she saw them pat each other’s shoulder.
“You made a hit with Angelo,” Nico said after he got back in the car and they drove away.
“He was so nice. I can understand why you love visiting him. How do you have his last name since you haven’t referred to him as your adoptive father? Or did I miss something?”
“They wanted to adopt me even though they had four children. I told them I’d rather not belong to anyone because I wanted to find my birth parents. Deep down I didn’t feel worthy of love when my own parents didn’t want me. People just automatically thought I belonged to them and the name stuck.”
Whoa. He didn’t feel worthy? Fausta was only now beginning to understand how much being an orphan had impacted him. Not many children would have turned down the opportunity to be adopted yet go on repaying them for their kindness.
He glanced at her. “I wouldn’t blame you if you think that was strange and ungrateful of me, but I assured them I’d work triple hard for them to earn my keep until I could leave at eighteen. I’ve been sending them money ever since I became a doctor.”
“Not strange, Nico. Just amazing that even at the age of twelve, you were so fiercely independent. It’s made you into the man you’ve become.” His comments had raised more questions she wanted answers to, but now wasn’t the time.
Nico eyed her. “From here we’re going to visit a couple. I want you to meet Enzo and Pippa. They’re expecting us and have done everything for me since I started working for Angelo. In truth Enzo has been my savior and mentor.”
“Savior?”
“He owns the land where Angelo works the pig farm, but let me back up. Angelo came to the orphanage to find a boy he could train who would help on the farm. He chose me and was given special permission to let me live with his family on the farm and go to school with his children.
“I was chosen, but I had to be interviewed by the owner before I could be hired. It seemed that one of the owner’s grandsons had died at the age of twelve. I guess I was a reminder of him and he developed an interest in me. He often dropped by the farm to talk to me and we became friends.”
“That’s very touching.”
“In time he took me to his home for visits and saw to it that I got the best schooling. After I turned eighteen, he paid for me to attend college and medical school in Turin. He and his wife have always had a doctor to take care of them, but I made him a promise that I would also be their personal physician for life after I graduated.”
Fausta was dumbfounded by what he’d just told her. It answered so many questions about how he’d gotten from A to B. “Where does he live?”
“In the foothills of Biella not far from here.”
They’d reached the outskirts. “So, they’re the people you take care of.”
His dark eyes gleamed. “I visit them every couple of months and always look forward to it.”
They drove through the town and up a winding road through the lush foothills to a picturesque estate. When an imposing castello appeared through the trees, Fausta drew in her breath.
“I’ve been here before!” she cried softly.
He’d pulled up in the courtyard and had turned off the engine before looking at her. “I know. You told me you’d been to Biella the night we went to dinner.”
“But I mean this is the estate where my mother brought me and my sisters for a visit. I recognize the distinctive crenellated walls and the belfry.”
Nico’s eyes played over her. “You’re sure? How old were you?”
“I was around ten. Donetta was thrilled because the owner had some beautiful horses and let us ride. Of course, I’m no champion like my sister. She has a room full of trophies.”
“It’s true Enzo is a great horse lover. Let’s go inside.”
But no sooner had Nico opened the passenger door for her than a man with white hair who was probably in his eighties wearing casual clothes came outside to greet them.
“Nicolo—” she heard the man call out before hugging him fiercely. She was struck by the love between the two of them.
As the old man turned to her, he let out a strange sound. “When you told me you were bringing someone with you, I didn’t know you meant Princess Fausta Rossiano!”
