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"True or not, staying overnight with a single man who wasn't her husband would have been quite scandalous during that time period.Lucinda was a modern woman living in a very traditional era.The stories she probably could have told us, if only she hadn't died so young."
"I don't think we would have heard them regardless of when she died.She was a lot older."
"I know.I just find Lucinda to be the most fascinating person in the family, and now I'm even more intrigued because of the theft of the one and only painting she had left.Let's exchange numbers so we can set up a time to meet, and if you find out anything about our wild great-grandmother, I would love to know."
"Of course," she said as she rattled off her number.She still felt a bit bemused by Joelle's outgoing and friendly nature.
"I'll text you right now," Joelle said as she typed out a note and sent it.
She smiled at the greeting.Hey Cuz, it's me, Joelle."I've never had a cousin before," she said.
"Well, you have one now."
"I like that."
"Me, too," Joelle agreed.
They both turned toward the doorway at the sound of voices.At first, she thought it was Victor and her grandmother, but it was Nick and Anna who walked into the living room.
"Who is this handsome man?"Joelle murmured as she got to her feet.
"Nick," she said as she stood up.
"Joelle?"Anna asked, a smile lighting up her eyes."My goodness.You are all grown up now."
"I have been for a while, Signora Caruso."
"Oh, you know you can call me Anna," she said as she kissed Joelle on each cheek."I don't know if you ever met Nick, my grandson."
"Definitely not.I would remember if I had," Joelle said, flashing her dazzling smile at Nick.She took his hand and pulled him in for the same warm greeting she'd exchanged with Anna.
Isabella frowned, not sure why it bothered her that Joelle had just kissed Nick.She certainly didn't want to kiss him.Well, maybe in a purely objective way, she was slightly curious, only because he was very attractive, but his personality was not at all appealing.
Nick seemed to enjoy the attention, but she got the feeling he was also distracted, and not by Joelle.
She wondered what had happened at the bank.Anna, too, showed stress behind her smile.But she didn't want to ask in front of Joelle, who had already shown a propensity to ask a lot of questions.
Fortunately, Gloria and Victor returned, and after more introductions, Victor said they needed to leave, as he had an afternoon meeting to attend.
Joelle seemed disappointed to be going, and Isabella had a feeling that was because she was now interested in getting to know Nick, but her father was urging her toward the door.
"I hope we can all get together again," Joelle said."Maybe the three of us can get a drink.What do you say, Nick?Isabella?"
"Sounds good to me," Nick said.
Like she wanted to be a third wheel on that date.But as Joelle turned an inquiring eye in her direction, she simply said, "Sure.We'll make a plan."
"I'm going to hold you to that.I'll text you later."
As Gloria walked them to the door, Anna sat down rather heavily on the sofa, while Nick abruptly left the room.
"Everything okay, Anna?"she asked.
"Oh, Isabella, I don't think so," she replied.
Her stomach turned over at Anna's words."Did you find something at the vault?"
Before Anna could answer, Nick and Gloria returned.Nick was holding two boxes in his hands, which he set down on the coffee table.
