Free [Cardello Ruth] For Love or Legacy(Bookos.org) by Lenovo User Page A

seven years to come to his senses.‖
    Nicole couldn‘t meet Victor‘s eyes. ―His anger was justified. I…‖
    Victor‘s hand dropped and his jaw clenched, his voice raising with emotion. ―You did nothing wrong.‖
    Nicole shrank a little without realizing it.
    Katrine said, ―Victor, you‘re scaring the poor girl. Nicole, don‘t mind my husband‘s mood, he‘s upset with himself, not you. We were overjoyed to hear that you and Stephan had made up.‖ Then she linked arms with Nicole and said, ―Come on, Nicole, Elise is in the kitchen and she‘s been talking about you all day. She‘ll be thrilled that you came.‖
    Nicole allowed herself to be led away.
    Much to Nicole‘s amazement, Elise was actually cooking. The large kitchen contained several ovens and heating elements on a center island. Every area seemed to be in use.
    Apparently, Nicole did not hide her shock well, because Elise asked, ―Do you cook, Nicole?‖
    Once again, Nicole felt like an unprepared outsider. She shook her head. No one she knew cooked. They had cooks. Cooking was messy and in general considered a waste of time by those in her small circle of acquaintances.
    Elise asked, ―You never cooked with your mother?‖
    Katrine jumped in quickly and said, ―Elise, you know…‖
    Elise went pink, then rushed to Nicole‘s side. ―I forgot, Nicole. You must think I‘m a horrible person. I keep saying the wrong things around you, when all I really want is for you to feel welcome.‖
    There was no doubting the sincerity of the older woman. Nicole said, ―I do feel welcome and please don‘t worry. I wouldn‘t be here if I didn‘t enjoy your company.‖
    Katrine said, ―Isn‘t she everything I said she was? She‘s exactly what Stephan needs.‖
    This time Nicole blushed.
    As if sensing Nicole‘s discomfort at continuing to be the topic of discussion, Elise answered the questions Nicole wouldn‘t ask. ―You‘re wondering why we don‘t have someone cook for us, aren‘t you? We often do. If it‘s just Alessandro and me, our house cook will throw something together for us. And Richard makes the Sunday feast. But tonight was special. When the family gathers, the food is part of the love, no?‖
    Nicole shrugged awkwardly.
    Elise explained, ―The sauce is my grandmother‘s recipe. The meatballs are Alessandro‘s mother‘s. Katrine makes her Norwegian lefse bread and everyone eats it. When we blend our food, we blend our families and old recipes keep those people alive in our hearts. You understand?‖
    There was little point in lying. ―Not really, although it sounds beautiful.‖
    Katrine said, ―Don‘t worry, Nicole. I had no idea how to cook Italian food before I met Victor. Elise taught me everything I know.‖
    Nicole walked around the kitchen, looking into the various pots.
    Katrine added with a smile, ―So, you either help us cook, or you do the dishes.‖
    Wide-eyed, Nicole swung around, and Elise laughed out loud, ―You are so bad, Katrine. We do have house staff. She‘s only teasing you.‖
    Squaring her shoulders, Nicole decided she was up for the challenge. She‘d delivered a baby for goodness sake. How hard could cooking be? She slid off her cream jacket and rolled up her sleeves. ―Ok, where do I start?‖
    Katrine and Elise exchanged a blatant look of approval. Elise said, ―All that is left now is desert. We always make a fruit crostrata in the summer, a kind of pie. Victor and Alessandro love them.‖ Elise pointed to a bowl of peaches and plums on a nearby counter and said, ―If you peel the fruit, I‘ll make the pastry for it. Then there should be blueberries in the refrigerator if you don‘t mind rinsing them.‖
    Busy following her instructions, Nicole asked, ―So, is everyone gathered tonight to celebrate the newest addition to your family? Too bad Richard and Maddy aren‘t here.‖
    Elise walked over and patted Nicole on one shoulder, ―We will celebrate Joseph‘s birth this week when he