Free 9781631054099GracefulAcceptanceBeck by Paloma Beck

you feel more comfortable,” Trevor reminded her.
“I do have to thank her for saving me the other day i n
Madden’s office.” Raising his eyes brows conspiratorially, he added, “Maybe
I’ll give her a little kiss on the cheek.”
    Now it was Davina who
groaned. “Do not incite a riot by provoking Madden. Even Papa can’t save you if
you touch one of my brother’s mat es.”
    “I’m just teasing. No
one gets these lips but my two girls,” Trevor reassured Davina before she
slipped ahead to open the large door.
    “I’ve got you.” Trevor
kissed Grace on the tip of her nose and smiled as he pulled her gently behind
Davina. Somehow, that peck felt more intimate than
any other kiss he’d given her.
    She held onto that
moment as an anchor as they entered the dining room. She’d never been in this
part of their home and it was obvious that this was the entertaining space. The
room was as l arge as a ballroom with its arched
doorways opened onto the upper patio. Grace had seen the patio from below where
the more casual outdoor space spilled out towards the vineyards behind the
house.
    Vines ran along the
far wall. Flowers and greenery adorned enormous vases
that sat upon pedestals every few feet around the room, but the grandest of all
was the heavy wooden table centered under a sparkling chandelier. Grace wanted
to paint this room. The vibrant colors would jump out on her canvas.
    As they made their way to the enormous table adorned in the most
beautiful golden dinnerware she’d ever seen, Mr. and Mrs. Santucci turned in
their direction. Grace’s heart rate accelerated as she took in all the eyes on
them and, feeling her reaction, Davina placed he r arm
around her waist and squeezed reassuringly. Grace relaxed. She realized her
parents were here as well and focused on her mother. She hadn’t expected to see
them tonight, and having them close gave her strength.
    Before she could head
towards her paren ts, Davina guided them to the
Santuccis. Grace was shocked, as was most of the room based on the silence that
fell over them, when Mr. Santucci knelt down onto one knee in front of her,
took her hand, and held it between them.
    “ Che
bella donna ,” Valentino spoke
while he searched her eyes. Shifting under the scrutiny, Grace smiled and
nodded. She had the urge to rescind her hand and to hide her face in Trevor’s
strong chest, but the etiquette training her mother insisted on as children
forced her to refrain.
    Davina leaned into
her, her hand reassuringly placed on Grace’s shoulder, and translated, “My
father says you’re beautiful.” Davina winked.
    “Thank you,” Grace
responded to Mr. Santucci, though his eyes were now looking toward her side to
Trevor.
    Valentino reached for Trevor’s hand and held it along with Grace’s
smaller one in his large palms. “My daughter, she is fortunate. She has
received the blessing from our Goddess.”
    “As we have been to be
given her for our mate,” Trevor responded for the both of them .
    Valentino rose to his
full height, his formidable figure now less intimidating after his open
welcome. Grace’s nerves were beginning to settle and the pieces she couldn’t
imagine shifted into place.
    “It is an honor to
have you both as part of our family, ” Valentino spoke
with his broken Italian accent that Grace found charming.
    Valentino allowed
their hands to drop from his as he stepped aside to allow his wife to greet
them. Her electric smile lit up as she embraced first Grace and then Trevor.
For all t he formality of Valentino, Adelina was
equally informal. After a robust hug for both the girls, the tiny-statured but
large-spirited Adelina turned toward Trevor. Grace knew Adelina well, and
sensing nothing had changed in her regard, Grace relaxed.
    “Trevo r, this is my mother, Adelina. I don’t think you’ve
formally met even if you’ve seen each other around the compound,” Davina gave
the formal introduction.
    Adelina smiled at
Trevor. “It is good