Forbidden Disclosure (A Billionaire in Disguise) (19 page)

“Thank you so much, Miss Katherine.” Carl stood there with the biggest smile. Finally she gave him a kiss on the cheek and wished him Merry Christmas.

“Rosie, look at this!” Francesco turned the CD case to face her. “For My Family.”

“Katherine! You can call us that anytime!” Rosie chimed.

Francesco was speechless. His wide smile spoke a thousand words.

After breakfast was over, Daniel led Katherine up the stairs. “You sang for me.” He put his arms around her and held her close to him. He never would have believed, in a million years, that he'd be this loved and happy. This was the best Christmas of his life.

Andy had called in the afternoon to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and to thank Katherine for the beautiful songs. She’d made him a collection of Irish classics that he loved and express mailed it.

The bar was planning another large celebration with good food and friends. Andy thanked Francesco for all the specialties that were catered in from Nashville. They were getting ready to sit down in a few minutes. Everything looked and smelled delicious, he’d said. Andy informed Katherine and Francesco that he was feeling much better, and then proceeded to talk nonstop about Maryann, the new woman who just moved into town. She was a year younger than him and was ‘a real knockout.’

This
made Katherine
very
happy. “Remember what you told me. Don’t waste time! Daniel and I are engaged and couldn’t be happier. Merry Christmas, Uncle Andy. I miss you.”

For the next week, Katherine couldn’t walk anywhere in the mansion without hearing herself sing. On New Year's, she approached Daniel with a business card.

“Do you know who this is?”

Daniel stared at the card. “Yes, he’s a big music producer.”

“He introduced himself to me at the studio. I didn’t know he was in there listening. He wants to sign me.”

“Are you serious?” Daniel’s eyes grew large.

“I don’t think I should do this though.”

“Katherine, you could be famous, love. Why wouldn’t you want to jump on this offer?”

“I can make you as many CD’s as you’d like. But I know what I want to do for the rest of my life.”

“You get to start school in the spring. It’ll be so exciting!”

“Daniel, you came to Tennessee because you needed to change some things. I too was running. I want to be a wife and I want to be a mom. I would love to design and sew a dress for our daughter. I would love to learn to make quilts with Rosie. Maybe later I would like to go back, but the reason I went to school in the first place was to get out of Prairie, and I knew it would make me more money than minimum wage. Everything that I ever believed in or didn't believe has changed. There's more to Katherine O'Brian than what I even knew existed.  I just want to learn as much as I can about myself.”

“I'm perfectly content with any decision you make. I wouldn't complain one bit if you just wanted to stay home."

"You wouldn't mind if I didn't have a career or a job?"

"Katherine, just like Rosie, your money isn't any good here. All I want to do is spoil you and make you as happy as I can. You can take all the time you want to make decisions for yourself. When you're a mom, that'll be the most important and impressive job you'll ever have."

"I can take all the time that I want to set a date for the wedding?"

"No!" Daniel said playfully. "Your input means everything, of course, but I want to be married in the spring.”

“It’s my favorite time of year. Remember the first time you held me? It was in the meadow on the farm. You ran around and picked me flowers. I still have them in a scrap book."

“Katherine, would you be willing to marry me in the meadow? You have no idea how many times I was drawn to that place because of you.”

“I would love that, Daniel. I only have one concern though. I know that you and your father know a lot of people, but I wouldn’t mind having a small, intimate ceremony.”

“Katherine, I look at you and wonder how did I get so lucky?” Daniel kissed her tenderly.

"You're okay with nothing fancy?"

"Katherine, the only guests we need are my father, Rosie, and your uncle."

Katherine took Daniel’s phone out of his pocket and opened the calendar. “How about April the fifteenth? That’s a Saturday, so maybe you won’t have to work.”

“Like I would put something in front of marrying you…”

Katherine sealed it with a kiss and even put a reminder on his phone. Daniel saw it and laughed.

Near the end of March, Francesco, Rosie, Daniel, and Katherine boarded the jet to fly to Prairie. Francesco was doing last minute confirmations with officials and finishing up the agenda. He and Andy were hosting the first public meeting to hear opinions, ideas, and concerns from the people in Prairie.

Rosie would be going to the farm for the first time since leaving. She didn’t know how she would handle it, but now she had a good reason to go back.

The first stop was the meadow. Katherine and Daniel walked around, each holding one of Rosie’s hands, until they found the perfect spot. They would be surrounded by the beautiful rolling hills, wildflowers, and clean air. Daniel had called the week prior and had the barn remnants removed. He didn’t want Rosie to see that.

Rosie stared at her house, but she had no desire to enter it. It felt foreign to her, tainted. The only time there was love under that roof was the first year of her marriage to Albert and for the entire duration that Daniel was with her. She let her eyes wander over to the land where the crops used to grow, and the worn path that her horses had walked. She tried to make herself feel numb, but the pain wouldn't completely escape her. It was another life,
a wasted life.
Rosie saw the house and land as her prison.

Daniel came up behind her and wrapped his arms around this little older woman. “You know, Rosie, we’re all family now. Don’t be sad at the memories here. They made you the strong woman that you are. Look upon this land as the beginning of your life. You taught me so much, and you gave me unconditional love, respect, and your trust. We had some fond memories here, Rosie. Both of our new lives started on this farm. If it wasn’t for you I wouldn’t have pursued finding Katherine. If it wasn’t for me, you’d have never met my father. We were brought together for a reason. Our new beginnings happened here. So smile upon this day and hang onto the memories that started it all.”

“Thank you, Daniel. Your words just removed a truckload of pain. And you’re right. It’s time for new memories. I can’t run from my past, but I can enjoy the walk to my future with your father, you, and Katherine. Just imagine, I always wanted children, and now I have a son and a daughter. You mean the world t
o me, Daniel, you always will.”

Chapter 18

The ceremony was simple and intimate. Katherine had worn a beautiful white dress that Rosie made. It was layered in lace and flowed so elegantly in the soft breeze. She smiled at her new family as she was escorted through the field by her uncle. Daniel was unable to take his eyes off of his perfect bride. The flowers and their fresh scent surrounded them, the sun warmed their faces. When he was told he could kiss his bride, he wrapped his arms around her and pulled his beautiful wife toward him. The memories of their first kiss, in this same meadow, didn’t escape either one of them. There wasn’t a dry eye amongst them. It was the proudest day of Francesco’s life.

Katherine had always dreamed of going to Hawaii, so Daniel booked them in a beautiful suite that had their own terrace and a perfect view of the ocean.

“Sweetheart,” began Daniel as they walked along the beach at sunset, “I feel like I should thank you every single day of my life.”

“Daniel, I should do the same. I’m so in love with you.”

“I love you, Mrs. Katherine Giordano. Thank you for loving me, for marrying me, for being the piece that I’d been missing.”

Daniel removed her ring and asked her to marry him again.

She smiled and said “Yes!”

“Now, let’s go see about taking off that sexy white bikini.”

“Since you brought it up…” Katherine smiled seductively and led Daniel towards their room.

Katherine had worked hard on designing Rosie's wedding gown. The two women kept themselves locked up in the craft room while they worked, and the men weren't allowed inside. Katherine's dress had to be altered twice due to her growing belly.

Francesco and Rosie were married in the mansion. Her gown, made of cream-colored satin with matching lace, fit her perfectly. When Francesco saw her walking slowly down the stairs to become his wife, a big lump rose in his throat.

They honeymooned in the Virgin Islands. Rosie didn't have any concerns about being away from the horses. Daniel and Katherine had become quite proficient at caring for them.

The groundbreaking ceremony took place at the end of May. Rosie was the one whose face was in the paper, along with Andy, who plunged the shovel in the ground where Rosie's house once stood. She was happy that Francesco had followed her desire to have it destroyed. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't rid herself of the bad memories that the house reminded her of.

Most of the town had shown up at the farm; it was a much anticipated event. The huge celebration was attended by many people, including news crews.

Francesco and Andy had hired all the local men and women that they could, then reached out to the surrounding counties. Francesco was happy that more and more businesses were reaching out to the small community. Some companies donated machinery, money, and supplies.

Katherine and Rosie met with some of the local women who had voiced concerns regarding daycare. Affordable facilities to watch their children weren't in abundance, let alone close by. After bringing these concerns to Francesco, he decided that a temporary daycare would be put up to assist the families, so the workers wouldn't have that added expense and worry. The women would take turns running the facility, and Francesco had hired two childcare professionals to help organize it.

At one of the public meetings, Rosie ran into an old friend named Emma Shelding. She used to run the local restaurant in town called The Happy Rooster. People couldn’t afford to eat out much, so slowly but surely, Emma had to close her doors. Rosie learned that Emma had wanted to open up a bakery. As quickly as she could, Rosie informed Francesco, who met with Emma that same day. 

The following week, Emma and Francesco sat down with the builder to help design the kitchen. Emma was even asked to name the bakery herself. She wanted to call it "Sweet Prairie."

"Emma, that's a perfect name! But you better learn how to make a good cannoli.” Francesco laughed and tried to make some jokes when he saw Emma’s eyes water.

Three years later, most of the new businesses were open, some new ones were being planned, and the morale in the small town had lifted. Rosie smiled as the sign was hung that bared her name, where the restaurant would be built.

Andy was in his glory with his new bar. His new love, Maryann, a petite blonde from Kentucky, was just as taken with Andy.

The large barn that was erected attracted lots of visitors who attended the craft shows that were held once a month, as well as barn dances and livestock auctions. Some people even rented the barn for private functions. Things got so busy that Andy had to hire someone just to plan and handle the barn events.

Francesco had one of the empty buildings converted into a pharmacy so people wouldn’t have to travel so far if they were sick. With the governor’s encouragement, a family physician contacted Francesco about opening up a practice. The other empty building was quickly put on the top of the list.

The farms were filling up with more livestock, and people had renewed pride in Prairie. Several people who held jobs in the small, but prosperous town moved into the apartments.

Beatrice agreed to fix up her block of apartments and convert the building into an economy motel. Francesco helped with some of the cost. People traveled good distances to attend many of the functions in the new barn, and some of the workers traveled from neighboring areas for building projects. Beatrice was making a steady income and was even thinking about putting in a pool.

Daniel helped Katherine out of the limo, then took a hold of their two year old’s hand. Little Frankie looked so much like his father did when he was a toddler. He instantly became excited when he saw his grandparents and ran to them with outstretched arms.

“Daniel, I feel like I’m going to pop,” Katherine said as she rubbed her large belly.

“Hun, you have another three weeks to go. I love this farm but please don’t go into labor here!” Daniel laughed, but in the back of his mind he hoped it didn’t happen.

“Don’t worry, I won’t go into labor. I feel like I’m going to be pregnant for another year. I can’t wait to tie my own shoes again.” Katherine walked over to the bar to visit her uncle.

“Katherine! You look like you’re going to burst!” Andy rubbed her stomach.

“Thanks for the compliment,” laughed Katherine. “What time am I singing?”

“We’re starting at eight. People are so excited to hear you sing.”

“Okay, that gives me about an hour to put my feet up.”

“You should get as much rest as you can and take care of yourself. That’s what I’m doing!” Andy had decided it was time to take better care of his health, and Maryann wasn’t going to have it any other way. He ate right, and they went on walks together. Katherine had never seen her uncle look so good, so happy and calm. He’d taken off the extra pounds, and Rosie had made sure there were healthy menu choices at the restaurant that was due to open in the fall.

At eight on the dot, Andy approached the microphone and welcomed Katherine back to Prairie. "I know all of you have been missing Katherine. Are you ready to hear her sing?" The crowd went wild. Francesco and Rosie watched Frankie. Daniel made sure he had a front row seat.

“I’m kind of nervous, Daniel. I haven’t sung in front of people in a very long time.”

“Sweetheart, you’re going to do great. Just get up there and do what you do so well.” Daniel couldn’t wait for her to begin.

Katherine started to walk toward the microphone. Her nerves were getting the best of her. She kept fidgeting with her ring, slipping it on and off until it fell to the floor. Feeling embarrassed, she bent to pick it up, but her uncle scooped it off the ground for her and set it on her open palm. That’s when she noticed the writing. She held it up to the light and read the two words, “Thank You.”  She slid the ring back on her finger and looked into Daniel’s eyes. He watched her read the engraving and smiled with love.

“I dedicate this first song to my wonderful husband Daniel, whom I love with all my heart. He rescued me in so many ways, gave me all of his love, a beautiful son, and a child on the way. Thank
you
.” She blew him a kiss, stared right into his eyes, and sang to him with every ounce of her soul.

Giordano Seas was flourishing, and so was Francesco’s pride for his son. Katherine and Daniel had agreed to live at the mansion, and baby Lillian Rose Giordano’s cries often filled the rooms. Her dark curls and pouty mouth melted everyone. The pristine mansion was converted into a home full of evidence that children lived there. Toys were scattered around, and an occasional drawing on the wall by Frankie could be spotted. Francesco was a very doting grandfather, and Rosie made sure the children never cried for too long. Daniel fell more in love with his family each and every day, which gave Francesco another reason to have so much pride for his son.

On a clear day in July, Francesco Giordano glared at his son from across the large mahogany desk. Daniel could tell that his father’s blood vessels were ready to pop any second. His father, dressed in a red t-shirt with "World's Greatest Grandpa" written on the front, and blue jeans, just didn’t look very intimidating.

“Daniel, you have to get a new car! That truck is old!”

Daniel smiled at his father and shook his head.