“We’ll drive ourselves.”
“Fine. I’ll text you the address.”
Azure Pines Resort was perfect.
Nestled in the mountains two hours north of Seattle, it was exclusive enough that we could guarantee privacy but family-friendly enough that Adele would love it. I’d had the staff prepare the bestsuite, stock the kitchen with Adele’s favorite foods, and set up activities by the lake.
When Isabella pulled up in her car at one-thirty—because of course she was late, probably second-guessing this decision the entire drive—I was waiting on the front steps.
Adele burst out of the car first, her face lighting up when she saw me. “Uncle Dimitri!”
I caught her as she launched herself at me, her small arms wrapping around my neck. “Hey, little dragon. Miss me?”
“So much! Mommy said we’re going to have a special day with you!”
“We are.” I looked over her head at Isabella, who was climbing out of the driver’s seat slowly, her expression guarded but not hostile. She was wearing a long, blue, low-necked sundress that exposed a bit of her cleavage and had my mind drifting and my groin tightening for a second. Maybe more. She looked exquisite, I couldn’t take my eyes off her until Adele tugged at my ear.
“Uncle Dimitri?”
“Huh?” I blinked back, refocusing my attention on her. “I was saying the whole resort is ours for the afternoon.”
Her eyebrows rose. “The whole resort?”
“I own it. Perks of being a Ravencrest.” I set Adele down. “There’s a pool, a lake, hiking trails. Whatever you want to do.”
Adele was already bouncing with excitement. “Can we swim? Please, please, please?”
“Of course. I had them heat the outdoor pool just for you.”
Isabella’s guard was coming down, just a little. I could see it in the way her shoulders relaxed, the way a small smile tugged at her lips as she watched Adele’s excitement.
I’d take it. I’d take any softening I could get.
The afternoon was perfect. Better than perfect.
We swam in the heated pool, Adele shrieking with laughter as I tossed her into the water and she splashed back at me. Isabella sat on the edge at first, just watching, but eventually she joined us. And when our eyes met across the pool, when I saw genuinehappiness in her expression—not guarded, not careful, just happy—something in my chest eased.
After swimming, we had lunch on the terrace overlooking the lake. Adele chattered nonstop about her school back in Zurich, her friends, and many other things that excites kids. . And Isabella and I talked—really talked—about nothing important. Favorite foods. Embarrassing childhood stories. Safe topics that let us just be together without the weight of everything else pressing down on us.
I’d arranged for a private boat ride on the lake after lunch. Adele was in heaven, hanging over the side and trying to spot fish while Isabella and I sat together in the back.
“This is nice,” she said quietly. “Thank you for doing this.”
“I wanted to give you both a good memory. Something that isn’t about attacks or board meetings or pack politics.”
She turned to look at me, really look at me, and I saw something shift in her eyes. “You didn’t have to go to all this trouble.”
“Yes, I did.” I reached for her hand, relieved when she didn’t pull away. “You and Adele are the most important things in my life. I’ll go to any trouble if it means making you happy.”
“Dimitri—”
“Mommy! Look!” Adele’s shout interrupted whatever Isabella was about to say. She was pointing at something in the water, her whole face glowing with excitement.
The moment passed. But Isabella’s hand stayed in mine.
Progress.
By the time we returned to the resort, the sun was starting to set. We settled on lounge chairs by the pool, watching the sky turn shades of orange and pink. Adele was curled up between us, getting drowsy from all the activity.
