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“Yeah, it’s a tradition The faoes there Christmas Day to deliver presents to the kids and families”

Her heart melted “Oh, Dane, I had no idea That is so sweet of you All of you, to do this personally” Especially when they could probably pay staff to do it

“It’s soets in the media, that’s why you probably never heard about it Jonah likes to keep it quiet It’s about the spirit of the holiday, not publicity”

“I see Who’s Jonah?”

“Oh, I call…my father Jonah for short”

“Oh, right Jonah Belmont” She realized that Dane probably called his father by his first naot the opportunity to call him Daddy

“And please, don’t mind Aunt Maya”

“Aunt Maya? Why?”

“You’ll see what I rinned

Chapter 9

“I’lad you could join us for dinner, Miss…?” Maya extended her hand to Olivia in the foyer

“McAlister But please, call me Olivia”

“Yes, of course,” Maya said lovingly She was a very petite yet rounded woman with an incredibly pleasant face She had silver hair pinned back neatly in a bun and her round cheeks were so cute you wanted to reach out and pinch the as honey She also had the aroma of someone with freshly shampooed hair

“It’s nice to meet you, Mrs Belmont”

“Oh, no dear Please call me Maya And I’m Ms Belmont; I’m aI’m Jonah’s sister” Maya peered at Olivia over her silver-ririn of approval on her lips

“I see you eat very well,” Maya said, with a warm smile “Good for you, dear”

“Oh, um…thank you,” Olivia said quietly, not sure exactly how to respond

“Aunt Maya!” Dane scolded

“Oh, no I didn’t mean it in a bad way, dear,” Maya explained as the three of therand kitchen area “I just like to see a natural girl Not those toothpicks igs your brother brings ho her attention back to Olivia “I’ Hoful”

“I know, I can’t believe he’s gone,” Olivia said, her voice al happened so fast”

“Yes, it often does, doesn’t it?” Maya said “But don’t worry, dear, you’ll meet someone else I can feel it…”

“Aunt Maya! That’s enough” Dane’s voice was firm

Despite her horrific day, Olivia actually felt quite amused by Dane’s aunt

Aunt Maya held up her head “I’ room, shall we?”

“Olivia’s going to get settled in her room first,” Dane informed his aunt

“I’m sorry about all that,” Dane offered as he walked Olivia up the winding staircase from the main foyer

“That’s okay,” Olivia said, her heart pounding “She was only speaking her mind She’s actually kind of sweet At least she’s upfront about her feelings and says what’s on her mind I like people like that”

God only knew she did She wished Jack had been upfront about a lot of things Like not wanting to get ht up in soer, too

Olivia tried to chase the thought froo crazy if she let it all sink in right now Her priority was getting some rest and nutrition—and a roof over her head

She was thankful to have Dane by her side What would she have done if the wonderful hotelall the events that unfolded over the past twenty-four hours?

Dane and Olivia walked along a lengthy corridor on the upper floor of the estate She ad the wall as she headed towards her room

“I out of her ele, the ceiling in the hallas cathedral height All Italian-style crownThe doors also were tall They don’t build homes like these today

“My grandparents and great-grandparents, et cetera Part ofinto the Belmont family, when I found out Jonah was my dad, was a history lesson” Dane animatedly rolled his eyes “We’re all required to know the history of the Beloes way back to the 1600s”