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“The 1600s? Wow Your family line can be traced back that far? You sound so casual about it”

“I’o back that far My folks randfather was apparently a duke or earl or so like that”

Olivia grinned “I guess you forgot about that lesson,” she said

“Very funny Of course, randfather founded the Belmont Hotel, which put the family on the map so to speak The toas named after him because of his contribution to the waterfront coh to pass the family test That’s what counts”

“And what if you didn’t?”

“Then I wouldn’t have been let into the family circle”

“What?” Olivia stopped walking for a moment

“I’”

“Oh,” Olivia said as she continued to walk, feeling at ease for the first tiot herin those wonderful surroundings It all seemed so surreal Dane see part of a long, noble family line like the Belmonts

God, how nice itties and a respectable presence She had no idea the Belmont dynasty was so enormous

They stopped outside a roouided Olivia inside She gasped, looking around Then tears welled in her eyes

“You okay?” he asked in his low silky voice, concern on his handsome face

“I…I can’t believe this”

“Sorry, if it’s not what you expected” His voice was filled with charm

“Oh, no It is…I ham Palace! So much has happened to ”

“I take that you like it then,” Dane said, arching a brow

“Oh, Dane, it’s gorgeous” Olivia looked around at the ceiling-to-floor s, cream-colored walls, and obviously expensive French provincial furniture The rooe flat screen TV was old plated fireplace and in the far corner was an antique desk with a laptop on it and a classic gold-plated rotary dial phone

“Is that real?” Olivia said, pointing at the fireplace, feeling stupid for even asking

Dane laughed “Of course it is I can get the fire started if you like”

Oh, you have no idea how you’ve already started a fire, Dane—inside me

“Oh, no I’ood for now, thanks…I don’t deserve this,” she dis up in her throat “I mean, what did I do to deserve this? Dane, you’re so nice to me and you hardly know me”

“Hey,” Dane said, coold tissue holder “We’ve had ether in this last twenty-four hours than so a swing atAnd there’ll be no down talk allowed inside these walls I’ood karma”

“Good karma?” she repeated, weakly

“Olivia, what’s happened to you in your life that you feel you don’t deserve anything good—even co nice to you Good karood to others I’ve seen your resume, remember? I know you helped Jack with his bills and his school work You’ve obviously spent your life giving back to others selflessly So I guess the universe is paying you back”

“I guess”

“Sos unexpected blessings Maybe Jack wasn’t able to repay you for all you’ve done for hi it anyway”

“Oh, my God You really kno to ht Olivia was a social worker who had a gift for saying the right things to e reason, like a brilliant coles when it cae sometimes, couldn’t it?

“Hey, whatever I learned fro more really Besides, I study people A lot”

“You do?”

“Yeah Plus Mom used to schooloff