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WHEN HIS FATHER TELEPHONED the hotel to check on Nico that night, he didn’t mention Faith or Thomas, at least by name.
“He has assistants, and a lovely wife and daughter. They have made me feel very welcome.”
His mother insisted on speaking with him as well, which was no surprise, and he laughed at her worries, which primarily revolved around where he was getting his meals.
“You’re very spoiled by my cooking, but you must be sure to eat well. I don’t want you returning to us looking like a scarecrow.”
That was hardly going to happen, not with the small but charming restaurant here at the hotel, which served plenty of seafood Nico found himself enjoying.
He hadn’t been very hungry when he left the Cliff Walk earlier, though, even after so much walking.
His mind had been full of Faith Davenport, and still was.
As his father wrangled the telephone receiver back from his mother, Nico stared out the window of his room, the wind from the ocean cooler than it had been this afternoon when it had carried Faith’s thick hair along a breeze.
“Now, let’s talk about the restaurant.”
Nico had the notes he had taken that afternoon set out on the small bedside table, and he shared what was discussed between the four of them that morning, taking more notes as his father offered advice and asked about details that he wanted to be sure were included in the addition.
By the time his father told him goodnight, with his mother calling out the same in an echo somewhere behind his father, the sun was going down, streaking vibrant shades of orange and red across the horizon.
There were gorgeous sunsets and sunrises in Manhattan, but the clarity of vision he had through this window in this quiet town resonated within him.
Thank you, Lord, for this opportunity, for the chance to be in this beautiful town and work alongside Mr. Travers.
He pictured Faith’s sweet expressions, her shining sea-blue eyes and long, tawny lashes.
And her cousin’s scowl.
Please keep Thomas and Faith safe, and guide me so I do nothing to upset Thomas further. I do not want to cause problems for this close family who clearly love each other dearly.
The Lord could see into his heart, Nico knew, and was well aware that he might have another prayer there relating to Faith, but it wasn’t one Nico thought proper to put into an actual prayer, as silent as it might be.
The next week seemed to pass in a blur as Nico spent every morning at the Travers’, the days following the same pattern as the first.
Mr. Travers and Faith were welcoming, and Thomas either ignored him or glared in his direction.
Except when they were speaking of the restaurant addition, and Thomas offered insightful considerations that Nico hadn’t noticed.
Neither had Mr. Travers.
However, when Nico thanked Thomas, Thomas would look away and tuck his hands in his pockets as if it was of no matter.
Faith was more thoughtful, keeping quiet until she burst forth with all sorts of ideas and questions, making her uncle and Thomas smile.
She was adored but clearly unspoiled, so unlike many of the wealthy young women he encountered in Manhattan, or even here in Newport, who expected to be treated like a princess.
If he ate one more cookie, though, Nico was sure he would burst.
He wondered if Mrs. Travers would share her recipes with him, and if his mother would care to duplicate them in the restaurant.
An Italian restaurant with oatmeal cookies.
It would probably be a first.
“I’ll be going home for a few days, but I will certainly miss these treats.”
He bit into a sugar cookie that was shaped like a horse as he spoke with his three companions on a hot day just like his first, as they sat in a similar fashion to that day as well.
“Oh,” Faith leaned forward and poured herself a second glass of lemonade, the ice cubes clinking in the frosted pitcher. “How long will your trip take? Is the train hot?”
Thomas sat back a little further in his chair and watched Nico closely. Nico could feel his gaze even as he turned his own to Faith and her questions with an amused smile.
“About four hours, and yes, it is most definitely hot in the train. I don’t recommend it.”
Her eyebrows knit together, and he suddenly had an idea.
No, it wouldn’t do to ask now, not when he had only known them for a little over a week.
Perhaps next time . . .
“Will you work in the grocery, or take this time off to relax?”
Thomas’ question was a surprise, as he rarely initiated conversation with Nico, but Nico could sense that Thomas was looking for a certain answer, one that would reveal something negative to them all.
But more importantly, to Faith.
Thomas wasn’t any less protective of her than he was that first day, and it had only taken Nico one more to figure out that was why Thomas was so hostile towards him.
None of Nico’s sisters had serious suitors yet, and he wondered if he would feel the same when boys came calling for them as Thomas did when Nico was near.
But Nico had never made any advances towards Faith, and he would never attempt such liberties.
“Work at the store is never-ending, and I’m sure my parents will appreciate having me back home to help.”
He laughed a little.
“And my brothers and sisters will be happy to get a break as well.”
Faith stood up and lifted her arms to her sides, then let them drop.
“I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’m very excited to see this restaurant built and open. We’ll have to make a special trip to visit and taste some of the Italian specialities Nico keeps talking about.”
Nico scratched the back of his neck a little, where it had become damp in the heat.
He may have mentioned his mother’s cannoli, or perhaps her lasagna, a few times, and Faith, who was not one of those young ladies who worried about their digestion or the size of their waists, had expressed more than a polite interest.
“I’ll be sure to stop by at least once during construction as well,” Mr. Travers explained. “And Catherine will most likely want to come with me. We’ll come home with an armload of food from your store, I’m sure.”
Mr. Travers worked with several reputable construction companies, and they had already settled on the one best suited for this particular job.
He liked to observe his projects as they were being built, even if only for a day or two, but left the supervisory work to the construction crew, keeping his own work to the plans themselves.
“Oh, I’d like to come, Uncle Will. Wouldn’t that be fun, Thomas? I usually don’t like going to the city, but this time would be different.”
Nico watched Thomas stand up, slowly and without enthusiasm, unlike Faith had done moments earlier.
“And why is that, Faith? Why would this time be any different? The city is noisy and dirty, busy and loud. What about it would be fun?”
Before Faith could respond, Mr. Travers leapt from his chair and took Thomas by the elbow.
“Let’s take a walk, shall we?”
Nico frowned as he heard the words, which were not a question at all but definitely a demand, one Thomas complied with without argument.
But he took one last look at Faith before following their uncle into the hall, his jaw set in a firm line as if warning her of something.
Or someone.
Maybe it had been a bad idea to be so involved with these plans.
It had been a whim, really, but Nico had always been interested in building design, definitely a result of growing up in Manhattan and walking around the city every day, watching it change and grow.
Now, he was realizing that he wanted to do more of this, if he could manage it while helping with his family’s business.
It wasn’t something he was ready to speak to his parents about, though, as he wasn’t sure what they would think.
To them, this was a pleasant diversion in which they indulged him, but they needed him back home.
His thoughts raced as he watched Faith look after her uncle and cousin, her mouth falling open just a little as if she was stunned.
“I’m so sorry. I don’t know what’s come over him, honestly. He’s never been so . . .”
Faith’s voice trailed off, and Nico felt the desire to console her, as if she had been insulted instead of him.
“Rude? I’m not troubled by it, not personally. I’ve managed to acquire a thick skin, like many children of immigrants, although I don’t believe that’s what your cousin has a problem with.”
She frowned, but turned her pretty face up towards him, and he wanted to reach out and touch her cheek, just to feel the softness of her skin under the palm of his hand.
That was a desire he definitely needed to speak to his parents about, or at least his mother, but in a way that wouldn’t have her cooing over the idea of a young lady in Nico’s life.
He had never been so taken with a girl before, and the more time he spent with her, the more he wanted to know her better.
It was either a delightful prospect, or an impossible one.
“You aren’t troubled personally? But you are troubled, is that what you’re saying? I don’t think I understand.”
She was so sweet, so innocent. Her feelings were so clear and if he wasn’t wrong, her kindness for everyone was showing itself a little more closely when she spoke to him.
Was he imagining that she might care for him, even a little?
“I don’t like to see you upset, Faith.”
He loved the sound of her name, which was so perfect for her. She had mentioned praying for the success of his family’s project, as well as for his safe travels when he returned to Manhattan, as if it was something she did as a matter of habit.
When she stared at him, as if she still might be unsure of what he meant, he found that he couldn’t speak, for he was afraid he might say something that would reveal his growing feelings.
After all, they had only known each other for a little over a week.
But hadn’t he been enchanted by her the moment they met?
“Again, I apologize for Thomas, although I have insisted that he do so, and mean it, before he returns to be a part of our work group.”
Mr. Travers stepped purposefully into the study, and the spell that seemed to have cast itself around Nico and Faith broke, like a scatter of bubbles on the ocean less than a quarter of a mile away.
“He has legitimate concerns, but his behavior is not acceptable.”
If Nico’s thoughts were correct, Mr. Travers was referring to Thomas’ overprotectiveness when it came to his cousin. They referred to each other as best friends, not only cousins, and Nico understood the desire to keep one’s female family members safe from predatory men.
And he knew that he hadn’t done or said anything offensive, as he had taken care to be respectful of everyone he met in Newport, including the ladies.
Especially the ladies.
So Thomas was immediately defensive of Faith, while he hadn’t seemed worried about Genevieve, or Evie, as they called her. It was a charming nickname, and it suited her perfectly.
He almost smiled at the memories of the quiet girl slipping in and out of the room time and again, to deliver a message or cookies and lemonade, forgetting something or other or mentioning an author or book to Thomas.
At no point had Thomas glared at Nico when Evie was present.