It didn’t take long for Terry to wake, and as soon as she became aware of her surroundings, her mouth fell.
“Is this your home?”Terry asked.
Mateo looked up.“It sure is.Kind of boring, right?”
“You live in a castle.”
He shook his head.“Nah, not a castle, honey.Just a big house.Do you want to come and see?”he asked.
Terry nodded her head, and he climbed out of the car, holding his hand out for the little girl to take.Ella was so happy to see Terry just sliding her hand right into his.She had marveled at the sheer size of his home.
Rounding the car, Ella followed the two as they went straight into the house.It was cold, and she wrapped her arms across her chest in the hope of keeping some of the chill off.Not that she had to worry when they entered his home, as it was lovely and toasty warm.
For the next hour, Mateo took Terry on a tour of the house, and Ella followed them, as he showed her the downstairs, then took her upstairs.He showed her each guest bedroom, followed by his and Ella’s bedroom.
When they got to the bedroom that was close to his and hers, he opened it.“This could be your bedroom.”
He let go of Terry’s hand, and the little girl stepped inside.
“I’d have my own bed?”she asked.
“Yes, and your own bathroom.”He stepped inside, and Ella watched as he walked over to one of the doors and opened it up.“See.”Terry peered into the door, and then looked at the other door.
“Is this the punishment closet?”
She watched as Mateo’s hand clenched.“No, this is your closet, for your clothes.”
“My clothes...”
The girl didn’t have any belongings.Mateo had told her he checked the whole house and couldn’t find anything that belonged to the girl.The clothes she had been wearing consisted of a man’s long nightshirt.
Ella had gotten Steven to go and grab a few pieces for Terry to wear at the hospital.At the moment, they didn’t have anything for the little girl, but Ella knew she could rectify that.
“Wow,” Terry said.
“And that is not even the best part.”He moved across the room to her window.“Look at the garden, and you can play there in the summer.It’s too cold now.”
Terry walked to the window and looked out.“Wow.”
“Yeah, wow, and we can get you some things.A playhouse or something,” he said.
Ella was falling in love with Mateo.The way he was talking with Terry, being so sweet and kind.There was no way she couldn’t fall in love with this man.She had no idea how sweet he could be.
“What if I’m bad?”Terry asked.
“Will you be bad?”Mateo asked.
Terry shook her head.
“Then we don’t need to worry.”Mateo smiled at her.“It’s up to you.”
“Will Santa know that I live here?He doesn’t know where I live and he stopped bringing presents.”
“Yes, Santa knows where you are, and if he doesn’t, I will personally let him know you’re right here, at this address.”
Yes, she was totally in love with this man.There was so much more to Mateo than being a mafia boss.He was a good, kind man, especially to those who actually deserved it.
“Can I stay?”Terry asked, nibbling on her bottom lip.
