through clenched teeth. “What she is is a saint for agreeing to come here tonight.”
“No need for blasphemy,” his mother warned. “Not when the very Saints in Heaven above are responsible for you finally coming
to your senses.”
“I did
not
come to my senses,” Tony mumbled under his breath. “Papa just couldn't take another damn night on the sofa.”
If his mother heard his smart remark, for once, she let it slide. She headed to the back of the restaurant, where the rest
of the family was gathered.
Tony turned halfway around in the booth and looked at the group sitting at the long table. They were already digging into
Mama's fresh-baked bread, already stuffing their faces with salad, already anticipating Mama's famous baked ziti, which would
be served as the entrée later. That meant the lively conversation around the table had died down for the moment while his
sisters attended to their children and their husbands kept the bread baskets and the large bowls of salad circulating around
the table.
His gaze rested on Nonna for a moment, sitting to his father's left at the head of the table. Her white hair was wound into
a small bun on top of her regal head—her favorite heirloom brooch pinned at the throat of her freshly starched white blouse.
Tony smiled when Nonna said something that made everyone at the table laugh.
At least he knew his family would play it cool when he introduced Kate to Nonna, and his grandmother didn't make the connection.
As unreasonable as his family could be sometimes, he knew everyone sitting at that table would protect Nonna at any cost.
He could count on them for that.
It didn't mean, however, that he wouldn't have to usher Kate out of the restaurant as quickly as possible. Better that than
subject her to the thorough interrogation he was sure Mama and his sisters would put her through if he allowed them half a
chance.
When he thought about it, his mother and his sisters were the ones who should have joined the police force. With their tenacious
personalities, the women in his family could easily wear down even hardened criminals in record time and have them begging
to make a confession, just to get some relief.
Thinking about women with unfaltering determination, sent his gaze right back to his mother.
If Mama kept her agreement and let him handle the situation tonight, there shouldn't be a problem. Except Mama often agreed,
and just as often changed her mind about agreeing to anything.
So, he'd just have to stay on top of his game.
He'd have to usher Kate in.
Introduce her to Nonna.
And usher Kate right back out again.
Quick and easy.
Make her trip virtually painless, if possible.
Unfortunately, knowing his mother, Tony was actually contemplating whether or not a quick prayer to the Saints in Heaven above
might not be a good idea.
“Here you go,” Tina said, when she walked up and placed a glass of wine in front of him.
Tony thanked his cousin and turned back around in his seat. He waited until Tina went about her business before he picked
up the wineglass and downed the red liquid in one easy gulp. Before the wine even reached his stomach, a warm tingle spread
through his body, making him feel a little less on edge.
He was on the verge of yelling for Tina to bring him the whole bottle when a taxi pulled up in front of the restaurant and
stopped.
Welcome to Nutsville
, Tony thought.
He vaulted from the booth.
A quick prayer to the Saints on his lips just in case, he headed for the restaurant's front door.
Kate couldn't keep from smiling when the taxi stopped in front of Mama Gina's. It was exactly the type of Italian bistro no
one would be able to resist. The restaurant had a crisp green-and-white awning over the door. A warm glow from inside radiated
through the old-fashioned paned windows in front. Even from the street, the place looked inviting. She had no doubt people
who ate here regularly were always
“No need for blasphemy,” his mother warned. “Not when the very Saints in Heaven above are responsible for you finally coming
to your senses.”
“I did
not
come to my senses,” Tony mumbled under his breath. “Papa just couldn't take another damn night on the sofa.”
If his mother heard his smart remark, for once, she let it slide. She headed to the back of the restaurant, where the rest
of the family was gathered.
Tony turned halfway around in the booth and looked at the group sitting at the long table. They were already digging into
Mama's fresh-baked bread, already stuffing their faces with salad, already anticipating Mama's famous baked ziti, which would
be served as the entrée later. That meant the lively conversation around the table had died down for the moment while his
sisters attended to their children and their husbands kept the bread baskets and the large bowls of salad circulating around
the table.
His gaze rested on Nonna for a moment, sitting to his father's left at the head of the table. Her white hair was wound into
a small bun on top of her regal head—her favorite heirloom brooch pinned at the throat of her freshly starched white blouse.
Tony smiled when Nonna said something that made everyone at the table laugh.
At least he knew his family would play it cool when he introduced Kate to Nonna, and his grandmother didn't make the connection.
As unreasonable as his family could be sometimes, he knew everyone sitting at that table would protect Nonna at any cost.
He could count on them for that.
It didn't mean, however, that he wouldn't have to usher Kate out of the restaurant as quickly as possible. Better that than
subject her to the thorough interrogation he was sure Mama and his sisters would put her through if he allowed them half a
chance.
When he thought about it, his mother and his sisters were the ones who should have joined the police force. With their tenacious
personalities, the women in his family could easily wear down even hardened criminals in record time and have them begging
to make a confession, just to get some relief.
Thinking about women with unfaltering determination, sent his gaze right back to his mother.
If Mama kept her agreement and let him handle the situation tonight, there shouldn't be a problem. Except Mama often agreed,
and just as often changed her mind about agreeing to anything.
So, he'd just have to stay on top of his game.
He'd have to usher Kate in.
Introduce her to Nonna.
And usher Kate right back out again.
Quick and easy.
Make her trip virtually painless, if possible.
Unfortunately, knowing his mother, Tony was actually contemplating whether or not a quick prayer to the Saints in Heaven above
might not be a good idea.
“Here you go,” Tina said, when she walked up and placed a glass of wine in front of him.
Tony thanked his cousin and turned back around in his seat. He waited until Tina went about her business before he picked
up the wineglass and downed the red liquid in one easy gulp. Before the wine even reached his stomach, a warm tingle spread
through his body, making him feel a little less on edge.
He was on the verge of yelling for Tina to bring him the whole bottle when a taxi pulled up in front of the restaurant and
stopped.
Welcome to Nutsville
, Tony thought.
He vaulted from the booth.
A quick prayer to the Saints on his lips just in case, he headed for the restaurant's front door.
Kate couldn't keep from smiling when the taxi stopped in front of Mama Gina's. It was exactly the type of Italian bistro no
one would be able to resist. The restaurant had a crisp green-and-white awning over the door. A warm glow from inside radiated
through the old-fashioned paned windows in front. Even from the street, the place looked inviting. She had no doubt people
who ate here regularly were always
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