“If Luca refuses to do it, I’ll just find someone who will,” Sal continued. “But I warn you, turning me down won’t bring our families any closer together.” The line went dead.
That too–familiar burn churned in the depths of Nathan’s stomach as his blood began to boil. It rose rapidly, exploding through his mouth and hand when he could no longer contain it. He slammed the cordless phone down on the receiver with a loud curse, his anger echoing throughout the large office.
“That fucked–up Patina family is going to literally be the death of me,” he whispered to himself, clenching and unclenching his fist on the surface of the desk before him. They had to be the whiniest creatures to walk the face of the Earth. Sal’s request was unusual, as he had his own people to handle such things. The Moriattis usually picked and chose their own assignments and only took on cases they felt were worthy of their attention. The fact that Sal was trying to force this on him meant something was definitely up, which only served to fuel Nathan’s rage all the more. Life was finally settling down for him and his family, and he was nowhere near in the mood for this.
Needing to calm down, he moved from behind his large oak desk and strolled over to the grand floor–to–ceiling windows and French doors overlooking the lush backyard of his Upstate New York estate. Deep thoughts took his gaze far beyond the view of the edgeless pool and the treasured rose garden of his beloved, Hilde. A deep sigh escaped him, and he ran his hand over his face, bringing it to rest on his chin. Sal had it wrong, plain and simple. They owed him nothing. Those little bitches of his hadn't been anything close to angels, unless the angels he had been referring to were the kind spawned from the devil himself. The two lunatics had met their demise of their own accord, and he refused to do Sal a favor based on the guilt the man believed the Moriattis should harbor.
Unfortunately, Nathan discerned declining Sal’s request would indubitably result in an all–out war between the two families, something else he wasn't particularly in the mood for. He’d managed to avoid one after the death of Sal’s daughters but wasn't so sure he could pull it off again. With that said, he didn’t want to drag any of his loved ones into the bullshit that was the Patina clan.
Movement in the pool brought him out of his musings. He dropped his hands into his pockets and smiled at the sight of his nephew, Tyler, and Tyler's son as they floated in the pool. Apparently, Tyler had succeeded in convincing his wife, Evy, that the child wasn't too young for swimming lessons after all. As luck would have it, today was exceptionally warm for October and perfect for the activity.
The interior door to his office opened and closed behind him. Nathan didn't need to turn around to know who it was. After nearly fifty years of marriage, he could sense her presence as easily as he took his own breath. With each step, Hilde’s distinct lilac smell grew stronger, stimulating his senses and causing his pulse to race in anticipation of her touch. It would forever amaze him that this one woman held more power over him than anyone else on the planet.
“Aren't they precious?” Hilde whispered softly in his ear as her slender arms wrapped around his midriff from behind. Her thick Italian accent added to the natural sexiness of her voice and, even at his age, elicited a response from his manhood.
“I guess so,” he responded jokingly. Turning in her delicate arms, he placed a long, sensual kiss on her pink lips as they parted slightly with laughter. He stepped back and caressed her soft cheek. “You look exceptionally beautiful this morning, cara.”
“Oh, you always use that line, bello. After all these years, don't you think it's time for a new one?” she responded on cue.
“Well, apparently it still works. Why change?”
Her alabaster face lit up with a broad smile, despite the fact that they had teased each other with this same dialog throughout the entirety of their marriage. Nathan loved that smile. Over the years it had become his rock, especially during numerous instances when the weight of the world was upon him.
Nathan let his eyes roam over her, taking in the silky, blond hair gathered in a large bun at the nape of her neck. Fine lines etched the corners of her deep brown eyes, the only authentication to her true age, adding to her well–worn persona of sophistication. No one could ever imagine just how much he appreciated each of those wrinkles. Breast cancer had come close to robbing him of the chance to ever see those laugh lines, and he saw them as evidence of the many years of laughter God had so graciously gifted the two of them after the battle had been won.
Nathan's eyes fell to her chest where evidence of the battle remained. Being the proud woman that she was, Hilde had forgone reconstructive surgery, stating, “There’s more to me than a pair of breasts.” Nathan had to agree with her on that one and marveled at her decision not to cave into the standards of society. He loved her even more for it.
Hilde's gaze moved beyond him to focus on the occupants of the pool, her eyes taking on that familiar sparkle of joy. “It feels so right to finally have him here, doesn't it?”
Nathan turned to face the same direction as his wife. “I have to agree with you, although I am surprised he was willing to come without Drago this time.” He rubbed his chin in thought. “He’ll use Cyndi and Maria as a buffer, no doubt.”
Hilde shrugged. “Remember, after what some would consider a lifetime, he’s just now acknowledging us as family. There’s a lot of animosity to overcome. On both sides. These things take time. Perhaps this trip is an indication that his wounded heart is finally ready to take those appropriate steps toward healing.” She paused, running a hand over his abdomen. “He looks so much like his mama and our own Cyndi, no?”
Nathan stiffened at the mention of his youngest sibling, even though Hilde had purposely excluded her name. Try as he might, he couldn't summon a respectful reply to his wife's comment and didn't want to tarnish this prized moment with an argument.
“It is okay, bello. I know he's not the only one with wounds,” she murmured, squeezing his midriff gently.
The feel of her elegant fingers on his shoulders as she began to massage away the tension there practically turned his mind to mush. It was time to put all malevolent thoughts of his sister and the Patina family on the back burner and spend this time getting to know Tyler and his new family. Nathan had plenty of time to hash out how to deal with Sal.
***
The first week of October was cool in Maine. Sheila hung out in the back seat of the humungous pickup truck while Tina and Richard drove in silence toward Fryeburg. Sheila couldn’t help but marvel at the beautiful trees as the trio quietly rode along the vast roads. The leaves had just begun to turn and were breathtaking, with earthy reds, oranges, and golden yellows lining the streets like jewelry. Tina had always bragged about how people came from all over the country to peep at these leaves, and now Sheila bore witness as to why. Now, she as well could take pride in knowing a simple walk in her own back yard was all she required to be part of this mystical season.
“We’re almost there,” Tina said, breaking through Sheila's reverie.
“Good. I know it’s early, but I can’t wait to wrap my mouth around a funnel cake.”
“I'll bet you can't,” Richard chimed in.
Sheila’s chance glimpse in the rearview mirror revealed a randy smile on Richard’s face, duly earning him a slap on the arm from his wife.
Richard chuckled. “Anyhoo… We have fried dough up here,” he corrected in his know–it–all way.
“Fried dough, funnel cakes… call it whatever you want as long as it tastes good,” Sheila retorted, doing her best to ignore his lewdness and his supercilious tone. What the hell is wrong with the men up here? she thought while simultaneously thanking God Tina’d had the foresight to hit him before she did. This was her first real outing with the couple, and she didn't want to ruin it.
“If I’m feeling up to it, I might even try to pat a pony… You know, get in touch with my inner country bumpkin.” She giggled, taking the amused glance the couple exchanged between e
ach other as encouragement. They had often complained about her aversion to animals, and she wanted to show her friends that she wasn’t as hardhearted against the things as they often accused her of being. Maybe then the meddling couple would leave her alone about it.
“I really hope they have a lot of games and rides,” she continued. “I haven’t been on a Ferris wheel in ages. You know, I’m pretty good at hitting that target and dunking people too. What school or charity does this fair support?” she asked, sticking her head between those of the couple in the front seat. The excitement of the outing was starting to make her antsy.
“Well, it doesn’t really support a specific school or charity. More like… an entire community,” Tina explained.
“Really! All that from a little ol’ fair?” Sheila asked incredulously, her excitement mounting. Being brought up in high society hadn't afforded Sheila much time for events of this nature. The majority of her childhood and teen years had been spent in etiquette classes and ballrooms, learning how not to have fun. Once in a great while, her parents would allow her to attend school fundraisers held by some of the local private institutions, and those were the only fairs she was familiar with.
“It’s not really all that little,” Tina added in an overly soothing voice.
Richard’s eyes shifted side to side, and he seemed to be working double time to keep from smiling.
At this point Sheila started to suspect her companions were up to something. She’d learned early on in their friendship that when Tina used her “sing–song” voice, something Sheila wasn't going to like was in the cards.
“Okay, sister. Spill it!”
“We’re here,” Richard said, sparing his wife for the moment.
Sheila let it go for the time being. She sat back in her seat while Richard followed the visual instructions of the parking attendants to the next available spot. After parking fairly close to the gate, the trio undid their seatbelts and exited the silver Ford F–350. Sheila started to feel a little anxious as the reality of just how big this event might be started to sink in. She had never been one for large crowds but was ready to prove to her friends and herself that she was up to the task of getting involved in community events. She'd do almost anything to stop that tired behind, Richard, from calling her a prima donna again.
“What is it that you’re not telling me, Tina?” Sheila asked after they had walked a short distance from the truck in silence. Recalling the silent exchange that had transpired between the couple and the strange way they were acting now was making her wary.
“Calm down,” Tina urged, using her satiny voice again to pacify Sheila. Richard started to laugh, earning him a pinch from his wife. “Richard, go pay for the tickets, why don't you?” she cried, pushing the chuckling man in the direction of the ticket booth. She then turned to Sheila, giving her undivided attention. “This is a country fair. You’re probably going to see some things here that you usually don’t run into at a city fair or carnival.”
Sheila gave her a hard stare. “Some–things–like–what?” she asked in a clipped voice.
Tina stared back at her for a brief period and then averted her gaze. Her pale blue eyes darted around before landing on Richard as he returned to her side. She didn't answer Sheila immediately but began to speak again soon after the three of them passed through the gate.
“Um, some things like that.”
Sheila followed Tina's finger, turning just in time to see a skinny kid with flaming red hair approach, pulling two gigantic oxen with a rope. The two animals were yoked, but that didn't lesson the intimidation factor.
“Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God!” she shouted, practically climbing Richard in her haste to get away from the overly enormous beasts. She suddenly became aware of the many structures surrounding her. Her head spun wildly, scanning the many signs hanging above the barns and stables indicating the type of animal that each shelter housed. “What… wa–wa–why?”
The vibration of Richard's chest rumbling with laughter made Sheila realize she still held him in a vise–like grip. An overwhelming desire to regain her dignity kicked in, and she stepped away from him, righting her clothing but still whipping her head around in disbelief.
“Sheila, you live in Maine now. You can’t keep going on with the whole I–hate–animals attitude. They’re too ingrained in our culture,” Tina eagerly explained. “We figured if we brought you here to see them up close and personal you might change your attitude toward them.”
Sheila glared at her. “You could have warned me.”
“Could not. You would've said you were too tired to come.”
Okay, this is true. But Sheila wasn't going to admit it to them, especially in front of that wise ass, Richard.
After regaining her composure completely, Sheila became aware of her attire. Fundraisers had always called for, at the minimum, cuteness, which is what she had gone for when picking out her outfit this morning. The comparison of her own ensemble to those of the folks walking by, Richard’s, and Tina’s shed an unnerving light on her faux pas. Already standing out in this community on any given day due to her height and color, today’s selection of ecru designer leggings, matching silk neck scarf, and a double–breasted cream peacoat would undoubtedly bring her more unwelcome attention.
She nervously glanced at the faces around her. Sure enough, curious eyes ogled her everywhere she looked. Shifting from foot to foot, she began to worry about the possibility of ruining her sleek, expensive, black leather riding boots. It wasn’t easy for a girl of her stature to find such lovely boots in her size, and the thought of ruining them brought tears to her eyes. And, with her luck, she'd probably end up losing her brand new Prada sunglasses to a hungry goat or something. A hand went to her cheek when she acknowledged she appeared to be the only woman in attendance wearing a full face of makeup.
“Maybe we should’ve told her,” Richard said, allowing his gaze to mockingly roam over Sheila. “Maybe then she wouldn't have come dressed like she was going to one of her stick–in–the–ass art shows.” He doubled over in laughter, Tina’s glare not fazing him in the least.
For the umpteenth time that morning, Sheila found the patience to overlook Richard’s apparent chubby at her expense. “I guess you’re right about getting acquainted with animals,” she reluctantly stated, relenting. “But could we please take it slow?”
“Take it slow?” Richard asked with a raised eyebrow and a supercilious sneer that Sheila fought desperately not to smack off his face.
“Yes, slow. You know… start with the little animals.” She raised her hands eye level, palms extended about six inches from one another. The urge to follow through with finally slapping Richard became too strong once he started laughing at her again, the blow connecting loudly with his beefy arm. “You think this shit’s funny, huh?”
“Richard, dear,” Tina started, closing her eyes as she began to rub her temples. “Please stop provoking the Amazon.”
Chapter 6
Under Tina and Richard’s guidance, Sheila managed to make it through the rabbit and poultry barns without incident. She had to admit the reason for cooperation had more to do with the multitude of vendors selling various items throughout the fairgrounds than the actual get–cozy–with–your–fellow–earth–creatures initiative. She loved to shop, always had. And Tina promised her that she could shop to her heart’s content once they finished browsing the animal barns. Childish? Perhaps. But whatever.
“This isn’t so bad,” Sheila said, unable to avoid scanning the ground. The surface they walked on consisted of various shades of dirt with unidentified glossy brown spots, which she cautiously sidestepped. Poop or not, she was going to do her damndest not to let her precious boots go out like that. She observed Richard out of the periphery of her vision as he watched her, grinning so hard in perpetual amusement it was a wonder his fat cheeks hadn't fallen off.
Laugh all you want, you bastard. You’ll get yours sooner or later.
“See
, I told you you could do this,” Tina said, praising Sheila's efforts.
Sheila smiled her thanks but continued to keep her sight on the treacherous path ahead. Every now and then, she’d catch Tina communicating with Richard via “the look” to keep him in check. Sheila really did like Richard and was glad that Tina adored her husband. But during the brief time that she had known him, Sheila had started to suspect that his lack of travel had made him a bit less considerate of others and their upbringing. However, he was good to Tina, and that's what mattered most.
Sheila often daydreamed of what it would’ve been like to experience the love and respect that this couple shared. Theirs was a fairy tale romance. After briefly dating in high school and going through two messy divorces between the two of them, they found one another again and fell madly in love. Tina often stated gratefully that he was one of the few men to match her in height. Sheila was confident that his cropped blond hair and rugged good looks contributed to that gratitude as well. Best of all, Tina and Richard were friends.
Unexpectedly, her thoughts drifted to Luca. He had surprised her one day by joining her at the pond where she sat sketching. He’d stopped by to get her take on his test results, which were negative for narcolepsy, but they had ended up discussing other things. Unlike her, he came from a large, tight–knit family. It seemed to her they demanded too much of him, and they hadn’t learned to appreciate the man he was…
***
“Too bad for them,” Sheila’d told him. “You may be a pervert, but you’re definitely worth appreciating.”
With little effort, he’d swept her up into his arms with the pretense of dumping her in the muddy pond. Whereas boyfriends of the past had made her feel like a cow, Luca appeared unfazed by her weight. Maintaining a façade of seriousness, he’d taunted her while she clung to him for dear life, begging and crying for him not to throw her in. Being in those big, powerful arms and feeling the rumble of his deep voice had given Sheila a rush, the effects of which she barely managed to conceal through her protests. For the first time in her life, she’d felt safe and cherished, despite what he’d been threatening to do to her.
Luca's Dilemma Page 5