Unable to resist the urge to remove them, Tony crossed the distance to her in a few quick strides. Not stopping to think about what he was doing, he pulled the pins out before Ilsa could utter a protest and watched her long hair tumble down to her waist like a shimmering curtain.
Burying his hands in the silky tresses, he bent down to breathe deeply of her fragrance.
“Ilsa, I don’t know what I’d do if something happened to you. I’m sorry I wasn’t here to protect you. I’m sorry I didn’t keep you safe. I’m so, so sorry something like this happened.”
She pulled away from him with a jerk.
He expected her to be teary-eyed, not facing him with a stubborn tilt to her chin that made him think of Aundy. He’d never seen Ilsa look so much like her sister as she did in that moment.
“None of this was your fault, Tony. None of it,” she fumed, pushing her hair back from her face. Although she’d loved the feel of his hands in her hair, loved being held close to him, she was tired of everyone treating her like some delicate little thing that would break under the slightest pressure. She might not be like her sister, but the same stubborn, independent blood that pumped through Aundy’s veins suddenly surged through hers. “I’m tired of everyone thinking I can’t take care of myself. I’m not a child to be coddled.”
Shocked by her outburst, Tony reached for her, but she slapped his hands away.
“I’m also not a dull-witted ninny. I’m a grown woman and capable of taking care of myself. It’s about time everyone, including me, treats me that way.”
“But Ilsa, you don’t…”
She cut him off with a hand to his mouth then pushed him toward the door.
“I’ve had an exhausting day, Mr. Campanelli. I’d appreciate it if you’d leave now.”
Tony stared at her in disbelief. Whatever happened in the last few hours had changed something in Ilsa. Facing her fears had given her courage and put more starch in her spine than he would have thought her capable of possessing.
He wasn’t sure he liked the idea of her being strong and self-sufficient. He liked feeling needed, liked being her hero, constantly coming to her rescue.
“Look, Tony, I appreciate all you’ve done, but I’m thoroughly tired of being ‘poor little Ilsa.’ From now on, I plan to take care of myself. I refuse to be weak and useless.”
“But chickadee,” Tony tried to argue. He somehow found himself outside staring at her closed door. He heard the lock click and let out a sigh.
If she didn’t need him to protect her, to care for her, she wouldn’t need him in her life at all.
Chapter Twenty-One
The sound of footsteps pounding up her stairs drew Ilsa from a deep and surprisingly restful sleep.
She jumped out of bed and glanced around for something she could use for protection, grabbing her hairbrush. Wielding it over her head, she opened her bedroom door with her free hand and found herself engulfed in a hug by her sister.
“Are you okay, sweetie?” Aundy asked, pushing her back and giving her a quick once-over before pulling her into another smothering hug.
“I’m fine.” Ilsa tried to free herself from her sister’s clinging embrace. “Can you let me breathe, please?”
“Sorry.” Aundy released her but continued to gaze at her in concern. Ilsa noticed Garrett standing behind Aundy. Suddenly remembering she gave them a key to the shop, she assumed that’s how they got in. She knew she locked the door after she chased Tony out the previous evening.
Garrett studied her, waiting for her to break into tears and fall into a fit of hysteria at any moment.
The old Ilsa may have done just that. But the new one, the new woman she was determined to become, felt oddly invigorated and energized.
Ilsa set her hairbrush back on the dresser then turned to see Aundy pull a traveling bag from beneath the bed. She watched as her sister marched to the closet, pulled out a few gowns and stuffed them into the bag.
“What are you doing?” Ilsa asked.
“Packing your bag. You’re coming to stay with us for a few days.”
Ilsa grabbed her sister’s hand and shoved it aside then returned her dresses to the closet. She dropped the bag to the floor, kicked it under the bed, and glared at Aundy.
“I know you’re just trying to help. I know you both are used to having to protect me and shelter me, and I appreciate everything you’ve done. Truly, I do. But I’m done being a spineless coward.” Ilsa stood with her hands on her hips, looking from one to the other. “Last night taught me that I can take care of myself, I can stand up for myself, and it won’t kill me to be brave.”
“But, sweetie, you were attacked and you… you…” Of the two sisters, Aundy appeared to be the one who was distraught.
“I’m perfectly fine,” Ilsa said, slipping on her robe and fastening it before she took Aundy's arm in hers and guided her out of the room.
“How did you hear the news, anyway?” Ilsa asked as she walked them both to her sitting room.
“Caterina telephoned and said we needed to meet them in town early this morning. Kade told us what happened. We’re all worried about you. Tony said you kicked him out last night when he was trying to comfort you.” Aundy sat next to Garrett on Ilsa’s sofa, trying to decide what had happened to her sister.
Ilsa looked different this morning, and it had nothing to do with her uncombed hair or the fact she was in her nightclothes. There was a new set to her chin, a certain lift in her shoulders, which made her look confident and capable.
“The problem with Tony is that he doesn’t listen to me. I told him I didn’t need comforting. I don’t need his pity or concern, just like I don’t need it from any of you. I refuse to be the victim again. I’m through letting others intimidate and control me.”
Garrett smiled at her and gave her a slight nod of his head, letting her know he approved of her new determination to stand on her own two feet.
As she grinned at her brother-in-law, Ilsa heard his stomach rumble. “Have you eaten breakfast?”
“Nope. Aundy was in such a dither to get into town, she made me leave before we had time to do more than eat a cookie on the way here.” Garrett squeezed Aundy’s hand when she gave him a chagrined look.
“Caterina said it was important to hurry,” Aundy said in her own defense.
“If you give me a few moments to dress, perhaps we could go out for breakfast?” Ilsa suggested as she walked back to her bedroom.
Quickly dressing and styling her hair, she soon walked down the boardwalk with Garrett and Aundy. They stopped by Caterina’s restaurant with an invitation to join them and found the woman had already prepared a hearty breakfast for them all.
“I couldn’t sit around, so I decided we all needed to eat a good meal.” Caterina poured cups of coffee for the men and offered Aundy and Ilsa tea.
At the sound of footsteps on the stairs, Ilsa glanced at Tony, but didn’t acknowledge his presence as he sat beside her at the table.
“Garrett, will you give thanks for the meal?” Kade asked as they all took their seats.
After a brief but heartfelt prayer, Ilsa was surprised the meal Caterina made wasn’t Italian. Fluffy biscuits smothered with sausage gravy, fried potatoes with bits of onion and peppers, scrambled eggs, and a bowl of cinnamon-laced fried apples completed the offerings.
“Wish I got a breakfast like this every morning,” Kade teased, giving Caterina a wink when she frowned at him.
“You know you are one of the best fed men in the county, so don’t try to argue otherwise.” Caterina stared at her husband, daring him to argue.
Kade leaned over and kissed her cheek. “That I am.” When she nodded at him and tipped her head toward Aundy and Garrett, Kade cleared his throat. “We do have some news we think is exciting we want to share with you.”
“What kind of news?” Garrett asked between bites of his tasty breakfast.
“Cat and I wanted to let you know that we’ll be welcoming a new little Rawling
s to the family in the spring.”
Aundy jumped to her feet and ran around the table. Caterina stood and hugged her friend. The two women both wiped at tears of joy while Tony and Garrett congratulated Kade.
“Aren’t you excited?” Tony asked Ilsa as she sat smiling at everyone.
“Yes, I am.” She took a sip of her tea, trying not to look smug, since she’d known the exciting news for several weeks.
“You don’t seem very excited,” Aundy said as she sat back down beside Garrett.
“She kind of already knew.” Kade took a big bite of gravy-covered biscuit so he couldn’t respond to the questioning glances sent his way.
“I happened to be here the morning Caterina found out. That’s all. They asked me not to say anything until they were ready to spread the news.” Ilsa pinned first Aundy then Tony with a hard glare. “There’s no need for all the questions. As Kade and Caterina already know, I’m quite excited for them both.”
Shifting her focus from her sister to her friend, Aundy offered to help Caterina with anything she needed and suggested she start cutting back on her workload at the restaurant.
“See, I’m not the only voice of reason around here.” Kade grabbed Caterina’s hand in his before she could smack his arm.
“I will work just as long as I can. My mamma worked right up until the day each of us was born and I don’t plan on doing anything different.” Caterina leveled a cool gaze at her husband before attempting to get up to pour more coffee. Aundy hurried to get the pot while Kade put a restraining hand across Caterina’s shoulders.
“For your information, Cat, Mamma didn’t work as hard as you do and Papa wouldn’t let her overdo it even if she did. Listen to your husband.” Tony held his cup of coffee up in a salute to Kade. “He’s smarter than he looks.”
Kade frowned at Tony, but spoke to Caterina. “Please, darlin’. Consider slowing down. Maybe you could do one less thing every week. Ease into it gradually.”
“That sounds like a great idea,” Aundy said brightly, nudging Garrett to agree. He wisely kept his attention fixed on his breakfast, choosing to stay out of the argument.
“I won’t be able to stand having everyone hover over me, baby me, treat me like an invalid for months on end. You’re all driving me crazy already and I just told you the news five minutes ago!” Caterina rose to her feet and waved her hand around the table. “I insist you treat me like you always have. I’m expecting a baby, not about to die some horrid death.”
“While we’re on that subject, I’ll make the same request.” Ilsa calmly set her napkin down by her plate and rose to stand next to Caterina, slipping an arm around the woman’s waist. “I will no longer accept being treated like I might break, like I’m too fragile or delicate to take care of myself. I know I haven’t been brave in the past, but I will be going forward into my future.”
Kade and Garrett smiled at her encouragingly while Tony struggled to keep his jaw from dropping.
“Why don’t we finish eating this lovely breakfast and talk about this later?” Aundy suggested, motioning for Caterina and Ilsa to both return to their seats.
Kade and Garrett carried the conversation for the rest of the meal. They discussed the news they’d recently heard about a woman riding in a barrel down Niagara Falls and living to tell the story.
“Can you imagine being strapped into a pickle barrel and pushed over something like that? The woman was the first person to survive an attempt,” Garrett said, setting down his fork and leaning back in his chair.
“I heard she told people that no one should attempt to do it.” Kade took a sip of his coffee then grinned. “You better not tell Nik about it. That boy is too clever for his own good and would probably devise a way to get himself, the two dogs, and Butter over in fine style.”
Garrett chuckled and agreed with Kade. “His mind is so quick and fast. I’m not sure we should let him attend the local school one more year instead of sending him to college. He’s still so young and idealistic, though, I don’t think another year of maturity can hurt before we send him off into the big world alone.”
“It’s not like he’ll be completely alone.” Caterina glanced at Tony before looking at Garrett. “Mamma and Papa are thrilled he wants to live with them while he goes to college. Now that we’re all gone, Mamma says the place is too empty.”
“Well, it can’t be quiet with everyone producing grandbabies at a rapid rate,” Tony said, sitting back and grinning at his sister. “I hope Papa invested in plenty of flannel.”
“I almost forgot…” Caterina hurried over to the work desk she kept in a corner beneath the stairs. Coming back to the table with a small box, she handed it to Kade. “This came from Mamma yesterday and I forgot to open it with all the excitement last night.”
After slitting the paper covering the box with his pocketknife, Kade lifted it away and handed what appeared to be a candy box and an envelope to his wife.
“What does Mamma have to say?” Tony took the box from his sister and opened it. The smell of chocolate filled the air. He took a piece then passed the box around the table.
Caterina quickly scanned through the letter. She smiled and her eyes lit up as she read her mamma’s missive. “Mamma and Papa went to the Pan-American Expo in Buffalo a few weeks ago. They took the train and spent two days taking in all the attractions. They left Brando and Bruno in charge of the store and Carlos in charge of the ice while they were gone.”
“Did they have a good time?” Kade asked, helping himself to another piece of chocolate.
“She says Papa liked The Larkin Company exhibit best, because they gave out free bars of soap. Mamma liked the chocolate exhibit. The building is three stories high with a garden on the top. She said that’s where the chocolate bonbons she sent came from.”
“They’re good.” Kade handed the box to his wife before he snitched another.
“Oh, listen to this,” Caterina excitedly fluttered her hand. “‘Your papa and I visited a Nebraska sod house display. I could not believe people live in dirt houses out on the Great Plains. I am glad to have never had this experience. The house had been closed down at the end of summer due to violations of the health code, so we only saw the outside, which was fine by my account.’” Caterina smiled at Ilsa. “You would like Mamma, Ilsa. Like you, she is not so fond of dirt and bugs and the things on the farm.”
“Does she say anything else?” Tony asked, trying to take the letter from Caterina.
“Just to tell you to mind your manners and do everything your sister says.” Caterina gave Tony a saucy grin before handing him the thin pages bearing their mother’s flowing script.
“I’m glad they got out of town and did something fun,” Kade said. His in-laws deserved a little holiday from the store and ice business they worked so hard to make successful.
“The expo will be closing soon, won’t it?” Ilsa asked, taking a sip of her tea.
“Yes, I believe it will shut down in a few days.” Garrett stood and gave Aundy his hand. “We need to get back home, but thank you for breakfast this morning. I don’t know how I could be any happier for you two.” Garrett shook Kade’s hand again then gave Caterina a gentle hug.
“We plan on you two being honorary aunt and uncle,” Caterina looped her arm around Aundy’s as they walked to the door.
“Oh, that’s wonderful!” Aundy hugged her friend then slipped on her coat and gloves. She turned to Ilsa and put her arm around her shoulders. “Are you sure you don’t need me to stay with you today?”
“I’m fine. Please, go home and forget that anything happened last night.” Ilsa felt stifled as Garrett gave her a hug and offered to take her home with them for a few days. She knew he meant well, like Aundy, but she just wanted them to leave her alone. Until they got used to the new and improved Ilsa, she realized there might be some hurt feelings.
Not wanting to make anyone feel bad, she knew if she didn’t set boundaries and stand her ground she’d be right back where s
he was, dependent on everyone for everything.
After hugging Caterina then waving at Kade, she yanked on her coat and hurried outside after Aundy.
“I enjoy your company, Aundy, but no more of you coming to do my laundry or making me meals or bringing me a bunch of food. I want to be able to take care of myself.”
“But, sweetie, you don’t know…”
“Please, Aundy. Let me try.” Ilsa grabbed her sister’s hand and gave her a pleading gaze. “The worst that can happen is that I’ll learn I’m not capable of doing anything beyond my fashion designs and creations.”
“If you’re sure that’s what you want.” Aundy gave her another hug then hurried to where Garrett waited beside their buggy. “Telephone the ranch if you need anything.”
“I will. Thank you.” Ilsa waved as they started down the street out of town.
Ilsa stepped back and bumped into the solid chest of a man. From the delicious scent pervading her senses, it was Tony.
“Must you follow me so closely?” she asked as she spun around and marched toward the back of her shop.
“I must if I want to get your attention.” Tony followed her and waited while she unlocked the door. Normally, he’d take the key from her and unlock it himself, but he shoved his hands in his pockets to allow her to implement her newfound independence. The whole thing irked him. If she learned to do everything herself, there’d be no reason for her to need him.
She was his little chickadee that needed to be watched over and cared for. She wasn’t meant to soar unfettered and unprotected.
“Do you need help with anything today?” he asked, out of habit. He often helped get down heavy bolts of fabric from high shelves and moved anything that looked too cumbersome for her to lift.
“No, Tony. Thank you, but I’m fine. In case you haven’t listened to anything I’ve said last night or this morning, I want to do things for myself.” Ilsa was about to lose her patience with Tony. He acted as if nothing had changed and for her, the world was an entirely new place this morning.
Ilsa (Pendleton Petticoats Book 3) Page 23