“Yes, care to tell us why you named it that?”
“Oh, that was mostly Sharice’s—that’s the owner—idea. I really wanted another name, but she came up with it and the wolf just kind of grew on me.”
Gianna raised a brow, this time at him. “It’s nice to know that wolves grow on you. They can be such … fickle creatures.”
“Uh … yeah.” Holly nodded, but obviously didn’t catch the private joke.
“So, Holly, your restaurant is new, yes?” Gianna asked. “I don’t visit New York often, but I remember this space being something different the last time I came here.”
“We just opened up a week ago,” she replied.
“And how is business?”
Holly’s face faltered for a moment, which made Dante feel even worse. But she quickly slipped on her cool mask. “It’s fine. I mean, it’s only been a week, so time will tell.”
“It’s a tough business, but something tells me you’ll do great.” Gianna looked around. “My dear, where’s your ladies’ room? I must powder my nose.”
“Over there.” Holly pointed as she got up the same time as Gianna. “Let me help you.”
“Oh no, dear, don’t bother, please. I’ll be fine.” As Gianna turned toward the bathrooms, she gave Dante a wink.
He groaned inwardly. He knew that look. Meddling old Italian women, indeed.
The two of them watched Gianna toddle over to the bathrooms as if she were the most interesting show on earth. If the uncomfortable silence between them was any indication, the old woman couldn’t come back soon enough.
Dante supposed this was his chance. He’d been meaning to apologize to her and, surely, she would have calmed down by now. He cleared his throat and turned to Holly. “Uhm, so, I wanted to say sorry. About everything.”
Light blue eyes turned to him. “Sorry? You’re sorry now?”
“Yes. For what I said. And for that little prank—”
“Prank? You think that was funny?” She glared at him with reproachful eyes.
“No, but—”
“And you think you were justified, doing that?”
“You did steal my suppliers,” he pointed out.
“I was just borrowing them!” she countered icily. “I mean, those things that you said on that video—”
“Stop,” he said, putting his hand up. “I didn’t mean it!”
She stood. “Then what did you mean?”
“Shit,” he cursed and then rubbed the back of his neck with his hand. “You know, it was just … I was …” What should he say? That his pride was hurt by her cool dismissal or that he had said those things to make himself look witty in front of customers? Either made him sound like a jackass.
“What did I ever do to you?” she asked, staring him down. “Are you afraid of a little competition? Don’t you know that saying? If you can’t take the heat, stay out of the kitchen.”
“Just hold on a minute here,” he said, getting up from his chair. “I was trying to apologize, and you go and throw it in my face?”
“That was an apology? Your little prank could have ruined us!”
“That sign wasn’t going to stay up long!”
“Oh, so now you admit it?”
“That’s not … My brother … I mean—”
Someone clearing her throat interrupted him. “Excuse me, Holly.”
Both of them looked to the kitchen. A middle-aged woman wearing thick glasses stood there.
“What is it, Cora?” Holly asked, her rage contained for now. “Did you have a question about the books?”
Cora shook her head. “No, Holly. I just got off the phone with John Jameson Elementary School. I think … I, uh … it was the principal. They need you to pick up your … daughter?”
Daughter? Dante thought, the word barely registering in his brain.
“Hannah?” Holly asked, the blood draining from her face. “Is she all right?”
“I don’t know … I mean, they didn’t say anything, just that you had to come right away.”
Holly’s head drew back stiffly. “Right. I’ll …” She glanced around, her fingers clutching at the bottom of her sweater.
Holly had a kid. The thought rang through his mind over and over again. Was she married? He had checked for a ring, but then again, chefs don’t usually wear jewelry while they worked. Who was her husband? His chest tightened, thinking of this other man she came home to. His wolf, on the other hand, gnawed and growled at the thought, and it took every ounce of his self-control to get his animal to stay quiet.
“Dante!” She was waving her hand in front of him, and he snapped out of his trance.
“Yes?” he asked.
“I have to go.”
“Yeah, I understand.”
“Can you let yourself out? And tell Gianna …”
He nodded. “I’ll take care of her.”
“Thank you. Cora will lock up if you can see yourselves out.” She pivoted and hurried into the kitchen.
Dante watched her, his mind still reeling from the revelation.
Nonna Gianna came out of the bathroom moments later. “Is everything okay, Dante? I heard shouting.”
“Yes, Nonna,” he said. “It’s fine. There’s an emergency. At Holly’s daughter’s school. She had to leave.”
“Daughter?” Gianna asked. “She doesn’t look old enough to have a child in school. I’m surprised.”
You and me both, he said to himself. “Anyway, why don’t I take you to a cafe? Or would you rather go up to The Enclave? I’m sure Frankie and Julianna would love to see you, too. We can talk there.”
“That sounds lovely. I do want to see Julianna, the poor thing.”
He helped her put her coat on and they walked together to the door. To his surprise, Holly was waiting outside, glancing frantically up and down the empty street.
“Holly?” Gianna asked.
“Oh, hey,” she said, a surprised look on her face. “Sorry to run out on you, Gianna.”
“I heard about your emergency,” Gianna said. “Are you alright?”
Her face was still pale, and her lower lip trembled. “Yes. I mean … I will be once I get a cab.”
“Don’t you have anyone to take you there? Your husband?” Gianna inquired.
“Husband? Uh, no.” She turned pink. “I’m not married. Hannah is ac—”
“I’ll take you.” The words were out of his mouth before he could stop himself. But he didn’t regret them, not when he felt so much relief that she wasn’t married.
“You don’t have to do that,” she said, her voice turning frigid.
“I have a car.” He nodded to the Jaguar parked across the street. “Where’s the school?”
She hesitated for a moment. “Upper West Side.”
“It’s on our way,” he said. “Nonna, would you mind if I dropped you off at Frankie’s? I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
“Of course,” she said with a nod. “Holly, please let us help. It’s the least we can do.”
“I …” She glanced at Dante and then nodded. “All right. If it’s not out of your way, you can drop me off after we’ve made sure Gianna’s okay.”
“Don’t worry about me, dear,” Gianna assured her. “You’ve got more than enough on your plate.”
Chapter Six
Holly stared outside, watching the streets as Dante drove the car uptown. They first dropped off Nonna Gianna at an apartment building on the Upper West Side. Dante’s sister must have already known about the situation as the doorman was waiting for her outside, ready to help her out of the car. Once they said their goodbyes to the old woman, she gave Dante the directions to Hannah’s school.
Emotions swirled inside her. Hannah didn’t seem different that morning. In fact, she’d been the same as she had been for months. Quiet. Unresponsive. Moody. It was always a struggle to get her up, dressed and fed, then dropped off at school.
Holly had initially been hesitant about starting work at the restaurant,
with the late nights, but what could she do? She had to work. The insurance money wasn’t going to keep them afloat. Plus there were more costs to think about in the future, like after school activities, trips, and college tuition fees. Thank God she at least found a babysitter who could pick up Hannah after school and stay late so she could still work in a restaurant.
This wasn’t the first time this had happened, and Holly knew it might be an adjustment, but she thought Hannah would at least wait a few weeks before acting up again.
The situation with Hanna wasn’t the only thing confusing her. She couldn’t believe she said yes to Dante. Or that he’d even offered to take her in the first place. Maybe he really was sorry for what he’d said and done.
She snuck a glance over at him, watching as his eyes stayed on the road and his forearm muscles flexed as he turned the wheel or shifted gears. Biting her lip, she tried not to think about how sexy he looked in his tight, long-sleeved T-shirt, jeans, and boots. He wasn’t wearing a coat or gloves. Was the man never cold?
“It’s just over there.” She pointed to the red-brick building at the end of the street. He moved the car to an empty spot and cut the engine. “Thanks,” she said as she opened the door and stepped out of the car. She hurried to the entrance. She was walking up the steps when she heard a shout from behind.
“Holly, wait!”
She frowned and pivoted. “What are you doing?”
Dante jogged up to her. “I’m coming with you.”
“You don’t have to do this,” she said, shaking her head. “Really, you’ve done more than enough. Not your circus, not your monkeys. You can go.”
He huffed. “Look, just let me help, okay? I’ll bring you guys home or wherever you want afterwards. Please,” he put his hands on her shoulders, “think of this as my apology. A better one than this morning’s.”
Holly tried to protest, but the feeling of his large hands on her was distracting. “Fine,” she said with a nod.
“Good.”
She walked ahead, opening the door to the school, and Dante followed behind her. The hallways of the school looked as they did before, though they were now decorated with wreaths and Christmas ornaments. She’d been to the principal’s office before and remembered the way. When they got there, the secretary ushered them in. She was about to tell Dante to wait outside, but as soon as she saw Hannah, she forgot he was even behind her.
“Hannah!” she cried as she rushed to the little girl’s side. Hannah was sitting in one of the chairs by the principal’s desk. Her jeans were torn on one knee, and her hair was mussed. A nasty-looking scratch marred one cheek. Anger built in her. “What happened?” she asked, looking at the principal.
“Ms. Taylor,” Principal James Palmer began as he took off his glasses and laid them on the desk. “Your niece was caught fighting with one of her classmates.”
“Is this true, Hannah?” She looked down sternly at the little girl.
Hannah looked up at her, face somber, and nodded.
“Why?”
The little girl shrugged and placed her hands on her lap.
Holly looked to Principal Palmer for an explanation, and he motioned for her to sit down in the empty chair next to Hannah. “And your … friend?”
Holly whipped around, not realizing Dante had followed her all the way inside. What was he still doing in here? She wanted to tell him to go away, but Dante planted himself in an empty chair and Holly simply didn’t have the energy to argue. Hannah was hurt, and there would be hell to pay. Besides, Dante had this intimidating aura, with his hulking frame and the inscrutable look on his face. Maybe she could use that to her advantage.
“All right then.” Principal Palmer cleared his throat. “During recess, Ms. Abrams found Hannah on top of Jenny Atkinson. Ms. Abrams was able to pull the two children apart before either was seriously hurt.”
“But why?” she asked. “Who started it?”
“Jenny said that Hannah struck first. She’d been playing with her friends when Hannah came and grabbed her hair and then pulled her to the ground.”
“Hannah would never do that! And look at that scratch!” She pointed to Hannah’s cheek.
“Yes, well but in this case, it’s a matter of ‘you should see the other guy.’ Jenny is still in the infirmary with a black eye and a bleeding nose.”
Holly gasped. “Hannah …”
Hannah remained silent and crossed her arms over her chest, a petulant look on her face.
“Ms. Taylor,” Principal Palmer began, “now, we’ve been very patient with Hannah. We understand her … circumstances, we really do. Even her refusal to talk is something we can overlook, since you’ve been committed to her education and willing to work with a behavioral and speech therapist. But the fact of the matter is, according to our nurse, Hannah is physically normal. She just refuses to speak. She needs help, and we can’t give that to her here.”
Dread filled the pit of her stomach. “What are you saying?”
“I’m afraid we’re going to have to ask Hannah to leave.”
“You can’t! That’s not right. I bet they’re teasing and bullying her. Those other students should be the ones disciplined.”
He shook his head. “I’m sorry, but my hands are tied. I spoke with Jenny Atkinson’s mom; she’s afraid for her daughter’s safety.”
“Excuse me?” Holly exclaimed. “Hannah is seven years old! She can’t hurt anybody.”
“But she already has. And once Mrs. Atkinson files a complaint, all the other parents will question why I’m letting Hannah stay. I’m sorry, Ms. Taylor. Perhaps you can find a special school for her. In any case, it’s almost the Christmas holiday. She can start fresh in January.”
“This is preposterous,” Holly said, getting to her feet. “You’re kicking her out? For fighting? We don’t even know the whole story!”
“Well, perhaps if your niece could tell us, then we could appeal her case,” Principal Palmer said, leaning back in his chair and linking his fingers over his stomach.
Holly turned to Hannah. “Tell us the truth, sweetie. What happened? Did Jenny provoke you? Did she start it?”
But Hannah remained silent as a stone, her eyes dropping to the ground.
Holly let out a defeated sigh. She was so angry … at the school, at Principal Palmer, at Jenny Atkinson and her mother. But, most of all, she was angry at the cards life had dealt her. “Let’s go home.” She extended her hand to Hannah. The little girl looked up at her, blue eyes so much like Sean’s. Oh Sean, she said in a silent prayer. I wish you were here.
Hannah took her hand and got up from the chair. Without another word, they left the office and began to walk out of the school.
As they made their way outside, Hannah suddenly stopped and tugged on her hand.
“What is it?” she asked, trying not to sound irritated.
Hannah tugged on her hand again and looked to the left. They were stopped in front of the girl’s bathroom.
“You have to go?”
Nod.
“Do you need my help?”
She shook her head.
“Okay sweetie, go ahead. I’ll wait here.”
Hannah let go of her hand and then disappeared into the girl’s bathroom.
“How are you feeling?”
Holly nearly started. She was so focused on Hannah, she had forgotten about Dante. And he’d been there the entire time. “I probably owe you an explanation,” she said with a sigh.
“You don’t owe me anything,” he said softly.
She looked up at him, searching his face for … what, she wasn’t sure. But what she did find surprised her. He looked at her with concern, his mismatched eyes staring right back at her. “It’s fine. I mean …” She took a deep breath. “Hannah is not my daughter. She’s my brother’s kid,” she began. “Three months ago, he and his wife … died. I was living in LA at that time, and I went to Seattle to go the funeral and I took Hannah back to live with me. Then a month after that, I
got the job offer from Sharice and we came here.”
“Don’t you have any other relatives? Your parents?”
She shook her head. “Mom died when I was born. And Dad passed away of a heart attack later.” She paused. “I was fourteen. Sean, my brother, he was older and had just gotten out of the Police Academy. He didn’t let me go into foster care or to our other relatives, though. He took me in, looked after me until I was eighteen and I got the scholarship to go to Paris. Hannah was born a year later.”
“She doesn’t talk? Does she have a condition?”
“She wasn’t born that way. She just stopped speaking since the night—” She paused when the door to the bathroom opened and Hannah stepped outside. “All done?”
Hannah nodded, then turned to Dante with a quizzical look on her face.
“Hannah, this is Dante. He’s a … friend of mine.”
“Hello, Hannah,” Dante said, bending his knees so he was eye level with her. He stuck his hand out. “I’m Dante. I work across the street from your Aunt Holly.”
Hannah stared at his hand, then up at Holly. She nodded, so Hannah took Dante’s hand. Then, she cocked her head to one side and pointed to Dante’s eyes.
His face lit up. “Yes. They’re different colors.” He leaned in closer so she could see. “It’s called heterochromia, and almost everyone in my family has it. My sister has it, and so do her kids. I think you have pretty eyes too, Hannah. Just like your aunt’s.”
Holly felt a blush creeping up her face. Did Dante really just compliment her? She ignored that giddy feeling in her stomach. “Well, we should get going. We can find a cab or take the subway.”
“Nuh-uh.” He shook his head. “I said I’d take you guys home. I meant it. Besides,” he nodded out at the window, “look. No way you’re getting a cab in this weather.”
Holly turned her head. Outside, the skies were bright no more. Instead, they were a pale gray and snowflakes were falling fast and thick.
“C’mon, let’s go before it gets worse.”
***
The ride back to Holly’s apartment was quick. They lived roughly twenty blocks away, one subway stop from the school, which was why she didn’t expect Dante to drive them back. And, really, he didn’t have to. He didn’t have any reason to, but he did anyway.
Holly Jolly Lycan Christmas Page 5