At the last moment, he turned his head, hoping she’d hit his lips. Instead, he received a peck on his chin.
“Thank you for the kitten. That was very sweet.” Her gaze locked on Kade’s green eyes. She wished her kiss had landed on his lips instead of his chin. She was counting on him turning his head, only he didn’t bend down quite enough for her to reach her intended target.
“You’re welcome. If he becomes a nuisance, let me know and I’ll find someone to take him.”
“No, he’ll fit in just fine here. I can tell.” They walked into the restaurant and looked around. The sun twinkled in bright beams through the sparkling glass windows, highlighting her grandmother’s name on the window and the door. White linens covered tables grouped in a pleasing configuration. Silverware gleamed at each place setting and a simple flower arrangement, courtesy of flowers from Aundy and Nora’s gardens, sat in the center of each table.
“You’ve worked hard, Cat, and everything looks amazing. I know your restaurant will be a great success.” Kade admired how nice the place looked.
Still trying to resign himself to the fact that anyone and everyone would be sampling Caterina’s magical cooking, he did like the idea of stopping by to eat her food any night he wanted, instead of waiting for an invitation to Garrett and Aundy’s.
Although he knew Garrett was glad to have the house to himself and his new bride, Kade had an idea that Aundy would miss having Caterina around. Probably just as much as Caterina was going to miss her unflappable friend.
“You will come for dinner tonight, won’t you?” Caterina asked as they returned to the kitchen and he strode to the back door.
“Wild horses, drunken saloon patrons, or any emergency short of a bank robbery couldn’t keep me away. Save me somewhere to sit. I’ve got a feeling the place is going to be packed.” Kade kissed the top of her flour-dusted head and hurried out the door.
Caterina barely looked up when the screen door slapped shut a few minutes before three.
“Good gracious! What can we do to help?” Aundy asked as she and Nik stood just inside the door looking around. Food, in various stages of readiness, covered every surface. Caterina’s cook had not yet arrived and she began to panic. Glad she had the foresight to set the dining room the previous evening, she at least wouldn’t have to worry about that.
When she began snapping orders, Nik and Aundy hurried to do her bidding. At half past the hour, the cook arrived and Caterina put him to work as well. The older man introduced himself as Jeb and didn’t seem bothered by the last minute flurry to have everything prepared at precisely five that evening. He quietly went to work and did whatever Caterina asked without question.
Caterina took over stirring a sauce on the stove she had Nik watching. She was in her element, focused on the food and smoothly running the kitchen.
Aundy looked at her with a bit of awe and Nik didn’t know what to think.
This same girl taught him any number of games and jokes while she stayed at the house all summer, teasing and flirting with everyone. Now, she looked like a real restaurant cook with her big apron and no-nonsense manner.
At that moment, she no longer seemed young and silly, but grown up and all business.
Caterina noticed the boy watching her and gave him a brief smile. She asked him to run upstairs to the storage area to get her another jar of olives. Her tiny pantry failed to provide an adequate storage space. Plans already whirled around her head to have a large pantry added in the spring.
While he was gone on his errand, she asked Aundy how Nik took the news that she and Garrett wanted to send him to school and hire a shepherd.
“It was hard. As much as he loves the sheep, I think part of him loves learning even more. We told him he could still help with the sheep and spend time with them on the weekends, but I want him to enjoy being a boy the few years he has left. School begins next week, and he has agreed to attend. Garrett is going to buy him his own horse so he can ride it to school. We thought that might sweeten the deal.”
“I’m so glad.” Caterina knew Aundy and Garrett were both concerned about doing the right thing for Nik. They loved him like a younger brother and were determined to give him a better life than herding sheep. “You know, if Nik was interested, I could use some help here getting ready for dinner service and then clearing tables. If he wants the job, I’d pay him a fair wage, make sure he ate dinner, and was on his way home by seven each night. If the weather is bad, he could always stay here and that way you wouldn’t have to worry about him getting caught in a storm.”
“Ask Nik. If he wants to do it, and can keep up his grades, I don’t see any reason why he couldn’t help you. Would he have time right after school to do his studies before you needed him to work?” Aundy asked as she rinsed tomatoes and sliced them onto a large platter, layering them with pieces of fresh mozzarella cheese Caterina made the previous day. When she finished, Caterina drizzled balsamic vinegar over the platter and sprinkled on fresh herbs.
“He should have an hour or so after school before I’d need his help. He could come here, have a snack, and do his studies before the evening rush begins.”
“What rush?” Nik asked as he bounded down the stairs with three jars of olives. They were all different and he wasn’t sure what kind Caterina wanted.
“Thank you, Nik. Please set those over there,” Caterina waved a knife in the direction of a small space of empty counter top.
As she discussed her job offer with Nik, the boy looked to Aundy for approval. At the nod of her head, his bright eyes twinkled and he enfolded Aundy in a jubilant hug.
“I’ll do a good job,” he said, hugging his new employer.
Caterina grinned. “I know you will, Nik. Now, can you make sure everything in the dining room is ready and familiarize yourself with the location of clean linens, extra silverware and glasses? You’re going to be in charge of cleaning up the empty tables and resetting them this evening.”
A flood of people poured in until every table was full and a line waited at the door when they opened the restaurant a few minutes before five. Grant and Kade ended up eating at the small table in the kitchen because Caterina refused to make them wait in line. She had Nik tell them to come around to the kitchen door.
When they finished eating, both men jumped in to help. Grant took over seating guests while Kade started washing dishes. Aundy assisted the waiter Caterina hired and Nik did a good job of clearing the tables and resetting them between guests. They barely had time to speak to J.B., Nora, Garrett and Dent when they came in for dinner.
Every single person who ate dinner raved about the food and promised to tell all their friends.
Once the last patron left at a quarter after eight, Caterina locked the front door, pulled down the shades over the front windows and collapsed on a chair in the dining room. Grant went home with a basket of baked treats as a thank you for his assistance. Kade and Garrett finished the last of the dishes, Nik wiped down the kitchen counters, and the waiter and cook went out the door with coins jingling in their pockets from the first day of work.
Aundy sat beside Caterina and patted her hand, beaming with a proud smile. “If your intention was to open with a bang, you did a great job. That was something else,” Aundy said, excited for her friend.
“It was something, wasn’t it?” Exhausted but pleased, Caterina never imagined her restaurant would be so busy on the first night. Evidently, word got out around town about her cooking, especially with all the Nash family, Kade, and Grant telling people about how good the Italian food was going to be.
“I can never repay you, all of you, for what you’ve done for me.” Caterina felt weepy in her tired state. “You’re more than friends. You’re my new family.”
Aundy leaned over and gave her a warm hug. They both brushed tears from their eyes as Kade, Garrett, and Nik strode into the room.
“I think it’s time we head for home, honey,” Garrett said, helping his wife to her feet. “Do you ne
ed our help tomorrow, Caterina?”
“I’m hoping to hire more help, but if I don’t find anyone, I’ll give you a call.” Caterina let Kade pull her upright and leaned on his arm as they all walked to the kitchen.
“Be sure that you do if you need us to come in.” Garrett picked up his hat and held the door for Nik and Aundy to precede him. “Congratulations on a very successful enterprise, Caterina.”
“Thank you, Garrett. For everything.”
Courteously tipping his hat, Garrett went out the door, leaving Kade and Caterina alone in the kitchen.
Not giving a thought to the kitten during the busy rush, Rufus brushed against her skirt, making her jump.
“I forgot all about him. Some caregiver I turned out to be.” She picked up the kitten and rubbed his soft little head. He began to purr and curled against her neck.
Kade had the most unreasonable desire to do the same thing. He cleared his throat, reached out a big, callused finger, and stroked the kitten’s back. “Nik fed him a little while ago. I don’t think he’s hungry.”
“Oh, good. I suppose he feels a little displaced, then.” Caterina also felt displaced, trying to adjust to living on her own. She’d never been somewhere so quiet.
Growing up, their home echoed with the happy sounds of people and laughter, teasing and sibling arguments. Aundy and Garrett’s home was lively with Nik, Nora, J.B., and the hands coming and going.
Here at the restaurant, though, it was quiet when no one else was around. Beyond any kind of quiet Caterina had ever known. All those times as a girl she wished for solitude, some place she could be alone and hear herself think, she wanted to take back each wish.
Aware that she was about to work herself into a round of sobbing and uncontrollable tears, she took a deep breath. She set the kitten in a box she’d placed near the stove with a soft towel in it for padding and retrieved the moneybox from beneath the counter.
She counted out what she’d made that evening and couldn’t believe the total. Hurriedly, she counted the money again and came up with the same total. If she did this every night, she could afford to buy anything she wanted. Except the thing she wanted most was to have her family with her, to share in her new life.
That was a new thought.
Usually, when she thought about reuniting with her family it was her returning to New York. The last few times she envisioned their meeting, though, it was in Pendleton. The western town was her home, now. It was the place where her heart belonged.
With Kade.
Even if neither of them were willing to admit it.
“Cat?”
“Yes?” She turned her head toward Kade and studied his strong chin, square jaw, perfectly formed ears, and golden head. Looking at the handsome man would never be a hardship, even if it did prove to be a challenge to her ability to keep her thoughts straight.
“Can I ask you something?”
“You just did.” The saucy grin she gave him made his heart skip a beat.
“Fine, Miss Sassy.” Kade stepped toward the door, like he was going to leave. Caterina reached out and caught his hand in hers, sending tingling sensations zooming up both their arms.
“Don’t go.” She pulled him to the worktable where there were two bar stools. Pointing to one, he sat down after she took a seat. “What do you want to know?”
“The letter your mother wrote said you have twin brothers?”
“Yes, Brando and Bruno. They are the oldest. Brando is married to Natalia and Bruno is married to Elena. Bruno and Elena should be new parents by now,” Caterina said, her voice cracking on the word parents. How she would dearly love to know if she had a niece or nephew and what they named the baby. She could almost feel it in her arms and smell the wonderful baby scent of its head.
“What about the rest of your brothers? You said you have five.”
A wave of homesickness swept over her. She stood and poured two glasses of lemonade then set one in front of Kade, along with a plate of cookies. He took a bite out of one while she sipped her drink.
“After the twins, there’s Alonzo, then Carlo and Antonio. Carlo married my best friend, Anna. She came with her family from England when we were both twelve and we’ve been closer than sisters since.” Caterina sent up another prayer that Anna was well and safe after helping trick Luigi.
“And Alonzo and Antonio?” Kade was surprised Caterina answered his questions. Maybe it was because she was exhausted or maybe because he’d read the letter her mother wrote. Either way, he was glad she was willing to reveal a few pieces of the puzzle that comprised her past.
“Alonzo decided he will be a bachelor forever, although when I left, a girl from church had caught his eye.” Caterina sipped her cold drink. “Tony, he’s two years older than me, isn’t just my brother but a dear friend. We had so much fun together growing up. Next to Mamma, I miss him the most.”
“What’s Tony like?”
“Loud, opinionated, headstrong, bossy, and hot-tempered.” Caterina appeared wistful as she thought of her favorite brother. “But he’s also hardworking, honest, fun, loving, and big-hearted.”
“He sounds like a good man,” Kade said, studying Caterina. “And a lot like you.”
Caterina nodded her head.
“So your parents own a store? What kind of store?” Kade continued asking questions, hoping Caterina would keep answering them.
“An Italian grocery store. They carry supplies that are unavailable in other stores, brought by boat right from the homeland. That’s why I had the trunk full of spices and things. Mamma packed it just for me, knowing I most likely wouldn’t have access to the ingredients I need for my recipes.”
“Didn’t you find a good supplier in Portland?” Kade thought about the boxes of foodstuffs he’d hauled up to her storage room.
“I found a supplier, but his quality is subpar to what my parents carry, his prices are too high, and he doesn’t have half of the items I’ll eventually need when the supply Mamma sent ran out.”
“Why don’t you buy from your parents? Can’t you write a letter or send a telegram, letting them know what you need?”
“No!” Caterina jumped to her feet. “It’s too dangerous. They can’t know where I am.”
“Why, Cat?” Kade asked. When Caterina shook her head and started to turn away, he clasped her arms in his hands and held her steady. “I already know you worked in your uncle’s restaurant, your parents own an Italian grocery store, you have five brothers, a family who loves you, and a grandmother who was so special, you named your restaurant after her. Why don’t you just tell me the rest of the story?”
“What if he finds me? What if he gets to you, too? No, I can’t let it happen.” Caterina launched into a tirade in Italian. She paced the kitchen, waving her hands around to emphasize her point.
Although Kade didn’t know the words, he could easily recognize the emotions of fear and anger playing across her face.
He let her rant for a few minutes before he got to his feet, walked to where she stood, and pulled her to his chest. She sank against him, absorbing his strength as she quieted.
“It’s okay, darlin’. If you just tell me the whole story, I’ll keep you safe.” Kade stroked her back and spoke softly, willing her to settle down.
“You don’t know him, Kade. No one is safe if he doesn’t want you to be. Not if he can get to you.” Caterina trembled with fear. She hoped Luigi hadn’t taken out his wrath on her family once he discovered her missing. His ruffian coming back empty-handed wasn’t going to set well either.
“That Italian guy who asked about you before, is he the one you’re afraid of?”
“No, although I’m sure there is any number of reasons to fear him.” She rested her head against Kade’s chest. The beat of his heart beneath her ear, strong and sure, helped calm and steady her every bit as much as his gentle hands caressing her back and shoulders.
“Cat, it’s time you tell me what drove you from your home and brought you
here,” Kade said, his voice both encouraging and imploring. “Please?”
The breath from her sigh blew across his skin through the cotton of his shirt, making his insides heat and jaw clench.
With a groan, he swept her into his arms, charged up the stairs to her apartment, and set her down on the new sofa he and Garrett lugged up the stairs the previous evening. He took a seat beside her, held her hands in his, and waited for her to speak.
Able to wait for hours without moving, he knew he could sit there all night if that’s how long it took her to talk to him. He didn’t want to wait another five minutes, though. Gently grasping her stubborn chin with his fingers, he tipped up her head. Finally, she raised her gaze to his, locking their eyes together.
At her look of resignation, he released her chin and patted her back reassuringly as she began to speak.
“I was fifteen when I started sneaking over to Uncle Laz’s restaurant to cook. I didn’t mean to sneak, but Mamma forbade me from going to the restaurant because there were many unsavory characters who liked to dine there. She didn’t want any of them to notice me. I could have gotten into as much trouble at our store, but those men didn’t come there often. One of them was named Luigi. Luigo Saverino. Have you ever heard of the mafia in New York?”
“Sure.” Kade relaxed against the soft cushions of the sofa now that Caterina spoke freely. “Any respectable lawman has heard of them.”
“Luigi is one of the men who run the mafia. Uncle Laz got tangled up with him when he first arrived in New York, borrowing money to start his restaurant. Of course, Laz paid him back, with interest, but Luigi still looks at it like my uncle owes him and has to bend to his will.”
“That’s not right.” Kade recalled everything he’d heard of the mafia. From his understanding, they ran roughshod over anyone who let them. They also had several corrupt members of the police force in their back pockets as well as politicians.
Caterina (Pendleton Petticoats Book 2) Page 19