“Thanks, Maddy. It’s good to see you, too.” A wave of homesickness and genuine affection hit her. She missed them, but she couldn’t come back. Her brothers wouldn’t want it. Plus, her vet clinic demanded her time and, besides…she couldn’t face this place like her mother did.
Thank God her mother hadn’t been here when it happened. It owed her to walk through the door without running straight into the memories still haunting her seven years later. What would she have done otherwise? The restaurant had been their lives for the past twenty years.
Maddy tucked a loose strand of blond hair behind her ear. “How’s the vet clinic doing?”
Was that a little gray mixed in with the blond around Maddy’s temples? And there were smile lines bracketing her mouth. “Very well. We’re busy, and getting more customers every day.”
“Good. I knew you’d do well. You can’t be your mother and father’s daughter without having the Bertinelli genius for business gene in there somewhere.”
Piper smiled like she was expected to. “One of my partners was telling me the other day to quit taking on charity cases. I think it’s a lot easier to turn down people for reservations than to refuse to take in abandoned newborn kittens. If I didn’t have the others to rope me in, I’d probably have every kennel filled with needy animals. You wouldn’t be in the market for a kitten, would you?”
“No. I still have the last one you palmed off—I mean, talked me into taking.” Maddy laughed. “I’m only teasing. We love her. But you’re not called Piper for nothin’.”
“So everyone keeps reminding me.”
“Are you here to visit or to eat?”
How long had it been since she was here? Six weeks at least. “Both. I thought I’d just pop into the kitchen and say hello, then order something to take home. It’s been a long day.”
“Go on through. If your mother knew you came in, she’d already be out here, dragging you back. You know the way.”
“Thanks, Maddy.” Large slate tiles led the way into the dining area. The dinner rush had passed, but there were still at least twenty occupied tables. The lights were lowered, and candles glowed against the spotless white linen tablecloths. The smell of marinara sauce and garlic burst from the kitchen as one of the large blue kitchen doors flew open and a waitress entered the dining room with a tray full of plates heaped with pasta and other goodies.
Piper pushed one door back and peeked inside the kitchen. The rush hour havoc had passed, but it looked like they were still busy. She wandered in and spied her mother at the back, slicing a small loaf of Italian bread. She lifted the whole thing and placed it into a napkin-lined basket, poured olive oil onto a plate, and sprinkled herbs into it.
Piper dodged one of the waitresses and wove around the busy cooks. Someone in the washroom dropped a pot and it rang like a church bell. Irena, their pastry chef turned with a bag of icing in her hand. A smile lit her face and she grabbed Piper and gave her a hug. “It’s good to see you! It has been too long, Piper.”
“I know.” Piper returned the woman’s embrace. “I work nights now, and haven’t been off early enough to stop in.”
“It has been weeks since we’ve seen you here at the restaurant, Francesca.” Her mother was bearing down on her like a locomotive. She grabbed her out of Irena’s arms and gave her a hard hug. “And if you don’t start eating more, you are going to live up to your nickname, piccola, and not in a good way.” Her mother cupped her face and looked into her eyes, the way she always did when they had not seen each other in a week or more. “You look tired, tesora.”
“I am a little. It’s been a full day. I just stopped in to get some food and say hello.”
Her mother slung an arm around her waist and walked her toward the back of the kitchen, out of the way of speeding chefs and wait staff. “What would you like? I’ll have them prepare it for you while we visit.”
“Cheese ravioli and some bread would be good. Ice water to drink. If I drink a glass of wine, I’ll go to sleep.”
“Okay. I’ll be right back.”
Piper leaned against the door facing the office, but didn’t go in. There was always family stopping by, and more than one person inside the office, which was about the size of a pool table, left little room for chairs. The only furniture besides the desk and desk chair was a small settee positioned along the back wall.
Her mom returned with a goblet of red wine and a glass of ice water. She handed Piper the glass and lowered herself into the office chair behind the desk, giving Piper no choice but to come into the room and sit down.
Her mother sipped her wine, then said, “Benito said he will have your ravioli done in just a few minutes, and will bring it to you himself so he can say hello.”
“Was he out there? I didn’t see him.” Piper wedged herself into the corner of the settee and sipped the water.
“He was in the refrigerator unit doing inventory. Our freezer went out and had to be replaced, and we had to throw out many of the supplies. He’s ordering more tonight so they’ll be delivered tomorrow afternoon.”
“Will the insurance cover the loss?” she asked.
“Some. But not all. But business is good. We’re run off our feet most nights. I changed the menu a little, and some of the new items on it have proven to be very popular. And Irena has been trying her hand at some very light pastries filled with fruit. She’s doing sfogliatelle filled with ricotta and citron right now. And they’re beautiful to look at as well as delicious.”
“They sound wonderful.”
“You can try one before you leave, if you like.”
“Maybe I will.” Every time she came by here, she felt guilty for leaving the business and abandoning her family to the chaos following her father’s death. But walking through the door nearly brought her to her knees.
A small voice inside her whispered that they had abandoned her first. She tried to ignore it.
“How is Teresa?”
Her mother’s expression brightened. “The doctor says the treatments are working.”
Piper breathed a sigh. The tight knot of worry she carried around with her every time she thought about her sister eased a little. If something happened to her only sister… Her mom wouldn’t do well. None of them would. And her children…
“I’m relieved to hear it. I called her a couple of weeks ago, but you never know if it’s too much or not enough. I offered to take the kids, but she said they were fine.” In fact, her offer was summarily dismissed. Her sister didn’t want Piper anywhere near her children.
“They are doing better than the adults. Tom keeps them busy, so she has time to recover each week from the treatments. The day after is really rough, but by Friday she’s found her feet again.”
“I’m amazed by her and Tom.”
“They’re a unit. They look out for each other like husbands and wives are supposed to do.”
Piper nodded. Like her father had always looked out for her mother. Until a drug-crazed bastard shot and killed him. And it was her fault. “How are you doing, Mom?”
“I’m okay. Busy most days. Just like you.”
Piper sought something to say.
Her mom found something quickly enough. “When are you going to find a Tom to look out for you?”
She ought to have known that was coming. “I look out for myself, Mom.”
“I know all about that, and it sucks. It’s easier to deal with things if you have a partner.”
Pain stabbed her. Her parents had been like two parts of a whole. Her mistakes had ended their love story long before its time.
“I have a partner,” she said. “He’s always thrilled to see me, greets me with a kiss, loves me unconditionally, and never argues.”
A sour look crossed her mother’s face. “And he’s dumb as a post.”
Piper forced a smile. “But he’s sweet when he’s not drooling on my shoes.”
“Or chewing them.” Her mother crossed her arms.
“He has good ta
ste. He always goes for the most expensive ones.” Not that she had any of those. Running shoes and slip-ons were the extent of her wardrobe these days. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d bought any kind of dress.
“Francesca, please tell me you don’t intend to be one of those women who fill their lives with animals instead of people.”
“I have people in my life, Mom. I have you, and my partners, and people at work.”
“You know what I mean. It’s been seven years, tesora. When are you going to trust again?”
Never, probably. “I trust some people.”
“Do you go out with any of them?”
Piper rarely allowed men close. She had tried once or twice, but the men hadn’t had the patience to wait until she was ready to open herself to them.
But she’d allowed Zach close. Let him kiss her. He’d slipped right in under her defenses. She even kissed him first. She still couldn’t believe she’d done something so rash. She worried now every time she thought about it.
“I met a man, and we’re having dinner on Sunday. I had lunch with him Tuesday.”
Her mother’s gaze brightened. “That’s good. Who is he?”
She was saved from saying more by Ben bringing her food. He carried the plate, a basket of bread, and a saucer of olive oil with herbs on a tray on one hand.
Piper rose to take the plate from him and was surprised when he set the tray down on the desk and stepped forward to give her a hug. She felt awkward and was slow to put her arms around him.
Was this some kind of trick?
“We missed you at Sunday brunch,” he complained.
“We had a busy week, and I was so tired I slept right through brunch.” She had still been stinging from Teresa’s rejection. It made it harder for her to sit across the table from them, knowing they only tolerated her being there for her mother’s sake.
“What about this Sunday?”
“I’ve invited someone to come over for dinner.”
He shrugged one shouldered. “So bring him with you to brunch instead. It isn’t as though we won’t have enough food.”
Piper shook her head. Anyone she dated would be vetted to within an inch of his life. She couldn’t put Zach through that. “You guys might scare him away.”
Ben laughed. “If he’s scared by us, he doesn’t deserve to date you.”
“Actually he has more brothers than you do. Seven brothers and one sister.”
Her mother’s brows rose and a gleam lit her eyes. “A nice Catholic boy?”
“We haven’t discussed religion, but he has mentioned a priest… I can’t remember what his name was, but his family’s Irish, he’s from Boston, and with that many siblings…” Piper shrugged. “Don’t get any ideas, Mom. He’s in the military, and he could be deployed at any time.”
She caught the look that shot between her mother and brother.
She felt trapped in the office with them both eyeing her, questioning her judgment about who she wanted to go out with. “I think it might be more convenient for me to eat in the dining room, Mom. Why don’t you join me?”
“Okay.”
They rose. Ben scooped up the tray and led the way through the kitchen and out into the dining room. He set the plate of ravioli, the saucer of oil and herbs and the breadbasket on the table with a practiced flare. He pulled out a chair for her and waited for her to sit.
After she sat down, Ben leaned over her shoulder to place her silverware next to her plate. “I will learn everything you say from Mom later.”
Pain pinched her, and she controlled her reaction with an effort. “You’ve always been nosy. But you already know everything…” Her voice trailed off. Though he had his head turned and was looking out the window, she recognized Zach’s red curls and broad shoulders. The crutches propped against the wall behind the table made her identification a sure bet. “Excuse me.”
She rose and wove around three tables to where he sat, an empty plate smeared with red sauce in front of him. So he’d been here for a while. “Zach?”
He turned his head and looked up at her. “Piper.” He struggled to his feet before she could tell him to stay seated. He scanned the restaurant and his own table. “I swear I’m not stalking you.”
“I know you’re not. Your plate is empty, and I’ve only been here about fifteen minutes.”
He motioned to the table. “Would you like to join me?”
“My mother’s at our table waiting.” He scanned the restaurant and homed in on her mother standing with Ben.
“Bring her on over. I’ll order desert and some decaf while you eat.”
Lord, it was going to be a trial by fire for Zach if she introduced him to her mother and brother. Piper beckoned to the two of them. Ben put her food and her water glass back on the tray and brought it over. He studied Zach through narrowed eyes all the way across the restaurant.
“It is Mr. O’Connor, isn’t it?” her mother spoke as they reached the table.
“Yes, it is.”
“I’ve rung up your tickets several times.”
“Yes, you have. Please call me Zach.”
“You may call me Carlotta.”
He limped around the table to hold their chairs, but Ben placed a hand on his shoulder. “You look like you need to take it easy. I’ll seat them.”
Piper couldn’t tell if Ben was being kind or territorial.
“This is my brother Ben, Zach.”
“Nice to meet you.” Zach extended his hand and the two men shook. Ben did the sizing up thing that seemed to be universal between males, but Zach focused on her mom instead.
“I’ll reheat your food, Piper. It’s bound to be cold by now,” Ben said and scooped up the plate and took it back to the kitchen.
Zach lowered himself into his chair after Piper and her mother took a seat.
“Piper said you were in the military.”
“Yes, the Navy.”
“How long have you been in?”
“Eight years.”
“You were hurt during training?”
“Yes, during a skydive. I’m better than I was four days ago.” He glanced at Piper and gave her a brief smile.
Ben returned with her food and she reached for her silverware.
She cringed with every question her mother asked, but Zach seemed to take it in stride. After he told her about his family, she started in on his education. Turned out he had a degree in criminal justice which he earned after enlisting in the Navy.
“Mom, I think you need to give up the restaurant and go to work for the CIA. You’ve grilled the poor man for nearly ten minutes.”
Zach bit his lip and she could tell he was fighting a smile.
“Have I been grilling you, Zach?” Her mother asked.
“If I had a daughter, I’d be interested in the kind of man she was seeing. We’ve only had lunch together, so we haven’t officially gone out yet. If it puts your mind at ease, though, I have had an FBI background check, and Uncle Sam signs my paychecks.”
Her mother smiled, but her eyes rested on Piper.
Zach laid his hand over her mother’s in a gesture of reassurance.
She seemed startled, then patted his hand and rose. “What would you like for desert?”
“What would you suggest? Or better yet, surprise me.”
“You’ll want decaf coffee this late. Cream and sugar?”
“Black will be fine.”
“I’ll see to it myself.” She marched away to the kitchen.
Piper spoke softly. “Thank you for being so patient with her.”
“You’re her baby girl. I don’t blame her for being protective. I’m the same way with my sister Kathleen.”
“It’s my fault she’s so protective. I got involved with the wrong guy my junior year in college.”
He studied her for a moment. “We all make mistakes, Piper. Especially when we’re young.”
But it didn’t always cost a parent’s life. She swallowed the bite of r
avioli she was chewing and reached for her water when it threatened to choke her. She fixed her attention on her glass for a long moment. “Tell me you’re the right kind of guy.”
Chapter 15
‡
Zach was silent a moment while he studied her. There was uncertainty in her voice, as though she really needed to be reassured. It must have been a really big asshole in her past.
“I’m the right kind of guy,” he said. “I can’t promise I’ll be here for long, but while I am, I’ll be up-front with you, and I’ll treat you with respect.” Did that make him the right kind of guy?
Piper nodded, but spoke with feeling. “It really sucks that you won’t be around, Zach.”
“Yeah. It does.”
Her mother returned with several deserts on one plate. “I thought you two could share. Just flag down Carol when you’re ready for some coffee, Francesca.”
“Thank you, Mom.”
Thankfully her mother wandered back to the kitchen. Zach had been grilled by police after his sister’s abduction, and by commanders who thought he might be involved in a fellow teammate’s injury. They couldn’t come close to Piper’s mother’s technique, sweet mama bear ready to rip you to shreds if you hurt her baby.
Piper studied his face, her brown eyes shadowed in the dusky overhead light. Her skin looked satiny smooth, and the reddish highlights in her hair glinted. “Are you sure you still want to go out?”
“Yeah, I’m sure.”
Jesus, he wanted her.
She took a bite of ravioli, chewed and swallowed. She made eating look like an art form. He shifted in his seat, his cock so hard he had to fight the urge to reposition himself.
She looked up at him from under her lashes. “You’re not in any shape to look at me that way.”
Zach grinned, damn thrilled that she’d finally started to flirt a little. “I’d soldier through.”
Piper laughed. “I wouldn’t want you to risk any permanent damage.”
Zach chuckled. “I’m tougher than that, but I’d rather be in top shape just in case.”
Breaking Out (Military Romantic Suspense) (SEAL Team Heartbreakers Book 6) Page 13