Total pages in book: 100
Estimated words: 96641 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 483(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 322(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96641 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 483(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 322(@300wpm)
“Nick looked like he was about to swallow his tongue.” I laughed.
Her eyes sparkled. “He’s in talking to your dad right now.”
“Isn’t that sweet?” I took a deep drink of the heavy cocoa. “I hope she says yes.”
My mom chuckled. “I know your sister. She’ll say yes.”
“Are you worried that it’s too fast?” I wrapped both of my still-chilled hands around the mug.
My mom lifted a shoulder. “It was that way with your dad and me, and it was that way with you and Aiden. I think the people in our family fall fast and hard and know when it feels right.”
“Yeah, I think so.” I believed in love at first sight, too. “Do you think they’ll have a June wedding?”
She frowned. “I don’t know. I can see both of them wanting to have a longer engagement because they think they should—which is just silly. I have a feeling I’m not going to get grandbabies until they get married.”
“Probably not,” I said, chuckling. “Maybe August would be a good time for a wedding.”
She looked out at the darkened night beyond the sliding glass door. “August would be gorgeous. Maybe something in the backyard here along the river.”
“Oh,” I said dreamily. “That would be perfect.”
She sipped her hot chocolate. “What are you doing on this side of the pass?”
“I was meeting with Yara and Violet about the adoption hearing on Monday.”
“Good,” my mom said. “We’re going to have a surprise party here that night. I’ve been meaning to tell you. Sorry, I’ve been busy.”
My shivers finally subsided. “A surprise party?”
“Yeah, for Violet. We have Violet Albertini signs made up to welcome her to the family.”
“Mom, that’s sweet,” I said. “There’s a chance the adoption might be extended a bit, but a party is always good. I would’ve helped.”
She waved a hand. “You’ve been so busy with court and Aiden and everything. I took care of it. Donna’s bringing the decorations over.”
Donna really was the organized one, and she rarely got shot at, so sometimes I thought my mom believed her to be a bit more responsible. Donna planned a great party. As a realtor, she knew how to fix up a space.
I took a drink and let the chocolate decadence warm me even more. “I’ll see if Aiden’s free. If he is, we’ll definitely come. Let me bring something.”
My mom pursed her lips. “You don’t have any huckleberry pies still made, do you?”
“No, but I’d be happy to make a couple,” I said quickly. I could do that tomorrow since it was Sunday. I was caught up with all my cases and really didn’t have anything crazy going on. “I’d be happy to help.”
“You’re a sweetheart.” My mom patted my hand.
I glanced toward my dad’s study. “Shouldn’t you be in there? I mean, the whole old-fashioned thing of asking the bride’s dad for permission seems both sweet and silly.”
“I was invited.” She smiled.
“You were? By Nick?”
“I think he wanted me in there.” She laughed. “I said no. Told him he was on his own.” She winked. “Your father likes Nick a lot, especially since he’s Italian.”
I nodded. “I know.”
My mom was full Irish and my dad full Italian. Their parents angled for us to marry either Italian or Irish, depending. I was making my mother and Nana O’Shea very happy that I was dating an Irishman, whereas Tessa pleased Dad and my Nonna Albertini by dating Nick Basanelli.
“Poor Donna. She could be the tiebreaker,” I said.
My mom laughed outright. “I don’t know what we’re going to do about poor Donna. She might have to marry somebody who’s not Italian or Irish.”
I gasped in mock shock. “The very thought.”
Nick and my dad walked out of the den, my dad smiling, and Nick looking like he’d taken several punches to the gut.
Dad threw an arm over Nick’s shoulders. To Nick’s credit, he didn’t wince, even though my dad had most likely jarred his injury. “Guess what? Nick’s going to propose to Tessa.”
“Oh.” My mom stood and hurried to Nick, hugging him again. “That’s just lovely.” She leaned back, took his hand, and led him to the table. “Would you like some hot chocolate?”
“We had scotch,” Dad said, his voice booming. “Like all good Italians do.”
Actually, Italians drank wine and port, but I wasn’t going to argue.
Nick’s phone buzzed. “Excuse me.” He pulled it from his pocket and read the face, stilling.
“What?” I asked.
He looked up, his brows drawing down. “The Cupids donated most of the jewelry from the robbery at Duke’s to the Timber City Animal Shelter.” Another buzz came through, and he looked down again. “Detective Pierce has a subject in custody and wants us to come in to view a lineup.”
“Now?” I looked longingly at the pot of hot chocolate on the stove. “It’s Saturday night, for goodness’ sake.”
“Yeah. Now.”
Chapter 5
Aiden waited for me inside the police station, leaning against a pillar while scrolling through his phone. He wore a lightweight black jacket over faded jeans that led down his long legs to black boots. He looked up when I walked inside, his piercing blue eyes instantly focusing on me.