That seemed to have the desired effect on Vittorio because his smile wavered and then it faded altogether. “All right, all right,” he said with an exasperated sigh. “You had to come in here and be the wet blanket, didn’t you?”
Rome reached for the nearby chair, pulled it close to the bed and sat down. “Sorry, Pa. When I got the news it just…” he shook his head, “…scared the hell out of me. Don’t get me wrong. I’m glad you can look back and laugh at this but when the news hit me all I could think was…I don’t want to lose you.” He reached out to take his father’s hand. “You’re a tough old bull but you’re my father. I can’t help but worry about you.”
Vittorio squeezed Rome’s hand. “Thank you, my boy, but no need to worry this time. They say it’s a mild stroke so I’ll live.” Then he grimaced. “The problem is, I’ll have to take these cursed pills for the rest of my life.”
Rome squeezed back. “You do what you have to do to stay alive and stay strong. We want to have you around for a very long time.” Then he gave a low chuckle. “You’re not done getting grandkids, you know. You’ve got a lot to live for.”
Instead of agreeing with him Vittorio gave a hrumph then pulled his hand away and folded his arms across his chest. “Grandkids,” he said, the laughter gone from his eyes. “And you’ll be the next one to give me a grandchild, right? The only thing is, it won’t really be yours. It will be one foisted on you by that woman you picked up back in the States.”
That made Rome sit back in his chair. He thought he’d put that argument to bed. He couldn’t believe it was enough to put fire in Vittorio’s eyes. He shook his head. “Let’s not talk about that. Right now you need to focus on your recovery. The last thing you need is to get upset-”
“I’m already upset,” Vittorio spat. “Who knows? Maybe it’s this darned baby thing that put me in the hospital. Why the devil did you have to go pick up a woman saddled with a baby that isn’t even hers?”
Rome sucked in his breath, the words like a slap to the face. Vittorio had crossed the line with his stinging remark but Rome would not respond, not just yet, not when his father was lying in a hospital bed just barely recovering from his stroke. Fighting to control his anger, he clenched his teeth and glared at his father who looked like he’d gotten his second wind.
“How much do you know about this girl?” he asked. “First, she bewitched you into a sudden engagement and then all of a sudden she brings a baby into the picture. Next thing you know she’ll be telling you she has some past life that could jeopardize your reputation.” He frowned. “Did you check if she’d been married before?”
Rome was so pissed he didn’t answer. If he opened his mouth he’d probably say something he would regret. He kept his trap shut.
“Why couldn’t you have married a nice Italian girl?” Vittorio glared at his son, waiting for an answer.
When Rome finally spoke his voice was cool and stern. “You shouldn’t have schooled me in the United States then.”
Vittorio’s scowl deepened. “I think you’re making a big mistake,” he said, his voice equally cool. “I hope it’s one you won’t regret for the rest of your life.”
CHAPTER FOUR
Something was not right. Rome had been gone a week and he’d only called three times. Was that the behavior of a man who was in love?
Arie heaved a sigh and slid out of bed. She was being unreasonable, she guessed, but she couldn’t help it. She missed him so much.
When he’d called her from Italy to say he’d rushed off because his father had a stroke she totally understood. Then he’d called to tell her his father was at home and making a strong recovery. After that he’d called her only one more time and he’d seemed so preoccupied that she’d asked if everything was okay with his dad. Excellent, he’d said, but then he’d grown silent, almost as if he couldn’t think of a thing to say to her. When the conversation ended and she hung up she’d felt the tears sting the corners of her eyes. Something had definitely changed.
Was he having regrets? The baby and the thought of being a father, was it all too much? When he’d met Maya they’d seemed to connect but now that he was far away maybe the glow had faded. He was probably having second thoughts. He’d probably changed his mind about the baby. Maybe about her, too.
“Stop it, stop it, stop it.” Arie muttered the words under her breath as she headed for the shower. She was thinking too much. She definitely had to get out of the house.
When she got to Talk of The Town that morning her business partner was already there, bustling about the office. As soon as she saw Arie she jammed her fists on her hips. “You’re late,” she said with an exaggerated scowl. “Is this the way to run the number one catering company in all of New Orleans?”
Arie grimaced and let her bag strap slide off her shoulder. “It’s just one of those days, Lena. I’m not in the mood.” With a sigh she trudged past her friend on her way to her office. She saw when Lena glanced at the receptionist but Marilyn had her nose buried in a magazine with Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie on the cover. She wouldn’t be surfacing any time soon.
“Hey, what gives?” Lena had followed her to the office and now stood in the doorway, a look of concern on her face. She stepped in then reached behind her to pull the door shut. “What’s going on?”
Arie sighed. “I don’t know. I just…I just have a feeling that things are falling apart between Rome and me.”
Lena’s eyes widened. “What in the world do you mean? Are you guys having problems?”
Arie lifted her shoulders then let them fall on a dejected sigh. “That’s the thing. I don’t know. He’s just been so distant. It’s weird.”
Lena shook her head. “You told me he’s going through a rough time. You said his father was seriously ill. Don’t you think that would account for the change you see in his behavior?” She walked over and put her arm around Arie’s shoulder. “Be sensible. Give the man some space and give him time.”
Arie bit her lip and then she nodded. She could always count on Lena to bring her back to her senses. “I guess you’re right,” she said. “Give him space and give him time.” Then she gave her longtime friend a rueful smile. “I was never too strong in the patience department.”