Page 9 of Stolen Christmas
“True, but he wanted something to feed Torcello.” I stand up and pour a glass of bourbon. “You need one?”
“Definitely.” I pour two fingers’ worth and hand it over. He doesn’t hesitate to finish it in one smooth drink.
“Enough with the booze, boys. If business is that rough, a sober head is needed,” my mother commands, setting my father’s plate in front of him and then sits with hers while Mari sets mine down.
“Thank you. It smells fabulous.”
“You’re welcome. Do you need anything else?”
“No, we are good. You can clean up and head to bed. I’ll handle the rest,” my mother says.
“Are you sure? It’s no big deal, Mrs. D’Antonio.”
“I am sure.” After she leaves, we start to eat and then my mother says, “You know, I was considering your comment about her anniversary, and I realized that she’s nearly sixty-five, Luca.”
“Si?”
“Yes, and I believe that we should consider giving her options. I’m not sure if she wishes to remain here with us. She came from your mother’s home in Italy and didn’t speak any English, so after all this time, it’s probably a lot. Maybe she would like to retire.”
“We can ask, Amore.”
“So, Mother, let’s talk about the upcoming holiday. I still haven’t gotten your gift, and before you go ahead with your nonsense about a baby, I’m talking about a realistic gift.”
She rolls her eyes.
“I’ve always wanted a beautiful handmade jewelry box that plays a song when you open it.”
“You have? Why haven’t you said anything, Amore?”
“I don’t know.” She shrugs, suddenly a bit shy.
“Don’t try to steal that gift idea from me. It’s mine. Get your own.” I point my fork at my father because he’ll probably buy her twenty of them before Christmas comes. He has a tendency to spoil my mom.
“Fine, but you’d better do a good job getting her one.”
“You can count on it.” We exchange a competitive nod and finish our meal with a nice family chat. By the time I get home, my mind has been thinking overtime about where the hell I’m going to go for her jewelry box. By one am, I have five stores listed and a plan in my head. One of these places will have the gift I need; if not, I am in trouble. Christmas is almost here, and I don’t have much time left.
Chapter Four
Angel
It’s almost Christmas time, and the world around me is full of snow and wonder while I’m crumbling inside. This is our first holiday without our parents, and my heart feels like it’s going to break in two. My budget’s tight, but I want to make it a special one.
“Ms. Scott, in my office now,” Mr. Cochran calls out loudly. Damn, does he have to be so rude? My phone is right next to me, and his office is literally three doors away. My heart and head are pounding because I have a feeling this isn’t good. This man seems to have it out for me, and I was only one minute late this morning. Due to the weather, there was a breakdown on the train, which delayed it by thirty minutes. I was lucky I’d left early, even though my toes didn’t agree.
I stand up and walk to his office, hoping that he just wants to give me an earful and send me back to work, but I could never be that lucky. I quickly run back to my desk and grab my phone, hoping to press the video button in case he says anything inappropriate.
“Close the door,” he orders. Why? He didn’t mind when he was shouting my name down the hall. I do what he says and then stand in front of his desk. Immediately, I regret it because his eyes linger a little longer than is respectable.
I quickly take a seat to avoid his gaze a moment longer. “You know why you’re in here.”
“No, I don’t.” Other than being a minute late, I can’t see a reason for him to get on me.
“I just learned that you don’t have a boyfriend, Ms. Scott.” I raise an eyebrow, staring at him like,What the heck does that have to do with anything?
“Yes, and what does that have to do with anything?” I ask.
“You’re a liar.” That son of a bitch has a lot of nerve.
