A Fatal Chapter

Angelica hadn’t seemed agitated until they’d entered the pretty private dining room and she’d begun to pace its confines. “You know, I’m much more nervous about how Gi

“Why’s that?”

“I don’t know. Maybe because she and I originally got off to such a rocky start when I first came to Stoneham. It’s taken time to get her on my side. I don’t want to lose that.”

Tricia shook her head and continued to study the room, which was a delight. The walls were covered in a subtle rose-patterned wallpaper with a beige background, and original oil paintings of stately homes adorned each wall.

“Did you decorate this room, too?” Tricia asked.

“Of course. I did the refresh of the lobby and the guest rooms, too. It’s amazing what you can order online these days.”

Again Tricia shook her head, but this time in . . . wonder? Consternation? She wasn’t sure which. “Will you please sit down?” she implored.

“My nerves are so jangled. I’m not sure how I can explain it to Gi

“She’s not going to be happy, but I think hate is much too strong a word to describe her feelings.”

“You are so optimistic,” Angelica said, her face taut with worry.

The door handle rattled and Angelica jumped back, startled. The door opened, and Antonio ushered his very pregnant wife inside. “Ah, you’re already here,” he said.

“Oh,” Gi

“Sorry to disappoint you,” Tricia said.

“Oh, no, it’s not that,” Gi

Tricia looked askance at her sister, who stood there with her mouth open but seemed unable to speak. “Why don’t we sit down and have a drink before di

“Unfortunately, I’m only drinking sparkling water these days, but feel free to go ahead,” Gi

“Here,” Angelica suggested, gesturing toward the most comfortable chair.

Gi

“How are things going?” Tricia asked, hoping her voice sounded normal, while Angelica continued to wring her hands.

“I can’t wait to drop this kid,” Gi

“Gi

“If you don’t want to stay for di

“Oh, no!” Gi

They heard a knock at the door, and a white-coated waiter appeared. “Hello, I’m James and I’ll be taking care of you this evening. Can I get anyone a drink?”

“A dry gin martini with olives,” Angelica said, sounding desperate.

“I’d like a Chardo

“Campari on ice, and a bottle of Pellegrino con gas for my beautiful wife,” Antonio said.

“Very good, sir. I’ll be right back with your drinks and a selection of appetizers.”

“Thank you, James,” Antonio said.

The waiter gave a slight bow and retreated from the room. After he was gone, the four of them looked expectantly at one another.

“It’s rather a surprise to see the two of you here,” Gi

Angelica forced a laugh. “Well, we thought you could probably use a break from cooking.”

“That’s the truth. I don’t think either of us has had a decent meal—unless we’ve eaten here—in the last month,” Gi

Angelica nodded vigorously, reminding Tricia of a bobblehead doll.

Nobody said anything for a long awkward minute or so, their gazes dipping to the floor and various corners of the room. Finally, Tricia was about to take the initiative and introduce the subject of why they had gathered, when Gi

“Maybe not,” Angelica said. “What you need is a willing babysitter. Someone who loves you and is willing to watch over your little boy or girl as if it were her very own.”

“Have you got someone in mind?” Gi

Angelica forced yet another smile. “Well, yes. Me.”

Gi

“Because . . . because . . . Because I’m your baby’s no

“No

Again, Angelica laughed. “Yes, I guess it is. You see, I’m—I’m—”

“Nigela Ricita,” Gi

Angelica swallowed, obviously taken aback. “Well, yes. I am.”

Gi

“You—you have?” Angelica practically squeaked.

Tricia frowned. “Has everyone but me known this not-so-secret secret forever?”

“Not forever,” Gi

“Me, too,” Tricia said.

“You never said anything,” Antonio said.

Gi

Angelica’s lower lip trembled and her eyes filled with tears. Suddenly Tricia felt terribly protective of her older sister. “She didn’t mean any harm, Gi

Gi

“Well, just like you, I fell in love with him, and I’m very pleased to still be a part of his life.”

“A big part,” Antonio said, with a wave to take in the i

Angelica squeezed Gi

“To babysit? Have you ever taken care of a baby before?”

“I have a dog.”

“It’s not quite the same.”

“I suspect at this very moment that you and I have the exact same amount of experience when it comes to child care.”

Gi

“Then perhaps we can learn together.”

“I’m game,” Gi

The waiter interrupted what could have become a love fest by arriving with a cart that not only held the drinks, but the promised appetizers, as well. He served them, pouring Gi

Antonio picked up his glass. “To family.”

“To family,” the women chorused, and they all clinked glasses and drank.

Gi