Veiled Threat (10 page)

sixteen

Giulia shot her Teacher’s
Glare of Death at Frank. “I’m going to kill you,” she whispered.

His grin became a fraction less cocky, but only for a moment. “Would you have come if I’d told you the truth?”

“Of course not. It’d be like I’m on display. I hate that.” She slipped on her right shoe. “Oh, yeah—just like I am now.”

Frank took her coat. “Stop whining. Take it like a man.”

“The hearts of men are deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked. As illustrated by the man standing in front of me this moment.”

Sean yelled into the room, “Frank’s girl just quoted the Bible to trash-talk him.”

Several voices laughed, “Woot!” “Serves you right, Frank!” “You tell him!”

The older woman gave Sean a gentle push. “Get out of the way, firstborn, or I shall dote on my youngest in front of your face all evening.”

“Aw. Ma.” Sean retreated to the living room.

“I’m Fiona, and you’re Giulia. We’ve heard so much about you from Frank. Frank, why haven’t you taken Giulia’s coat and purse?”

“I’m on it, Ma, soon as I get out of my overshoes.” Frank helped Giulia off with her coat and took her purse. “Master bedroom?”

“Yes, dear. Come in and meet everyone, Giulia.”

Frank deserted her and Giulia went into the gauntlet with a smile. Fiona—tall, graceful, silver bob framing a still-freckled face—smiled back at Giulia.

My mother used to smile at me like that right before grade-school dance recitals.
Half of the massive weight of intimidation fell away from Giulia.

“Did Frank ambush you into coming to this party?” Fiona sent a formidable glare upstairs in Frank’s direction.

“He said it was dinner with his parents.”

“Brat. I will chastise him for you. Don’t worry; no one bites, except my youngest grandchild, but we have teething rings at the ready.” She took Giulia’s arm and led her around the crowded living room. “You’ve already met Sean, and this is his wife, Tina.”

Sean resembled a blond linebacker whose name Giulia couldn’t remember. His wife, a foot shorter, had skin the color of Sidney’s, and she was quite pregnant.

“Pleased to meet you, and I hope you’re not one of those people who touch pregnant women’s bellies.”

“Tina!” Sean poked her.

Tina’s smile became forced. “Sorry. Sean’s office party happened today, and only our need for health insurance kept me from stabbing half the women there.”

Giulia infused extra warmth into her smile. “I could steal one of my old habits for you to wear. People would give a supposedly pregnant nun a wide berth.”

Sean guffawed and Tina laughed. “God, that would be hysterical. I wish we’d met two days ago.”

Fiona steered Giulia toward a group of four next to a mantelpiece supporting a miniature Irish village decorated for Christmas. “You’re the first person to get her to smile tonight. She’s had a dreadful pregnancy—twins, and she’s borderline diabetic.” She raised her voice over “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen.” “Patrick, Michael, Darlene, this is Giulia. The one who keeps trying to eat my ceramic village is Helen.” She tickled the baby’s tummy, causing a giggle eruption.

Giulia held out her hand to Father Patrick. “Finally.”

He shook it. “Always happy to welcome a fellow Franciscan into the family.”

Giulia lost her grip on Patrick’s hand.
What? What has Frank led them to believe about us?

“Pat, you’re going to give her a heart attack.” Frank appeared on Giulia’s other side. “He’s been trying to marry me off for years. Thinks it’s a blot on his priestly reputation that he hasn’t officiated at every Driscoll wedding.”

Father Pat released Giulia’s hand. “Sorry. I didn’t mean anything more than friendship. Sidney raves about your clear way of explaining abstruse points in the Catechism for her.”

Giulia’s heart rate returned to near-normal. “She says the same thing about you.”

He chuckled. “Between the two of us, we’ll get her through the RCIA program by Easter.”

Michael saluted Giulia with a glass half-full of amber liquid and ice. “Nice to meet you.”

Red-headed Darlene carried herself like an athlete and could have been Michael’s twin. She shifted the baby to her shoulder and hugged Giulia. “I remember my first Driscoll party. You’ll stop feeling overwhelmed soon, I promise.”

“Thanks.” Giulia felt instant camaraderie with her. “It’s kind of intimidating.”

Fiona tickled the baby again. “There will be no quiz at the end of the evening; don’t worry.”

“Mom! Mom! Joey spit at me!” A miniature Darlene shoved into the circle, one finger locked onto a wet circle in her green velvet party dress.

“Tattletale!” A blond, freckled ten-year-old pushed in next to her. “Mom, Gwen said you were taking her ice skating tomorrow and I couldn’t go! Then she said I was a brat and that’s why you’re not taking me!”

Darlene cuffed Gwen—lightly—on her curled updo. “Serves you right. You’ll wash that dress by hand tomorrow morning, miss.” She stared down at Joey. “And you know very well why you’re not coming. Shiro’s birthday party is tomorrow, remember?”

Joey’s air of wounded innocence vanished. “Oh, yeah. Duh. We’re playing laser tag tomorrow and you’re not invited. Neener!” He ran away, grabbing the arm of a tall boy with Clark Kent glasses, and they both pelted upstairs.

“Our other offspring,” Darlene said. “Christmas is such a calm season for kids, isn’t it?”

Giulia smiled. “I used to be a teacher. The entire month of December was torture for them and us.”

Michael said, “Excellent. Next time they misbehave, can we threaten them with quizzes in—what did you teach?”

“English, Religion, and Sex Ed.”

His eyes widened. “That’d scare ’em straight. Dar, make sure we tell those two that Frank’s girl is a teacher and she’s got standing orders from Sister Maureen to quiz them whenever she wants.”

Giulia grinned. “I’ll be sure to look severe whenever you give me the signal. You can put a ruler by my place at the table if you’d like.”

Darlene nuzzled the baby. “Perfect! I’ll go find one. Fiona, where’s Giulia sitting?”

“Four seats from the end nearest the credenza on the right.”

“Got it.” She headed into the hall.

Fiona looked around. “Where’s Danny?”

“Eva dragged him into the kitchen to check the stuffed mushrooms, last I saw,” Michael said.

“Ew, mushrooms.”

Giulia looked down. A dark-haired boy built for football was appraising her and Frank. He stared at Giulia’s midsection for a moment.

“Are you going to have a baby?”

Giulia’s mouth fell open.

Fiona gasped. “Joshua Anselm Driscoll, you apologize this minute!”

Michael put his head on the mantelpiece and laughed so hard, the fake snow on it scattered all over the hearth.

Joshua looked genuinely puzzled. “But my friend’s sister has a boyfriend and my friend said his sister’s gonna have a baby.” He put both hands on Giulia’s stomach. “It must be a pretty small baby.”

Fiona took him by one arm. “I beg your pardon, Giulia. Josh, we are going to find your father.”

Frank didn’t laugh until Fiona marched Josh out of the room. “Christ preserve us. If he’s like this when he’s nine, he’ll be a terror when he hits puberty.”

Michael’s entire body still shook with laughter. Pat pounded his back till he slowed down. He un-propped himself from the mantel and turned, his face tomato-red. “That was even better than the first time Colin—he’s our oldest, Giulia—met Tina. His first words to her were, ‘It’s about time we got some color in this pasty-white family.’ ”

Giulia tried to stifle her laughter, but it burst through her covering hands. “How old was he? Was he able to sit down for the rest of the day?”

“He was eleven and considered himself the family comedian. Tina thought he was cute, thank God.”

“I thought Josh was funny, too. However, I guess I need to hit the gym more often,” Giulia said.

A short, dark, plump woman stalked over to the group. “You do not. I’d kill for your figure. You have boobs that don’t take a back seat to your butt.” She shook her head, rattling her dangly snowman earrings. “I’d like to apologize for my son, who will be apologizing in person when his father finishes swatting his backside. I’m Eva.”

Giulia hugged her. “Please don’t worry about it. I used to be a teacher. I know the age where their mouths move faster than their brains.”

“You are so sweet. Frank, keep this one, please.” She turned her head toward the hall. “I believe I hear repentant footsteps.”

Another Driscoll—Giulia could have picked them out anywhere now, despite slight differences in hair color and muscle mass—entered the room, leading a sniffling Josh toward the mantelpiece.

“I’m”—sniff—“sorry I was rude, Miss Falcone.” He wiped the back of his hand under his nose.

“I accept your apology.” Giulia held out her hand.

Josh looked at it, then up at her before he shook her hand in a half-child, half-adult way.

“All right, get out of here,” his father said.

Josh dashed upstairs.

“So much for teaching them manners. I’m Danny. Nice to meet you, and sorry about the Blurter’s mouth.”

Giulia smiled. “Nice to meet you. Please don’t worry. It’s better than being called ‘nondescript’ by a well-meaning adult.”

Eva boggled. “Don’t tell me Frank said that?”

“No, someone else entirely.”

“Good. Glad to see his eyes are working. You are the furthest thing from nondescript. Your hair, your smile, the way you carry yourself. I think you’d stand out in any crowd.”

Danny patted Eva’s rump. “Babe, Giulia’s good-looking, but you are gorgeous. No offense, Giulia.”

“None taken.” Eva’s compliments didn’t reassure her.
If a complete stranger thinks my looks are easy to remember, then I can’t stay undercover looking like this. What if the kidnappers saw me at the soup kitchen while they were tracking Laurel and Anya’s movements?

seventeen

An hour later, everyone
was just about done with a dinner that would’ve made both of Giulia’s grandmothers proud. Baby Helen chose that moment to make a six-month-old’s version of the raspberry with her mouthful of mashed potatoes. Giulia helped Darlene clean it up.

Frank’s family is almost as easy to fall in love with as Frank is. Oh, no, I just put together “love” and “Frank” in the same sentence. I have to be careful, or I’ll let this warm, loving group of people seduce the sensible right out from under me.

Eva and Daniel started to gather plates. Giulia stacked the plates on her end of the table, glad when Fiona didn’t protest at her helping with the work.
Then again, it’s another symptom of how accepting they are—and how easily I’m fitting in here. Should I be worried?

“Giulia, could you keep an eye on Helen while I help with clean-up?” Darlene wiped a stray dot of mashed potato from the baby’s face.

“Sure.”

Darlene lifted Helen out of the highchair and handed her over. “Here, use this napkin for a burp cloth. You never know. And watch out for your earrings. She’s into shiny things.”

Helen was warm and cuddly. She clung to Giulia’s left arm and looked over her shoulder, cooing at everyone. Giulia stood to get them both out of the way of the cleaning crew. She walked her into the living room, singing to the carols playing from the iDock under the tree. Helen grabbed Giulia’s nose, and Giulia laughed and kissed the plump little hand.

“Darlene soft-soap you into babysitting?” Frank tickled Helen’s chin.

“She’s adorable. I used to help my sister-in-law with her kids when I got vacation. They loved to pull off my veil at this age.”
And the Pope will approve the Pill before my brother will let them see me again.

“Why the frown?”

Giulia shook it off. “Sorry. Just thinking of my family. Holidays are the worst for that kind of memory.”

“I forgot your family’s got their collective heads up their asses.”

Giulia snorted.

“Ha. Made you laugh.” He walked over to the iDock and scrolled through the songs. “You like Nat King Cole?”

“Of course.” She blew a raspberry into Helen’s belly button and Helen giggled. It sounded so good, Giulia did it again. More giggles.

“Caroling, Caroling” began. Giulia sang it to Helen, and Frank joined in from his spot by the tree. When she glanced over at him, he was still squatting next to the player, an odd look on his face as he watched her.

Sean entered the room. “For the love of God, Frank, stop singing. You’ll make the baby cry.”

“
Go n-ithe an cat thú, is go n-ithe an diabhal an cat
,” Frank said without heat.

A loud noise from Helen’s diaper punctuated the Irish sentence. Frank laughed.

Sean turned on the old people still at the table. “Granddad, what did you teach Frank that you didn’t teach the rest of us?”

The Driscolls’ grandfather gave Frank a thumbs-up.

His mother-in-law poked him. “You’re going to burn in Hell.”

“That’s where the party will be. Sean, that means ‘May the cat eat you, and may the devil eat the cat.’ Francis, your accent is slipping.”

“I’ll work on it, Granddad.”

Darlene came three feet into the room and stopped dead. “Whoa! The little princess left me an early Christmas present.” She scooped up the baby by her armpits. “That’s one full diaper, there, missy. Let’s go. Thanks for watching her.”

“Caroling, Caroling” finished, and “The Christmas Waltz” began. Frank tapped Giulia on the shoulder and the next moment they were waltzing on the gold-and-white carpet.

“You’re quite smooth, Mr. Astaire,” Giulia said in Frank’s ear.

“Taught by my grandmother over there, who won dance competitions in her wild youth.” Frank pulled her closer. “You’re about to drop a broad hint about babies and hope and how can I look at Helen and even think about giving up on finding Katie, aren’t you?”

Giulia turned her face into his shoulder. “Curse you, Frank Driscoll. When did I become so easy to read?”

“Only on certain subjects. Now that that’s out of the way, allow me to tell you again how beautiful you look tonight.” He twirled her around the carpet exactly in time to the easy pulse of the song.

“Thank you. I’m glad your Grinch tie doesn’t play music.”

The song ended. Giulia felt a pang of disappointment—dancing with Frank was a pleasure she wanted to continue as long as possible. Until he kissed her.

His kiss was as slow and intimate as the dance. His arms wrapped around her waist and hers curled around his neck. Warmth filled her, making her knees just a little trembly.

Several loud whistles interrupted them. Together they looked in the direction of the noise. Every Driscoll adult stood in the doorway, applauding and whistling some more.

Giulia knew her face matched the red velvet of her skirt.

“Hide the kids, Eva,” Tina said.

“No, no, bring ’em in here,” Daniel said. “They can learn something.”

“Pervert,” Eva said.

Fiona pushed through the crowd. “Dad, what are you teaching Frank now?”

Sean said, “Don’t blame Granddad for that kiss. Frank took the initiative for this display himself.”

Frank got in Sean’s face. “Don’t embarrass Giulia.”

“Hey, you were the—” He looked twice at Frank and raised his eyebrows. “No problem, little brother.”

Fiona raised her voice. “Robert! Did you find the cards yet?”

“Coming.” The Driscoll boys’ father sounded like he was in a closet.

“Pat, would you see if anyone needs a drink?” Fiona came over to Giulia. “We play darts and Twenty-five before dessert.”

Giulia’s face returned to its normal color now that everyone wasn’t staring at her. “I’ve played competitive darts, but not Twenty-five.”

“I’ll teach you Twenty-five before my children get too many whiskies in them. The play gets a little wild then.”

“Ma! Ma! Uncle Pat says Gwen and me can play darts this year ’cause we’re finally eleven years old!” Ben ran into the room behind Pat, Gwen on his heels.

“Thanks, Pat,” Michael and Daniel said in unison. “You can repair Ma’s wallpaper when these two miss the board.”

Pat grinned. “I told Ma that any repairs were part of your Christmas present to her.”

“You’re a bad priest, Father Patrick, and you’ll come to a nasty end.”

“On the contrary, I’m dutiful to my mother and small children love me. That makes me quite Jesus-like.”

Giulia and Fiona laughed. The kids looked puzzled.

Daniel said, “Ben, where are Colin and Josh?”

“Downstairs. Josh challenged Colin to a Guitar Hero battle. Colin says he’s going to make Josh beg for mercy.”

“Good. Less jockeying for position. Wait—” He looked around. “We’re missing Joey.”

Darlene returned with a much better-smelling Helen. “He’s rehearsing his song for the school play tomorrow night. I promised to call him for dessert and carols.”

The chaos in the room broke into smaller clumps.

“Ha! Ten points. You’re gonna lose lose lose, Gwenny!”

“Let me cut those cards, Mike.”

“Don’t you trust me?”

“Double ten, hah to you!”

Frank resumed his seat next to Giulia. “All right, Falcone, prepare for a smackdown.”

Giulia smiled sweetly at Frank. “Did you ever wonder what nuns do on long winter nights after prayers and before bed?”

“Uh …”

“Get your mind out of the gutter. We played cards.” Giulia cracked her knuckles. “Ready?”