Читать книгу Firefighter's Doorstep Baby / The Soldier's Untamed Heart онлайн | страница 59

As they approached, Mariella saw a nice open-air space connected to the restaurant. Much better for the baby, she thought. The day was warm enough to sit outside.

Once seated, with a baby highchair for Dante, Mariella perused the menu. She’d try the tortellini with the famous sauce. She sat back to enjoy the ambiance while waiting for her order. The waiter had brought bread sticks and she gave one to Dante to drool on. He beat the table, put it in his mouth and looked surprised. She laughed. Hadn’t he expected it to be food? He couldn’t eat it, but she thought he could gum it a bit. Once it got soggy, she replaced it with another.

The courtyard was delightful. Tables were scattered around as if awaiting company, two others occupied. None too close to impede a private conversation. The bougainvillea spilled down a trellis, their flowers faded now as winter approached. She bet they were spectacular in the height of summer. A fountain’s melody gave a pleasant sound to soothe and enhance enjoyment of the food. Mariella suspected the restaurant was a favorite of many.

When the meal was placed before her, Mariella smiled in anticipation. She looked at the waiter. “I can’t wait to eat this. I had this sauce recently at Cristiano Casali’s place. Do you know him?”

The waiter bowed slightly. “Of course. He is son of the owner, Luca.” He frowned. “He has not been to visit recently. I shall tell his sister you are here.”

Mariella took a bite of the tortellini. It almost melted in her mouth. The sauce was even better than she’d had at Cristiano’s. She savored each mouthful.

“Signora?”

A pretty woman wearing an apron approached Mariella.

“Sì?”

“I am Isabella, Cristiano’s sister. You are a friend of Cristiano?”

Mariella smiled. “He rescued me and my baby from a fire at Lake Clarissa. I consider him a hero.”

“Ah. May I?” Isabella said, holding onto the back of a chair.

“Please.”

“How is he?” she asked when she sat down.

“Fine. He said he is recovering from injuries?” How odd his sister asked a stranger for an update on her brother.