Those Blue Tuscan Skies by Marion Ueckermann

Author:Marion Ueckermann [Ueckermann, Marion]
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Publisher: Peregrine InD Press
Published: 2020-01-23T16:00:00+00:00

So much for a perfect event. Although everyone was enjoying socializing together, Rafaele started to question his wisdom at the menu he’d chosen—although all were favorite dishes of Nonna’s, and at the end of the day, that’s what mattered most seeing as it was her birthday party.

He gazed across the table as he had done every time a new course was served. Only he and Nonna had touched the wine. Everyone else stuck to still or sparkling water or fruit juices. Thankfully he’d only opened one bottle of red. He’d return the others to the wine cellar.

As for the chosen entrées—Bistecca alla Fiorentina, Florentine steak cooked the only way this enormous T-bone could be…rare; Tagliatelle al tartufo, pasta covered in a truffle sauce; and Pappardelle alla lepre, very wide egg noodles in a strong sauce made from wild hare—perhaps he should’ve thought further than just Nonna. Rachel had only nibbled on one slice of crostini and avoided the meat. She ate a little of the sides—one or two roasted garlic potatoes and some of the spinach with Pecorino cheese. He really should’ve asked her if she had any dietary preferences. For all he knew, she could be a vegetarian.

Sienna hadn’t fared much better than Rachel with her food, but he did know his sister wasn’t much of a meat eater. Alessa made up for them both. Despite her healthy appetite, his little sister always managed to stay slender.

At least the men had enjoyed every course, as guys normally do. Especially Marco. Even though the Florentine steaks were recommended to be shared, he’d eaten an entire slab of meat on his own. And still had room for the pasta dishes. Must have a very active metabolism to eat so well and still manage to stay in shape.

Rafaele had shared his steak with Jayne, although he’d probably eaten at least three-quarters of it. Afterward, Jayne had taken a small serving of each of the pastas—had to taste both, she’d said.

Jayne smiled at him as she twirled the wide egg noodles around her fork. “Hmm, this is so good.” The fork disappeared into her mouth, coming out clean. She closed her eyes and savored the dish. A moment later, her eyes flew open wide, moisture pooling around those beautiful blue spheres. She fanned her open mouth with her hand. “Ooh, ooh, chili…”

Chili? Oh no. The game they’d played as children… Maria must have remembered and decided to pull off the same prank on them tonight—one dish having a piece of seven-pot habanero hidden inside and nobody knowing which dish it was in. And—

No. He had to get the water fast, and the jug was on the other side of the table.

“Ric, the water, quick.” Rafaele snapped his fingers at his brother as if the action would spur him on.

Ric shoved to his feet, grabbed the jug and rushed toward Jayne and Rafaele. By the twinkle in his brother’s eye, Rafaele had no doubt that Ric had remembered.

He had to save Jayne. But how?

Still fanning her mouth, Jayne held up her glass to Ric seeking more to drink.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.