“Oh no,” I said, too quickly. “We’ve only… met.”
I’d been fiddling with the edges of a bamboo runner that ran the length of the table. Mamma laid her hand on mine and stilled my fingers. “It’s all right to be scared. But if you are, he’s the best kind of man that you can get.”
“What do you mean by kind of man?”
“One who loves fiercely and completely if you’re given the chance to look beyond his fears,” Mamma said in explanation. “You make a good pair. You’ll hold each other up.”
I was just about to contradict her about me being scared when a woman who resembled Frank came in, followed by a woman with long blond hair tied back in a ponytail. Her skin was flawless and her features delicate in stark contrast to who I assumed was Gabby, who was dark-haired with masculine vibes.
“Jude,” Gabby called from the archway and dashed toward me.
I jumped up just in time for Gabby to give me a tight hug. “And you’re Gabby, right? I see you in your father but there’s also a resemblance to your mother.”
“The Sicilian,” she chuckled. Then reaching for the woman with her, she said, “This is my wife, Belle.”
“Hello,” I said, still in a loose embrace before Belle spoke.
“Gabby, you might want to let him go,” she said with a hint of what was either jealousy or deference to me. “We’ve only met.”
“Oh, shit,” Gabby said and backed away. “Sorry, I’ve been so excited to meet you. Ethan’s been all googly eyed.”
“Gabby,” Ethan groused. “For f—” With a swift glance to Mamma, he amended his sentence. “For goodness’ sake, Mamma, do something with your daughter.”
“Nuh-uh,” Mamma said, shaking her index finger back and forth. “No longer within my purview. She’s Belle’s responsibility.”
“In another lifetime,” Belle sniffed.
Gabby gave her wife a warning glare, but Belle turned on her heel and walked out.
“Thanks, Ma,” Gabby said. “I have to go and make nice. You’d think she was the one with morning sickness.”
“Already? Seems early,” Mamma said to her daughter. “Do you want some chamomile tea?”
“I’ll make it,” I offered, desperately in need of something to do.
“Thanks,” Gabby said.
Ethan pushed Gabby out of the kitchen. “We’ll take the tea out to you when it’s done.”
“Sorry,” Ethan said to me. “Guess they’re still having problems.”
“No worries,” I said and filled the tea kettle that had been on the stovetop.
“Ethan, take out the lasagna so it can rest for a few minutes before I serve it.” Mamma asked as she began slicing a baguette, then buttering the pieces.
Ethan did as she asked and I smiled as he took in a lungful of the delicious aroma as he put the large rectangular baking dish on a cooling rack.
The water was boiling, and I stirred the tea bag in a mug that I plucked off from the rack on the counter.
Ethan handed me two packets of plant-based sugar substitute. When I was finished, he said, “Why don’t you take it into the dining room, I’ll help in here to bring out the food.”
I had the sense that Ethan wanted to talk privately with Mamma. Belle’s rude behavior probably wasn’t appreciated in a home where everyone watched out for each other. I wondered if Belle was upset with her wife about something or if she’d taken an instant disliking to me after Gabby hugged me. Now I understood Ethan’s warning about Belle’s erratic behavior.
Inside the dining room Frank was standing behind the chair at the head of the table. He gestured toward one for me and I mimicked his stance. Belle and Gabby were grumbling at each other but finally took their places as Ethan carried in the lasagna and then went back for the bread. The wine I’d brought was already on the table. Mamma came in last with a large, wooden salad bowl.
“Ethan, please get Belle’s dinner.” Then to me she said, “Belle’s vegan and my lasagna is packed with beef and sausage meatballs.”
“Thank you,” Belle said to Mamma.
