Chapter Nine
"Nick Barkley!"
"Como" as the men embraced in the loud, crowded restaurant. Everyone seemed to know each other and were talking at once at Giacomo's.
There were even children eating with adults at some of the tables. Maris had never heard of such. She had once taken James David to a restaurant in New York when he was ten. The frowns in the ornate room still stung even though he was pinpoint in his manners and behavior.
"How's my little brother in Stockton? Keeping the family name with pride I hope? You would tell me if the pasta is rushed or the wine watered right? And my sauce?"
"Of course. He does you proud. See him every month or so. Have to taste some fine Italian. Get a hankering for it."
"And who is this Bella Dona? What are you doing with this old dawg?"
She blushed, "He rescued me on a train." as she fumbled around with words.
He arched his eyes at Nick, "Is that a brother trait? She's Bellissima!" He laughed.
Nick looked uncomfortable for once, "A quiet table if you have one? The roof?"
"Let me check, old friend. Anything for a Barkley."
Nick took Maris' arm and they walked to the side.
"His brother began a restaurant in Stockton about twenty years ago. Jarrod and I sold him the building and helped him contract it. People were pretty wary of immigrants at that time. Now it's one of the busiest in town. Wonderful family."
"What a kind family you are." thinking of the discussions she had heard over the years about "dirty immigrants and servitude."
"What did he mean about the train?"
Nick grew serious, "Jarrod met his first wife on a train. They married real quick and she was murdered two weeks later."
"Oh my," she barely whispered, "I apologize for asking. It was forward of me."
"No, it wasn't honey. Just an honest question. He's made it through losing two wives and is happy with the third. Six kids between them. Elisabeth was a widow too."
"She told me. Such a lovely lady."
"She is." and they were interrupted by a waiter with a table.
"Cleaning it off now, Mr. Barkley. Rooftop."
"Y'all got an elevator yet?"
"No sir."
"Figures." He chuckled thinking of his knee.
They walked up the wooden stairs to a rooftop garden filled with flowers, red and white tablecloths, and a wine bar. The night sky was exploding with stars coming out. Violin music played while couples danced closely in the shadows. A very different atmosphere than the floors below.
She found herself warmed walking with Nick to the table.
He pulled the chair out for her and the waiter lit the lantern at the table.
"Here are your menus. Bread will be out soon. Bread is always hot out of the oven and this is our special garlic butter on the table." Pointing at a painted saucer.
She eyed the hand-painted plate, "This is gorgeous. I have never seen such."
"We get it from our family in Sorrento."
Nick watched her look of joy as she closely inspected the detail, "Just magnificent."
The waiter appreciated her attention to his family's business, "Just for you, I shall serve you tonight on more of our family plates. Our apprezzamento!"
She looked around at the other tables and then at Nick. He was smiling at her.
"Nick, other people have white china plates of food?"
"You complimented his family and that holds great weight. Most folks don't care what the butter dish looks like that his family painted in the old country. You probably are being served tonight on his Great Aunt's Sunday best. People appreciate being valued and you seem to do that naturally."
She lowered her eyes, "I meant it. China is lovely too but this has so much love painted in it.
"And that my dear, comes through. You are a rarity in society."
The waiter brought back a decanter of wine and asked for their order.
"I defer to you Nick. This is all new to me and it all looks divine."
"Cherry and Chocolate Crosata for dessert."
She giggled that he ordered that first. He shrugged his shoulders and grinned, "it's good stuff."
"Fix a sampler for us. A platter of what is being cooked up. Little lady hasn't had your Italian food so we want the best. Make sure there is some calamari."
"Perfection." and he went back to the kitchen.
"Calamari?"
"Give it a try. Little squid. Good stuff."
Her eyes grew big but she nodded, "I will if you say so."
"I say so"
They had a big supper sampling the two platters that the waiter brought out. As Nick predicted, a beautiful navy plate with ornate flowers and fruit painted on it was brought out for Maris.
She complimented the waiter again. He beamed.
They finished up with Nick's cherry and chocolate dessert, a crostata he loved.
"This is wonderful. Nick, I have never had such a night in my whole life. I have been to fancy balls and state houses and mansions—-but nothing like the last day with you and your family."
"It's been my pleasure. Would you like to dance?"
"Yes very much."
They danced to the violins and slowly moved to the shadows as other couples who wanted privacy. The thought that this would be scandalous to her father-in-law and the people in her life gave her unperturbed courage. She had been schooled in all of society's dances but this restaurant lent itself to a new intimate, forbidden slow dance. She had never seen the likes of such.
But tonight—-she "didn't care a whit."
"Tomorrow this will be a grand memory and I take up my mantle again of James David's mother."
Nick held her tightly and hoped her naïveté did not recognize the physical response of his body. He already knew her well enough to know she had no clue of the world; seduction was out of her realm of experience. He even wondered how James David came to pass.
She nuzzled in closer and closer feeling the wine she had imbibed; he relished it and buried his nose in her rosewater-scented hair.
"My Bella," he whispered several times.
They were close to being the last people to leave the restaurant. Neither of them wanted the night to end. He only allowed himself the liberty of holding her hand; he didn't trust himself any further.
Grover brought the carriage around. He was still eating the box lunch Nick had sent down from the restaurant. Maris was floored that he showed such consideration for a working man.
They drove to The Palace and he let her off at the side entrance. Grover took her shopping bags to a porter.
"I wish I could escort you inside."
"It's better this way. I can see the doorman from here."
They squeezed hands and she disappeared into the fancy hotel.
Nick gave Grover the address of Jarrod's townhome and he sat in quiet introspection all the way there.
"Thank you, Grover. I know you probably are off hours by now."
"You fed me well, Mr Barkley."
Nick grinned and handed him a fifty-dollar tip and asked the number of his rig stall, "ln case, I need a driver this week with discretion."
Grover was still sitting in his carriage staring at it as Nick entered Jarrod's home.
"This here is my lucky day. And he left the skin of that Chinese wine. Woo hoo!" and he guzzled the liquid down his chin and wiped it off with his sleeve.
