Adverse Possession (The Anna Albertini Files #3) - Rebecca Zanetti Page 0,39
might trickle off quickly. Let’s give it a month or two, and if work doesn’t slow down, maybe we can hire somebody. For now, Oliver and Pauley have things covered.” I rocked back on my heels. “You know, we might want to talk to Oliver about attending the paralegal program at the college. We could offer to pay for it.”
Clark pursed his lips. “That’s a good idea if Oliver is interested in being a paralegal. What about Pauley?”
“We can ask him, but he’s focusing on math right now,” I said. Since Pauley was only sixteen, he had a lot of time to study a lot of subjects. “He might be interested, but after the two years here, I know he wants to attend a four-year college.” I just hoped he was ready for that. But that was something to worry about in two years, after Pauley graduated from the community college. I had enough to worry about right now. “I’m meeting Nonna at Smiley’s for lunch. Do you want to come?”
Clark studied me. Man, he was smart. “I don’t think so. Not sure what you’re up to, but I do know I want nothing to do with it.”
It was good that my law partner had a brain, right? “Fine. Want me to bring you anything back?”
His face cleared. “Yeah. Club sandwich and thanks. I appreciate it.”
I turned and moved for the doorway to the reception area. Thank goodness we’d created a wall between the offices and the entrance. The room was just as full as it had been yesterday, so I waved to Oliver and hustled out to the office hallway. It was unfortunate we didn’t have a back way out. Oh, all of the windows were good exits, and we could get out during a fire, but having a back door would be convenient.
I took several deep breaths as I walked down the sidewalk outside toward Smiley’s Diner. Only one building separated the diner from my office building, and Duke’s Jewelry Store had been there for as long as I could remember. It was only a one-story building and had an antique clock out front that was protected as a historically preserved sign in Idaho. I ignored the sparkly diamonds in the display window and continued to Smileys.
Smiley’s Diner was a Timber City staple. The booths were red, the hamburgers fresh, and the tile well worn. A sparkling and round turret featured the puffed pastries and pies for the day. Fresh ones. My stomach growled, and I hustled past a clustering of tables with wooden chairs, beyond the long counter with fifties style bar stools, to a booth toward the back. “Hi, Nonna.”
“Hi.” She beamed at me. For her outing, she’d worn a smart lilac-colored pantsuit with no-nonsense gold jewelry. Her hair was up in an intricate bun. “How are you? You look tired. Are you still hurting from the car wreck?”
I started to slide across from her, and she shook her head. “Please sit next to me.”
“All right.” I sat next to her, and light jasmine perfume tickled my nose. “I’m fine, Nonna. Just a little bruised.” Actually, my ribs were killing me and I’d love a pain pill, but since I planned to return to work, I’d have to make do with more Advil in an hour.
She began to say something and then straightened, waving her hand at the door.
Gerty Basanelli caught her eye and hustled over. She wore a pretty flowered dress with white tennis shoes, and her crocheted shoulder tote bag was big enough to take on a picnic. “Oh, hello, Elda. What are you doing in town?” She opened her cloudy brown eyes very wide and fluttered her eyelashes.
Oh, for goodness sakes.
Nick followed behind her, suspicion already darkening his not cloudy brown eyes. Nick Basanelli was tall, broad, and brilliant. He had topaz eyes, Italian straight features, and dark wavy hair. “Hello.”
“Oh, my.” My grandma smiled guilelessly. “What a surprise. You really must join us.”
“No—” Nick started gently just as his grandmother all but hopped into the booth. He paused. “That would be nice. Thank you.” Then he sat across from me and very slightly lifted an eyebrow.
I tried to look as innocent as possible, but my cheeks grew warm. Yeah, I was blushing. “Hi, Mrs. Basanelli.”
“Oh, you call me Gerty, sweetheart.” Gerty slapped my hand. “It’s so lovely to see you. I’m sorry about that unfortunate bar fight the other night. Your sister Tessa wasn’t really involved, was she?”