Summer of Second Chances - Andrea Hurst Page 0,113
establish my legal guardian and I can enroll in school."
"I’m sure my dad will do all he can to clear this up tonight. He knows time is short.”
Short it was, Shelby thought. She wondered just how much time she had left before Dana descended.
Alice had been invited to join the DeLucas for dinner too, but she’d already made plans for an early dinner with Theo, so Shelby headed over to Logan’s house alone. Mutt had leapt with joy when she’d returned him to Gabe earlier that day. Iris, in a gauzy summer dress, opened the door for her. The aromatic smell of garlic, tomato, and herbs made Shelby’s mouth water.
"You're just in time,” Iris said. "You remember Logan’s dad, my husband, Anthony."
Shelby put her hand out. "Glad to see you, Mr. DeLuca."
"Call me Anthony," he said with a smile. “I’m so glad you could join us.”
Relief washed over Shelby at his warm greeting. She barely recognized this Anthony, wearing a loose t-shirt and jeans, as the same man she’d briefly met Fourth of July.
Mutt came racing in from the screened in porch, followed by Gabe.
"You have to see Mutt’s new stuff,” Gabe said.
Mutt was wearing a fancy new collar with bones circling it.
"And look,” he said, “the leash matches.” Gabe looked at his dad adoringly. "My dad bought it for him. And even took him for a walk.”
"Well, it's about time that dog had something that befit his new stature," said Anthony, and everybody laughed.
Shelby bent down and petted Mutt. "You certainly have landed in a good home." Mutt kissed her cheek. Shelby looked back at Gabe. "Don't forget, you can bring him to the next dog park club meeting."
"Can’t wait," Gabe said.
Everyone took a seat at the lavishly set table with candles burning in the center. Shelby sat between Logan and Gabe. From the sound of his tail drumming the wood floor, she was sure Mutt was at their feet.
"Our first course is an antipasto,” Iris said, passing around the platter. She smiled at her husband. “Everything I cooked tonight I learned from your mother.”
"Happy mangia," Anthony said. “Or in English for our guest, ‘Let’s eat!’”
Iris explained each dish to Shelby as she served them. The crispy bruschetta with roasted caramelized cherry tomatoes and basil was next, followed by pasta carbonara topped with fresh-grated parmesan cheese.
Shelby reflected on the stark difference from the dinners she’d had with her mother. Dana never cooked. She’d either bring home fast food or leftovers sometimes from her jobs.
“This pasta is delicious,” Shelby said to Iris.
“My wife makes excellent pasta from scratch,” Anthony said between bites.
Iris smiled at Shelby. “I’d be happy to show you how sometime. The other ingredients you are tasting are pancetta, fresh eggs, Parmigianino and pecorino, cheese and a lot of coarse ground black pepper.”
“I’ve never heard of pancetta,” Shelby said.
“It’s like ham,” Gabe piped up. "But just wait till you taste her gnocchi."
Shelby had no idea what gnocchi was, but she sure wanted to try it.
The conversation flowed just like Shelby imagined it would in any normal family. There was lighthearted teasing and banter. Iris told anecdotes about when the boys were young, and both Logan and Gabe moaned. In every way Shelby felt comfortable and part of the family.
She didn’t think she could eat another bite when Iris carried out a large pan of tiramisu covered in chocolate shavings. “I’ve always wanted to try that.”
“I hope you like it,” Iris said. “This recipe has cocoa, espresso, wine, and mascarpone cheese layered with ladyfinger biscuits.”
The rich, creamy dessert did not disappoint.
After dinner, Logan’s father suggested that he, Shelby, and Logan go to his home office and get down to business. Gabe trailed off to his room to play video games. Shelby offered to help Iris clean up first, but Iris waved her along, assuring her she had it covered.
Logan sat beside her for support in the perfectly organized office.
Anthony took a seat at his sleek glass desk that faced French doors opening to a full lake view. She watched him shift into professional mode as he opened his laptop and began.
"Let's start with you telling me whether there is any more news from your mother that I’m not already aware of.”