A Dish Best Served Cold: An Italian Kitchen Mystery (Italian Kitchen Mystery, An)

A Dish Best Served Cold: An Italian Kitchen Mystery (Italian Kitchen Mystery, An) by Rosie Genova Read Free Book Online Page B

Book: A Dish Best Served Cold: An Italian Kitchen Mystery (Italian Kitchen Mystery, An) by Rosie Genova Read Free Book Online
Authors: Rosie Genova
tightened my hold as Florence came toward us. “Hey, boss,” she said with a wink. “You got that generator good to go in case the lights go out?” She dropped her voice on the last three words in a pitiful attempt at flirtation, which thankfully was lost on my father.
    “It’s out back,” he said. “And I got plenty of extension cords.”
    “You think of everything, Frank,” Florence said as she sashayed away, her skinny hips swinging. I shook my head at such desperation, until the voice of my conscience issued a reminder:
That could be you in ten years
.
Show a little mercy.
    “So it worked out okay tonight, Dad.”
    “Told you it would, honey. That rain’s letting up and I think the eye is about to pass over and everybody will get home safe.” You had to love my father’s optimism. “Yup,” he added, “I’m betting we won’t even need that generator.”
    A bright flash illuminated our faces, followed by a crack of thunder that shook me to my toes. And then everything went black.

Chapter Five
    T he gasps and shrieks that came from our guests as the lights went out had a fun-house quality, the kind that says,
I’m scared, but it’s kinda fun
. One by one, phones glowed as people fumbled for their possessions and chattered excitedly before making a dash for the door. Only one voice could be heard above the din.
    “Please, everyone,” Mayor McCrae called out, clapping her hands for attention. “Let’s do this in an orderly way to get everyone out safely. If you have a phone, please use that to find your way to the main doors of the restaurant. If not, I’m sure the Rienzis won’t mind if you use the candles from the table.”
    A guttural grumble from somewhere behind me said that Nonna would, in fact, mind very much. As my eyes got accustomed to the darkness, I saw my dad materialize at the mayor’s side.
    “For those who would like to stay out of the rain a bit longer,” he said, “I’m about to get my generator going, and we should have lights soon. But whether you stay or go, I’d like to thank you all, on behalf of my family and me, for helping us celebrate our seventy years in business here in Oceanside Park.
Buon notte
, and come back to the Casa Lido soon.”
    There was a smattering of applause.
Way to take the floor back, Dad. Bravo
. Grabbing a votive from a nearby table, I joined my mom at the door to help usher people out. Holding candles and phones, they made a weird procession as they walked out into the darkness. Tim and Nando stood in the parking lot with flashlights and helped to direct traffic out. Once the lot had emptied, I stood outside with an umbrella, staring at the dark and deserted boardwalk. On impulse, I crossed the street and scurried up the ramp, holding my candle out in front of me. Standing in the center of the boardwalk, I looked down toward the rides pier, but without the lights of the Ferris wheel and the carousel house, it was only a shapeless gray mass in the darkness. On the other side of me, the ocean was roiling, the waves frothing and breaking high on the beach. When a gust of wind nearly took my umbrella from my hands, I came to my senses and turned to go, colliding with a man holding a flashlight. It was Cal, with more thunder in his face than the storm.
    “What the hell are you doin’ out here?” he rasped, gripping my wrist and half dragging me down the ramp. “What is wrong with you?”
    “Cal, take it easy! I just wanted to see how far down the power was out. You can let go of me now, okay?”
    “Not till I get you back inside. You think this storm is over? It ain’t over yet. Once that eye passes, that wind’s gonna kick up again, and worse than before. What were you thinking?”
    We crossed the deserted street; still in Cal’s death grip, I struggled to hold the umbrella and the candle. My mother and Sofia, both looking worried, greeted us at the door.
    “Victoria, what were you doing outside?” my mom said. “You know better than

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