Read Online Cheddar Off Dead by Julia Buckley - Free Book Online Page A

like a dandelion.”
    â€œHmm,” said Rosalie. “Okay. You wait now while I do Serafina.”
    â€œSure.” I moved to the bench and sat next to old Nonno. He had returned, mollified by his Giovanna, who had sworn a few more times that she loved him.
    â€œYour granddaughter is beautiful,” I said.
    He turned to smile at me; his face was slightly grizzled with gray hair, but he had surprisingly arresting eyes, which were also gray. “Yes, she is a beauty. Like a rose—full of thorns and pain, but so beautiful and irresistible.”
    â€œI heard that, Nonno.” Giovanna stuck her tongue out at him in the long mirror.
    Nonno shrugged. “You see?”
    â€œFamilies can be complicated,” I said.
    â€œYes. You have a big family?”
    â€œJust my parents, my brother, and me. And now Serafina, who married my brother.”
    Nonno nodded. “And no husband for you? Why is this?”
    I did not like the direction of the conversation. “I don’t need a husband.”
    He smiled. “A woman as beautiful as you? You should be on your fourth husband by now. Like Elizabeth Taylor.”
    In spite of myself, I giggled. “I do not aspire to be like Elizabeth Taylor. Although she was lovely. And so was Richard Burton.”
    â€œYes. The man she could not do without, but she could not live with him, either.”
    â€œI get that.”
    â€œYou have a Richard Burton?”
    I sighed. “Long story, Nonno. Is it okay if I call you that? I’ve never heard that name before.”
    â€œIt means ‘Grandfather,’” he said. Then he stuck out his hand, which I shook automatically. “My name is Rick. I own the salon here”—he waved his hands vaguely at the room—“and I live on the top floor—at least at this time of year.”
    That explained the slippers. “That’s a good setup. You can check on your business without really leaving your house.”
    â€œYes. It is handy. But only one of my businesses.”
    â€œWow. You are an entrepreneur. I guess that’s how you’ll pay for the wedding,” I joked.
    He threw his head back and opened his mouth, but no laugh came out. It was a pantomime of a laugh. Then he was serious again. “You live in Chicago? Here in the building?”
    â€œNo—I live in Pine Haven. I’m just visiting my brother.”
    â€œAh, lovely Pine Haven. I also have a residence there.”
    â€œMy parents would just love you. They’re Realtors. They’d probably try to get you to upgrade.”
    He nodded, as though he had already discussed this with my parents. “That’s not a bad idea. Always something to consider. Do you have a card for them?”
    â€œUh—yes.” I retrieved the purse I had set at my feet and found a card in my wallet. “Here you go.”
    He studied it with impressive attention. “Daniel Drake. And you are?”
    â€œMy name is Lilah Drake.”
    â€œLilah Drake of Pine Haven.” He smiled at me with avuncular charm. I caught a whiff of scented tobacco. The phone rang at the front desk, and Balbina answered.
    â€œI don’t know—I would have to ask our owner, Mr. Donato. Please hold.” Then she launched into a question in Italian, which began with, “Enrico,
per piacere
 . . .”
    He answered her in Italian. A feeling of unease began to spread through me. Enrico. Mr. Donato. Someone had just used that name. . . .
    â€œOh no,” I said aloud.
    He raised a thick pair of salty eyebrows. “Is something wrong?”
    â€œYou—I—nothing. Serafina, may I speak with you?”
    She met my eyes in the long mirror and saw my distress. “Nonno, don’t frighten Lilah with your war stories. She witnessed a terrible thing yesterday.”
    I opened my mouth, shocked at her comment, and for the second time I was surrounded by women, this time firing