Maxine by SUE FINEMAN

numb.
    Nick jumped in beside her. “Go!”
    Lance stepped out of the limo and it pulled away before he spotted Cara’s car. He ran toward the garage as she backed out of the driveway. Cara fought the panic rising inside her. “Nick, he’ll follow us.”
    “Not with a flat tire.”
    She drove down the street, and Nick craned his head around. “He’s not going anywhere without changing that tire.” He folded his pocket knife, the same knife he’d used to cut off Cara’s hair, and slipped it into his pocket.
    <>
     
    Lance was livid. He’d almost fallen for a stupid trick. If he hadn’t spotted the car tailing the limo, he’d be stranded in that hotel. Cara’s ‘surprise’ was designed to get him away from the house so she could take her car. What else did she take, and who was the man with her? How much of his money had she paid him to help her steal the car and slit a perfectly good tire?
    One good thing came from this. Now he knew Cara was still in the area. He’d narrow the search to the Seattle area and find her and her ‘friend.’ No more games. She was as good as dead.
    Nobody made a fool of him and got away with it.
    Nobody.
    <>
     
    Cara drove a few blocks and pulled over. Her hands shook so hard, she didn’t trust herself to drive. “Will you drive, Nick?”
    He released his seat belt and reached out for a hug. She grabbed onto him like a lifeline. “It’s all right, Cara. It’s over.”
    “No, it’s not over. We may have the car and some of my things from the house, but we also made him more angry. Lance has a terrible temper when things don’t go his way.”
    Nick rubbed her back. “It’s okay, Maxine. I’m here.”
    She snuggled in closer. “Yes, you’re here,” she said softly. There were times when she wished she really was Maxine Donatelli, an ordinary woman with an ordinary life. Married to an extraordinary man.
    “I always wanted to drive a Jag.” With a huge grin, Nick sat behind the wheel and began the drive home.
    Cara leaned her head back. “I’m glad that’s over.”
    “Aw, c’mon, Maxine. You had fun. Admit it.”
    Yes, she had, and so had the Donatelli men. She’d never had better friends, especially Nick.
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    On Sunday, Cara boarded the boat with Nick to go to Aunt Sophia’s house for dinner. Although she liked Tony and Angelo, Cara was nervous about meeting the rest of the Donatelli family, especially Nick’s Aunt Sophia.
    Angelo met them at the dock and drove them to the house. A short, stout woman wearing Angelo’s sweet smile and an apron smeared with flour met Nick and Cara at the door, arms outstretched. “Oh, you poor baby,” she said to Cara. “Has my Nicky been taking good care of you?”
    “Yes, he has.” Cara was swallowed in Aunt Sophia’s plump, welcoming arms. And she loved it.
    Nick teased, “No hug for me?”
    Aunt Sophia hugged and kissed him. The look on his face was one of love, and it was easy to see why.
    “Come inside, meet the family.” Aunt Sophia had her arm around Cara as they walked to the living room. “You like Italian food?”
    “I love it.” Cara leaned over to pet Riley. “The lasagna you sent to Nick’s house was delicious. I’ve never eaten any that tasted better.”
    The Donatelli house was small, crowded, noisy, and filled to overflowing with love. Cara met Gina and her husband, Will. Gina was pregnant with her first baby, and Aunt Sophia fussed over her. Gina didn’t seem to mind. Nick’s youngest cousin, Al, was tall and thin, and ate like he was starving. Of course, Nick ate that way, too. He’d told her a little about his childhood, about going hungry because his mother used their grocery money to buy scotch.
    It soon became apparent that Aunt Sophia wasn’t about to let anyone go hungry in her house. The table was covered with rich Italian food, and Aunt Sophia insisted that Cara eat some of everything.
    Cara offered Gina a part-time job keeping the books for Max and Company, and Gina accepted.