“We have three separate sections. In ‘The Dig’ you can get dirty searching for artifacts. There’s ‘The Twenties,’ where you’ll walk through science, culture, and politics of the twentieth century and hear firsthand the stories from the people who lived it. And finally, we have our ‘Freedom’ exhibit, which will be constantly changing, spotlighting people who have paid the price for freedom. The first of these will be Cold War.”
She looked to Yuri Petrovich Chertov. “Are you ready?” She carefully placed the scissors in his hands, then handed Ted and Darla their own scissors.
“I don’t know how she’s keeping it together,” Harry whispered harshly.
Vito’s throat had closed, knowing what was coming. But Sophie smiled as Yuri and the Albrights took their places by the big red ribbon that stretched across the door to what eleven months before had been an empty warehouse.
“Very good.” Sophie leaned toward the microphone. “It’s my pleasure to dedicate the Anna Shubert Johannsen Memorial Wing.” She stepped back amid flashes of cameras to let the three with scissors cut the ribbon, She’d taken this job to pay for Anna’s nursing home. She’d kept it to work through the grief after Anna had died quietly in her sleep a month after Simon Vartanian’s attack damaged her heart beyond repair.
Katherine had declared Anna’s death a homicide, bringing Simon’s list of victims to nineteen.
Vito didn’t think hell was hot enough for Simon Vartanian.
But it wasn’t a night for sadness. Sophie had come down from the podium and was mingling once again, trying to catch Vito’s eye. She looked at Harry’s wet eyes and gave Vito a little nod and a smile before turning to talk to the reporter from the Inquirer.
“Harry, I need to get up there and make sure the butt pinchers keep their hands to themselves. Can you get Sophie a drink? I think the lights up there were hot.”
Harry nodded, pulling himself straight. “What’s she drinking? Wine? Champagne?”
“Water,” Vito said. “Just water.”
Harry’s eyes narrowed. “Just water? Why?”
“She can’t have alcohol,” Vito said and let his grin escape. “It’s bad for the baby.”
Harry turned to Michael, who was still wiping his eyes. “Did you know?”
“Just this morning. She tried to eat lox with her bagel. It wasn’t a pretty sight.”
Vito grinned. “Dad’s already planning the crib.”
“Which Theo here will build.” Michael beamed at the boy who’d done what none of Vito’s siblings had been able to do-carry on their own father’s art. None of them had a lick of woodworking talent. Turned out Theo Four had enough for all of them.
“No big deal,” Theo mumbled.
“No big deal,” Michael scoffed. “He’s already finished one of the cribs for Tess.”
Who, after trying for two years, was having twins, and Vito couldn’t have been happier. It was a second wave of Ciccotelli grandchildren. Which just added more family.
Which, in Vito’s book, made him the richest of men.
About the Author
Karen Rose is an award-winning author who fell in love with books from the time she learned to read. She started writing stories of her own when the characters in her head started talking and just wouldn’t be silenced. A former chemical engineer and high school chemistry and physics teacher, Karen lives in Florida with her husband of twenty years, their two children, and the family cat, Bella. When she’s not writing, Karen is practicing for her next karate belt test! Karen would be thrilled to receive your e-mail at karen@karenrosebooks.com.
