Amore and Pinot Grigio - a Guido la Vespa Christmas Tale [Guido la Vespa] (BookStrand Publishing Mainstream) Read Online Free PDF Page B

rolled her eyes. “Of course it is. Have you heard from the vet?” Best to change the topic, she told herself, than embark on a never-ending argument about double standards.
    “For once you don’t want to fight with me,” he smiled.
    “No, I don’t. How is Pinot? Have you heard anything yet?”
    “The bad news is that he will have to have his front right leg amputated. The good news is that he can live well like that, provided he is cared for safely indoors, and the even better news is that the staff at the hospital say he is much less of a street cat than we realized. He is friendlier now that he has been fed and given some flea treatments and is feeling more trusting.”
    “So what are you saying?”
    “I am saying that he needn’t be euthanized. I know that you were against that and I only thought it was an option when I believed he was a very feral cat who could never live indoors.”
    “We have to find a home for him, though. I can take him, of course, and I will if needs be, but it would be better to find someone in Rome. I mean, if he comes to Canada with me he’ll have to learn to speak English, just for starters, though, of course, there is a big Italian community in Toronto.”
    Sandro laughed. “For a moment I thought you were serious. You can really be quite funny when you aren’t being difficult.”
    “Well, thank you, I think. But I wasn’t fully kidding. I mean, he would have to learn English in Canada.”
    “Yes, well, in fact, that won’t be a problem. We don’t have to find a home for him. I have been informed that one of the young veterinary technicians at the animal hospital has already fallen in love with him and is determined to adopt him and take him into her home once his surgery has been successfully completed. I can’t think of a better match, for she will know all the proper care he might need as a cat with a disability. And of course, he will have to be neutered, as well.” Sandro winced and put his hand protectively between his legs as he said the word.
    Sigrid laughed. “It’s not you being neutered!” And what a tragedy that would be.
    “Well, I know, but I feel for him.”
    “Believe me when I tell you, it’s better for him to be neutered, for myriad reasons.”
    “ Certo . My father will be happy to hear this outcome—he was worried about the little fellow yesterday. And the Totti family will be happy to pick up the cost of the surgeries and recovery time in the hospital for Pinot.”
    Sigrid gasped. She had gotten so carried away the night before she hadn’t even realized that Sandro’s father might have been right down the hall the whole time. “Your father? Is he here? Does he know that I’m here?”
    “No, no, don’t worry. He went to Tuscany late yesterday afternoon. We are alone here. Now, can I get you some breakfast? Would you like to take a shower? I don’t mean to rush you but I have some meetings starting in about an hour.” It was a lie. He had no meetings, at least not that morning.
    Sigrid felt a figurative jackboot in the gut. Any woman who had been single long enough could recognize what was happening. Something had changed. Sandro wanted her out of there and he wanted her out of there fast. No post-sex cuddling or cooing and billing. He was distancing himself, drawing lines. It was the apparently inevitable “Baby Don’t Get Hooked on Me” moment.
    “No, no breakfast. That’s fine. And I’ll shower at home, if you’ll just let me get dressed.” She said the latter modestly, as though they hadn’t spent the night together, as though he hadn’t seen her naked, been inside of her.
    “Don’t be silly. You can at least shower here.”
    “You seem keen for me to go, so I’ll be going.”
    “Are you upset?”
    “No, I just don’t want to overstay my welcome. I think I already have. Thank you so much for helping with Pinot and covering the veterinary costs,” she said curtly.
    “I am sorry if you are upset, but you are an adult.