The Escort - By Gina Robinson Page 0,2

neighborhood women are already descending on us like pigeons. Here comes Signora Rubino." He gestured again to emphasize his point. "Nothing ever satisfies that one."

"We won't be long, Papa Joe. I promise," Angelina said.

He urged them off with a wave of his arm.

"Come. This way, Angelina. Perhaps we can have a word in private." Nonna Gia pulled her into an unused doorway a short distance from Papa Joe and the table. "So tell me, how's Mario doing these days?" The small talk was deliberate, part of their game. No good Italian conversation was complete without first inquiring about the family.

"Mario! He treats me as if I'm some small, defenseless child, one whose virtue could be snatched away by the mere glance of a strange man. Look at this scarf he makes me wear!"

Nonna Gia chuckled. "You would like to flirt with the young men perhaps?" She wagged her finger. "It's not for you. No word from your new groom, Signor Allessandro?"

"Nothing. Not one word." Angelina sighed, frustrated. Nonna Gia knew of her worries. What if something had happened to Signor Allessandro? The mines were dangerous places. What if he was angry that Paolo had been sent back? What if he blamed her? What if he no longer wanted her?

"The winter has been hard," Angelina said, covering her fears with the story she had concocted to comfort herself. "The trains have not been running and the telegraph lines have been out of service. I am sure he's been busy in the mines. Still, I worry. I must go to him as soon as possible. I would have gone already, but Mario insists that I need an escort." She threw up her hands. "I cannot live on the charity of Papa's relatives forever."

"Your man should have come for you himself, no matter what was going on in that place called Idaho. He should not have trusted his bride to his brother." Nonna Gia wagged her finger as she talked.

Angelina sighed. They'd been over this subject before.

"Why don't you stay in New York? Catch a man here. You owe that man nothing!"

"Nonna! How can you suggest such a thing? I owe him my passage. I have made a vow of honor. And we are married!"

"Married? Bah! That is nothing! It can be annulled. You have not even met the man." Nonna turned and looked out at the crowds filling the marketplace, a tiny smile toying with her lips. "But if you insist on going, I may be able to help." Nonna spoke casually, almost noncommittally, shrugging her shoulders ever so slightly. Angelina recognized the ploy to draw emphasis away from her own excitement.

"You have found someone!" Angelina hugged the older woman before she had a chance to reply.

"Yes. But before you get too excited—" Nonna spoke as one who was hugged too tightly and enjoying the attention.

Angelina released the older woman and clutched her arm. "Who? Do I know them?"

"His name is Antonio Domani. I call him Tonio. Please, Angelina. You hurt the arm with your grip."

Angelina released her hold. "What about his wife? What is her name?"

Nonna Gia looked sheepish. "There is no wife, just him. Will Mario approve of you going West with a single man?"

Angelina's hopes fell. "I don't know." She feared not.

"We will find out." Nonna Gia chuckled softly and gestured with her hands. "My Tonio can convince anyone of anything. You turn him loose on Mario, there will be no problem with the convincing. Let us think on the good news—Tonio is from Idaho. The Silver Valley, he calls it. He plans to return at the end of the week. The railroads are running again."

Angelina's heart raced. She forgot the rules of their game of composure and blurted out her next question. "Which town is he going to?"

"Wallace. Tonio tells me it's not far from Harrison. The bigger question is—can you convince Mario to let you go?"

"This Tonio won't take advantage of me, will he?" Angelina put a tease in her voice. She liked baiting Nonna.

Nonna laughed. "I will personally vouch for Tonio. He has been a regular customer of ours off and on for years."

Angelina shook her head. "I'll bet you have a few scoundrels among your regulars."

"Tonio is a good man, Angelina." There was an undeniable note of pride in Nonna's suddenly solemn voice.

"Then I won't have any trouble convincing Mario to let me go with him, will I? Is Signor Domani willing to let me travel with him? You have asked him?"

Nonna's chuckle returned. "He