Never in his adult life had anyone ever snuck up on Cesare. Who the hell was this? Cesare gave a warning look to Dante, who seemed to be experiencing the same level of incredulity. Nobody snuck up on a Lombardi,much less two of them.
“This is private property and you two drunk idiots are going to wake up the animals. Now get the hell out of here before we see how far I can shove this mag light up your fucking asses.” The man threatened.
Cesare opened his mouth to speak and swore he could taste the smell of fish coming off the man in front of them.
“Walter!” Sabrina exclaimed, flying out of the back door to the rescue and throwing her arms around... fisherman Santa?
Cesare fought the urge to pull the fish man off his tesoro and throw the offender into the harbor.
“Walter, this is Cesare and Dante. Cesare, Dante, this is my Uncle Walter. He’s been with the rescue since before I was born.”
Cesare stuck out a hand. “Forgive the arguing. This is my brother. We’re from Philly.”
Walter narrowed his eyes, grumbling as he moved forward, and put more pressure on Cesare’s grip than anyone had dared since high school. Cesare squeezed back as good as he got, and when Walter released his hand, Cesare could only hope the old man’s fingers were as numb as his own.
“You boys can go home now.” Walter nodded.
Sabrina bit her lip, looking at Walter sheepishly. “Cesare is actually going to stay the night to help with the feedings. He helped me pick up the seal pup last night.”
Walter looked from Sabrina’s blushing face and back to Cesare.
Walter looked at Cesare as if he was something the cat dragged in from a gutter and grunted. He was quiet another moment, looking from Sabrina to Cesare and over to Dante.
“Okay, you three. We’reallgoing to go inside, and I’m going to make a nice pot of coffee, and you’re going to explain everything.”
And that was how Cesare found himself sitting around a 70s era laminate table, being cross-examined by a man that looked like Kris Kringle and smelled like tobacco smoke and lobster.
???
The coffee was hot and strong as Sabrina filled Walter in on Freckles’ rescue and the subsequent feeding shifts.
“Who helped on the first night?” Walter asked. “That’s every two hours.”
“Nobody.” Cesare scowled. “Which is why I’m here tonight.”
Walter gave him an unreadable look before turning to Sabrina. “We talked about this. If I’m out on the boat, you call the Science Center. You’re going to work yourself into an early grave if you keep this up.”
Sabrina gave Walter an almost wounded look as she sipped her coffee in response.
“Don’t look at me like that.” Walter shook his head, his gruff tone softening slightly.
“Cesare is helping tonight.” Sabrina answered defensively.
Walter looked between Sabrina and Cesare with a knowing expression, and Cesare watched as Sabrina blushed once more like a schoolgirl.
Walter grunted, turning to fix his gaze on Cesare. “I held this one in the hospital when she was born.” He gruffed, gesturing toward Sabrina. “Me and half the police force in town. You may have good intentions, or you may not. I don’t know. But I don’t feel like twiddling my thumbs and waiting to find out.”
“Walter!” Sabrina scowled. “I am a grown adult!”
“Yes, and he’s a grown man.” Walter nodded.
Cesare listened, forcing himself to stay relaxed in his chair, doing his best to be still. When Walter looked expectantly at Cesare, the Italian waited a moment, keenly aware of Dante’s amusement palpably emanating through the air.
“You’re right to be protective.” Cesare nodded. “Sabrina is worth protecting.”
Everyone at the table was silent.
“My family is traditional. Had I known there was someone I should talk to before inviting Sabrina out, I would have.” Cesare inclined his head towards Walter. “I apologize for the oversight and meant no disrespect. I would like to take her out again tomorrow evening. Is that okay with you, Walter?”
