Dr. Horatio vs. the Six-Toed Cat Read Online Free

moved on to families of their own.
    Albert surveyed the abundance of food, his eyebrows arched. “It’s not Sunday, is it? Can’t remember the last time we had roast and gravy on a weeknight.”
    Millie settled in the chair her husband slid out for her and smiled her thanks up at him. “Since we’re to hear a special announcement tonight, I figured the meal should be special too.”
    Alison flashed her a grateful smile.
    They took their seats and Millie asked, “Whose turn is it?”
    â€œMine.” Alison bowed her head, hands folded in her lap. “Dear Lord, thank You for this awesome meal, and for Mom and Daddy who worked so hard to put it on the table.” A short pause, during which the girl gulped. “Please keep our hearts and minds open while we talk, and help us to control our tempers. Amen.”
    Oh dear . Millie opened her eyes and caught Albert’s gaze across the table.
    His lips pursed as he smoothed his napkin on his lap. “An interesting way to begin a family meal.”
    Alison scooped a large helping of chicken and rice onto her plate and flashed a jittery look at each of them in turn. “It seems appropriate tonight.”
    Millie cleared her throat as she picked up the platter and offered the roast to her husband. “Then perhaps we should wait for the announcement until after we eat. Let’s enjoy our meal.”
    At first she thought Alison would disagree. She bit her lower lip as though trying to hold back an explosion. Finally, she gave a quick nod. “Okay. I guess.”
    For the next several minutes, the only sounds at the table were thescraping of silverware across plates and the clinking of ice in glasses. Alison fidgeted in her seat, her movements jerky. Not worried, really, but she looked agitated. Jumpy, even. The silence that settled between them felt charged with energy. Why hadn’t Millie thought to put on the radio? A little background music would provide a welcome distraction from the thoughts flying around her brain. In fact, maybe she’d do it now. She rested her fork on the edge of her plate and started to stand.
    Alison stabbed a piece of chicken, lifted her fork toward her mouth, and then stopped. “I can’t hold it in any longer.” She set her fork down with a clatter and literally bounced in her chair, grinning. “I’m getting married!”
    The pronouncement exploded through her lips like a bomb and sent shock waves around the table. Millie’s jaw went slack and she gaped at her daughter, dumbstruck. If Alison told them that she had signed up for a mission to the moon she would not have been more shocked.
    â€œBut—but—” She closed her mouth and tried to find a cohesive question amid the chaos in her mind. “But you don’t have a boyfriend.”
    â€œYes I do.” Alison nodded with energy. “His name is Nicholas Ricardo Provenzano IV and he’s the most amazing man I’ve ever known. And oh, he’s so handsome! I met him in Florida.” Her eyes shone with a sparkle that had not been there a moment before.
    Millie stared at her daughter. She had a boyfriend, and didn’t tell her mother?
    Albert recovered his voice. “Mozzarello? What kind of name is that?”
    â€œProvenzano,” Alison corrected. “It’s a family name, and he’s already told me we have to promise to name our son Nicholas Ricardo Provenzano V. But that’s okay, because I love that name, and we can do so much with it. He goes by Nick, so we can call our baby Nicky, or even Ricky after his middle name.” Now that her news was out, Alison seemed to have lost her hesitation. She picked up her fork andcontinued eating through an endless stream of chatter. “And I know we’ll have a boy, because there are only boys in his family for, like, five generations and…”
    Millie’s mind struggled with a suspicion. Alison had gone to