PHILIP HAD BOOKED A table at Toscano for dinner.
Table for how many? The woman asked when he called to make a reservation.
Four, Philip replied.
Toscano was a homely family restaurant; hardly fancy. Apart from a large map of Tuscany, the decorations consisted wholly of various framed photos of—Philip presumed—the owner’s family. It certainly wasn’t the kind one would choose to ask for a woman’s hand in marriage. But Philip knew that Louise enjoyed their mushroom pappardelle, and that was enough for him to decide on the restaurant.
“This is nice,” Madison said when she arrived. She rubbed her mother’s shoulders and kissed her on the cheek. “Hi Mom,” she said and took the empty seat next to Abby. “What’s the occasion?”
“Would you like anything to drink?” The waitress asked Madison as sh
