Read License to Dill for Free Online Page A

optimistic mood, Piper and her friends belted out several rounds of the fight song over foaming mugs of beer at O’Hara’s, enough so that when she opened up her shop on Saturday morning, Piper found that the tune had taken up residence in her brain. In an effort to dislodge it, she clicked on her radio, hoping for something a little less rousing to sip her coffee to.
    Instead of music, however, a lively male voice flowed out of the speaker. Piper recognized it as belonging to Chet Morgan, host of a morning talk show that originated in Rochester but which often covered local events in nearby towns, including Cloverdale. She was about to switch the station when her phone rang, so she went to answer the call.
    â€œGood morning, dear!” Aunt Judy, a lifelong morning person, cheerily greeted her. “I just wanted to let you know I picked up your cold pack last night. You left it under your seat.” Aunt Judy and Uncle Frank had declined the invitations to join everyone at O’Hara’s after the game, pleading fatigue, and had lingered at their seats to chat with a friend as the others left.
    â€œAh! I forgot all about that cold pack! Thanks, Aunt Judy. I remember taking it out of my tote to get at the food and never thought about it again.”
    â€œI can drop it off later today if you’ll need it soon,” Aunt Judy offered.
    â€œNo need. I have another. If you’re coming to tonight’s game, use it for your own bag of nibbles.”
    â€œI will. Will you be there, too?”
    â€œDefinitely! I can’t miss seeing if Cloverdale will even the score with that band of marauders.”
    Aunt Judy laughed. “You make the Bianconeri team sound like a bunch of pirates.”
    â€œThey were called worse last night at O’Hara’s. All in good spirit, of course.”
    â€œOf course. Well, I’ll let you go. See you tonight!”
    Piper hung up, smiling as she thought of the good time of the night before. Much to her surprise she had enjoyed a sport she’d previously lacked enthusiasm for, even when playing it herself. It was amazing what a difference good players could make, such as the semiprofessional Bianconeri facing the college-level Cloverdale All-Stars.
    Of course, some of her interest had come from the people on the sidelines. After the drama she’d witnessed between the team manager, Raffaele Conti, and Gerald Standley during the Italian team’s arrival, and then learning of the history between the two men, she couldn’t help but keep a curious eye on the two, who never came within twenty feet of each other.
    Then later, as she and Will were driving out of the parking lot, Piper caught sight of Gerald’s daughter, Miranda, chatting with one of the Bianconeri team members. She’d wondered if that was the “Frederico” that Scott had mentioned, the one who’d expressed a strong interest in the pretty young woman after meeting her at the welcoming party. All Piper could say for sure was that the Italian player was very attractive with his dark curls and athletic build, and that Miranda didn’t appear to be in much of a hurry to move on.
    Chet Morgan’s voice coming from her radio snapped Piper back to the present, and she stepped over to change to her favorite semiclassical station. As she reached for the dial, though, she heard Morgan welcome his guest for that morning—Raffaele Conti. Piper raised the volume instead.
    After a brief description of the ongoing tournament, Morgan began his interview. “Mr. Conti—”
    â€œRaffaele, please,” Conti interrupted. “And let me say, too, how delighted I am to be here, Chet.” Conti’s accent was slight but enough to add a definite spice to his speech.
    â€œRaffaele, then,” Morgan responded cheerfully. “Congratulations, first of all, on your team’s win last night.”
    â€œThank you! It was a close fight, but I am happy we