A Santini's Heart (The Santinis Book 10) by Melissa Schroeder Read Free Book Online

did.”
    “Why?”
    “You’ve met his brothers, yes?”
    “I met Brando and Anthony.”
    She smiled. “Of course. They are both very loud. But Carlos was always the quiet one. More so when he returned from Iraq the last time.”
    “Carlos? Quiet?”
    Marcella chuckled. “Yes, always. I take it isn’t the case with you?”
    “No. Sometimes, he just won’t shut up.” Then she realized who she was talking to. “Sorry.”
    “Oh, don’t be. All my men need a woman who puts them in their place. Tony definitely did. The man was so full of himself when we met.”
    Alarm bells went off. She had always worried that Marcella wanted her to date Carlos. From what Carlos had told her, all the Santini moms thought it was their God given duty to get everyone married off. And there was talk of some kind of a curse. It was going to be hard enough resisting Carlos; she didn’t need his mother egging him on.
    “There’s nothing going on between us. So there is no place-putting. Or whatever.”
    Brilliant, Tia. Wow his mother with your verbal skills.
    “Why isn’t there? Don’t you like him?”
    “Not really.”
    Marcella said nothing for a long moment, and Tia was worried that maybe she might have stepped over a line.
    “That’s good. Give him hell.”
    She opened her mouth to argue with her, but Marcella laughed.
    “Oh, the look on your face is perfect. Yes, I know they are all hard to deal with, but that just means they need a woman who knows how to deal with them. Take Anthony. I never thought he would get married.”
    “Carlos said the same thing.”
    She sighed. “They all say that about themselves. Even Elena. They want to wait to get married, they won’t fall for the curse.”
    “Curse?”
    Marcella smiled and patted her hand. “Just nonsense they talk about getting married. It’s a family thing they like to throw around. But, when Carlos came back, I didn’t know how to deal with him. No one did.”
    She remembered. The first time he had been out to the ranch hadn’t been pleasant for either of them.
    “Yes.”
    “But, you handled him. You told him what to do and wouldn’t take any lip, as my sister-in-law Joey would say.”
    “Yes, but I think you have the wrong idea about us. We’re partners.”
    Marcella said nothing for another long moment. “So, you are not attracted to Carlos?”
    She opened her mouth, but couldn’t seem to answer no. She should. Tia didn’t need his mother egging him on. She needed balance. Nothing about being involved with Carlos would balance her.
    “Of course he’s attractive. He’s a Santini.”
    Marcella shook her head. “They are not interchangeable.”
    “No. It’s just...good genes.” She shrugged.
    Again, another long study before his mother smiled. “Good. Don’t worry, it will all work out, Tia.”
    Before she could respond, his mother rose. “I have some tamales warming in the oven, and I brought some empanadas. Should be done in a few minutes.”
    “I thought Mr. Santini was with you.”
    “He is. He went to go look at the horses.”
    “He should come out more often and ride. I know he likes it.”
    “Yes. I tell him the same thing, but he always says he has work.” She made a face. “He’s always been a workaholic. If it hadn’t been for me, he’d be dead by now.”
    “We all agree with that,” Carlos said from the doorway. She hadn’t heard him approach, but that was nothing new. Even in shoes, he was quiet.
    “Go get your father. Tia and I are ready to eat.”
    “Please.”
    “What was that?” his mother asked.
    “I said please. As in please go get your father.”
    His mother turned to face him. “Are you telling me what to say?”
    He chuckled. “No. Be right back.”
    Then he winked at Tia and left. She glanced at his mother to see her reaction.
    “See. I told you. Every one of them needs to be put in his place.”

    * * *
    C arlos stepped out onto the front porch and winced. The rain had left a heavy feeling in the air. Now the