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

heat was just wet. Damn, it felt like Florida in August. He jogged down the steps and made his way to the barn. It wasn’t usual to feel like this. Dry air was one of the things he loved about Arizona. Out of all the kids, he was the one who had come back here time and time again. His mother was originally from Mexico, but spent most of her life in Arizona before marrying his father.
    He found his father in front of Starburst’s stall.
    “Mom said she’s ready to eat.”
    Tony Santini smiled. “And one thing we know about your mother is never let her get too hungry.”
    Carlos chuckled as they started back to the house side-by-side.
    “So, you want to tell me what’s going on with you and Tia?”
    “Not really.”
    “Your mother is probably dropping very obvious hints right now.”
    Yeah, he gathered as much as he had heard part of the discussion. “We don’t know what is going to happen, if anything. Nothing really has yet.”
    “Ah.”
    “What does that mean?”
    “Nothing. Just be careful.”
    “I will.”
    “You’ve built something good here, and I’m happy that you’ve found your place.”
    “But...”
    “No but. Building something like this, it forms a friendship, and that is sometimes the best foundation for a relationship.”
    “You and Mom were friends first?”
    He chuckled. “No. But our relationship is more than a marriage. You know that. Tia is a lot like your mother.”
    That made him frown. “How so? She can’t cook to save her life, and she has a mouth on her that would embarrass Anthony at times.”
    “I mean that she’s strong. And she’s a woman who would stand beside you no matter what. Just make sure you don’t screw that up.”
    “Noted.”
    “Good,” his father said, just as they made it to the front door.
    As soon as they stepped through the door, his mother called out, “Hurry up or we’re eating it all ourselves.”
    He heard Tia laugh and his heart did that little dancing thing that left him lightheaded. As he followed his father down the hallway, he wondered about that. Sure, he’d remembered the crush on his second grade teacher, along with the first crush of puppy love in middle school. His infatuation had never been this strong, even then. He stepped into the dining area and stopped right there. In the years he had known Tia, he hadn’t really paid attention to the feeling. He had ignored it, tried to pretend he didn’t have those feelings. Now, all of a sudden, it had snuck up on him. Seeing her there laughing with his mother, smiling at his father…she fit.
    Dammit. He wasn’t ready for this, and he definitely would not accept it. Of course, it didn’t mean he would ignore his attraction, but he had to be careful. All the weddings had gone to his head. He wanted Tia, but it didn’t mean he wanted her beyond that.
    Shit.
    Yeah, he did. He thought he would panic when he had these first feelings. Still, it could be just that it had been so long since his last real relationship. Years. The idea of tying himself to one woman for any amount of time was a big step. One that could have consequences for the ranch. That had to be the issue.
    “Carlos?” his mother asked.
    He looked at his father and his mother, then finally at Tia. He’d been standing there contemplating things while the rest of them already had food on their plates.
    “Sorry. It was a long day, and this smells wonderful.”
    He’d thought to get a beer, but after his actions just a moment ago, he decided to grab some water.
    Tia was still looking at him strangely when he sat down. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
    “Yes,” he said from behind clenched teeth.
    “I was just checking to make sure you didn’t have heat stroke. It was really hot out there today.”
    “I don’t have heat stroke.” Not of the temperature kind of course. He still felt disoriented after the kiss. When he saw his mother’s frown, he knew he had been rude. “Sorry. I just have a little jet lag left