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

over.”
    “Good. Now we can talk about the benefit.”
    With a sigh, he settled in for the discussion and wondered when he could get Tia alone again.

CHAPTER FIVE
    B y the time dinner was done, Tia’s nerves were walking a thin line between irritation and terror. Marcella hadn’t been pushy about her feelings on the subject, but Tia didn’t miss the glint in her eyes. Now that she had four of the Santinis settled, and with Brando so far away, she would be happy to focus on Carlos. And she seemed to think Tia was a good choice for her son. Or maybe it was because with their work schedule, neither of them really had time to date.
    The man in question just ignored the looks and seemed to enjoy himself. She could understand. It wasn’t hard to enjoy his parents. They reminded her of her parents, once upon a time. After the stress of Adrian’s injuries while serving, then his death, it had been too much for them. Everywhere in Arizona they looked, they saw memories of him. It hurt them while it comforted Tia. The last time she saw them, though, they seemed to have come back together, able to joke with each other.
    “So, everything will happen in two weeks of course,” Marcella said.
    “Two weeks?” she asked, her voice squeaking.
    “Earth to Tia.” She looked at Carlos. “The benefit is in less than two weeks.”
    She blinked at him. “It snuck up on me.”
    Carlos glanced across the table at his mother. “What she means is that she really likes the idea of the benefit, but she hates the idea of a party.”
    “You’re the face of the ranch. I think you should do it,” she said. She would not panic. Not in public at least. Tonight, while she was eating that cake she promised herself. Then she would panic. That is what the wine would be for.
    “Carlos is going to be there—and in your dress uniform?”
    He shook his head. “No. I have a tux.”
    Marcella frowned, indicating her irritation. She looked at Tia.
    “You should see him in his mess dress. There is nothing like a man in that uniform with the sword and all that.”
    Marcella sighed and glanced at her husband. Tia knew that she hadn’t been speaking about Carlos as much as she had been thinking about her husband. Then Marcella turned to Carlos again.
    “I think you need to wear your mess dress.”
    This time, it came out a little more like an order. Carlos just smiled.
    “I could, by code, but since it’s a fundraiser, I don’t feel right doing it. There will be all those embarrassingly big photos you are blowing up of me in my uniform. That will be enough.”
    “Well, I guess I can’t argue with that.” She looked at Tia. “And you need to be there, Tia. This is in your brother’s name, and while he was Carlos’ best friend, he was your brother.”
    Marcella Santini definitely didn’t play nice when she wanted something. Mentioning her brother left Tia with little choice. She couldn’t refuse, so she nodded.
    “Great. Which means we need to go shopping.”
    “Wait, what?”
    “When I first talked with you a month ago, I told you it was formal. You said you would have to go shopping.”
    Dammit. “Oh, but I’m not sure I have time.”
    “Carlos told me you had time on Saturday, as he will handle the tours of the ranch.”
    They gave monthly tours and usually they switched off. It was her turn, and by the smirk Carlos was giving her, he knew he had her trapped. Lord, shopping with Marcella. It sounded like a nightmare to her, and more than likely it would end up ruining the friendly feeling she got from the other woman. Her own mother had told Tia that she would never go shopping for clothes…ever again.
    “Okay.”
    “Great. It will be fun. I guess we should get going, Tony.”
    “Yes, dear,” he said with a smile.
    Marcella gave him a withering look, which just made Mr. Santini smile wider. They really were cute as a couple. Marcella ran everything and Santini stood ready to help, but he understood who was in charge.
    After they