VINA IN VENICE (THE 5 SISTERS) by Kimberley Reeves Read Free Book Online Page B

you ’re away?”
    “My brothers.  Each of them volunteered to take a week, and Lydia said she’d handle the work schedules and whatever else the boys needed her help with.”
    “ How is Lydia?  I haven’t seen her for ages.”
    “ Not nearly as ornery as she used to be.  Do you remember me telling you how horribly she behaved every time one of my brothers got engaged?”
    Vina couldn’t help smiling.  “I believe you said your little sister was like a she-bear protecting her cub s because s he was so sure their prospective brides were gold-diggers .   You know she only acted that way because she wanted them to be happy , right? ”
    “ I know.  Lydia’s sharp tongue can tear the hide clean off of you, but her heart is in the right place .  I think it was Derek’s wife, Emily, that finally mellowed Lydia and turned her thinking around.”
    “What do you mean?”
    “Derek’s first marriage was a disaster and he was incredibly unhappy until he found Emily.  Now Lydia thinks marriage is the cure-all for the remaining bachelors in the family.  S he’s been hounding Brent and me to find ourselves a good woman and settle down.”
    Vina’s stomach roiled as if she’d eaten something that didn’t agree with her.  Travis didn’t do serious relationship s so there had never been any danger of her encroaching on another woman’s territory.  A jealous girlfriend Vina could handle because she knew they wouldn’t be around long enough to cause a rift between her and Travis.  But a wife would resent any time he spent with another woman, no matter how innocent the relationship.  Travis woul dn’t jeopardize his marriage by going against his wife’s wishes , which meant V ina would lose the closeness she shared with him now, and that scared her to death.
    Was it selfish to want things to remain the same between them?  And what right did she have to feel this way when the sole purpose of flying off to Venice was to find the love of her life and marry him?   Obviously, Travis wasn’t concerned that her future husband might pose a threat to their relationship, or maybe he hadn’t given it any thought at all.
    “Do you want to get married and have kids?” Vina asked, disconcerted by the way his expression softened.
    “Y eah, surprisingly enough, I do.  It would be nice coming home to someone you loved and enjoyed spending time with.  Eventually, I’d want children, but not right away.  I think a couple should establish themselves as husband and wife, have fun, maybe travel a little, before jumping into the role of parents.”
    “I thought you liked playing the field, doing what you wanted, whenever you wanted, not having to answer to anyone.”
    Travis shrugged.  “I’ve done my running around.  I want more out of life than twelve hour work days and an occasional fling.   Who knows,” he leveled a rakish grin at her, “ maybe we’ll both find what we’re looking for in Venice.”
    ***
    As Travis dressed for work the next morning, he recalled their conversation with a satisfied smile.  He’d been watching those expressive doe eyes of hers when he planted the seed inside her head that he was on the lookout for his soul - mate.  Whether she realized it or not, Vina didn’t care much for the idea, and that gave him hope.   Now all he had to do was nurture that seed and make sure it grew.
    Grabbing up his cell phone, he dialed Vina’s number.  “Good morning, Miss Moore,” he said when she answered.  “ This is Travis Malone.  We met last night at dance class, remember?”
    “Malone, you say?”  Vina played along.  “Hmmmm, are you the short skinny guy that kept stepping on my feet?”
    “No, I’m the tall, dark, and devastatingly handsome one that couldn’t keep his eyes off of you.”
    “Yes, of course,” there was laughter in her voice, “I think I remember you now.   What can I do for you, Mr. Malone? ”
    “ I realize it’s short notice, but I would be deeply