A Bravo Homecoming by Christine Rimmer

rolled down his window. “Hey, Paco.”
    “Travis, good to see you again.”
    Travis pushed open his door and got out, leaving the engine running. He came around and pulled open Sam’s door, offering her his hand. She took it, telling herself to ignore the thrill that quivered through her, just from laying her fingers in his.
    As she got out, Paco slid behind the wheel.
    Travis said, “Paco, this is Sam, my fiancée.”
    Paco leaned across the seat to tip his hat at her. She smiled at him and nodded. “Hi, Paco.”
    “I’ll have your suitcases brought in,” he said to Travis.
    “’Preciate it.” Travis shut Sam’s door and Paco drove the car away.
    They turned together for the stone steps that led up to the veranda.
    Right then, the big carved front doors swung open. A slim, good-looking older woman in soft linen pants and a white sweater emerged. She had sleek auburn hair and wore a welcoming smile. Beside her was a tall, imposing man with thick silver hair. Even if Sam hadn’t seen pictures of them, she would have known who they were: Travis’s mom and dad, Aleta and Davis. Travis had his father’s broad shoulders and proud bearing. And his mother’s smile.
    “Travis! You’re here!” Aleta called, real joy in her voice. She rushed down the stairs, her husband keeping pace at her side. When she reached Sam and Travis, she grabbed her son in a hug. “Oh, I can’t tell you— I’m so glad you’ve come to us. It’s been way too long.” And then, breathless, she let him go and turned to Sam. “Samantha?”
    Sam liked her on sight. She might be rich, from a big-time San Antonio family, but Aleta was no snob. There was something so honestly warm and welcoming about her. “Aleta, great to meet you at last.”
    Travis’s mom grabbed both her hands and gazed up at her all misty-eyed. “Oh, I’m so happy to meet you.” She pulled Sam close. They hugged. It was a little awkward, but not too bad. Travis’s mom was maybe five-seven, tall enough that Sam didn’t dwarf her like she did some women. When Aleta stepped back, she shook her head, laughing, “I promised myself I wasn’t going to fall all over you.”
    Davis offered a hand to Sam. She took it. He set his other hand on top of hers, enclosing it. “Wonderful to meet you, Samantha.” He had cool green eyes. Watchful eyes. But he seemed sincere enough in his greeting.
    Sam smiled and nodded.
    And finally, they went up the wide steps and in through the big doors.
    There were more Bravos inside—a whole bunch of them, as Sam had pretty much expected. Travis made the introductions, which seemed to go on forever, there were so many of them to meet.
    Eventually, though, everyone settled down. Some of them wandered away from the big front living room into other areas of the giant house. It was not yet noon, and dinner wouldn’t be for a few hours yet.
    Sam had just finished chatting with Luke’s wife, Mercy, about the drive from Houston, and the beauty of the Hill Country when Aleta spoke from directly behind her. “Feeling overwhelmed by Bravos?”
    Sam turned and smiled down at Travis’s mom. “Maybe a little bit.”
    Aleta grabbed her hand. “Come on. Paco’s carried your things up to your room. I’ll take you there. You can have a few minutes to settle in and catch your breath.”
    Sam looked around for Travis, but one of his brothers must have dragged him off to another room.
    “This way,” said Aleta, and pulled her toward the foyer and the wide curving staircase.
    Sam followed. She was slightly on edge about being alone with Travis’s mom for the first time, a tad worried she might mess up and put her foot in it somehow.
    Then again, Aleta was only being thoughtful. And a break about now wouldn’t be half bad. There really were a whole lot of Bravos. It was kind of stressful, trying to keep the names matched with the right faces. Time to rest and clear her mind before dinner would help a lot.
    Aleta led her to the third door on the