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

Marcella was definitely smarter than people probably gave her credit for. “That is usually best. Before the person realizes it, they are in a routine and routine helps a lot of PTSD sufferers.”
    “Yes. And I said that to Carlos, but he ignored me.”
    “You’re his mother. Boys, no matter what age, hate to listen to their mothers.”
    “As I said. Strong, but also smart. Any woman who has to deal with a Santini needs both of those traits. Otherwise, they will plow right over you.”
    She thought back to all those early days when Carlos first arrived at the ranch. He had tried to do just that the first few weeks.
    “Yeah, well, I’m made of tougher stock.”
    “That you are. Oh, good, here comes our meal.”
    Tia waited for the waiter to leave before she responded. Marcella didn’t hesitate. She dug into her entree.
    “I appreciate that you are thankful to me, but I want to make sure you understand that there is nothing going on between Carlos and me.”
    “Why not?”
    Once again, she found herself trying to explain her feelings to someone who had no right to ask. Not at the moment. How did she answer Marcella when she couldn’t figure out what the hell she herself thought?
    “There are things to be considered.”
    Marcella set her fork down carefully and leveled a look at Tia. Okay, so this was the mom she had heard so much about. She could just imagine getting caught doing something against the rules and getting this look. Tia was full grown and it scared the bejesus out of her.
    “I understand about the ranch. I do. Mainly because I see what it means to my son, and for the patients who come there. Both of you do so much good for other people.” She opened her mouth to respond, but the older woman stopped it by holding up her hand. “No. Let me finish this. Both of you give so much. Long days and hard work. But I wouldn’t expect less of Carlos, and I’m sure your parents would say the same thing about you. You also deserve to have happiness.”
    “I don’t need a man to be happy.”
    “No. No woman should. It doesn’t mean that he can’t make you happy. You’re strong and independent. It is one of the reasons you are so good at your job and dealing with Carlos. Still, you deserve to have someone there for you.”
    “It doesn’t mean it will be Carlos.”
    His mother shrugged. “That is up to you two. Answer me this though. If Carlos were to marry and bring someone back to the ranch, how would that make you feel?”
    Her heart sank into her stomach before she could stop it. Marcella must have picked up on her feelings.
    “Ah, I thought so.”
    “What?”
    “You got that dreamy look all women do over Santinis.”
    “I did not.” Did she? Good lord, was she getting soft over Carlos? Marcella apparently picked up on Tia’s thoughts.
    “Don’t worry. I know my children, and my son is positively gaga over you.”
    She blinked. “He is not.”
    “Has he brought another woman to the ranch since he moved in?”
    She frowned. “No.”
    “So, what, over two years now? That isn’t normal for a Santini.”
    “What’s that supposed to mean?”
    “The men in this family aren’t known for being lonely. Carlos strikes me as lonely, except when you are around.”
    “I…”
    She couldn’t think of anything to say. She knew that Carlos was attracted to her, and she was attracted to him. Hard not to be. He had all the moxie of a Marine. Add in the cowboy image and he was hard to resist. But she’d had no idea he was that much into her.
    Marcella reached across the table and patted Tia’s hand. “Just let things happen. I see a spark between the two of you that is hard to deny. Now, your food is getting cold. Let’s eat.”

    * * *
    T ony Santini watched his wife breeze into the house, and felt that familiar uptick in his pulse. Over thirty years together and the woman still got to him. She’d knocked him on his ass from the moment she walked up to him and made a bold proposition. He