Sammy in Italy (Single Wide Female Travels #2) by Lillianna Blake Page A

Here, there’s a bathroom over here.” She pulled me toward a stone building.
    Once inside, I thrust one of my feet into the sink. The cold water rushed over my foot and washed away the ants. I switched to the other foot and rinsed it off. The little ants swirled and went down the sink. I might have felt guilty for their fate if it weren’t for the burning and itching of my feet.  
    “Some way to start the day.” Isabella handed me some towels. “I’m sorry that this happened.”
    “It’s okay. I had a great meditation. I guess I’ll just have to be gentle to my feet.” I smiled.  
    “I’ll go grab your shoes.”
    As soon as Isabella left the bathroom I bent down and clawed at my feet. They itched worse than poison ivy. The more I scratched, the more they itched.  
    “Get a hold of yourself, Sammy, before you scratch your skin off.” I sighed and stood up. My reflection in the mirror told me all I needed to know.
    I might have been centered for a moment, but that moment had now disappeared.

Chapter 22

    I met Isabella outside the bathroom. As I tugged on my shoes she assessed the state of the bites.  
    “If you get some cream you’ll be fine. The itch doesn’t last too long.” She looked up at me and frowned. “You’re not getting the best impression of Venice, I’m afraid.”  
    “I have an adventurous day ahead of me. I’m looking forward to it.” I leaned against the outside wall of the restroom and fastened the straps on my sandals. “I think I’ll keep my shoes on, though.”
    “Yes, that might be best.” Isabella walked with me to the parking lot. “Can I give you a ride back to the hotel?”
    “Thanks, that would be great.”  
    “It’ll give us a chance to chat.” She unlocked the doors to her car.
    Something about her voice made me look over at her with some concern.  
    “Sure.” I sat down in the passenger seat and buckled my seat belt.
    As Isabella drove she described some of the locations that we passed. “Growing up here was magical, I can’t deny it. It’s not like any other place in the world.” She pointed through the windshield at a crumbling structure. “That was once a little ice cream shop. They’re putting in yet another restaurant. Like we need another.” She laughed. “Ah well, the important thing is that people enjoy their visit.”  
    “How could they not?” I smiled as I looked out the window.  
    “Are you?” Isabella looked over at me.  
    “I am.”  
    “When I met you in France you seemed to be having the time of your life, but I’ve noticed that things are different since you’ve been here. I just hope it’s nothing I’ve done. Maybe pushing you into the fashion show wasn’t fair to you.” She sighed and turned toward the hotel.  
    “No. Oh no, please don’t think that. The fashion show is something I never would have done without a little push, and I think it was good for me. I just think that I’m a little caught up in the whirlwind of the tour. It’s hard for me to figure out what’s happening next when I’m constantly on the move. I didn’t expect that to affect me this much.”  
    “I suppose that would be difficult. I just hope that you’re able to enjoy yourself a little before it’s time for you to move on.”  
    “I’m sure I will. I’m sorry if I’ve given you the impression that I’m not happy. You’ve done so much to make our stay here special. I really couldn’t be happier with everything you’ve done.”
    “Well, maybe without the ant bites.” Isabella laughed as she parked the car outside the hotel. “Have a great day, Samantha. If you need anything just let me know.”
    “Thanks, Isabella.” I leaned across to give her a quick hug. “Please don’t ever think that I don’t appreciate everything that you’ve done for me. This has been one of the best experiences of my life. Just when I thought I couldn’t be pushed any further, you showed me a new way to grow. I think I’m just having a