Invitation to Love Read Free

reproved.
    “It’s
okay,” he was quite assuring. “I don’t mind telling her. I’m an architect. Do
you know what that is?”
    “You
draw buildings,” Rachel answered before her sister had a chance to.
    “That’s
right. I designed an apartment complex for a client, and I came to check on the
finishing touches.”
    “Oh,”
Remi swallowed another portion of her sandwich and a swizzle of her soda, then,
“Are you married?”
    “Remi,”
Taryn almost choked on her drink. The urge to clasp her hand over her
daughter’s mouth and keeping it there for the rest of the day was enticing;
Although, she’s just as curious to hear the answer herself.
    Michael
threw his head back and laughed. “No, Remi. I’m not married.”
    “I’m
sorry, Michael,” Taryn offered him a napkin. “She’s very inquisitive at times.”
    He
ruffled her already tangled hair. “All children are.”
    Taryn
knew that Remi’s sudden interest in her sandwich was her way of not having to
acknowledge her, and receive one of those looks.
    “What
about you, Taryn? What kind of work do you do?”
    “Up
until two months ago, I was an office manager slash bookkeeper for a small
publishing company. But, it finally had to close its doors. So, now I’m
unemployed.”
    “I’m
sorry.”
    “That’s
the second time you’ve said that today. And, for the second time my reply is,
I’m not. I’ve been working for that company ever since I graduated from
college. Everyone was like family to me, and I’m going to miss them. But, I’m
enjoying my short sabbatical; I get to spend quality time with my daughters.”
    “I
hear that. How long will you be here in St. Petersburg?”
    “Today’s
our last day…”
    “Tomorrow
we’re going to Orlando,” Rachel burst out.
    “I’m
taking them to Universal Studios for a few days. After that, it’s back to Nashville.
How long will you be here?”
    “Today’s
my last one, too. I’m flying home in the morning.”
    “That
means we won’t ever see you again,” was Remi’s sad response.
    “It
looks that way.”
    “But,
I like you. You’re the nicest man I ever met—besides my granddad.”
    “Oh?”
he lifted a well-trimmed brow at the compliment.
    “Here,”
Taryn nudged a Snickers Bar to her mouth before that girl proposed marriage
next.
    After
lunch had been consumed, Michael and Taryn sat together and watched as the
girls jumped over the waves sliding back and forth to shore.
    “Your
daughters are beautiful,” he broke the lazy hush that fell between them the
moment the girls left. “It’s obvious where they inherited it, and their curls
from.”
    Taryn
mouthed a thank-you as she subtly checked to make sure they were contained.
    “Having
identical twins must be a handful.”
    “More
like an armload. Especially, since they’re only identical in looks. Rachel is
very feminine, a bookworm, and quiet. Remi, as you may have already guessed, is
strong-willed, hates school, but has a talent for art. I’d be miserable without
them.” A slight feeling of weariness sped through her at the thought of what
awaited her back home. “Their unconditional love is the only thing that keeps
me going at times. Too bad adults can’t be more like children. We can certainly
learn a lot from them.”
    “I
agree. I like kids; Hope to have a couple myself one day.”
    During
the brief moment their eyes locked, she was gripped by a longing that was quite
overwhelming—like discovering some untouched territory. Something that doesn’t
even come close to the usual tug-of-attraction when some guy notices her and
smiles his approval; Something that reaches deeper than anything she’s ever
experienced. It took everything she had to look away and fasten her attention
on the activities around her. He’s still studying her, she can feel it. But,
she was determined not to look back. Instead, she centered her attention on the
teen-aged boys sailing pass on their boogie boards along the shore; One ended
up on his