Free Turn Towards the Sun Book Two: After the Rain by Jennifer Domenico Page B

awesome.”
    “His name is Maximus and he’s um, friendly, as you can see.”
    Cassie rolls around on the floor with him and he is more than happy to play. Chris smiles and visibly relaxe s. The great and powerful Cass has been subdued by a puppy.
    Leaving them, I head for the kitchen to get the food out. I ordered a plate of Italian meats and cheese from Marcello that Enzo picked up for me yesterday.
    Chris catches up with me. “Sorry about that, Ava. You know how she gets. She’s been pretty much pissed off the whole trip.”
    I turn and ask, “Why?”
    “She got sick shortly after we got on the road. I had to pull over a few times for her to hurl.” He crinkles his nose. “Then last night, we stopped at a hotel to sleep and she woke up with cramps.”
    “Shit, she got her period too? How did you survive?” I laugh.
    “I barely got out alive. Thank God for Enzo’s directions or we’d still be driving through New Mexico.” He laughs softly.
    “Well, I have food and a dog. That should calm her for a while. I put out some towels for you both in your bathroom.”
    “Great,” he replies. “I’d love a shower.”
    “Help yourself.”
    First I set out a tray on the counter with some bread, the cold cuts and a big pitcher of sangria. Then I set some ice cream on the counter in preparation for feeding Cassie’s hormones. Picking up my phone to call Enzo, I hear the garage door opening. He’s here.
    Out in the living room, Maximus runs playfully around Enzo’s legs while he tries to greet Cassie. “You made it safely, I see,” he says, kissing her on the cheek.
    “Barely,” she replies. “It was awful.”
    Unruffled by his guest’s bad mood, Enzo says, “Well, you’re here now and it looks like lunch is ready.”
    Cassie sits down at the dining table and makes herself a sandwich, which she chews quietly for a few minutes. “This is really good,” she comments, looking down at her food as if she is waiting for it to respond.
    “Glad you like it,” I tell her.
    “Place looks good too. Did your sister do this, Enzo?”
    “Ava did it.” He kisses the top of my head and puts his arm around my waist.
    Cassie looks at me. “No fucking way. That’s impressive, girl.”
    “Thanks. His sister trained me,” I admit.
    “Somewhat, but Ava’s got very good instincts,” Enzo says, holding my stare for a moment.
    Cassie rolls her eyes. “I forgot how lovey-dovey you two are.”
    “Well, you’ll get used to it now, won’t you?” my husband replies.
    She cackles. “Guess I’ll have to.”
    Ah. Blood sugar stabilized.
    After a short while, Chris walks in, freshly showered. “We missed this house,” he says. “It’s so nice. I can’t thank you guys enough for letting us crash here a while.”
    “You’re not crashing here, you can live here for as long as you want,” Enzo insists. “The house is so big that it needs more people in it.”
    “Thanks, but I’m sure you guys will want the space to yourselves eventually,” Chris says.
    “Yes, I can see how you guys would start to crowd us out in a six thousand square foot house. I mean, between the separate wings, massive living room and a kitchen big enough for thirty people to eat in, we’re going to be on top of each other,” I say, breaking into laughter.
    “Ava makes a valid point, but, most importantly, it makes her happy that you are here. And her happiness matters to me, so you can stay.” Enzo smiles in his ‘and that’s final’ way.
    Cassie shrugs. “Works for me. I’ll stay here as long as possible and retire in that bedroom.” She takes another bite of her sandwich. “So, Enzo, why did you build such a big house? You didn’t know you would have Ava and us at the time.”
    He grins. “I just wanted a big house – one, for the design and, two, to have my family over. And I hoped for my own children someday. When Ava is ready, I want to fill this house with our babies.” He kisses my cheek.
    “That’s actually very