Read Online Winter Storm by Barbara Winkes - Free Book Online Page A

song was still playing at full blast, but the word “pizza” had obviously gained her attention.
    “We never go with Tomaso, and Erin, I mean, because Tomaso says it’s not as good…”
    “Sounds like a picky young man,” Rebecca said dryly.
    “He’s got good taste,” Dina said with an enigmatic smile. “Did you ask Callie about Italy?”
    “No, she didn’t. What about Italy?”
    “Let’s find a place to eat first, or we’ll never get out of here.”
    When they finally left the hotel, Callie thought that the day hadn’t been so bad after all. It was coming together, the new life. She smiled at their reflection in the window. The image showed her an ordinary family.
    Italy remained a subject during dinner. Tomaso, while overtly picky when it came to pizza, knew a lot about the culture of his country. He had gotten Dina intrigued. When they came to New York for the vacation, she had seemed to like the museum visits okay, but now she was talking about wanting to see the Florence Cathedral, Rome and the Vatican.
    “If Tomaso can come here for a year, maybe it’s possible the other way too?”
    “I’m sure it’s possible,” Rebecca said with a slight frown. “He must have studied English, though, and you don’t speak Italian.”
    “I can learn,” Dina insisted. “I could take intensive classes, and prepare for a year.”
    Callie shared a smile with Rebecca. It eased both their minds that Dina wasn’t planning to go tomorrow.
    “I wanted to go to Italy when I was a little older than you,” she said. “Sadly, my car broke down the same year and that was that.”
    “Oh, that sucks,” Dina said emphatically. “You do have the money now…?”
    “It’s true. I guess it’s just not on top of the list at the moment. Nevertheless, I hope it will come true for you. We can try to figure all of this out once we’re home.”
    “You’d help me with that?”
    “Of course.”
    “That’s so awesome, thank you! I think I want to study art and history. There’s so much to discover. Tomaso says he’d show me around.”
    Callie looked at the young girl sitting across from her and wondered if Rebecca was seeing the same things. She wore carefully applied makeup, and there was a sparkle in her eyes. Art and history wasn’t all that Dina associated with Tomaso. It was probably a good thing to put some more miles between them soon.

Chapter Four
    Both Callie and Dina were subdued when they arrived at the airport. Rebecca didn’t share the sentiment at all, not even when it was announced on the display of departures that their flight would be forty minutes delayed due to the weather. She was looking forward to going home. Autumn Leaves had been her home for nearly seventeen years now, something that hadn’t changed when all else had. She had moved, but only across the street from where she’d lived with David and the girls. She still went to the same grocery store, the same hairdresser, and the same restaurants. The comfort of familiarity mattered.
    They got coffee, a hot chocolate for Dina, and pastry, and then settled in the waiting area. Being on the other side of the security line gave Rebecca a good feeling, even more so when Callie checked her cell phone. Maybe it had been the right decision to meet Nicole one more time. Rebecca still secretly thought Callie shouldn’t have given her the time of day. Then again, she had no personal knowledge of the works of an abusive relationship.
    There had been some difficult times in the transition of her divorce. David had been angry and hurt, but he wasn’t mean. It was a whole different world. If cutting ties with Nicole in person was empowering for Callie in any way, it was worth it.
    “Asha wishes us a good flight. You know, she really likes you. I’m afraid she still thinks you’re hot.” With regard to Dina’s presence, Callie lowered her voice to a whisper. Rebecca chuckled self-consciously.
    “She wrote that in the text?”
    “No. Believe me