“Nonsense, child. Nonsense! We’re thrilled you could make it. This is Mr. Travazza.” She patted the man’s knee beside her. “I blame him for the level to which our sons have been spoiled.”
I looked over at the man sitting beside her. He was a mountain of a man. It was apparent that all the looks Jed inherited came from his mother. While he possessed no classic features of attractiveness, the man emanated strength and power, both physically and in his bearing.
Despite the uncomfortable expression on his face, he forced his lips into a smile and took my hand in an iron grip. His eyes, however, had a cordial, nearly friendly directness. “You can call me Nicholas.” His raspy voice was even lower than Jed’s.
“He is thrilled to have you here as well, of course,” Mrs. Travazza cut in. “Mr. Travazza doesn’t say much or express his feelings very often. It is just his way.”
Nicholas smiled at his wife. “With you around, my dear, there’s never a need for me to say anything more than absolutely necessary.”
Constance leaned across the space between the two seats and gave Jed a kiss on the cheek and took hold of his hand. “So wonderful to have you home, Son. It has been too long. We’ve missed you.”
Mr.Travazza leaned and clasped his son on the shoulder. “Good to see you, my boy. I trust everything is well.”
“Of course, Father. It is good to see you both. I have been so excited for Brooke to meet my family and for you all to see how wonderful he is! Thanks for agreeing to pick us up in the limo. I know how you hate it. I wanted it to be an experience for Brooke. As well as have the chance to see him squirm.” He pinched my arm.
“Well, of course we used the limo. I don’t understand why your father has such reservations about taking advantage of our more luxurious purchases.” Mr. Travazza simply smiled at his wife as she shook her head.
Jed glanced around the limo, searching. “I really thought Sam would be here. I wanted Brooke to meet him as well.”
Mr. Travazza sighed a deep, indulgent groan. “Tap on the divider.”
Jed turned himself around in his seat to face the tinted glass partition and rapped on the middle section.
The glass slowly lowered, and a grinning face popped through wearing a chauffeur’s cap. “Hey, you big queer! How’s it hanging?”
“Samuel, quit being so vulgar. It’s most unbecoming!” Constance scolded, even as her expression negated the sternness in the words.
I did a double take when the glass lowered. It was as if I were looking at pictures I’d seen of Jed when he was in high school come to life.
Jed swiped the hat off the boy’s head. “What’re you doing, you goof?”
The boy snatched the hat back and jammed it onto his head. “I talked Carl into letting me drive today. I got my license last week!” He beamed.
“Your driver’s license.Notyour chauffeur’s license,” Carl muttered from the passenger seat. “And, Master Sam is much mistaken if he has the impression I will be so easily persuaded in the future.”
Sam turned even farther around in the driver’s seat and peered into the back of the limo. “Hi, Brooke. I’m Sam. I can’t figure out what the hell you see in my brother—”
“Language, Samuel!” Constance broke in.
He scowled. “Anyway, it’s good to meet ya!”
I liked the boy instantly. He had the same carefree, flirtatious charm as his older brother. “It’s good to meet you too, Sam. Jed has bragged a lot about you.”
“Well, he’d better. You like the sign I made for you?”
Jed laughed when I momentarily hesitated. “Well, I can honestly say, I’ve never been welcomed in quite that way before.”
“Well, then, mission accomplished!”
Jed peered through the divider. “Hey, Sam, where’s Cassie?”
“Oh, I dumped her last week. She was getting too clingy again. Plus, this way I don’t have to get her a present.” Sam winked at me. “Probably get back with her after Valentine’s Day.”
“Ah, how the Travazza name is disintegrating before my eyes!” Mr. Travazza smiled at his youngest, but the reproach was still distinguishable. “We can continue catching up once we get home. Get underway, driver!”
Sam whirled around with a loud “Whoop!” out the window and peeled the limo from its parking space.
Six
