Sammy in Italy (Single Wide Female Travels #2) Read Online Free PDF

to be perfect.”  
    I gathered up my clothes and hurried to dress. I planned to take Daniella’s advice. Maybe a little fun would distract me from all the anxiety that seemed to be steadily building within me.
    As soon as I was out of the building, I called Max’s cell phone.  
    “Done already?”  
    “Yes. Any chance you’re anywhere nearby?”  
    “You tell me where you are, and I’ll be there in minutes.”  
    “I’ll send you the address.”  
    I texted him the address, then took a look around. There were a few small shops nearby, but that wasn’t what caught my interest.   It was the people that walked past me on the sidewalk. Many walked with a very distinct attitude, a sense of confidence—as if they were exactly where they were supposed to be at any given moment. That was the type of confidence I’d been chasing after. Many times I’d come close to it, but it was difficult to maintain.
    The roar of the motorcycle engine distracted me from my observations. I turned to find Max at the curb.  
    “How did it go?” He offered me my helmet.
    I took it with a smile.  
    “Let’s just say, it’s a little more than I’d expected. I’ll fill you in soon. I promise. I just don’t want to think about it right now. I want to use the time we have before the book signing to share some of Venice with you.”
    “That sounds great. Hop on.”

Chapter 9

    I tightened my helmet and climbed on the motorcycle behind Max. As he drove off, a surge of freedom rushed through me. In that moment I believed that I could accomplish anything.
    He pulled down a side street and then into a parking space along the water.  
    “I hope you don’t mind. I had an idea of what we might be able to do. It won’t take too long, and I hope it will relax you a little.”
    “I don’t mind. I trust anything you come up with.”
    He led me toward a small dock. Just as we walked up, a gondola slid into place.  
    “Wow, Max what a great idea. This will give us a chance to see so much in a short time.”
    “I thought it would be perfect for today.” He smiled and took my hand.
    The gondolier gestured for both of us to board.
    Max helped me into the flat-bottomed boat, then stepped in himself. When the boat wobbled a little, I hurried to sit down on the cushioned seat. I didn’t want to risk toppling over the side. Max settled beside me and laced his fingers around mine. A moment later the gondola slid across the smooth water.
    I looked up at the buildings that surrounded us. There was something so whimsical about the sight of them. The easy way the boat slid between them made the entire experience seem like a dream. Only the warmth of Max’s hand around mine grounded me in reality.
    From one of the upper windows a melody drifted down to us. It was light, with bursts of piano followed by fast-paced violin. As I closed my eyes and listened to the music, my muscles relaxed. The tension that had been brewing within me eased. I leaned my head against Max’s shoulder and looked up at the sky.  
    “Look where you’ve brought us, Sammy.” He kissed the top of my head. “We wouldn’t be experiencing this if it weren’t for your success.”  
    “You’re just as much to blame.” I winked at him and stole a quick kiss.
    He laughed and wrapped his arm around my shoulders.
    As I settled against his chest, I watched Venice glide past. Max was right. I never would have ended up in such a beautiful place if it weren’t for the book tour. That just reinforced within me that I needed to get with the program. Even if it did make me a little uncomfortable, the opportunities that were being presented to me were rare. I was lucky to have them.
    I closed my eyes again. This time I heard a different sound. It was a strange chirp. When I opened my eyes, I noticed the chirp seemed to be coming from just beside the boat. I peered down into the water, curious what the sound was. There was nothing in the water that I could see. The chirp then