Page 1 of More Than a Fling

1

Annie Morgan loved springtime and the change of seasons that living in the heartland of Michigan provided. The weather was certainly rolling out the red carpet for her sister Darcy’s flight today. It was a pristine day with temperatures hovering around seventy degrees, sunny skies, and billowing white clouds floating above. The scenic drive displayed the best of Michigan’s spring spectacle, teasing their senses with breathtaking beauty. The flowering magnolias and forsythias along with the apricot trees all united to be some of the first to exhibit their colorful blooms and delightful fragrances.

“You’ve got your passport?” Annie asked.

“Yep. By the way, I signed up for an international plan for my cell, which wasn’t that expensive, so I’ll have use of my phone while I’m there,” Darcy said.

“Cool. Now I’ll have to remember the six-hour time difference. You’ll be ahead right?”

“Yep.”

“Promise you’ll take a gazillion pictures.”

“Promise.”

“Swear to me that you’ll throw a coin in the Trevi Fountain. Remember, keep your back to the fountain, coin in right hand, toss over your left shoulder.” Annie said as she turned into the long lane leading back to the farm owned by Sam Parker, Darcy’s fiancée and fellow traveler.

“You crack me up. Superstitious much?”

“I mean it.”

“Okay, yes, I swear. Geesh,” Darcy said.

“Legend has it, if you throw three coins in the fountain, you’ll be guaranteed a return trip to Rome, a love affair, and the third coin brings marriage.”

“Now it’s three coins? Since they are your coins I’ll be throwing, will it be your luck or mine?” Darcy asked.

“Doesn’t seem like too much effort to go through for that big a payoff. If I were you, I’d throw three in for yourself, after you toss mine in.” Annie grinned at her older sister knowing that she was skeptical of the unprovable, but she also knew Darcy would follow through just in case.

“I can’t believe it’s finally happening; when Sam and I first started planning for this vacation, we thought this day would never get here,” Darcy said.

“I know. You so deserve this time off. Sam too. After everything you both went through last year, a month is probably not long enough,” Annie said.

“I’ve never had a month off in my entire adult life,” Darcy said.

“And to spend it in Italy,Bellissima.Totally on my list of top ten places to visit before I die,” Annie said. “Did you pack your journal?”

“I brought a small notebook, and I’m going to write something every single day, even if it’s only a sentence or two.”

“Good.”

As they pulled up, Sam came bounding down the stairs, his face lit with excitement.

“Where the hell have you been?” Sam said.

Glancing at her wristwatch Annie said, “What do you mean? We’re early.”

“I’ve been packed and ready for two hours.”

“Your problem, not ours.” Annie loved Sam. He was like the big brother she never had.

They all turned when they heard a male voice say, “Hey, you weren’t going to leave without saying goodbye were ya?”

Annie knew exactly who that sexy voice belonged to: Gabe Hunter. She blushed slightly at the sight of him, her senses suddenly on high alert. He was even more gorgeous than she had remembered. “Hi Gabe.”

“Damn, if it isn’t Annie Morgan. My God! Where the hell have you been all my life?”

“Right under your nose.” She smiled green eyes sparkling. “You are looking mighty fine there, cowboy.”

---