Aim For Love

by Pamela Aares

  Parker stretched an arm across the door, blocking her way. “You are not going in there. One false move and the whole menu could dissolve into chaos. They had to ask me what chiffonade was.”

  She couldn’t help but laugh. She loved Parker, almost as much as she loved her brother. But he had a skewed idea of what constituted a true disaster.

  “Well, I trust you straightened them out,” she said, trying not to smile too broadly. Parker took parties seriously. He would’ve made an excellent courtier in sixteenth-century France.

  The photographer shooed one of the catering staff away from the table as he set up a before shot of the elegantly decorated setting. Sabrina had lost the battle with Parker to have small, intimate tables set up in a tent in the courtyard. That was the moment she knew that none of the details mattered, not to her. Sharing the evening with family and friends, introducing them to Kaz, that was what was important. And she had complete confidence in her mother’s taste and Parker’s fine eye for seeing to every detail. Parker also would’ve made a great events tsar if he wasn’t so madly involved with his polo team.

  The snarling of dogs and loud barking had them both running into the courtyard.

  “Fermarsi!” her cousin Zoe commanded in Italian. The two Maremma sheepdogs immediately sat and looked dolefully up at her. “They’re still getting accustomed to America,” Zoe said, her look only somewhat less baleful than theirs.

  As the rest of the Tavonesi cousins from Italy piled into the courtyard, the dogs ignored the command to stay put and ran to greet them, tails wagging.

  “Dogs,” Parker said, as if he’d never seen one. “Just what we need right now, Zoe.” He glared at their feistiest cousin.

  “We have plenty of room in the paddock, Parker,” Sabrina said. “It’s not as though you have to add them to the seating chart.”

  She turned to Zoe. “I’ll make sure there’s cake sent out to them,” she said with a wink.

  It wasn’t just the dogs that were unsettled. After Zoe’s mother had died the previous year, Zoe’s family had given in to their father’s insistent plan to move the family to California to start a wine business. He’d bought an established winery in Sonoma as well as the horse ranch and two estates adjoining it. The Italian Tavonesis, except for Zoe’s younger twin sisters who were wrapping up a photo shoot in Greece and two of her brothers, who’d stayed behind to run the family estate and wine business outside of Rome, had arrived from Italy only three weeks earlier. Though they made light of the rushed move, Sabrina knew her cousins were still adjusting to their new home.

  “At least you didn’t bring your entire polo team,” Parker said.

  “Do not tempt me, Parker,” Zoe said with a laugh. She glanced at her watch. “There’s still time. I might call them and tell them to come over just to tease you.”

  “What’s this I hear about a polo team?” Alana asked as she sailed into the courtyard looking gorgeous in an Armani cocktail dress. “The men? Did you bring men, Zoe, or just the horses? Because if you brought those handsome guys of yours, I’m texting my friend Brigitte.”

  Parker snatched Alana’s cellphone from her hand. “No more guests.”

  Everyone laughed. Parker was so easy to rile. But the teasing was good-natured. Parker, the family’s favorite cousin, had been doted on since he was born.

  “I’m flying the rest of my horses over when I return from Argentina later this summer.” Zoe drew herself up to her full-on five feet two. “You have three months before the first family match, Parker Tavonesi—my Italian mounts and maybe a new Argentinian thoroughbred against your California ponies. No handicap. I’ll bet you a dinner party for twelve—with wine—that we beat you by two goals.”

  “Better watch out, Zoe, both of my brothers will be here then,” Alana said. “They’re Parker’s three-goal ringers.”

  “I’ll invite Alex and Kaz’s new teammate, Cody Bond,” Sabrina added, although she’d been hoping for a much earlier opportunity to introduce Zoe to the young rookie. Sabrina had kept a close eye on her young cousin since she’d arrived. For all her outward bravado, Zoe hadn’t managed to hide her grief. Suffering lingered, barely hidden under courageous smiles. From Alex’s reports, Cody was the sort of man who could make a woman forget she was grieving and homesick. And rumor had it that he rode like a demon. Sabrina was pretty sure it wouldn’t matter that he’d spent most of his younger riding days in rodeos—he was strong, agile and Alex had told her Cody loved any sort of game. A charming man from the wilds of Montana might stir her sweet cousin back to life.

  “A man is the last thing I need right now,” Zoe said. The look she shot Sabrina said otherwise.

  Sabrina raised a brow. Her matchmaking tendencies went into high gear as she began to scheme a speedier rendezvous.

  “Challenge accepted,” Parker said to Zoe. “But you can’t cook.”

  Sabrina chuckled. He was obviously weighing the wager seriously.

  “I know how to punch in a caterer’s number,” Zoe said with a defiant flip of her hair.

  Sabrina had to laugh at the exchange. For a moment Parker had all but forgotten the party. He was too busy focusing on his great passion—polo. His brother and he had played since they could mount a horse. Parker on a horse did not in any way resemble the list-toting, party-planning fiend standing before her.

  The caterer rushed over with a sheaf of instructions. Parker barked out assignments to the family, and for the next hour they scurried to his command.

  Sabrina arranged the last of the place cards on the table, double checked the seating chart and then leaned against the colorful mural stretching along the wall of the festively decorated room. She loved Trovare best when it was filled with the activities of family and celebrations.

  Pleased at last, Parker gathered them all for a toast.

  Sabrina’s mother marched into the cluster of cousins. “For goodness’ sake, Sabrina,” she said, waving her hand around as if she could disperse the group with the gesture. “Your cousins will be here all night.” She took the champagne glass from Sabrina’s hand. “You’re not even changed.”

  Oh, but she was. Just not the sort of change that her mother had in mind. Meeting Kaz had changed everything.

  Loving him had helped her match forces with the shadowy elements that had threatened to knock her off balance and to integrate the hidden parts of her life. Their practice together had taught her that the forces she’d fought to squelch, the forces she’d feared, weren’t trying to come at her from outside, weren’t trying to worm into her, rather she’d learned to greet them as cut-off parts of herself, parts that prejudice, ignorance and habit had long kept hidden. It was as if all the shunned parts of herself she’d ignored had awakened, had come to the table and begun to work together as a whole, offering their gifts and wisdom. Her life was tempered now with the slower, more introspective and practiced awareness she’d learned from Kaz.

  Perhaps the hardest lesson was discovering that what would determine the course of her life was whether she was willing to tolerate necessary discomfort long enough to break through to healing and wholeness. Kaz had told her early on that going toward the sting allowed it to heal and reveal its gift. Now she knew he’d been right. She’d discovered the peace and power that came from learning to handle challenging situations. And she’d learned to ask for help from friends and family. Already she felt stronger, happier and less afraid.

  As Kristen had found her strength, so had Sabrina. What had been buried deep inside was now standing beside her, giving her wisdom and courage to live with the mysteries and challenges of life. There was joy and freedom to be found in the songs of the dark places. Though she knew there was more work ahead, she greeted her days with curiosity, wonder and an open heart.

  After one last look at the seating arrangements and after making a promise to Alana’s brothers Simon and Damien for a dance after dinner, Sabrina scooted upstairs. She’d spent longer than she’d realized cavorting with her cousins and
friends. Guests would be arriving in less than an hour.

  In her room she fingered the elephant-decorated bedspread that Obaa had insisted she keep. Baku. Nightmare eaters. With Kaz in bed beside her most nights, she was pretty sure she didn’t need the baku, but she wasn’t taking any chances. Kristen’s character still called out to her in her dreams, and only recently had she learned to shift her perspective as she dreamed. Active dreaming was a skill they should teach in grade school. Much more useful than social studies.

  A bouquet of flowers on the nightstand beside her bed caught her eye. Peonies and pink-edged roses, her favorites. She opened the note that stuck out from the top of the bouquet. And sat on the edge of the bed to read it a second time.

  If not for you, Sabrina, my ego would’ve killed me. I will be forever grateful for what knowing you has taught me. You may be my first true friend. Thanks for not blowing my cover. Hollywood is changing but I’d rather not test it out right now.

  May your marriage bring you great happiness.

  Derrick.

  An arrow at the bottom of the note had her flipping it over. As she read the postscript, she couldn’t help but smile.

  And maybe you’ll consider the part in the movie I’m directing next spring. No demons. Well, not many. Not more than you can handle, my dear. Consider these lovely blooms to be the first of many bribes.

  So he hadn’t abandoned his maneuvering ways.

  She folded the note and tucked it into the drawer of her nightstand. If it hadn’t been for Derrick, she might’ve given up trying to do the sequel to Exigent. If she’d done that, she never would have met Kaz. Life had strange ways of nudging people onto their intended paths. Her happy result made it hard for her to harbor bad feelings toward Derrick. But caution? That was another matter entirely. Best to use caution and discernment when it came to wily narcissists like him.

  She showered and then slipped on the intricate silk gown her mother had bought for her in Paris, and strapped on the exquisite Louboutin heels Alana had given her as an engagement present. A quick twist of her hair into a soft French knot and some hastily applied lipstick and she was ready.

  Hands covered her eyes from behind.

  She knew his touch so well now.

  “Did you win?”

  “From the look of my fiancée, I did indeed.”

  “I meant the game, Kaz.”

  “Six to four. I stayed in until the seventh inning. I told Romero to close it out fast, that I had my bride-to-be to get to.”

  She spun around and hugged him. He kissed her and as he did, he slipped the straps of her gown off her shoulders. It fell to her waist in a whisper of pooled silk.

  “We’ll be late…,” she whispered into their shared breath.

  “We’ll be fine,” he murmured against her lips. She stood and he slid the gown down, over her hips and to the floor. And she lost herself in the sensual dance that was the pulse of life itself.

  If Kaz wasn’t the luckiest man alive, he’d like to meet the man who was. Half an hour later they sneaked down the back stairs and tiptoed through the back library door. Kaz wanted to laugh, but Sabrina kept shushing him.

  “Busted,” Alex said as he looked up from behind the massive desk with a knowing nod. “Slipping in through here used to be one of my favorite evasive moves.”

  Kaz felt his face flush.

  “You’re embarrassing my fiancé,” Sabrina said with a glare at her brother.

  “You’d better get in there.” Alex gestured toward the doors leading to the ballroom. “Both of you. Or we’ll be calling nine-one-one to revive Mother. It was all Jackie could do to keep her from running upstairs and dragging you out of your room. I’ll part the crowd for you,” he said as he stepped out from behind the desk.

  “I actually came this way on purpose,” Sabrina said with a mysterious smile. “Alex, would you ask Obaa to come in here? And Mother and Jackie? And you come back too. After all, I wouldn’t have the surprise if not for you.”

  Alex gave her a mock salute as he left.

  Kaz pulled her to him. “What surprise?”

  “I can keep a secret.”

  “Even under duress?” He nuzzled his lips to the responsive spot under her left ear.

  She shivered and tilted her chin, exposing more of her neck. At the sound of nearing footsteps, she pulled away and then motioned everyone around the desk.

  “Would you do the honors, Alex,” Sabrina asked, “since Father isn’t here?”

  Alex crossed to a large chest and pulled out a rectangular package wrapped in bright colors and topped with festive ribbons.

  Sabrina nodded at Kaz. “It’s for you. You’ll have to forgive the wrapping—Matt’s daughter, Sophie, headed up the wrapping committee.”

  Kaz took the package, felt the familiar weight and balance of it. He slipped off the glitter-festooned wrapping paper and opened the box.

  He pulled out a katana. And not just any katana, but the sword that had hung in the Tavonesi game room. The sword that in some ways had started him on his path to Sabrina. If it hadn’t been for his samurai practice, Alex would never have called. If Alex hadn’t asked him to help Sabrina, where would he be right then? Certainly not engaged to the love of his life.

  He swallowed down the lump of elation in his throat as he pulled the sword from the carved wooden sheath and set it on the desk. “I’m not sure what to say.”

  Sabrina’s mother leaned across the desk and covered his hand with her own. “It’s we who have something to say, Kaz. May you be happy, you two. May you always be guided by love that knows no bounds.”

  He heard Obaa-chan gulp and looked over to see a tear running down her cheek.

  “You’re the one who got it through my skull to aim for love,” Kaz said to his teary grandmother.

  Sabrina stood on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek. “Lucky me that you took Obaa’s advice.”

  “For goodness’ sake,” Obaa-chan said, batting her tears away. “This is a party. I think I’m even going to have a glass of champagne.”

  “Better tell your collected cousins to watch out,” Kaz said. “Obaa-chan has decided that in addition to taking on online exorcism, she’s also a self-styled matchmaker. And she’s learned to use a cellphone.”

  As if on cue, Obaa-chan pulled her red phone from the pocket of her kimono. “And a computer,” she said with a wink. “Okay, you two.” She motioned for Kaz to bend down to Sabrina’s height. “A kiss. A good one. It might make a good banner for our new website.”

  “Make it a tight shot, Obaa,” Jackie said, framing the shot with her fingers. “It’ll be more dramatic.”

  Sabrina’s cousin Parker came skidding into the library, one hand pulling at his hair, the second reaching for Sabrina’s mother.

  “What are you all doing in here? Don’t you know there’s a party out there waiting for the guests of honor?”

  Sabrina laughed when Kaz ignored Parker and gathered her in his arms. When he kissed her, the light in her eyes told him that though they might face drama ahead—and likely would—the power of their love would hold them safe and strong.

  The End

  <<<<>>>>

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  Thank you!

  Thanks for reading Aim For Love. I hope you enjoyed it!

  · Would you like to know when my next books are available? You can sign up for my new release newsletter at http://www.pamelaaares.com/newsletter-signup/.

  · You've just read the fifth book in the Tavonesi Series. The other books in the series are:

  Love Bats Last (Book #1, Alex and Jackie)

  Thrown By Love (Book #2, Chloe and Scotty)

  Fielder's Choice (Book #3, Alana and Matt)

  Love on the Line (Book #4, Cara and Ryan)

  · You, the reader, have the power to make or break a book’s reputation. Reviews help other readers find books they love. I appreciate reviews from all perspectives and w
ould love to hear your opinion. If you have the time, please leave a review and let me know what you think about Aim For Love.

  I write so that readers may enjoy the experience of reading my books. I hope you enjoy every one!

  Thank you so much for reading and for spending time with me.

  In gratitude,

  Pamela Aares

  Another winner in Pamela Aares' The Tavonesi Series. Get ready to enter the fast-paced world of alpha male, All-Star athletes and the top-of-their-game women they come to love.

  Aares deftly weaves together the desires and strategies of world-class sports with the equally charged realm of the heart to create a fast-moving tale you'll wish would never end.

  Mary Beath, award-winning author of

  Refuge of Whirling Light

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