Page 121 of Miss Wylde and the Wynd

Thankfully she did not toss up her accounts and when the wagon pulled before Accetta Panetteria, she nearly wept with relief. She would soon be in her bed because her father’s house was not so very far away.

After Signore Rossi helped her from the wagon, he retrieved the valise and satchel and placed them beside her.

“Let me get you inside. I can come back for our belongings,” Grace insisted, taking Georgie’s arm to lead her into Accetta Panetteria. It was near the end of the day so she did not expect many people to be inside, and she hoped that was the case because she did not want anyone gossiping about her and need to explain that she’d suffered from seasickness.

Except, before they reached the entry her mother was running out, arms open, followed by her father, also ready to embrace them. Her mother first went to Grace whom she cried over and scolded at the same time while her father hugged Georgie. Then they switched and Georgie nearly cried. She was home, with her mother, who would take care of her.

She supposed one was never too old to want a mother when they were ill.

When her parents drew back and parted, they revealed her sister Glynis, hands fisted on her hips. “It is about time you returned!”

Georgie was not in the mood to be scolded, but before she could beg her sister to be kind, Glynis rushed forward and pulled her and Grace into an embrace before she whispered, “I missed you.”

She then pulled back and looked Georgie in the eye. “And I wasn’t the only one.”

She couldn’t imagine who else it might be other than her grandfather.

Glenys then gestured to the entry of Accetta Panetteria and Georgie found the most handsome man, with the bluest eyes, that she had ever met.

Was he really here, or was she now experiencing hallucinations?

“Damian?”

Instead of answering, he marched forward, grasped her about the waist, and pulled her close. He was just about to kiss her when she put her hand over his mouth. As much as she had missed kissing him, her stomach could revolt at any moment.

He drew back, frowned, and slowly set her down, stark pain in his blue eyes.

Oh, it wasn’t a rejection but before she could assure him of such, her stomach churned and Georgie covered her mouth and rushed to the side of the building, out of sight of the others.

The last thing she heard was Grace starting to explain that she suffered from seasickness.

Once she had emptied her stomach, Georgie took a few moments to make certain all was settled and that her shaking had subsided.

Damian was here, in Carrera.

Why?

Did she dare hope…

He had been about to kiss her.

Goodness!

As soon as she returned, her mother pulled her into Accetta Panetteria motioned to a table. “Sit!”

Georgie knew that tone and did not dare quarrel. Besides, she didn’t have the strength of an argument and slid into the chair. A moment later a cup of tea was placed before her along with a slice of bread.

Damian settled across from her, his blue eyes filled with worry.

“You have lost weight. I noticed it the moment I lifted you,” he whispered.

Georgie’s face heated. What would her parents think?

“When did you arrive?” she asked. “Why are you here?”

“I have been waiting for you for ten days. If your parents had not constantly assured me that your ship should arrive any day, I would have gone in search of you.”

“You would have taken a ship and sailed the Atlantic Ocean until you found me?” She chuckled at his ridiculous plan.