Verona Rendezvous

About the Book

Valiana (Vali), a child of Spanish aristocracy from the Franco era, is engaged from an early age to a noble class German boy. They see each other during summer while growing up but neither is concerned about marriage until one day Vali realizes that in a few months she is bound for the wedding. While at medical school in Madrid she meets an American enlisted man (Reagan) whom she initially dismisses but he refuses to give up seeing her. She escapes the upcoming marriage by telling Reagan she doesn't love him but she will marry him. He is stunned but accepts willingly and she breaks her engagement and her father's heart. When she and Reagan are married, she realizes that she has made a tremendous mistake as her love life is lacking. Another admirer also reinforces the tragedy of the wedding.

After she and Reagan are returned to the states, he is shipped to Turkey. She meets an American pilot whom she enjoys and he wants to marry her. When Reagan returns from Turkey, Vali tells him about the pilot but Reagan dismisses it and they are able to get a tour in Verona. Still unfulfilled, she settles in Verona and meets an Air Force couple, Wade and Cynthia. Wade is a Major in the NATO Communications Group. He and Cynthia have been divorced and remarried but their marriage is still rocky. Vali and Cynthia see each other frequently and Wade becomes intrigued with Vali. About this time, Reagan is assigned to the NCO Academy in Germany. Taking advantage of this, Wade goes to see Vali and tries to convince her to go out with him. Eventually they do go on a date and before long Vali begins to have feelings for Wade that she has never felt before. She even tells Cynthia about her feelings but Cynthia brushes her story off.

After meeting one night at a friend's house, Wade follows her home for a romantic and yet, unexpected evening. Shortly after, he asks her to spend the night at a friend's house. She agrees but on a condition that stuns Wade, however, in a short time he moves in with Vali and the American community is shocked. Soon there are queries from Wade's commanding general.

Reagan returns from the NCO Academy to face a reception of co-workers and Wade. When he realizes that Vali is leaving him, he goes into a rage but restrains himself. Later he challenges Wade to battle. During this time, Vali's original fiancé has become a German officer and is assigned to NATO in Verona. He tries to renew the friendship with the hope of winning Vali. Soon the headquarters calls Reagan for interrogation and he acknowledges that Wade is often seen with his wife. Wade is soon reprimanded by his commander and he leaves for the states shortly with Vali's promise that she will be there too. Shortly after, Vali's previous pilot lover comes for her. Two weeks later, Wade has not been able to contact Vali but waits for her at the Philadelphia airport. The situation there creates intense confusion as to whether he will ever see her again.

About the Author

Wayne Creech is a retired Air Force officer who has traveled throughout the the globe and has been working in training and organizational development since retirement. In both careers, he has done a lot of writing for position papers, studies, and concept papers. In 1995, he received a doctorate degree and since then has written technical papers for presentations in training conventions, publication in company newspapers, and in trade journals. However, Wayne says that novel writing has given him the chance to shake those technical shackles and have the freedom to create and take the direction he wanted to go. It has been fun as well as a rewarding experience.

Marlis Creech,Wayne's wife, also an international traveler, grew up in the aristocratic environment of Spain so she heard many of the stories of friends and relatives which she related to Wayne and also provided an understanding of what it could be like to be a part of that kind of life.