The Windows

of Venice

R. A. Douthitt

Copyright © 2024 R.A. Douthitt

Cover Design © 2024 R.A. Douthitt

Author Photograph © 2023 Tom Becker

All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in professional reviews.

ISBN-9798328860413

The Windows of Venice is a work of fiction. References to real people, events, establishments, organizations, or locales are intended only to provide a sense of authenticity and are used fictitiously. All other

characters, incidents, and dialogue are drawn from the author’s imagination.

Printed in the U.S.A.

Other books by R. A. Douthitt:

Fantasy Adventure

The Dragon Forest

The Dragon Forest II: Son of the Oath

The Dragon Forest III: The King of Illiath

The Elves of Vulgaard: The White Wolf

The Elves of Vulgaard: Dragon Games

The Elves of Vulgaard: Dragon Riders

Mystery

The Children Under the Ice

The Children in the Garden

The Children of Manor House

Contemporary

The Doors of Rome

The Cafeteria Club

First Christmas at War

The Road to Home

The Fine Art of Love

Journeys of Forgiveness

Nonfiction

Seek Him Prayer Journal: 25 Prayers of HOPE

DEDICATION

For Scott.

Thank you for Venice. Thank you for adventure.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I’d like to acknowledge Heather, my editor, for her excellent work and unending patience.

I thank my dear friends Natalie, Naomi, Stephanie, Claudia, Mindy, and Jane for your helpful feedback as beta readers. Your insights have made this a much better story.

Thank you to family friend Charlie Colucci for your help with my Italian translations and delicious Italian recipes.

I thank my husband, Scott, for our time in Venice together and for your encouragement as I wrote this book. You are an inspiration to me, and I thank you for 36 years of happy endings.

Lastly, I thank God for seeing me, hearing me, and blessing me with adventures and windows of opportunity.

I am blessed by His presence daily.

Contents

CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER 2