Page 24

In a whisper, Stavros asked her, “Would you like to take a walk along the beach for a few minutes?”
Rose hesitated.
“I cleared it with Mr. P,” he added.
She was exhausted but couldn’t turn down the chance to spend some time with Stavros. “Yes.”
Assured of permission, and that the children would be in the capable hands of their father, Rose put on her sandals.
“Children, I’ll be back shortly.” She gave them each a hug and kiss. “Remember, I’m here if you need me in the night.”
She left the room, with Stavros, and they went to the beach.
Stavros led her away from the lights of more hotels and toward the empty beach, the peaceful serenity broken only by the waves lapping against the sandy shore.
She half-wished he’d take her hand and then chided herself for being a ninny. She had known him only a handful of days. Where was her head? She knew better than to be swept away in a staff romance. Too many times she’d seen the aftermath of workplace romances run amok between actors, actresses, and the crew on the movie sets. Look at what had happened between Maddie and Paul on the vampire versus werewolf film.
Stavros broke into her thoughts. “How was your day?”
“Adonis loved the donkey rescue. I’m working with him on his reading. I noticed Nefeli reads for him, and I’d like him to make more progress.”
He nodded. “You’re observant too.”
“At some things.” She traced the outline of his profile with her eyes and her heart sped up. He was a fine looking man. “I noticed the children call you Papa. A strange nickname to be sure. Why is that?”
Stavros stopped, leaned down, and rolled up his pants, and walked through the water up to his ankles. He cleared his throat. “Papa is short for Papadakis.”
Rose couldn’t hide her surprise. “You’re related?”
“In a manner of speaking.”
“Cousins or something, I suppose.” She tapped her chin with her index finger.
“Mmm.”
“Ah.” Rose turned over this new piece of information. Brothers in arms. Relations. No wonder the children were so familiar with Stavros. The situation made more sense. With their father gone so much and Stavros as head of security and Mr. P’s assistant, the children probably saw more of him than of their own papa.
“I apologize for not explaining further when you arrived,” he said. “I wasn’t sure if you’d be staying.”
“Of course. And I’m only here a short time until my sister can either take my place or find you a permanent nanny.”
“How is your sister? I was sorry to hear about her foot when she called to explain about the change. She seems like an exceptional woman.”
Rose thought she heard him say under his breath, “Much like you.” But she wasn’t certain and didn’t want to ask in case that wasn’t what he’d said. “My sister is recovering from her ankle sprain. I wonder what she was thinking when she chose to cliff dive in Italy. She’s not usually much of a risk taker.”
“We all lose our heads from time to time.”
She laughed. “I doubt very much if you ever lose your head, Stavros.”
“I’m not perfect, Rose.” He paused to look at her. “I’m human, and I make mistakes.”
There was something strange about the look in his eyes in the half-light. His humility made him more attractive to her, making her insides turn gooey.
“The best I can hope for is that when I make mistakes, they have minimal impact on those I care most about.” He resumed walking.
Rose watched him for a moment, taking in the strong bearing of his shoulders and the definition of his calf muscles before catching up. She laid a hand on his arm. “I think that’s the most any of us can hope for, along with forgiveness.” Tingles graced her fingers at the point of contact.
“Do you forgive easily?”