Page 60

“No. Keep the hotel. The kids are little fish and love the pool and sea.” She shifted the slightest bit to lean back into his hand.
Stavros coughed. “We should head to the hotel to make the meeting.” He gave a slight head nod at Leo’s hand on Rose’s back. “I’d hate to be late and have the meeting run long and delay this evening’s plans.” He gave Leo a significant look.
During their morning jog, Stavros advised Leo to tell Rose the truth of his identity before the relationship went any further. Leo agreed that it was past time. His palms sweated at the thought of Rose’s reaction.
“Right.” Leo clapped his hands. “Let’s head to the hotel so you urchins can swim.”
The children cheered and raced up the path with Stavros.
With the others ahead, Leo took the opportunity to take Rose’s hand and brush a kiss across her temple. “Until tonight.”
She smiled. “Tonight.”
♥ ♥ ♥
On their date, Rose slipped her hand into Stavros’s, relishing the feel of being palm to palm with him again. His hands for the most part were smooth, except for a few callouses and scars from his time spent tending the olive trees when he was at home.
“Thank you for the schedule changes,” she said.
He squeezed her hand as they strolled through the old city of Rhodes in search of dinner. “I noticed the days are easier for you and the kids if there’s an activity in the morning, followed by beach time in the afternoon. I’m afraid I wanted you to see and love all of Greece so much that I overpacked your schedule at the beginning.”
“I might be able to keep up that pace, but Adonis was on the verge of daily meltdowns. Thanks for the adjustments.”
“Of course. I want you and the children to be happy.”
“And so does Mr. P?”
“Absolutely.”
“I’m surprised he takes such an interest in the happiness of his staff.”
Leo paused and turned Rose to face him. “Do you still have doubts about his sincerity and good nature after all these weeks?”
“Not really. I think my brain is still having trouble moving past my prejudices despite all the evidence to the contrary.”
A concerned look washed over Stavros’s face, and his shoulders tensed. “What else can he do to convince you?”
Rose looked at the buildings, hoping they’d provide the answer that eluded her. “I really don’t know. I’m beginning to think I might not be capable of moving beyond what happened to me.”
“Will you tell me about it?”
Rose nodded, her nerves jumping into action. Would Stavros be able to understand her heartache and pain?
They turned a corner and came upon a green space. Stavros seated them at a secluded bench under a tree overlooking the harbor and ships.
Rose rubbed her thumb against his hand. “First, you should know that I loved my husband very much. We were rather young when we married, and we looked forward to a long, bright future together. He came from money but wanted to make his own way in the world rather than relying on his family’s wealth. His parents weren’t pleased with his choice of life and had a few misgivings about his marrying down.”
“You come from a middle-class family,” Stavros protested. “Hardly living below the poverty level, and you’re educated.”
“Yes, but a makeup artist wasn’t what they had in mind. His parents were looking for an heiress or at least a woman of equal pocketbook status. Still, they worked to accept me and within a year’s time were happy with Robert’s choice.”
“You were fortunate.”
“I thought so.” She took a breath and continued. “They would take us on trips and give us lavish gifts, but mostly they tried to be respectful of us carving out our own life.” Rose took a deep breath, her heart beating in her chest. “And then Robert died in that traffic accident.” Her voice shook. She looked out over the water as the memories flowed through her.
Stavros wrapped an arm around her.
She drew strength from his warmth.