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The fact that she’d asked him to go to Ithaca with her had lifted his mood. They reached the dock and got in line to board the ferry. The four-hour trip across and back meant they wouldn’t be home until eight or later.
Once they could leave the car, they went to the dining room to eat, then walked out on deck. “It’s hard to believe this view is real,” she murmured. “The green of the Ionian islands bathed by crystal blue waters is out of this world.”
He’d never been around anyone as appreciative of everything as she was. As he’d told her earlier, she was easy to be with. “I couldn’t agree more. Tell me why Ithaca is so important.”
“When Lord Byron left Genoa in July of 1823, he traveled on a ship called the Hercules with Pietro Gamba and William Fletcher among others. They arrived at Cephalonia in August and made an expedition to Ithaca. He was filled with inspiration and did a lot of writing during that period. I want to visit the two museums in Vathy and see what memorabilia is there.”
Being with Zoe made the time pass quickly. Soon they were able to drive onto the island and tour some of the archaeological sites before stopping at the museums.
“Tell me what those words say, Andreas.” It was the first time she’d used his name. He enjoyed translating some of the lines from the marble commemorative stele of Byron for her.
“If this island belonged to me, I would bury all my books here and never go away,” he told her.
“That’s an interesting thing to say. He really was taken with the history of this place.” She recorded Andreas’s words in the notebook she carried in her purse. They worked well together and he regretted it when they had to leave to drive back to the ferry.
Again they ate aboard ship and discussed Ulysses, who was said to have been born on Ithaca or Cephalonia. She was so knowledgeable about literature in general, it was fascinating to be with her.
When they got back to the apartment, he turned to her and told her his plans. “Tomorrow I’m leaving for Athens to be with my son. Temporary visitation has been worked out with the judge. I’m with him for two days, usually over the weekend. Then his mother has him for five and we go back and forth. It’s unequal, but works for now because of my business schedule.”
“You can’t bring him here?”
“I could, but it’s a lot of flying. Do you mind if I call you after I’m back?”
“Not at all, but just so you know, I’m leaving tomorrow to join my friends on holiday in Switzerland.”
The news stunned him. He’d just met her and already she was going away? “How long will you be gone?”
“I’m not sure.” She reached for the door handle. “But I can’t thank you enough for taking me to Ithaca today. It was a real treat, and I know you can’t wait until tomorrow when you see your son. Have a safe trip, Andreas.”
“Wait—let’s exchange phone numbers so we can stay in touch.”
“All right.”
By then she’d already gotten out of the car. It was still light out. “Don’t get in any accidents on your way home,” she teased before disappearing around the big tree.
Andreas sat there for a few minutes, upset that he might not see her again. Before he pulled away, he phoned her.
She sounded breathless when she answered. “Andreas?”
“Hi. Just wanted to make sure I could reach you.”
“You must have driven your mother crazy.”
“Probably,” he quipped. “Enjoy your trip.”
“You, too.”
He hung up and headed for the villa. Though he was counting the hours until he could be with Ari, there was someone else he’d be thinking about this weekend. Since he’d told her he was divorced with a son, she’d relaxed around him, like she might around a friend.
But he would never be able to think of her in the friend sense. She’d grown on him like mad today and belonged in an entirely different category. The thought of not seeing her again disturbed him a great deal.
CHAPTER TWO
WHEN ZOE’S PLANS with the girls didn’t turn out, she flew back to Patras four days later and returned to her apartment in time to go to bed. Their long-awaited vacation in Switzerland had gone up in smoke.
Abby had fallen for a Burgundian vintner and had gone to France with him. Ginger had wanted to stay in Venice. Zoe had the idea she’d met a man because something was definitely keeping her there.
As for Zoe, she was excited to return to Greece. All the way back on the plane she debated whether to phone Andreas when she got there and let him know her plans had changed. But by the time she got ready for bed, she’d talked herself out of calling him.
Zoe had been a fool to ask him to go to Ithaca with her and should forget him. What she needed to do was finish her Greek research and go home to California.
Once she got in bed and turned out the light, her phone rang. Was it Abby or Ginger? She shot up in bed and reached for her cell on the bedside table.
It was Andreas.
“Hello?” Her voice had a pathetic tremor.
“Zoe—I’m back from Athens and couldn’t go to bed until I’d spoken with you. Are you enjoying your trip with your friends? Where are you?”
Hearing his deep familiar voice, she pressed a hand to her heart. “We had a lovely time, but circumstances changed and I’m actually back in Patras.”
“You’re here?” She could hear the excitement in his voice. It matched hers.
“Yes. How’s your son?”
“I loved being with him, but tell me, what are your plans now?”
“Tomorrow I’m going to Ioannina.”
“In that case I have an idea. I’ll come by in the morning and drive us both there. Then we can talk.”
“I can’t let you do that. You have a company to run.”
“Before you say no, hear me out. I’ll take my laptop and work while you do your thing. There are several charming places to stay the night. I can call ahead for reservations.”
“Andreas—stop. It isn’t fair to you.”
“Why not? I thought you understood you’re helping me. I’m not ready to be imprisoned in my office yet. Do you know what I mean?”
“I’m afraid I do,” she answered quietly. “Of course I’d love to drive with you, but if you change your mind and something unexpected comes up, please don’t worry about me.”
“Thank you for saying yes. Now I can sleep. See you tomorrow morning at eight thirty. Good night, kyria.”
Zoe lay back against the pillow, excited for morning to come. At seven she awakened and hurried to wash her hair and get ready in a new skirt and top she’d bought recently.
When she walked outside, Andreas was there dressed in sport clothes, looking like her idea of a Greek god. His black eyes traveled over her.
“It’s good to see you again,” he told her.
“I’m happy to see you, too. I wasn’t sure I’d be back again and will have to tell you what happened. But first I want to hear about Ari.”
He helped her in his car and they left the city, traveling northwest. Zoe found herself enchanted by the city of Ioannina, spread out around Lake Pamvotida. The wealthy, aristocratic city, two hours northwest of Patras, included the cultures of Christianity, Islam and Judaism. The variety of its shops and food depicted the traditions.
After spending part of the day in the library where she did research, Andreas took her to a traditional coffeehouse where they were served sugar pie and an alcohol-free liqueur. He explained it was a mixture of organic vinegar, nectar, fruit syrups and herbs, drunk with crushed ice.
“It tastes like it must have alcohol in it. I love this drink. I wonder if Lord Byron drank it, but so far I haven’t come across it in my research.”
Andreas chuckled. “You have no idea how much fun you are to be with. Why is Ioannina so important to your research?”
“Byron wrote part of Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage here.”
“I’ve read some of it. His wish for man to be free touches me most.”
She took a deep breath. “He said the most profound things. When I read his writings, I feel like I’m in touch with the divine. This is the essence of what Magda hopes will be conveyed by her film.”
“How can she fail with someone like you supplying the inspiration?”
The tone in his voice found its way into her heart. “You’re nice to listen to me. What can I do for you?”
“Let’s talk a walk along the lake back to our hotel. Later we’ll get dinner.”
He’d found them a small, adorable hideaway at the water’s edge she’d loved on sight. Zoe had never experienced a day like this before. Since meeting him in such an unorthodox way, she was discovering Greece all over again through the eyes of a native son.
Zoe couldn’t help but be sorry for the breakup of his marriage. He hadn’t offered an explanation and she didn’t want one. All she knew was that he was an exceptional man and she felt lucky to know him. But even as she thought it, the memory of her bad marriage crept into her mind. She’d fallen for Nate too fast, too. She shook off the thought.
“Tell me about Ari. Was he thrilled to see you?”
A sweet smile broke out on his handsome features when he thought of his son. “He loves to play so hard, he wore me out.”
“I’m sure it’s painful to leave him.”
“You can’t imagine.”
“But you only have to wait two more days until you see him again. We’ve already gotten you through today.” He chuckled. “Why don’t we buy some souvlaki at a kiosk along here and eat it on the terrace of the hotel. I don’t want to go inside until we have to. The temperature here is heavenly.”
His gaze played over her. “You’re reading my mind.”
After he bought their food, they reached the hotel and sat down at a table to watch the sun go down. Another couple had come out on the patio involved in each other. The lovers couldn’t have found a more romantic place.
Glancing at them, an ache started up in Zoe’s heart. What would it be like to come here with the man you loved? One who loved you? A man like Andreas...
The second the thought came into her mind, she realized she’d made a mistake to let him drive her here. Of course there was no question of their getting involved romantically. They were simply acquaintances who’d met under unusual circumstances, but she’d be crazy to spend any more time with him.
He’d barely separated from his wife and clearly longed for his son. It was already June. She’d be going back to California soon. The old adage about ships passing in the night couldn’t have been more apropos.
All these months she’d been in Greece doing her job, not needing anyone, least of all a man. The taxi accident had brought them together, but for this to go on was ridiculous.
Already he was coloring her world in ways she didn’t want. She needed to stop this foolishness before she got too used to his being with her. Thank goodness he couldn’t afford to stay away from his work any longer.
“Andreas? That tasted good, but now I need to go in and write up some notes before I get too tired. I hope you don’t mind if I turn in.”
She heard him take a deep breath. “I’ll walk you to your room.”
“That won’t be necessary.”
“I brought you here and want you to be safe.” Zoe was surprised by the firm tone of his voice. But he was a caring, thoughtful man and would be like this in any situation.
They headed to her room in the east wing of the hotel. She knew his was in the other wing. He waited while she opened the door.
Zoe went inside and peeked around at him. “Maybe we can get breakfast en route back to Patras.”
One black brow lifted. “You’re through with your research here?”
“I’m sure.”
“What’s your next destination?”
“I don’t know yet. Ever since I came to Greece, I’ve constantly sent out emails to various places for information. The answers come back if there’s something I need to research. I’ll know tomorrow when I receive more responses. Good night, Andreas.”
“Good night,” he whispered.
As he turned away, she shut the door. Her explanation had been the right thing to say. If she’d told him what her destination would be tomorrow, she knew in her heart he’d tell her he’d drive her there.
While he was dealing with this huge change in his life—something Zoe knew all about after divorcing her husband for his infidelity—she realized this time with Andreas was a distraction that was helping him to cope with what he was going through. But she couldn’t afford to keep it up. It was far too risky to her own peace of mind.
They reached Patras at 11:30 a.m., when he pulled the car up in front of her apartment. He’d taken Zoe to see the monastery in Varlaam on the way back. Afterward they’d enjoyed breakfast at the quaint Taverna Gardenia in one of the narrow passageways.
“What a treat to have gone there! I suppose you’ve climbed those one hundred and ninety-five steps to the top before?” she teased.
“Guilty.”
“It would take someone a lot more courageous than me to do it.”
He smiled at the inexhaustible, breathtaking woman standing on the sidewalk while he retrieved her small suitcase from the car. Zoe didn’t fool him. She’d been in Greece on her own since January, digging up material in out-of-the-way places, talking to strangers, taking risks. She embraced adventure.
“I’ll call you later.”
Her eyes flashed blue fire. “From work, I hope. I’ve kept you from it too long.”
“It’s been the best medicine I could have asked for.”
“I’m glad. And just think? After today you only have to wait one more day before you sweep your little boy into your arms again.”
She understood him like no one else. “Speaking of Ari, I never did show you a picture of him.” He pulled out his phone and scrolled to his photo gallery. “I bought him a little pair of sunglasses.”
Zoe took the phone from him and broke into an infectious smile after studying it. “He’s absolutely adorable. I don’t know how you stand the separation.” She handed it back to him.
He put his cell in his shirt pocket. “We do what we have to do.”
“Isn’t that the truth. I won’t tell you to have a wonderful day, but hope it will be all right if I wish you a productive one? Then my guilt won’t be so bad.”
Andreas burst into laughter. He never knew what she was going to say next. But she was right. He’d played hooky from work for long enough. “I’ve enjoyed our time together.”
“So have I,” she came right back. “Now I need to get going.” She picked up her case and started toward her flat. Before she rounded the tree, she waved at him.
He got back in his car and headed for work. His personal assistant probably couldn’t wait to show him the mountain of decisions to make and contracts to look over, but he didn’t care. Being with Zoe Perkins had given him a new lease on life.
The next time he lifted his head was around five thirty when he reached for his phone to call Zoe. He was getting hungry and wanted to take her to dinner. To his satisfaction she answered on the second ring.
“Andreas—” She sounded vibrant. “How did you survive your first day back?”
“More to the point, what about you? Where are you? How soon can I pick you up? I’m starving.”
“So am I, but I’m actually on my way to dinner with a group of professors here in Prevesa.”
The news came as a blow. His black brows knit together. “That’s three hours away by car. How come you didn’t say anything this morning?”
“I didn’t know until I looked at my emails.”
Andreas needed to calm down. “How did you get there?”
“I rented a car because I knew I’d need to drive around a lot once I got here. I’m really lucky because these people have fresh information for me about Lord Byron. This is like finding gold at the end of the rainbow. I’ll probably be here three or four days.”
The wind went right out of his sails. “That means I won’t be able to see you until I get back again from Athens.”
“I should be in Patras by then—or shortly after. Thanks for calling me. Have fun with Ari.”
That was a given, but as for anything else, he felt like his lifeline had been cut during his space walk and he was cast into the void. “I hope this trip brings big results for you. Talk to you soon.”
He hung up and left the office for his grandparents’ villa. They’d been devastated by the news about his filing for a separation, but understood how Lia’s painful betrayal had brought about the end of their marriage.
Not only that, it had upset his grandfather that he hadn’t been at the board meeting the day of the taxi accident. Andreas needed to reassure them on all counts that everything was all right. But the truth was, he couldn’t bear to go home until he was ready to collapse in bed.
When the time came to fly to Athens, he was more than ready to enjoy his son. Ari was the joy of his life and they had a marvelous two days and nights together. The only way he could stand to leave him this time was hoping that Zoe would be there when he got back to Patras.
After his jet landed and he headed for his villa, he phoned Zoe. It would be the first time they’d spoken since he’d talked to her the day she’d gone to Prevesa. Andreas wasn’t known for his patience, but in her case he didn’t want to crowd her while she was doing her work.
This time she didn’t answer until the fourth ring. “Good morning, Kyrie Gavras.” She’d never called him that before. “Are you back in Patras? How was your visit with Ari?”
“I just flew in and my time with my son was wonderful as usual. I want to know about you.”
“As I told you before, I found a treasure trove here.”
He had trouble swallowing. “So you’re still in Prevesa?”
“Not exactly. One of the literature professors from Turkey invited me to return to Anatalya with him. I’ll be here for two weeks, maybe less, then I’ll be back in Patras. He’s an expert on Lord Byron and has incredible information with a fresh perspective. We’ll be traveling to Bodrum and Ephesus, where there are other scholars he wants me to meet. He’s very excited about the film Magda is making.”
Andreas was listening, but he also imagined the professor was particularly excited about being around anyone as beautiful and vivacious as Zoe.
His eyes closed tightly. “I’m glad you’re finding new information.”
“It’s fantastic.” She sounded happy.
“The best of luck to you, Zoe.”
“Thank you so much. I’ll call you when I know my flight from Anatalya.”
“Why don’t I pick you up at the airport?”
“That would be lovely, but only if it’s convenient for you.”
“I’ll make it convenient.”
She laughed. He’d missed that sound, he’d missed her more than he could believe. “Bye for now.”
Zoe’s heart almost palpitated out of her chest when she saw Andreas with his black hair and burning black eyes standing at the luggage pickup waiting for her. He’d dressed in one of his elegant silk suits, this time a gray one with a dazzling white shirt and tie. The man was bigger than life and so sinfully handsome, it was shocking to her.
She’d hoped to get some perspective while she’d been away from him, but instead the opposite had happened. Her bad experience with Nate hadn’t seemed to have taught her anything. The ache in her heart had grown more serious while she’d been away from Andreas. Seeing him again had turned it into real pain.
His gaze played over her in that way only he could do, causing her insides to melt on the spot. “The world traveler is back home. How does it feel?”
Like I’m going to die from happiness.
“I’m glad to be back, but it’s not going to be for long.” Let him know now.
The gleam in his eyes vanished. “What’s next on your agenda?”
“Since I uncovered new information while I was in Turkey, I have to go back to Messolonghi tomorrow for a week.”
“Do you have time to eat lunch with me before you’re off again?”
“I’d love it.” She reached for her suitcase, but he took it from her.
“My car is out in the short-term parking. Let’s go.” They walked out together. After he helped her in the car and got behind the wheel, he said, “Do you want to go to your apartment first?”
“Oh, no. I don’t want to put you out. We can eat on the way in. You pick a place.”
“What are you in the mood for?”
“Anything. You can’t get a bad meal in Greece.”
He started the car and drove away. “As opposed to Turkey?”
“The food there was delicious, but you know what I mean. I’ve been here since January and have loved it all.”
“That’s nice to hear.” He drove them to a restaurant where the specialty was moussaka with a béchamel sauce he liked. They could eat outside on the patio and enjoy some house wine.
The waiter took their order. When he walked away, she smiled at Andreas. “How is Ari? Do you have any more pictures to show me?”
“As a matter of fact, I do.” He pulled out his phone and they laughed over the photos for a few minutes until their meal came. They were both hungry. Then he changed the subject.
“Will you let me drive you to Messolonghi? We could leave later today and enjoy an evening together there.”
“You’re so generous to me, but this afternoon I have an appointment at the University of Patras with a professor who’s finally back from his vacation. He has some vital information for me.”
“How were you planning to get there?”
“Call for a taxi.”
His dark eyes narrowed on her face. “Do you dare?”
The question made her chuckle. “If you’re offering to drive me, I won’t say no. But I’ll be there for at least two hours.”
“Then I’ll do some errands and come back for you. If you want to go back to the apartment, I’ll drive you and then we’ll leave for Messolonghi.”
Zoe realized she couldn’t say no to him. He was determined to spend time with her, and heaven help her, she was so thrilled to be with him she could hardly stand it.
They ate dessert before he took her to the university. She waved him off before hurrying inside. Zoe didn’t think the dean of the literature department had summoned her because his information was new, but she was curious.
What really stunned her was that he’d been talking to others in the humanities department and was offering her a temporary post to teach there in their theater department for the fall semester. Byron had written a series of plays she could teach in a curriculum she’d developed.
The earlier mention of her association with Magda Collier had no doubt excited them to the point they’d made this offer. But as tempting and alluring as it was because it would keep her in Andreas’s sphere, she turned it down. No way did she dare accept.
When she’d met Nate, she’d fallen for him too fast and had rushed into a serious relationship with him with disastrous results. If she stayed in Greece and was given this position at the university, it would be throwing her into temptation’s way with Andreas. She had to keep reminding herself that she’d be leaving Greece soon and had no intention of coming back.
After telling the dean she was honored and flattered to have been considered, but couldn’t accept the offer, she left his office and waited outside in front of the building enjoying the view until Andreas came for her.
They drove into town. Once he’d dropped her off at the apartment long enough to pack fresh clothes, she got back in his car and they left for Messolonghi.
She’d spent time there earlier in the year. It was the place where the Greek rebels fought in the Greek War of Independence against the Ottoman Empire. It was there that Byron came to join Greece in its fight for freedom.
“Refresh my memory about that last day,” Andreas asked her.
“From what I know, Byron rode his horse by the waters of the lagoon, then to the Chapel of the Virgin by the Palm Tree, and then for many more miles onto Aetolicon. On that fateful day he was caught in the downpour of a storm and returned completely soaked to the home in Messolonghi where he was staying. That’s when the sweating and fever started. He became seriously ill and died at the age of thirty-six.”