Hamilton went to so much trouble to have made.
“You’ll be leading the parade with a regiment of mounted soldiers. That means giving a speech on horseback while you’re in front of the dignitaries’ stand. You’re the only Pandakis I’d trust to face the media with their cameras.
“After the many talks we’ve had, you know how important this trade fair is. I have every confidence you’ll make all of Greece proud, especially your mother who has raised such a fine son.”
Dimitrios could admit that much about Ananke. She’d been devoted to Leon.
“If you hear this message before I get home tomorrow afternoon, phone me and we’ll talk.”
He clicked off, anxious to find out what kind of response he would get from his nephew, if any. At least he’d taken the first step to rectify a situation he may have unwittingly created years ago. Unfortunately it might be too late if Leon had already shut down. Only time would tell.
Thanks to the wisdom of the woman seated next to him, Dimitrios had been given a fighting chance to make amends.
Right now he felt an urgency to get her strictly alone with him. What better spot than the pristine forest that lay ahead of them.
ALEX didn’t know what Dimitrios had said to his nephew. But the expression on his face revealed a world of love and concern.
After he put the phone back in his pocket he said, “If Leon hears my message, he’ll be under the impression I’m still too dizzy to ride in the parade. I told him he was the only Pandakis I trusted to stand in for me at the opening ceremony. We’ll find out if he takes the bait.”
She looked out the side window so he couldn’t see her blinking back the tears. There were many ways to love a man. At sixteen, he’d been her handsome knight in shining armor who’d come to rescue her.
After she’d gone to work for his company, she’d learned to love him for his generosity to the staff. When she became his private secretary, she fell in love with his little foibles along with his most endearing traits. Above all, she admired that selfless quality about him which was rare in a man so influential.
Right now her heart was swollen with emotion because he hadn’t been too proud to find a way to reach out to his troubled nephew.
The man had no vanity.
Alex loved him with a searing intensity that needed to find expression soon or she’d go mad trying to hold back her feelings.
She continued to stare out the window as the car wound through a small village on its climb to a more forested area. They passed a tiny white church sheltered by dark pines. There were cars all around it and a few people outside the doors in native dress. It had to be some kind of religious celebration.
She was on the verge of asking Dimitrios about it when he announced they’d come to the lodge.
Alex turned her head to the other side of the road in time to see a cluster of white buildings nestled in the trees. It looked deserted.
“After we’ve freshened up and changed, we’ll walk to the top of the peak. From there you’ll be able to see over the entire forest.”
In such a remote place, this was going to be even more intimate than her stay at the villa.
“How long will it take?”
“The rest of the day.” He drove up to the front of one of the buildings, which appeared to house a dining room. After he’d shut off the motor he said, “Is there a reason you’re in such a hurry?”
A wry tone had entered his voice. Whenever he sounded like that, she knew he was probing for something. But what?
“Not at all. I just wondered if it might be too soon for you to exert yourself to that extent.”
Her explanation was part lie, of course. Any time spent alone with him was too long because she kept falling deeper and deeper in love. On the other hand, she was worried that he hadn’t fully recovered yet.
“Nothing relaxes me more than to get out in nature.” He pulled off his sunglasses, revealing those penetrating black eyes to her gaze for the first time that day. “We both need a break from the stress before the fair begins.”
So saying, he levered himself from the car and came around to help her. When they went inside the reception area, the lodge keeper rushed to greet Dimitrios in Greek. He obviously knew him well.
While they conversed at some length, the man’s wife brought them tea and biscuits. The repast tasted good. After they’d finished, she bid Alex to follow her from the office to one of the nearby cottages.
It turned out to be a pleasant room with an ensuite bathroom and three twin beds. Dimitrios came inside with her suitcase. He tipped the woman, then shut the door behind her.
Turning to Alex, he pinned her with his dark, level gaze. “I arranged for two rooms before I left Thessalonica this morning. However, the concierge just informed me that a problem has arisen and now there’s only this one available. Apparently the granddaughter of the concierge and his wife is being married today, and they’re expecting more family.”
“In that little church we just passed?” she cried in delight.
He nodded. “The wedding party is staying here for the night, so the lodge is closed to the public.”
She smiled to herself. “But there’s always a room for you.”
“Because I serve on the eco council for special preserves like this throughout Greece, an accommodation is usually made available if a member is in the area.”
He served on many boards, but being his New York assistant, she hadn’t heard of this one. It seemed that every day in his presence meant she learned something new about him.
“How special?”
His eyes gleamed. “If we’re lucky, you’re going to find out. Don’t worry about tonight. I brought my bed-roll. After we have dinner, I plan to sleep in the forest. Excuse me for a moment and I’ll bring in my things.”
Once he left the room, Alex stood there immobilized with fresh pain.
Given the unexpected circumstances, any other man might have tried to take advantage of the situation. Not Dimitrios. The night of the accident he’d wanted her to stay with him to help run interference. But now that he was recovered, it didn’t occur to him to ask her to share the room with him.
She had to admit it wasn’t anyone’s fault but hers. Michael had created this persona for her. One that made her blend into the woodwork.
Alex blended all right. So well, in fact, that Dimitrios saw her as one of the guys. She could be Stavros for all he cared.
Of course he cared a great deal for his Greek secretary. She knew Dimitrios cared a lot for her, too. Wanting to show her a favorite place of his meant they’d become friends. But never lovers.
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