holidays.”
Nikos watched as Sara began to eat. Her comment about settling in the Greek islands had surprised him. And instantly had him raising barriers. She’d never tried to coax him into giving her something she wanted. Even a job recommendation. Nor had she ever flirted. She was totally unlike the other women he knew. Yet once she’d made that comment, he felt as if the balance between them had shifted. She worked for him. He was merely enjoying swimming and snorkeling with someone with similar interests.
If she thought staying would allow for more involvement, she was mistaken.
Yet the thought of her leaving also filled him with disquiet. Sara was refreshing to be around. She was totally content with her own accomplishments and goals. She didn’t try to pretend she was anyone else.
He’d surprised his grandparents last night when he’d mentioned one of his crew was interested in diving and he planned to spend some time enjoying that activity.
They didn’t say anything, but Eleani had smiled and suggested he have her come to meet them. His grandfather had echoed that, saying he wanted to meet the newest member of the Cassandra’s crew. He already knew all the others.
It was one thing to enjoy diving with Sara and another to give rise to any speculation on her part that he was looking for more. He’d made it as clear as possible he was not in the marriage field. He knew she’d heard about Gina and his tentative plans. As long as she knew the rules, she’d have no reason to expect more from him than he could deliver.
That wasn’t why he’d brought her to the island.
He didn’t wish to examine too closely exactly why he had. He only knew the more he grew to know her, the more she intrigued him.
He stood when she rose and watched as she left the terrace and headed back to the ship. For the first time ever, Nikos regretted having the strong sense of duty he’d had ground into him. He’d much rather go after Sara, pack a picnic lunch and return to the cove—just the two of them.
Duty called, however.
Once he’d finished his coffee, he went to his office, called his assistant and became engrossed in the daily challenge of running a world-class resort. When his grandfather was ready, they’d go check out the boat he was interested in buying.
Sara watched the clock. She’d been told lunch would be at one and hoped Nikos would take a break to eat when she did. The yacht’s galley had been designed by a professional. She had no trouble inventorying supplies, especially the spices and herbs. They were an important part of any dish, so it was crucial these were kept fresh and fragrant. She made a list of ones that needed to be replaced. The rest of the staples were sufficient for the next few meals she’d planned. Had they been departing on a cruise, she would have shopping to do. By the time that happened again, Nikos’s regular chef would be recovered and ready to return to work.
She sat on the high stool at the counter and gazed out the porthole. Would she like being a chef for one family? She thought of the captain and his years of service for the Konstantinos family. She enjoyed working in different environments, but the benefits and security of a long-term assignment like he had did hold a certain appeal.
Especially if she ever married.
She began to think again of home. Once back, she’d try to find a position that would offer career potential. She’d have the lovely memories of her Aegean adventure to remember— especially how a dynamic Greek millionaire had kissed her in the warm waters of the sea.
Stefano stepped inside. “We’re going up to the house for luncheon.”
Sara smiled and hopped off the stool. “I’m more than ready. I can’t believe after the humongous breakfast I ate that I’m hungry again, but I am. And I want to see what Dimitri has done this time.”
“One chef taking ideas from another?” he joked.
“Only with permission. I am learning more and more about Greek food. My mother was not much of a cook, so we were limited in what we ate. Now I’m having such fun discovering new recipes and taste sensations.”
As Sara approached the big house, her anticipation grew. Would Nikos share his meal with her again? Or was breakfast the only meal he’d have until dinner? She knew he had enjoyed all the meals she’d prepared for him and his guests on the cruise, but did he keep different hours when he wasn’t entertaining guests?
The lower terrace was again set with two large tables and a long buffet table near the house. The grapevines winding around the arbor provided shade from the noontime sun. The table where she’d shared breakfast with Nikos looked forlorn when the other tables were obviously set for the meal.
The higher terrace was set with one small table. A silver-haired man sat watching the group as Sara and the others approached the lower terrace. The captain waved in greeting and the man nodded in reply.
Sara knew that was Spiros Konstantinos, Nikos’s grandfather. She wished they were closer so she could get a better look. Then she was distracted by the greetings of the household staff.
Sara sat between Stefano and Ari. The captain sat at the head of their table. A silver-haired butler sat at the head of the table where the household staff sat. He could also see the family’s terrace and how the waiter was doing there.
From her vantage point, Sara could barely see the table on the other terrace. There were flowers growing in large containers, softening the angles of the house, almost enclosing the terrace. A large trellis shaded that terrace, as well, thick with grapevines offering a green canopy overhead.
She could smell the delicious aromas from the buffet table and glanced around. No one was serving themselves yet.
“We wait for Mr. Konstantinos to be first,” Stefano said, leaning close. “Once the family has been served, we are free to enjoy ourselves.”
Nikos came out onto the terrace then, escorting an older woman. Sara felt her breath catch as she knew she was looking at her grandmother for the first time.
The woman was as tall as Sara, slender and walked with a regal bearing. Her hair was dark, threaded through with silver. She smiled and waved at the crew and staff, then greeted her husband. Nikos pulled back the chair to seat her, then took a seat to his grandfather’s right.
Nikos glanced around and looked at Sara. She felt the connection almost like a touch. A second later he turned slightly toward her grandmother, obviously in response to a question the woman posed.
The Konstantinoses were soon served their meal, and the staff then was free to partake of the lavish buffet the chef had created. She loved the spinach, feta cheese and walnut salad that she’d had before. In one of the hot chafing dishes was fresh lamb, grilled to perfection. In another a chicken dish. Another held fish. Sara sampled everything. She had to ask if the chef would share some of his recipes. The food was delicious.
As before, she ate quietly, listening to the conversation flow around her. She knew most of the staff had worked together for years, and she was definitely the newest member.
Lunch was followed by freshly brewed coffee and tea. Sara sipped some of the sweet tea that smelled so much like passion flower. She missed being on the aft deck of the boat, bobbing gently in the water. But this was the next best thing. She’d have to remember every detail to share with Stacy and her other friends.
Nikos
