out in public was proving to be a hazard. He could already count one traffic accident because the male driver had taken one look at her and driven right into the back of another car. It served the poor devil right.
Nikos read what was on the card.
Always be truthful with your vet, always keep safety in mind. Don’t walk on eggshells. Grieve for what is lost and move on. Stay on top of medications. Short periods of withdrawal to help control anger make sense, but withdrawing from life into a “bunker” is not helpful. Conflict is normal. Focus on the issue at hand and resist bringing up issues from the past. Exercise, get regular meals, good nutrition, plenty of rest and time for play. Enjoy the good times. When bad times come, hang on. Good times will come again.
As they got up to leave his office, Stephanie won the doctor over with her final comment. “I consider these bruises my mark of bravery.” His laughter followed them out the door.
Unable to help himself, Nikos gave her waist a squeeze as they left the clinic for the car. “Do you mind if we put off all the shopping until tomorrow? I have a surprise for you that could take up most of our day. Let’s grab a bite to eat before we meet Mr. Doukakis.”
* * *
Stephanie couldn’t imagine what it was. However, she was so happy to see that Nikos had forgiven himself for the bruises, and seemed to be in a mellower mood, that she didn’t care what they did as long as it was together. When he’d interrogated her in the doorway of her bedroom earlier that morning, she’d been frightened that irreparable damage had been done to their relationship.
At one of the sidewalk cafés she ordered a lime crush drink and discovered she adored the bruschetta made with apple and goat cheese. Nikos downed a whole loaf of lamb rolled slices. Taking the doctor’s advice, he passed on caffeine-laden coffee and ordered decaf. Stephanie made a mental note to buy the same, so he would sleep better.
When she couldn’t eat another bite, he drove them up a hillside covered with flowering vegetation. They came to a charming, two-story villa, where he stopped behind the car parked in front. The man at the wheel had to be this Mr. Doukakis he’d mentioned.
She flicked a glance at Nikos’s striking profile. “What are we doing?”
He shut off the engine and turned to her. “Hoping to buy us a house.”
What? “But I thought—”
“Let’s not go there.” He cut her off. “I’ll use the yacht for business, but decorating one of the rooms below deck for a nursery is absurd.”
“I agree, and have no intention of doing any such thing. As for the quilt, it’ll be a gift for our baby. I’m looking forward to making it, that’s all.”
“You’re avoiding the issue, Stephanie, and I know why. If you don’t like the looks of this house, we’ll find something better.”
Just when she’d been on a real high, he’d sprung this on her. Already she could see the writing on the wall. While she was at the house, he’d work late, then call to tell her he was staying on the yacht overnight. No way!
“I don’t want a house, not with you coming and going when the mood takes you.”
“You mean you don’t like this one,” he thundered. “If you want a mansion, just say so and I’ll accommodate you.”
Now she was angry. “I thought we left that issue in the past, but I can see you won’t let it go, about me wanting to marry you for your money. For your information, I love living on the water.”
She watched his hands grip the wheel tighter. “It’s no place for a baby.”
“The baby won’t be here for months! Why did you bother to marry me, Nikos? Sticking me in a house will make me feel like a kept woman. I thought you’d been honest with me, but you weren’t.”
His features had turned into a dark mask of anger. Good!
“Since it obviously irritates you to have a woman around, I’ll settle for living on my own boat, to stay out of your way. Instead of a house, buy me one of those little one-person sailboats bobbing at the marina on Egnoussa. I’ll pay you as much as I can when the condo sells.”
“Don’t say another word, Stephanie.”
“You started this, so I’ll say what I like. It would cost only a fraction of what it would take to buy me a mansion I don’t want to live in by myself. Or better yet, let me rent a sailboat. That would be fair. Yannis could take me to pick one out, and bring it across to moor by the yacht. ‘His and hers.’ We’ll be the talk of the island.”
While she was still shaking from their angry clash, he got out of the car and walked to the other one. The two men spoke for a few minutes before Nikos came back and levered himself into the front seat once more.
She sensed he’d love to wheel away on screeching tires, but he controlled himself on the drive back to the dock. By the time they reached the parking area, she’d repented of the way she’d blown up at him.
The doctor’s advice came to mind. Conflict was normal. Focus on the issue at hand, not past issues.
“Wait, Nikos,” she said as he opened the door. “I apologize for my behavior. Instead of welcoming your gift, I threw it back in your face. I’m so sorry. Please forgive me.”
He shifted his gaze to her. “I should have prepared you for what I had in mind.”
She shook her head. “I’m afraid my reaction would have been the same. Look, I realize you were happy living by yourself on the yacht with Yannis. Then I came along and disturbed your world. If I promise not to be a nuisance or get in your way, can we start over? But I can’t just be a lump around here. Give me a job and I’ll do it, besides my share of the cleaning.”
One dark brow lifted. “You really want to cook?”
“Yes. As many meals as you’ll let me.”
“Then so be it. That’ll free up me and Yannis to do other work.” Nikos closed the door. “Let’s drive to the market. Ever since you mentioned American food, I’ve been relishing the thought of it.”
Stephanie sighed in relief that they’d survived another skirmish. “Thank you. I promise you won’t regret this.”
Following her fried chicken for dinner that evening, both men finished off the apple pie. The fact that there were no leftovers told her she’d hit a home run on her first try.
Yannis got up from the table and winked at her. “If all your meals are this good, I’m going to put on weight.”
“I’m glad you liked it.”
After he disappeared, Nikos sat back in his chair with the hint of a smile. “I guess you know you’re permanently hired. I’d help you with the dishes, but we’re headed for Engoussa right now. I need to assist Yannis.”
“Do you have business there?”
“Yes. I want my parents to meet you tonight.”
Her heart started racing. “Do they
