The Greek's Long-Lost Son (7 page)

T
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night Theo took the hostess aside and slipped her a tip. “Can you put us in front where the boys can watch the dancing up close?” He’d picked a taverna in Batsi that was tourist friendly regardless of ages.

“If you and your wife will follow me, I’ll seat you.”

“Thank you.”

Stella had to have heard what the other woman said, but she pretended not to notice. Ushering the boys forward they moved through the crowded terrace to a table overlooking the bay. How many years had he dreamed of being with Stella like this, knowing he could take care of her and his own….

Several couples were already on the dance floor moving to the live band. He was aching to get her out there. Once he got the boys started on some snacks, he planned to steal her away where they could keep an eye on them while he held her as close as decency allowed.

Once a waiter came for their orders and the boys had told Stella about their outing, he asked to be excused before grasping her hand.

“Dance with me?”

“Do it, Mommy. I’ve never seen you dance before.”

“She’s an expert,” Theo murmured. Without waiting for a yes or a no, he drew her out of the chair onto the floor.

Her body was stiff. “I haven’t danced in years.”

“Neither have I. The last time was at a church dance with you. Do you remember it was in the basement? Everyone was afraid with all the adults watching. I stepped on your foot.”

“No, you didn’t. I was the one who stepped on yours several times. I was so embarrassed I wanted to die.”

He caught her close, pressing his cheek against the hotness of hers. “All I remember was that I was in heaven because Stella Athas, the most desirable girl in the world, had agreed to dance with me. I was the envy of all my friends who laid bets you wouldn’t let me get near enough to touch you.”

“Was I that impossible?”

“I thought that at first, but soon discovered you were just painfully shy. You presented a challenge I couldn’t resist. My biggest fear was that once you found out I was a Pantheras, you would run from me and go to a different church where I couldn’t find you.”

“When I was a teenager, the last thing I thought about was money.”

“I know that now, but everyone whispered you were an Athas who couldn’t see the urchins at your feet.”

She pulled back, staring at him through wounded eyes. “How awful that people felt that way.”

“Not everyone, Stella.” Obeying an insatiable need, he brushed his mouth against hers before winding his fingers into the back of her hair. She was so beautiful. She could have no idea how much he’d missed feeling her next to him.

Her eyes closed tightly. “Please keep your distance. We’re on a dance floor with the children watching.”

Theo couldn’t help smiling. “Everyone else is dancing close.” He was fast losing control.

“We’re not everyone.”

“No, we’re not, thank heaven. There’s only one Stella.” He kissed her hair at the temple. “There are things we have to talk about. Expect a call from me before you go to bed tonight.” Theo swung her toward their table and held the chair for her to sit down.

“How’s the food, guys?”

“Good,” Ari said. “The waiter brought us more drinks.”

Dax nodded. “He said we could have as many as we wanted.”

Feeling euphoric, he eyed his son. “Have you ever danced with your mother before?” He shook his dark head. “Now’s your chance.”

“I don’t know how.”

“I do. My mom taught me.” Dax got up and went over to Stella.

She smiled. “I’m honored.” Without hesitation she took him for a whirl around the floor.

Theo grinned at Ari. “You see? There’s nothing to it.”

He could tell his son was girding up his courage. A minute later they came back to the table. To Theo’s delight, Ari got up and took his turn with Stella. Nothing like a little healthy competition.

Good for him. He had a shy side like his mother. With a little confidence, he was going to grow up to be an outstanding man. Whatever he chose to do, be it astronomy or otherwise, he had the intelligence and perseverance to succeed. Theo wanted to be his father on a twenty-
four-hour basis. The way to do that depended on getting through to Stella.

As if she knew what he was thinking, the minute she came back with Ari, she checked her watch. “It’s really late. I’m afraid we have to be going.”

Theo put some bills on the table and helped Stella to her feet. The four of them left the restaurant and walked out into the warm Greek night. He accompanied them to the car, knowing better than to hug her too tight.

This time he high-fived his son first. “I had one of the best times of my life today.”

“Me, too.”

“You can call me anytime. When you’re back in Athens, check with your mother and we’ll make more plans.”

Ari’s head whipped around to Stella. “Can’t we decide now?”

She looked tormented. “We’ll talk about this later.”

“Your mother’s right. It’s been a long day.” He tousled both boys’ hair, then flicked her a glance. “Drive home safely. Your car holds precious cargo.”

Their eyes held for an instant before a look of determination to leave altered her features and she started the car. Ari looked back while they drove away and waved.

He raised his hand. Keep it up, Ari. Keep it up.

No sooner did the three of them walk into the villa than Stella heard a voice that always made her uneasy call to her. It was terrible to feel that way about her own brother, but there’d been too much history in the past to pretend his presence didn’t affect her.

“Well, well.” He scrutinized the three of them. “Who would have imagined you keeping such late hours.”

“Hi, Uncle Nikos.”

She paused in the entrance hall to give him a kiss on the cheek. He looked lean and dashing in his swim trunks. Her brother was the personification of the Olympic silver medallist who’d won one of the few medals for Greece in the downhill and giant slalom. He was an icon in his own right.

“Hello, Nikos. It’s good to see you. Where’s Renate?”

“Upstairs unpacking.” His glance alighted on Dax. “Who’s this?”

“My friend, Dax.”

“Haven’t seen you around here before.”

“Ari invited me.”

Knowing Ari felt uncomfortable, Stella put a hand on their shoulders. “Hurry on upstairs and get ready for bed. Don’t forget to brush your teeth. I’ll be up in a few minutes to say good night.”

She gave them each a kiss before sending them off. Without the boys around, it was easier to deal with Nikos. “Is Stasio still up?”

“They’re out on the patio. Are you joining us?”

“Not tonight. To be honest, I’m exhausted. Tell Renate I’ll see her in the morning.”

“How come you let Ari bring someone? This is our family time.”

Stella bristled. “I can’t believe you just said that. He’s not going to be here the whole time, but even if he were, what difference does it make to you? You’ll come and go as the mood suits you. As for the girls, they’re two and four, hardly company for a six year-old all the time.”

He looked taken back. She couldn’t remember the last time that had happened.

“Since when did you become so prickly? I hardly know you like this.”

“I didn’t pick this fight, Nikos. You did by being offensive, not only to me but the boys.” Theo had shown more loving kindness to Dax than Nikos had ever shown to Ari.

“Stella?” he called her back, his dark eyes angry. “What’s gotten into you?”

“I’m still the same person. I’ve just decided to speak my mind the way you do. Sometimes it’s not pleasant is it? Good night.”

She walked up the stairs without looking back. It had felt good to be honest with him. However, there was no deluding herself. For as long as he stayed on Andros with his Austrian skier wife, also an Olympian, Nikos would make her and Ari pay the price.

That was still on her mind when she reached her room and discovered her son waiting on the top of her bed in his pajamas. Somehow it didn’t surprise her.

“Hey, honey…why the long face after such a wonderful outing?”

“Mom? Do we have to stay here for our whole vacation?”

Thank you, Nikos!

“It’s what we’d planned.”

“But I want to be with my daddy. He has all these fun things we can do at his house.”

She’d thought this was about Nikos, but it clearly wasn’t. Stella took a steadying breath. “Haven’t you been enjoying it here?”

He averted his eyes. “Yes.”

“But?”

“I like being with him. He’s awesome. Dax says so, too.”

“I noticed. Is it like being with Uncle Stasio?” He was Ari’s hero.

“Kind of, but he’s my papa,” he said quietly.

His papa…

“I wish we could go home tomorrow.”

Knowing he already felt this strongly about his father, she had no doubt this was going to be a permanent situation from now on. But she needed to know a lot more about Theo’s agenda. He wouldn’t always have this much free time to spend with Ari. Her greatest desire was to protect their son from being hurt.

The fear of history repeating itself was uppermost in her mind, especially when things were moving so fast. Their lives were changing in ways she hadn’t thought possible a week ago. Certainly Ari’s world had undergone a total transformation.

“Tell you what. Your father will be calling me in a little while and we’ll talk. I’ll let you know what we decide in the morning.”

His crestfallen look spoke volumes. He wanted answers now, but she couldn’t give him one. “Okay.” He slid off the bed and darted out of her room.

Her mind on Theo, she went into the bathroom to brush her teeth. If he’d flown straight to Paloukia, then he was probably home by now. She decided to get ready for bed first. Maybe by then he would phone her.

Ten minutes later she slid under the covers, still waiting for his call. Deciding to take the initiative, she reached in her purse for his letter and dialed his cell phone number. He picked up on the second ring.

“Ari?” The tender excitement in his voice was a revelation in and of itself.

“No. It’s Stella. Is it a bad time for you to talk?”

“It’s a perfect time. I just walked into the house and was about to call you.”

She’d thought she could do this, but now she wasn’t so sure. Too nervous to lie there, she got out of bed and began pacing.

“This is about Ari.”

“I presumed as much, but I live in hope the day will come when you and I can have a conversation about the future. Our future.”

Her breath caught. “We don’t have time to talk about that right now.”

“Why not? Did Ari get sick on all those hors d’oeuvres they ate while we were dancing?”

“No.” She wished it were that simple. “Since he’s been with you, he’s a different boy.”

“So am I. That’s what happens when a father and son get together.”

“That’s my concern.” She crushed the phone in her hand. “For how long?”

“Forever.”

Her body started to shake. “Lots of relationships start out on a forever basis, but deteriorate with time.”

“Our love didn’t die, Stella,” he declared in his deep male voice. “We were ambushed by a force neither of us had the power to stop at the time.”

“You keep saying that!” she cried.

“Because it’s true. If I thought you would take me at my word that I was torn from you, I’d never tell you another thing because I don’t want you and Ari to go through any more hurt.”

“What hurt? After what happened, how could there possibly be any more? Look, Theo—for Ari’s sake I want to believe you because he wants to be with you, but I’m afraid my ability to trust died years ago.”

“So, what are you saying?” His voice sounded bleak.

“Th-that I’m going to go on sheer faith and give you free access to him.” Tears rolled down her cheeks. “You’ve got Ari’s heart in your hands. If you do anything to disappoint him…” She couldn’t talk for a minute.

“I’m here to stay, Stella. My life is totally tied up in him.”

This was hard. So hard when those were the things she’d wanted him to say to her years ago.

“I pray you’re telling the truth, because tonight he asked if we could cut our vacation short and go back to Athens in the morning. He wants to be available to you.”

“What did you tell him?”

“That we’d talk about it in the morning.”

“I’m sure that’s the last thing you want to do when you love being with your family. They still don’t know I’ve been seeing Ari?”

“No. It’s my business. I’ve preferred keeping things private. They’ll find out soon enough. I’ll be driving back home in the morning with the boys.”

“In that case I’d like to come to see him tomorrow afternoon. The three of us can talk over plans then.”

“He’ll be thrilled,” she murmured.

“Even with all our history, it’ll be the first time for me to make it inside your home, Stella.”

She realized that. Years ago they’d had to be careful when he brought her back from an outing on his brother’s motor scooter. He’d leave her a block away, then wait for her call when he got back home to make sure she was all right. Theo had never failed her. That’s why his unprecedented behavior on that horrific night had been too much for her psyche to handle.

“Ari will be overjoyed.” But nothing else has been resolved.

“No more than I. Thank you. This means more than you will ever know.” His voice sounded thick-toned.

Get off the phone, Stella.
“Good night.”

“Good night. Drive home safely.” She heard the concern in his tone before hanging up. The rest of the night she tossed and turned, hoping she’d made the right decision.

The second Ari came in the next morning, she told him they were leaving. He whooped it up before running to tell Dax to get his stuff together.

Stella packed quickly before going down to Stasio’s study. He usually checked in with his secretary in the early mornings, even when he was on vacation. Like Theo, he was tall with arresting male features. There wasn’t a mean bone in his body.

“Knock, knock.”

“Stella? We missed you last night. Come on in.”

“I’m just peeking in to say goodbye for now. Let’s hope Rachel’s morning sickness improves.”