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His housekeeper had prepared oven-baked lamb and crab salad. For dessert, she’d fixed his favorite grape must pudding. Between him and Andrea they made short work of it.
When they’d finished, she let out a deep sigh of contentment. “That has to be the best meal I’ve ever eaten. How did you find her? She’s worth her weight in gold.”
“Her husband worked at the quarry until retirement. He became ill last year and I often dropped by to visit him.”
“What a kind thing to do.”
“I had an agenda. Raisa always forced food on me. One day, I told her I’d pay a king’s ransom if she’d be my cook. They needed the money, so she took me up on it.”
“Is he still sick?”
“He gets bouts of pneumonia, but so far he’s managing.”
While he sat there drinking his coffee, she got up to clear the table and clean up the kitchen. She’d probably been in the habit of waiting on her father. As Stavros was discovering, old habits died hard.
“Andrea? Come back in the dining room and bring your purse so I can see those pictures of your family.”
“I only have three in my wallet.”
She returned and pulled them out so he could picture her parents. One of the photos showed her mother pregnant. She’d been a lovely blonde woman. “You strongly resemble her.”
“Dad says the same thing.”
Andrea’s lean, chemical engineer father had rugged features with light brown hair and blue eyes. “To a Greek like me, your parents represent the handsome American couple.”
She smiled and sat down to drink the rest of her coffee. “Why do we look American?”
“I don’t know. Your mannerisms maybe. The way you hold yourself. I really can’t explain it.”
“You Greeks give off your own vibes too. At first, Sakis didn’t want to hire me because it would give a non-Greek a job.” She put the photos away.
“But he was already smitten,” Stavros murmured, unable to prevent himself from eating her up with his eyes. “I saw it at his office. Combined with your résumé, he was hooked. That was a lucky day for him and my family’s corporation, even if my grandfather was the only one who had vision.”
A gentle laugh escaped. “Do you miss him?”
“Very much. Just once, he admitted that my father was a harsh taskmaster. He said it surprised him. That was my grandfather’s way of telling me he approved of me.”
Her eyes misted over. “How difficult for you. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. I’ve grown a second skin. I’d rather talk about you. Are you planning to stay with PanHellenic Tours as a career?”
“Oh, no. Only until my father leaves for his new assignment in Indonesia.”
Stavros felt as though he’d just been punched in the gut. That was one answer he hadn’t expected. “How soon will he be leaving Greece?”
“Mid-October.”
Less than two months?
His stomach muscles tightened in reaction. “That country has seen a lot of turmoil.”
“Not where Dad and I will be living.”
Stavros stifled a groan. “Does your boss know yet?”
“Yes. Why do you ask?”
“The way he talked with you today, I got the feeling he won’t want to let you go.”
