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Scarlett rose early and dressed sensibly for their day of sightseeing, tucking a towel and other paraphernalia in a beach bag. She was surprised to find only Carter waiting for her downstairs. “Where’s Darren?”
“He’s going to spend the day riding horses and relaxing. Darren doesn’t like boat rides,” he said with a twinkle in his eye.
She couldn’t imagine Darren being afraid of anything and found his fear of boats rather endearing. After a quick breakfast of strong, black coffee and sweet buns, they left the house. He led her down the hill, through the olive grove, until they came to the small dock. “Go ahead and get in the speedboat,” said Carter.
Scarlett settled herself in the boat as Carter slipped off the rope that kept them tethered. He started the engine and guided them out.
“I’ve never been to Mykanos.”
“You’ll love it,” Carter said. “It’s the largest island in the Cyclades chain, and it has a lively nightlife. In Hora, the capital, there are three museums you’ll probably want to see, and if there’s time, we’ll stop by a bouzokia.”
“What’s a bouzokia?” Scarlett asked loudly as the boat hit the open water and wind whipped around them. Her hair was blowing freely, and she secured it with her left hand as best she could.
“A nightclub,” he said in a near-shout. “Conversation is difficult out here, but it’s only a short trip.”
“How long does it take your mitera to get to Greece by boat?” asked Scarlett.
“My mother?” he asked in confusion.
“When she does her charity work,” Scarlett elaborated. They hit a wave, and the boat jumped a few feet in the air, making her stomach churn. She could now understand Darren’s dislike for this boat, and she scrambled to put on a life vest.
“Oh, she doesn’t go by boat,” said Carter. “She takes the helicopter.”
“Helicopter?” Scarlett asked stupidly.
Carter leaned closer, and Scarlett caught a whiff of his cologne, a musky, sandalwood scent. “You didn’t see the chopper?” he asked, raising his voice to be heard. Scarlett shook her head. “It’s parked at the airstrip where we landed.”
A vague memory flashed through Scarlett’s mind and she nodded, remembering the chopper now. Carter laughed, showing perfect white teeth. “It would take much too long for Mama to get to Athens by boat.”
Scarlett nodded, but didn’t respond verbally. The wind was too high for him to hear her, or vice versa. Instead, she settled comfortably in the small seat and watched the miles pass as they skimmed over the Aegean Sea.
When Mykanos came into sight, Scarlett caught her breath in delight. The crystal blue waters of the sea washed onto a rocky shore. For a moment, the water reminded her of Carter’s eyes. White buildings lined the shore, nestled against the mountains that rose behind them.
A friendly man at the dock took the rope Carter threw him and anchored them to the post. Carter brought the boat close to the dock and hopped out, offering her a hand. It was the first time they touched since the kiss and she felt her cheeks fill with blush.
“Are you ready to do some walking?” asked Carter, and Scarlett nodded with enthusiasm.
They began their tour of Hora in the Castro district. Scarlett admired the brilliant white cubic houses with their balconies and white-washed parapets, some with white windmills in the front of the houses. They were very close together, with just a few feet of space between each home. Several homes were three and four stories as the houses were often built one on top of the other.
Carter led her to the Church of the Panagia Paraportiani, left over from the days of Byzantine rule. Scarlett wanted to go into the arched bell tower and was disappointed to find the only entrance, a door on the side, locked. “It is rarely open these days,” said Carter. “Vandals have done too much damage.”
There were almost seven hundred churches on Mykanos, and Carter took her to see several more, including the cathedral Panachrantos, St. Kyriaki, and St. Eleni. “Why are there so many churches?” Scarlett asked as the left St. Eleni.
“In the old days, family members were often buried in the walls of the churches. Some families built a new church each time a family member died.”
“So there are dead bodies in the walls?” Scarlett asked with horrified fascination. Carter nodded and suggested they go to the museums.
They went through the Archaeological Museum, where Scarlett admired the Trojan vase from 670 B.C., then on to the Folk Museum, where artifacts of everyday life were displayed. Scarlett’s interest in museums waned with the Nautical Museum, and they stopped for a late lunch.
They chose a pub with tables lined up in front of the tiny restaurant and ate freshly caught seafood, grilled in olive oil and capers. Scarlett cautiously sipped the ouzo, but found the fresh water from Tria Pagadia more to her liking.
“Would you like to spend the rest of the afternoon on the beach?” Carter asked after settling the check.
“Sounds wonderful,” Scarlett agreed. “My feet are killing me, especially my ankle.”
“We’re close to Psarou, if that’s all right with you,” Carter suggested.
“As long as I don’t have to walk very far, I’m game.”
