WHEN ZOE’S PLANS with the girls didn’t turn out, she flew back to Patras four days later and returned to her apartment in time to go to bed. Their long-awaited vacation in Switzerland had gone up in smoke.
Abby had fallen for a Burgundian vintner and had gone to France with him. Ginger had wanted to stay in Venice. Zoe had the idea she’d met a man because something was definitely keeping her there.
As for Zoe, she was excited to return to Greece. All the way back on the plane she debated whether to phone Andreas when she got there and let him know her plans had changed. But by the time she got ready for bed, she’d talked herself out of calling him.
Zoe had been a fool to ask him to go to Ithaca with her and should forget him. What she needed to do was finish her Greek research and go home to California.
Once she got in bed and turned out the light, her phone rang. Was it Abby or Ginger? She shot up in bed and reached for her cell on the bedside table.
It was Andreas.
“Hello?” Her voice had a pathetic tremor.
“Zoe—I’m back from Athens and couldn’t go to bed until I’d spoken with you. Are you enjoying your trip with your friends? Where are you?”
Hearing his deep familiar voice, she pressed a hand to her heart. “We had a lovely time, but circumstances changed and I’m actually back in Patras.”
“You’re here?” She could hear the excitement in his voice. It matched hers.
“Yes. How’s your son?”
“I loved being with him, but tell me, what are your plans now?”
“Tomorrow I’m going to Ioannina.”
“In that case I have an idea. I’ll come by in the morning and drive us both there. Then we can talk.”
“I can’t let you do that. You have a company to run.”
“Before you say no, hear me out. I’ll take my laptop and work while you do your thing. There are several charming places to stay the night. I can call ahead for reservations.”
“Andreas—stop. It isn’t fair to you.”
“Why not? I thought you understood you’re helping me. I’m not ready to be imprisoned in my office yet. Do you know what I mean?”
“I’m afraid I do,” she answered quietly. “Of course I’d love to drive with you, but if you change your mind and something unexpected comes up, please don’t worry about me.”
“Thank you for saying yes. Now I can sleep. See you tomorrow morning at eight thirty. Good night, kyria.”
Zoe lay back against the pillow, excited for morning to come. At seven she awakened and hurried to wash her hair and get ready in a new skirt and top she’d bought recently.
When she walked outside, Andreas was there dressed in sport clothes, looking like her idea of a Greek god. His black eyes traveled over her.
“It’s good to see you again,” he told her.
“I’m happy to see you, too. I wasn’t sure I’d be back again and will have to tell you what happened. But first I want to hear about Ari.”
He helped her in his car and they left the city, traveling northwest. Zoe found herself enchanted by the city of Ioannina, spread out around Lake Pamvotida. The wealthy, aristocratic city, two hours northwest of Patras, included the cultures of Christianity, Islam and Judaism. The variety of its shops and food depicted the traditions.
After spending part of the day in the library where she did research, Andreas took her to a traditional coffeehouse where they were served sugar pie and an alcohol-free liqueur. He explained it was a mixture of organic vinegar, nectar, fruit syrups and herbs, drunk with crushed ice.
“It tastes like it must have alcohol in it. I love this drink. I wonder if Lord Byron drank it, but so far I haven’t come across it in my research.”
Andreas chuckled. “You have no idea how much fun you are to be with. Why is Ioannina so important to your research?”
“Byron wrote part of Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage here.”
“I’ve read some of it. His wish for man to be free touches me most.”
She took a deep breath. “He said the most profound things. When I read his writings, I feel like I’m in touch with the divine. This is the essence of what Magda hopes will be conveyed by her film.”
“How can she fail with someone like you supplying the inspiration?”
The tone in his voice found its way into her heart. “You’re nice to listen to me. What can I do for you?”
“Let’s talk a walk along the lake back to our hotel. Later we’ll get dinner.”
He’d found them a small, adorable hideaway at the water’s edge she’d loved on sight. Zoe had never experienced a day like this before. Since meeting him in such an unorthodox way, she was discovering Greece all over again through the eyes of a native son.
Zoe couldn’t help but be sorry for the breakup of his marriage. He hadn’t offered an explanation and she didn’t want one. All she knew was that he was an exceptional man and she felt lucky to know him. But even as she thought it, the memory of her bad marriage crept into her mind. She’d fallen for Nate too fast, too. She shook off the thought.
“Tell me about Ari. Was he thrilled to see you?”
A sweet smile broke out on his handsome features when he thought of his son. “He loves to play so hard, he wore me out.”
“I’m sure it’s painful to leave him.”
“You can’t imagine.”
“But you only have to wait two more days until you see him again. We’ve already gotten you through today.” He chuckled. “Why don’t we buy some souvlaki at a kiosk along here and eat it on the terrace of the hotel. I don’t want to go inside until we have to. The temperature here is heavenly.”
His gaze played over her. “You’re reading my mind.”
After he bought their food, they reached the hotel and sat down at a table to watch the sun go down. Another couple had come out on the patio involved in each other. The lovers couldn’t have found a more romantic place.
Glancing at them, an ache started up in Zoe’s heart. What would it be like to come here with the man you loved? One who loved you? A man like Andreas...
The second the thought came into her mind, she realized she’d made a mistake to let him drive her here. Of course there was no question of their getting involved romantically. They were simply acquaintances who’d met under unusual circumstances, but she’d be crazy to spend any more time with him.
He’d barely separated from his wife and clearly longed for his son. It was already June. She’d be going back to California soon. The old adage about ships passing in the night couldn’t have been more apropos.
All these months she’d been in Greece doing her job, not needing anyone, least of all a man. The taxi accident had brought them together, but for this to go on was ridiculous.
Already he was coloring her world in ways she didn’t want. She needed to stop this foolishness before she got too used to his being with her. Thank goodness he couldn’t afford to stay away from his work any longer.
“Andreas? That