“Honestly, it’s not like that.” He didn’t want his brother giving the wrong idea to their parents. “She understands my situation.”
“She knows that you’re coming home to find a bride? And she wants to accompany you, anyway?”
“I haven’t spoken with her this morning.” Not exactly a lie. “She doesn’t know I’m bringing her with me to Sherdana yet.”
“Well, this should make for an interesting family dinner,” Gabriel said. “I’ll make sure there’s a place set at the table for her beside Mother.”
And before Nic could protest that arrangement, Gabriel hung up. Nic debated calling him back, but decided it would only exacerbate his brother’s suspicions about Brooke. Playing it cool and calm around his family would be the best way to handle any and all speculation.
Grabbing his bag from his bedroom, Nic made his way toward the steps that Brooke had used to access the terrace two days ago. They led down the steep hillside in a zigzag that ended at a private dock. Brooke had already arrived at the boat and was settled onto the seat opposite the pilot’s chair. The smile she offered Nic was bright if a little ragged around the edges.
Thasos started the engine as soon as Nic stepped aboard and quickly untied the mooring ropes. Nic settled into the bench seat at the back of the boat and watched Brooke pretend not to be interested in him. He knew the signs. He’d spent years giving her the impression he was oblivious to her presence. Yet how could he be? She lit up every room she entered. Her personality set the very air to buzzing. Sitting still was probably the hardest thing she did. Yet when her brain engaged, she could get lost in a book or her writing for hours.
They’d shared many companionable afternoons while she was working on her second doctorate. Not surprisingly, she enjoyed sitting cross-legged on the couch in his workroom, tapping away at her computer keyboard or with her nose buried in a book. If he managed to accomplish any work on the weekends she visited, it was a miracle. Most of the time, he’d pretended to be productive while he watched her surreptitiously.
Forty-five minutes after leaving Ithaca, the boat maneuvered into an open space at the Fiskardo quay. A car would be waiting to carry them on the thirty-one-kilometer journey to the airport outside Kefalonia’s capital, Argostoli. If traffic was good, they would get there in a little less than an hour.
Thasos carried their bags to the waiting car and with a jaunty wave turned back to the boat. As soon as he’d driven out of sight, Nic turned to Brooke.
“I don’t feel comfortable heading home to Sherdana and leaving you on your own.”
“Good Lord, Nic.” She shot him a dry look. “I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself.”
“I agree. It’s just that with everything that has happened in the last few days—”
“Stop right there.” All trace of amusement vanished from her tone as she interrupted him. “After everything that’s happened...? I am not some delicate flower that has been crushed by disappointment.”
“Nevertheless. I’m not going to leave you stranded in Greece. You are coming home with me.”
* * *
After five years of teasing and cajoling, bullying and begging, Brooke thought she had Nic all figured out. He preferred working in solitude, hated drama and rarely veered from a goal once he’d set his mind to something. But this announcement left her floundering. Had she ever really known him at all?
“What do you mean you’re taking me home with you?” The notion thrilled and terrified her.
“Exactly what I said.” Nic’s jaw was set in uncompromising lines. “You will fly with me to Sherdana and from there I will make sure you get a flight back to California.”
The knot in Brooke’s stomach didn’t ease with his clarification. “I assure you I’m perfectly capable of getting a flight home from Greece.” With morning sickness plaguing her, she’d given up the idea of a summer holiday in Italy. She wanted to be surrounded by familiar things and her favorite people. Maybe she’d spend a week in LA visiting her parents.
“Don’t make this difficult on yourself.”
“Isn’t that what I should be saying to you?” Seeing he didn’t comprehend her meaning, Brooke clarified. “Have you considered what happens when we land? How fast can you get me on a plane to the States? In the meantime are you planning on leaving me waiting at the airport? Putting me up in a hotel? Or perhaps you think I’d be more comfortable at the palace?”
Expecting her sarcasm to be lost on him the way it usually was, Brooke was stunned by his matter-of-fact retort.
“My brother said he’ll make sure the staff sets an extra place for you at dinner next to my mother.” Lighthearted mischief lit his eyes as her mouth dropped open.
“I can’t have dinner with your family.” Her throat clenched around a lump of panic.
“Why not?”
“I have nothing to wear.”
“You look perfect to me.”
With lids half-closed, his gaze roamed over her body, setting off a chain reaction of longing and need. The July morning had gone from warm to hot as the sun had crested the horizon and Brooke had dressed accordingly in a loose-fitting blue-and-white cotton peasant dress with a thigh-baring hem and a plunging neckline. The look was fine for traveling from one Greek Island to another or catching a short flight to Rome, London or anywhere else she could snag a connection home to California. But to go to Sherdana and be introduced to Nic’s family?
“Why are you really bringin