One more curve on the road and a view of Mount Athos opened up in the distance. The sight brought exclamations from everyone. “Ooh, I’d love to climb that with Kristos!” Dimitra exclaimed.
Nico chuckled. “I’m afraid you can’t.”
“Why not?”
“No women are allowed,” her grandfather interjected. “It’s forbidden.”
“That’s the most absurd thing I ever heard! What goes on there, Papoú?”
Nico’s eyes met Alexa’s through the mirror. Hers were smiling. Their daughter was a delight to both of them.
“You’d be surprised. It’s the center of Eastern Orthodox monasticism. There are over twenty monasteries under the direct jurisdiction of the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople. Not even female animals are allowed.”
“Are you serious? That’s incredible. I didn’t realize. You always know everything.”
“Not everything, but close.”
Nico liked the older man very much. At Gavril’s remark he burst into laughter along with Alexa, unable to remember the last time he’d enjoyed himself this much. Years in fact.
Being with Alexa had everything to do with this change in him. When he’d taken her to the vineyard recently, he’d meant what he’d said to her about forgetting the past. It was over. Inexplicably his anger seemed to have dissipated and his life had taken on a whole new meaning.
“We’re almost home.” He took a private road that wound up the mountainside to his white villa.
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Dimitra murmured after they arrived. “This is the most fabulous place I’ve ever seen in my life!” She undid her seat belt and turned to him. “I love it, Baba. I love you.” In the next breath she threw her arms around him.
Nico’s throat swelled with emotion as he kissed her cheek. “When I bought this place, I never imagined the day would come when my very own daughter would be here with me. I love you too,” he said in a thick tone. “What do you say we get out so I can help your grandfather? He’s had to sit for a long time.”
“You’re right. Since the moment I knew you were my father, my head’s been spinning. I don’t know what I’m doing and have only been thinking of my own happiness.” Nico adored his daughter and felt the same way.
Just then they heard the whir of rotor blades. A helicopter was landing at the rear of the villa. “That’ll be your fiancé.”
She turned to get out. “I feel like I’m in a dream.”
>
Nico could relate.
Within seconds Kristos came running. The two lovebirds threw their arms around each other. Nico glanced at Alexa who was getting out of her side of the car. He took her grandfather’s wheelchair from the trunk.
“Here you go, Gavril. I’ll have you comfortable in a hurry.” The older man deserved anything Nico could do for him after he’d sacrificed his life helping raise their daughter all these years.
“I’m fine, Nico.”
Thanos and Anna, the married couple who looked after his place and served in many capacities, came out to carry the luggage inside.
Alexa stayed by her grandfather as Nico wheeled him through the sprawling, one-story villa to a guest room. Together they helped him get settled. “Anna will bring you a tray of food. Alexa’s room is next door to you.”
Gavril caught his arm. “You treat me like a king. Now you go on and help the others.”
“I’ll be right back and we’ll eat together,” Alexa assured him. After giving him a kiss, she followed Nico to the next guest room.
“Dimitra’s room is at the end of the hall.”
She walked to the window that overlooked the beach. “This spacious, airy villa is incredible, Nico. There’s still a view since the light hasn’t disappeared yet. You and your wife must have been beyond happy here.”
The mention of Raisa jolted him because he hadn’t been thinking about her at all. What was wrong with him? “We lived in a villa in Salonica. After she died, I sold it and bought this one.”
Alexa looked over at him. “I’m sorry. I spoke without thinking.”