Adonis sprayed his chest and back and then wiped the lotion into Stavros’s skin.
Rose couldn’t help but stare at Stavros’s physique. He certainly kept to a military workout regimen if his muscles were any indication. She wondered when he found the time, since Mr. P’s schedule was so rigorous.
Stavros smiled at her, and she turned away. He’d caught her staring.
She shook her shoulders. She wouldn’t be the only woman staring at him on the beach. He was a fine specimen of man.
Taking the children by the hand, Rose led them all to the water.
As they neared the edge, Adonis broke away and took a big jump at the edge and splashed water on all of them.
“Oh!” Rose wiped a stray drop from her cheek.
“I love the water!” Adonis jumped up and down.
“I can see that,” Rose said.
“Me too!” Nefeli plunged into the blue waves, which hit her knees.
“I’m grateful the waves are so small here,” Rose said to Stavros.
“The beach is in a small bay on the Argolic Gulf which makes it fairly protected from large or strong waves, an ideal place to come with children.”
“I agree.”
They played in the water, until Adonis tired and wanted food. Rose got him some fruit and water.
“I want to build in the sand,” Nefeli announced.
“I want to go back in the water,” Adonis declared.
Rose looked to Stavros. “Shall we divide and conquer? If you can stay, that is.”
“I can stay. Mr. P is tied up for the rest of the day.”
She raised a brow.
“I’ll take Adonis to the water, and you can build with Nefeli. Your artistic skills exceed mine.” He winked at her and scooped Adonis over his shoulder. The boy playfully protested at the fireman’s carry by pounding his little fist across Stavros’s back.
Rose laughed.
“Where should we build our castle?” Nefeli lifted the bucket of sand toys.
Rose looked longingly at the canopy. She’d prefer to take a break in the shade, but if they built under the canopy, there wouldn’t be any room left for the people. “How about there?” She pointed halfway between the canopy and the water. “Then we don’t have to haul the water so far.”
Nefeli nodded and headed to the indicated spot.
Rose followed. Upon arrival, she said, “Would you like to build something different today?”
“Like what?” Nefeli held a shovel in one hand and a pail in the other.
“I was thinking we could make a sea turtle.”
The girl’s eyes lit up. “How?”
Rose took the shovel from Nefeli and, with the end of the handle, traced an oval in the sand. “This is the shell or carapace.” Then she outlined the feet, head, and tail.
“I see it!” Nefeli clapped her hands.