Page 79 of Loving the Greek Billionaire

“What do you mean?” Leo stopped.

“Marie is aware of your relationship with Rose and wants to give you two a chance to work things out, hopefully with a happy outcome. But she’s also Rose’s sister and has to protect Rose’s heart from further harm at your hands. She probably could’ve gotten the permanent nanny here today, but she’s giving you the gift of time. Don’t blow it.”

“I owe her.”

“Yes, you do.” Stavros stood. “Don’t forget, if Rose knows how her sister helped you, it could damage their relationship. Marie is betting on you to make Rose happy.”

“That’s all I want.”

“I know.” Stavros laid a hand on his shoulder. “Make it happen. This will be way more intense than any flight rescue we did in action.”

Leo nodded. “And the stakes have never been higher.”

Stavros dropped his arm.

“I’m headed to the grove, but I want to be standing on the runway when she lands,”

“I’ll text you,” Stavros said. “Now get out of here. You’re driving me crazy.”

Leo strode outdoors, across the veranda, and into the solitude and peace of the trees.

As he entered the grove, the scent of olives, leaves, dirt, and sea air filled his nostrils. The smells worked as a balm, bringing peace and calm to his soul. His heart might be in disarray, but he found solace in the ancient trees. It had always been so. Even when he was a child, the olive trees seemed a sacred space.

The sun played peek-a-boo with the clouds while he fingered leaves as he ambled amid the ancient, gnarled trunks, which were generations old and sure to outlast him. He found comfort that some things lasted for a long time if nurtured properly. He wandered farther into the section that was a mix of ancient and young. Last year a disease had infected part of the grove, killing some of the oldest trees. New trees grew in the places of their predecessors. He derived comfort in the knowledge that his ancestors had tilled this soil, sweated under the Greek sun, and tended the trees for the benefit of the generations to come. He felt connection. He felt grounded.

Inevitably his feet took him tothetree, the one he and Nia had planted the day they were married. Next to their tree stood two smaller ones, representing Nefeli and Adonis.

He rubbed a hand along the bark of the trunk of the wedding tree. He felt closest to Nia here than at her gravesite. The familiar ache of Nia’s loss touched his heart, but not in the way it had in past days.

He whispered, “I’ve found someone, Nia. I’ve fallen in love with her. I think you’d like Rose. I hope you approve.” He closed his eyes and let the sea breeze wash over him, listening with his ears and, more importantly, with his heart. A peaceful warmth grew in his chest, and he imagined Nia was there, smiling at him, giving him permission to pursue a future of love. Tears pricked at his eyelids.

“I believe she will love the children, the way you did, with her whole heart,” he said. The leaves rustled in the wind.

“You will always be their mother, and I’ll be sure they never forget you, as I will never forget you.”

The sun burst from the clouds bathing him in warmth. He took it as a sign of Nia’s approval.

“Thank you.” He kissed the tree.

His phone chimed, and he checked the screen. The text from Stavros said, “It’s time.”

Leo’s heart raced in his chest, and his feet flew across the ground to get him to the airstrip in time. Rose was coming. The time had come to win her back. For the sake of his heart and his children, he must not fail to convince her to stay and become his wife.

♥ ♥ ♥

The plane touched down, and Rose forced the myriad emotions down too. She must be strong. Leo had betrayed her trust. She must keep that in mind, or the hasty and fragile walls constructed around her heart would crumble. She had to make it through forty-eight hours unscathed and then she could return home and cry her eyes out.

The plane braked to a stop. The cabin door opened, and she descended the staircase to the tarmac. Her heart lurched at the sight of Stavros and Leo, waiting for her. The fibers of her being cried out to be in Leo’s arms. She slapped them into submission and kept her features impassive.

“Welcome to Papadakis Isle,” Stavros said, his trademark sunglasses in place. “I hope your flight was enjoyable.”

Rose nodded, not trusting her voice yet. A whole island. The family owned the whole island. Well, that figured. She twisted her wedding ring over and over. The height of the flight didn’t torture her as much as knowing who she was coming back to, even if only temporarily.

“Rose,” Leo began.

“Where are the children?” She directed her question to Stavros, ignoring Leo, though every cell in her skin was aware of him and his proximity.

“In the house with Yaya and Papaous,” Stavros answered.

---