by Holly Greene
And how the hell did this guy - George - know about her? Did her mom contact him when she got back to the States to tell him she was pregnant? She must have. There was no other way for him to know about her.
So all along Joanna had a father on the other side of the world who hadn’t cared enough to come and see her. To meet her. To get to know her. Clearly this was why her mother didn't want Joanna to know anything about him and who could blame her?
“Are you going to go there?” Peter asked. “To Skiathos?”
“I don’t know,” she answered truthfully, thinking about what the lawyer had said, about the ‘condition’. “What do you think it is? What do you think he left me?”
“If a lawyer’s involved, and the guy’s only question was when you could come over, then it’s got to be a house of some kind. Why he didn’t just tell you over the phone is strange though. But anyway, if it’s indeed a house, you should sell. No ifs, ands or buts. Sell the place, take the money and run.”
“Why?”
“Skiathos is a big tourist destination. It’s one of the most beautiful islands in Greece. Wherever that house is, it’s going to be worth a fortune. Sell it, and you and I will buy a beautiful apartment and fund a lavish wedding without breaking a sweat. Probably have enough leftover for the honeymoon, too.”
Joanna considered that. It would be the smart thing to do if they were going to get married soon.
But that word. It held so much power.
If.
Joanna thought she wouldn’t be able to concentrate during the workweek, what with her inheritance and potential promotion coming up.
But that wasn’t the case.
At his insistence, Peter’s guys got in touch with her father’s lawyer, and Friday came and went with Joanna being promoted to a senior editor at Herod Publishing.
“Congratulations,” Liam said to her, popping his head inside her new office before heading out for the weekend. “You deserve this.”
“What about—”
“Senior Advisor. Now what the hell that actually means, I don’t know.” Liam stretched his arms and yawned. “Same office, slightly more pay. Just pushed to the shadows a little so a more vibrant plant such as yourself can start fruiting. I’m OK though. It hurts less that it was you they chose. See you Monday morning.”
Joanna waved goodbye to him, then turned around and stared out at the city. She a great view of both the Chrysler building and Empire State building.
She was making it, going up in the world. She was doing what she’d always wanted to do. What she’d always said she’d do.
Her phone vibrated in her purse, and she assumed it was Donna calling to see if she got the promotion, but it was that number again.
Greece. The Greek lawyer.
Joanna answered it without hesitating.
“Joanna Nelson,” she said.
“Hi, Miss Joanna, this is Nick, your father’s lawyer. I’ve been contacted by a lawyer from your husband about selling your father’s property.”
“Well, he’s not my husband, but yes, that’s right.”
“Oh, I’m sorry. My apologies, Miss Nelson. I’m calling because I was hoping I could make you reconsider. As I said, your father forbade me to tell you what he left you. You see, he wanted you to come to Skiathos to see it for yourself. He doubted you would come otherwise. I’m really not trying to be coy. It was his very last wish to me upon his deathbed.”
“You knew him?” Joanna asked. “You knew my father well?”
“Oh yes. We all knew George. He was very much loved by everyone who knew him. He was somewhat of a local celebrity in fact.”
Joanna got up and closed her office door then went back to her desk. “Can you please just tell me what he left me?” she pleaded.
“No, I’m sorry. I can not.”
“You mean you won’t?”
“No Miss Joanna. I cannot tell you. You must come to Skiathos to claim your inheritance. That is the condition. It cannot be sold until then. Right now I am its caretaker. If you don’t come, it will remain in my name. I am more than happy to keep it, but that is not your father’s wish. I could have kept it from you and you would never have known. But I too, really think you should come.”
“My father really did mean something to you then?”
“Yes, Miss Joanna. He really did. Even in death, I will do anything for George.”
Joanna put her feet up on her desk, “I don’t even know his surname.”
“Georges Herod. Though we all just called him George.”
She laughed. “I don’t believe it! I work for a publishing company called Herod Publishing.”
“I know. I thought that was strange, too, when I found you. My friend and I had a good laugh about it. It is one of God’s little messages. Subtly hidden.”
“Nick, why do you think I need to come to Skiathos?”
The lawyer hesitated, but when he answered his tone suggested the answer was obvious. “It is your homeland, Miss Joanna.”
“No, I’m from New York. I’m a New Yorker, Nick. Always have been, always will be.”
“But half of you is Skiathan. And all Skiathans must return home at least once. Come, for just a little while. That’s all your father wanted. He didn’t care about money or anything like that. He just wanted you to see where your people are from.”
“But why didn’t he contact me before he died? Why this grand gesture after death?”
Again the hesitation. “Miss Joanna, again to answer that, you must come to Skiothos.”
Joanna exhaled and wanted to hang up. The most difficult part about all of this was that Nick was being sincere. It was clear in his voice.
To make it worse, he was actually the person who would benefit from her not going, and yet here he was doing everything in his power to persuade her.
If she were younger, she’d be head over heels for the mystery. Would have put the entire trip on a credit card and gone in the blink of an eye.
But, as Donna frequently reminded her, that part of herself had been dormant for a couple of years now. Possibly since her mother’s death.
“I just got promoted today— just a couple of hours ago in fact,” she told the lawyer. “I’m now one of the senior editors at Herod Publishing. I can’t just leave. The company’s transitioning, and I’m a major part of that change. If I were to—”
“Miss Joanna,” Nick interrupted her. “Please forgive me. But there will be a wedding at your father’s property in a month. The weather is beginning to turn here already. In a month, every flower will be in full bloom. The birds will have returned, and the outdoor terrace of every restaurant will be pulsating with life and activity. Spring is the most beautiful time of year in Skiathos. If you would, I would like to take you as my guest to the wedding. The marriage is between a young man and woman whom your father knew since their birth. They both loved him dearly and considered him to be their godfather. Their wedding will be as much a celebration of your father as it will be of their marriage.”
“It’s in a month?” Joanna asked.
“Nai, yes, a month. It will be on a Saturday. Surely you can arrange for a few days by then? I will show you around the island myself and introduce you to everyone who knew your father. I do this because it’s what he wanted, and because I sense anger from you. I know that if you knew George, knew more about him, you couldn’t possibly hate him.”
“OK,” Joanna agreed, impulsively. “I’ll see what I can do.”
5
“Will this be your first time in Greece?” an old Jewish lady seated next to Joanna on the flight to Athens asked.
A month had passed since her conversation with Nick. When she had told Peter she was going to Skiathos, and that she would like to wait until she got back to move in with him, he became angry and distant.
“I just need time to process all this,” she said. “Don’t be angry.”
“We don’t even know if this guy is legit! You’re putting our life on h
old for some faceless stranger from some godforsaken island in Europe?”
“That faceless stranger was my father,” she argued. “I need to find out who he was.”
He had mostly sulked that weekend, but eventually warmed up.
The last couple of days before the trip he kept asking her if she wanted him to go along too, but it was an empty gesture.
He couldn’t leave. He was in the middle of closing three multi-million dollar deals in Brooklyn.
Joanna smiled and nodded to the old woman. “Yes, it’s my first time,” she said. “I’m actually headed to Skiathos.”
“Oh my favourite island!” she enthused. “You lucky thing. Skiathos is heaven. Pure and simple. It’s a secret that only a few blessed know about.”
“What do you like about it so much?” Joanna asked, intrigued.
“Well,” the woman exclaimed and slapped the handbag on her lap. “Too much to say. I adore the Greek Islands in general but the way I describe Skiathos to people is by asking if they have a special place they travel to in their dreams. Strange, I know, but it’s the only way I can get it across. Do you have anything like that, dear? A place where you wake up while you’re still sleeping and become aware you’re in a dream. And when you realize where you are you become overjoyed? Like heaven on earth.”
Joanna shook her head.
“Me neither. Not anymore. But I did when I was younger. It was a magical land that, in my dreams, was on the other side of this forest behind my grandmother’s house. Skiathos is the embodiment of that dream for me. The air, the light, the people. Some of the old gods are still alive there, believe me. Living and breathing heaven into the water and the earth. You’ll see. Once you go there you’re never the same again.”
Joanna didn’t know what to say. That was one hell of a sell.
“I’ll leave you alone now,” said her elder companion. “I’m a Gemini, and we talk too much, or so we’re told.” She put on some headphones and began playing a word game on her phone.
Joanna looked out the window and watched New York float farther and farther away as they rose into the clouds.
Heaven on earth?
She’d soon find out.
6
“Miss Joanna! Over here! Miss Joanna Nelson!” Joanna turned and saw an arm holding a sign with her name over everyone’s heads.
She turned towards the voice, knees still wobbly and shaking from the landing.
Land being a precious commodity on the tiny island, the airport on Skiathos was built on a small stretch of upraised ground flanked by water.
It was exactly what Joanna imagined landing on an aircraft carrier must be like. No room for errors. If you miss, well then you’re out of luck.
She had almost slept through the transfer from Athens, but had woken up to zipping backpacks and the jostling of people maneuvering their carry-ons onto their laps. She looked out the window as the plane arched and turned into alignment with the runway.
“Is that what we’re landing on?” Joanna asked the person seated beside her on the smaller plane.
The man laughed. “Yes, they call it the Saint Martin’s of Greece. If we live through this, you should watch it from below. It’s quite the show.”
Joanna closed her eyes and went through the rosary in her head.
Now, her heart was still beating as if she had narrowly avoided death.
“Miss Nelson? Are you Miss Joanna Nelson?” said the man holding the sign with her name on it.
Tanned with a swimmer’s physique, he looked to be in his early-to-mid thirties. Mussed black curly hair, chiseled cheekbones and deep brown eyes you could get lost in.
Whoever the guy standing in front of her was, he was a dreamboat.
“Miss Joanna! I’m so glad you’re finally here!”
“Nick?” she asked, reaching out her hand.
“Of course!” The lawyer pushed her hand away and kissed both sides of her cheeks.
She blushed.
“Have you been waiting long?” she asked. “I’m sorry I couldn’t get here sooner. The only way here involved two layovers and one connection.”
“Nai, yes, there are no direct flights from New York.”
“What time is it here?”
Nick looked at his wristwatch. “It’s almost four. The wedding is all set for tomorrow. How long are you staying?”
“A couple of days. Flight back isn’t until Tuesday.”
Nick chuckled and shook his head.
“You won’t be leaving Tuesday. Not when you truly see where you are.”
She chuckled. “Yes, I’m told this place is heaven on earth.”
Nick took her luggage from her and grinned. “I should be humble and say it’s the only life I know, but I went to the university in London. I couldn’t get back here fast enough.”
He took the lead and maneuvered them through the hordes of people. He wore a simple v-neck t-shirt tucked into fitted khaki pants, yet he seemed immaculately put together.
Joanna wished she had worn something other than jeans and an NYU hoodie. It had seemed like a good idea at the time before the long plane ride. Now she felt like the stereotypical American visiting Europe.
“Are you hungry, Miss Joanna?” Nick asked, turning around.
“I am, but I would love a hot shower and a change of clothes first,” she said. “If it’s not too much trouble. I know I look horrible.”
Nick looked her up and down with his dark brown, almond shaped eyes. “This is your home. And you look beautiful. Relax.”
“No really, sitting and sleeping in the same clothes for so long, I just want to strip everything off of me and burn them.”
Nick laughed. “OK, OK” he said. “Let’s go to your father’s place first and you can freshen up.”
“My father’s? No, I got a room at...” Joanna stopped. She couldn’t remember the name of the hotel. The details were on her phone.
“You were going to go to the Elsa. I cancelled it. The owner is a good friend of mine. No, you’ll be staying at your father’s.”
“But if there’s a wedding there… won’t I be in the way?”
Nick laughed. “No, Miss Joanna. It’s big enough. And of course there’s always room for you. Come, come. Let’s get you there so you can see. See what your father left for you.”
They exited the airport and the first thing Joanna noticed about Skiathos was its air. It possessed an element of sweetness to it. Like a bale of flowers, but more herbally and purposeful. The smell of the sea was present too but, it didn’t smell like anything you’d find on the East coast of the US.
She breathed it in again deeply through her nose.
Gently aromatic, yet still cool and heavy from the Aegean sea, which was mere moments away.
Walking behind Nick she couldn’t help but also check out his body.
His back and shoulder blades... Wow.
Nick sensed her staring and turned around, and she quickly diverted her eyes as if she was taking in everything around her.
Parked in the shade of two tall cypress trees, Nick’s car was a tiny light blue Volkswagen from the sixties, with the back two seats taken out for extra storage. He popped the trunk and threw her luggage in, and then opened the passenger door for her.
Peter never opened doors for her in New York— be it a taxi, convenience store, restaurant. Never.
Nick did it without a second thought.
She thanked him and got in. The seats were leather and deliciously warm.
Nick got in the driver’s seat, then turned to Joanna and seemed to consider something about her before nodding and pointing to her.
“Your father was right. You needed to come. Something about you has already changed since you’ve been here these few short moments.”
Joanna furrowed her brow and asked, “What do you mean?”
“Your avra. It’s clearer already.”
“My avra? What’s an avra?
Nick traced her body three feet away in the a
ir. “Your avra. You know avra.”
“Do you mean my aura? You can see my aura?” Joanna laughed, skeptical.
He didn’t answer, but continued, “People would say you’re just excited to finally be off the flight, but it’s more than that, I think. You’ll feel it, too, once you get a good night’s sleep.”
Joanna couldn’t help but scoff at him, but wasn’t able to keep herself from blushing either.
This guy was a charmer.
7
The drive from the airport was surprisingly pleasant. After that plane landing she’d feared the romance movie cliche of crazy drivers in the Med might actually be true.
But it wasn’t. Nick didn’t speed or see any need to show off any nonexistent driving abilities. He drove like they had all the time in the world.
“This isn’t the fastest way, Miss Joanna,” he commented, with the window down. He grinned at her, wearing dark Rayban sunglasses and added, “Actually it’s the farthest, but I thought you might like to see a bit of our homeland. The Skiathos National Airport is on the southeastern side of the island. We’re driving north of it now, but your father’s place is to the southwest. Most people who live on Skiathos live on the southern tip along the coast. North of the southern coast is mostly unbridled land. Where we’re driving there was actually a great fire some ten years ago.”
Joanna sat up to see the green rolling hills and rising mountains and looked questioningly at him.
“It’s so green, I know,” Nick boasted. “The land here recovered, and within a year everything was back.”
“How did it happen so quickly?” she asked.
“A geologist could answer that question better than me. I’m sure there’s a technical reason with nothing magical to it. But to all of us who lived here, who lived through it and survived, it was nothing short of a miracle. There are a lot of churches on the island. Greek Orthodox. But every one of us, without talking to one another, felt it was old magic. Something, someone from the days of mankind’s infancy.”
“Zeus or Apollo maybe?” Joanna jokingly offered.
