by Donna Fasano
The ferry gained speed. Her eyes still fixed on her Love Boat, she wished it would move. Wished Stefano would come rushing after her to scoop her in his arms and bring her back to Mykonos. But the yacht remained in place and soon blurred away from her field of vision.
Even the island shrank to a wide ribbon, and she could hardly detect its landmark, the famous three mills of Mykonos that heralded the tourists as they approached the island. The Pink Villa must be there, not far away. Damn villa that had caused so many heartaches.
No wonder her grandfather hated it. To think he was ready to keep this reminder of a sad past just to allow her to meet Stefano and give them time to get acquainted. Dear Grandpa. Her resentment toward him faded. She wouldn’t tell him she uncovered his deceit and she couldn’t hold a grudge against the poor old woman who died almost two months ago. On the other hand, Ashley couldn’t build a relationship based on lies.
Was Stefano innocent? All criminals were innocent until proven guilty.
No, he couldn’t be guilty.
In two days, she’d come back to Mykonos and question him. She certainly knew how to make a suspect talk. Her heart hammered in her chest at the possibility of her passionate and tender lover’s guilt. She bit her finger, her head a riot of contradictions.
No, no, he couldn’t be guilty. He couldn’t have faked the words of love, the passionate lovemaking. The sooner she reached Athens, the better.
As if to tease her and exacerbate her emotions, the ferry slowed down and stopped. She wore her sunglasses to hide her eyes brimming with tears, and turned around. What was the commotion about?
“Someone important missed the ferry. We are picking him up.” She heard a group of Americans grumble about the partiality toward VIPs. Shrugging, she scooted to a quieter spot on the side deck, and resumed her inner argument.
Guilty, not guilty? Who cared when she loved him so much? When she might even be carrying his child? She rubbed her flat stomach, wishing she could keep a live reminder of her time in Mykonos, a baby with Stefano’s turquoise eyes. She sniffled, unable to suppress her tears.
And now she’d upset him by leaving suddenly. Almost running away. Not almost.
“Running away?” The words echoed her thoughts. Rich and deep, Stefano’s voice sent a shiver of anxiety and longing down her spine.
“What are you doing here?” Blood pounded in her ears.
“That’s my question to you.” He, too, hid his eyes behind his sunglasses, but the stern line of his mouth and the tight-set of his jaws spoke volumes about his angry mood. “Why are you running away?”
Her chest tightened with anxiety. “I’m just taking two days to think rationally about that letter.” She prayed he wouldn’t notice the redness of her eyes or the traces of tears.
“Why didn’t you discuss it with me?” Arms crossed on his chest, he caged her between his hard frame and the rail.
“I would have done it in two days, when I returned.”
“Were you going to return, Ashley?”
“Yes, of course.”
“I mean return to me? You left your ring behind.”
The interrogation had gone the wrong way. She was supposed to ask the questions, not defend herself. “Stop right here, Stefano. Did you read the letter?”
“Several times. As I’m sure you did.”
“And what was your reaction? Your feelings? Were you upset, disappointed, annoyed?”
“Hold on, counselor. One question at a time.” He removed his glasses and narrowed his eyes. “I was surprised at first. Because I had no idea about the little game these dear old people had imagined. No, I didn’t know about plan A. Yaya never talked to me about a match with my enemy’s granddaughter. I would have refused.”
Such an indignant flame danced in his eyes. She couldn’t doubt his words, and simply nodded.
“Things changed when I saw you. You took my breath away. I tried to resist but wanted to meet you. You know the rest.”
“Weren’t you shaken, upset when reading they had tried to manipulate us?”
“I was touched, humbled by so much love. This old woman was suffering from cancer, dealing with pain every day, and yet she put aside her problems to think about my happiness. She wanted to give me a chance to meet her best friend’s granddaughter. A young woman that her friend had described as lovely, smart, and kindhearted. Yaya trusted her best friend,” he added with a scorn that slashed through Ashley’s heart.
She hadn’t trusted him.
“Even if I hated Mr. Zanis,” Stefano continued. Shoving his hand in his pocket, he got the letter out and shook it under her nose. “This letter and the devotion he was showing my grandmother has totally redeemed him in my opinion. To briefly answer your question, I wasn’t shocked. And I didn’t resent them. What about you, counselor?”
She braced herself for more. Stefano bristled and snatched her glasses.
“What—”
“Oh.” The hard line of his lips relaxed. “Why were you crying, sweetheart?”
She took a deep breath, but didn’t lower her eyes. “I was upset at my grandfather, and yes I resented his manipulation and intrusion in my personal life.”
“And you doubted me. Right?”
“I didn’t want to judge you when I wasn’t objective. And I didn’t want to have an argument that could turn into a fight.”
He nodded and reached again into his pocket to hold the ring in front of her. “I can’t put it back on your finger if you doubt me or have any resentment.”
“I was afraid if I confronted you, you’d try to...to convince me. I mean, to kiss me.” She averted her head.
“I haven’t touched you, Ashley. I want your trust and your love.” He gave her a sad smile that brought a surge of tears.
She wriggled her nose. “Something is wrong with me. I’m too emotional.”
“Let me put this ring on your finger. It has magical properties and will make you smile instead of crying.”
“Oh, Stefano.” She extended her hand. “Please, put it back. I’ve been a mess since I took it off.”
He slid his Yaya’s ring on her finger and brought her hand to his lips. “I love you, Ashley. Never doubt it. I promise I will love you as much as Yorgho loved his Elena, and even more.”
“I love you too. I promise I’ll never let anything come between us.” She offered him a sheepish smile, but he pulled her into his arms. His kiss seared her all the way to her toes.
“I’m going to call Grandpa and announce our engagement.” She pushed a programmed number.
“Ashley, where have you been?” Grandpa said. “Your phone kept ringing and sending me to your voice mail. Are you okay?” She could hear the worry in his shaking voice.
“Everything is great, Grandpa. Super. Now, sit down because I have to announce news you’re not going to believe.”
“Tell me, child. Good news can’t hurt.”
“Stefano is here with me.” She’d better go slowly and not surprise him too much.
“Ah, very good. Work is going well then.”
“Yesterday and today we took a day off. Together, to have fun.”
“Ah, ha. And?” Excitement rang in his voice.
“He loves me and I love him. We got engaged.”
“Blessed be the Lord. Thank you, Elena.” His voice rang with relief. “I’m sure she’s praying for you from up there.”
“About the Pink Villa—”
“Tear it down. We don’t need it anymore.”
“Tear it down? But Grandpa—”
“There’s no point in dwelling on the past, now that you and Stefano found each other.”
“Are you sure?”
“That Pink Villa brought me and Elena bad luck.”
“Will you still come to Mykonos?”
“Yes, I’ll come for your wedding. And I’ll pray at Elena’s grave.”
Tears filled Ashley’s eyes. She sniffled. Boy, was she in a mushy mood today. Stefano instantly squeezed her a
gainst his side.
“And tell young Kostapoulos to build a sailor chapel on the Pink Villa site.”
“What’s a sailor chapel?”
“A small chapel that sailors build in gratitude after escaping from a nasty storm. It usually has several silver boats hanging from the ceiling. I’ve escaped from a storm that lasted sixty years. Ask your fiancé about it. Now let me talk to him.”
She handed Stefano her cell phone. “Yassou, Mr. Zanis—”
“Listen to me, Kostapoulos.” Grandpa’s bellow froze her in place. Stefano arched his eyebrows over wide-opened eyes. “Your great-grandfather destroyed my life sixty years ago. I hope you took after your Yaya, not after the conceited bastards in your family. Anyway, if I ever hear that you hurt my little girl, I won’t hesitate to kill you. I’m old and I’ve got nothing to lose. Understand?”
Her jaw sagging, Ashley had a hard time believing her ears. “Please, let me talk to him,” she pleaded, but Stefano moved back.
“Yes, sir,” he calmly answered. “I know you’ve been badly treated by my family. But I love Ashley, and I will keep loving her. I promise, on my honor.” He put his hand on his heart although his interlocutor couldn’t see him.
“I count on you, son.” A joyous note resonated in the old man’s voice.
“Mr. Zanis, can I ask for your granddaughter’s hand in marriage?” Stefano solemnly asked as if they were standing in the living room of the Zanis residency.
“You sure can, son. I know she already said yes. I’ll be coming to give her away. Now build that hotel fast. And a sailor chapel. Good bye now. Yassou.”
“Yassou.” Stefano shut the cell phone and handed it to her. “He talked so loud, I’m sure you heard every word. Now that we have your grandfather’s blessing, we need my family’s one. I haven’t told them anything about the change of plans for the Pink Villa.”
“Oh dear.”
~*~
Two days later, Ashley and Stefano boarded the Athena. Following his boss’ order, Mikhali had sailed the yacht to meet them at the Piraeus Port.
“Yassou, kyria. I hope you had a good time in our capital,” the steward said as he carried the heavy suitcases full of Greek souvenirs she’d bought in the bazaar.
“Wonderful. Stefano gave me a walking tour of the old city. We climbed the Acropolis and visited the Temple of Athena and the monuments, and later we ate at the Plaka.”
She’d never forget the cozy dinner they shared in the colorful touristic restaurant that offered Greek delicacies and a fabulous view of the Parthenon. The second day was a different story. They spent it at the Kostapoulos residency on the outskirt of Athens before Stefano’s parents and siblings drove them to the harbor to board the Athena.
Mikhali deposited her luggage in the stateroom where she’d slept on her previous visits. While Stefano changed in the bathroom, Ashley hastened to remove her city outfit and don a ruffled skirt and a halter top, both with cheerful red and yellow flowers. She was brushing her hair when Stefano knocked on her door. “Ready to go on deck?”
She opened the door, and smiled at the sight of her fiancé in beige shorts. His printed shirt, unbuttoned and wide-open, revealed his bronzed torso. “Come. We’re pulling away from the dock. It’s fun to watch the boat sail out of the Piraeus.”
He held her hand and tugged her up the narrow stairs to the main deck. “The harbor is very crowded. I have to help Mikhali with the departure. Do you want a drink?”
“Just water for now.” She leaned over the rail, inhaling the salty breeze of the sea— a smell she now associated with love and happiness.
While Stefano and Mikhali concentrated on the yacht’s maneuvers, Ashley shot several pictures of the noisy and colorful crowd bustling in the busy port. The boat navigated away from the dock and swiftly sailed to the open sea.
Soon, Stefano joined her. “So did you have a nice time in Athens?” Anxiety underlined his tone as he repeated his steward’s question.
“A lovely time.” Her smile should reassure him.
His arm encircled her waist and together they watched the mainland retreat and narrow at the horizon. “I mean did you finally relax with my parents?”
“Your dad is so nice. He welcomed me right away. Olympia, Catherina and Filipo made me feel at home.” The two sisters and one brother she’d met spent the time chatting and joking with her, or teasing Stefano in a congenial way. “Filipo asked me if I have a sister.” Ashley chuckled at the antics of Stefano’s younger brother.
“It doesn’t surprise me. Filipo is becoming an incorrigible playboy. He’s an expert at avoiding our mother’s matchmaking attempts. I’m glad you had fun with my sisters and brother. Mama likes you a lot,” Stefano added with more assertiveness than necessary.
After shaking hands with her, Mrs. Kostapoulos had given Ashley the once-over, then called her son to the other room, while her children took the new fiancée on a tour of the yard and private beach.
So far, Ashley had concentrated on the positive outcome of her visit. She carefully worded her sentences. “At first, I think I was a bad surprise for your mother which is understandable considering I’m the granddaughter of your family’s long-time enemy.”
He let out a long sigh. “I’m responsible for my mother’s cold reception. I should have prepared her and—”
“But then after she privately talked with you, she hugged me and congratulated me. She even gave me this gold cross as an engagement gift.” Ashley fingered the beautiful piece of jewelry hanging around her neck on a golden chain.
“Once I explained how much I love you and I related the agreement with your grandfather, Mama was delighted that I finally found the girl of my dreams.” His smile sent such a tender message, Ashley melted against him.
“Oh Stefano, that’s so sweet.” A lump of emotion swelled in her throat. “The girl of your dreams,” she repeated in a whisper. “I still have trouble believing that this is real. I hope nothing else will come off to spoil our happiness,” she added, stroking his cheek.
“Nothing on earth can separate us.” With a fierce move, he squeezed her against him and captured her lips for a deep, blazing kiss. “Nothing,” he repeated fervently against her mouth. “I can’t wait to marry you. We should set a date soon.”
“How about the Sunday after the inauguration of the resort?”
“That late? It will take at least four months to build the hotel.” She chuckled at his discomfited tone.
“Remember, I may have a baby here.” She pointed to her flat belly. He immediately lifted her halter top to reveal her waist line. His lips scorched her skin in a warm kiss that sent flames in the near vicinity. Her pulse zigzagging all over the place, she squeezed herself against him.
“You are giving me an incentive to work day and night. We’ll get married in three months. I promise the resort will be finished.” His smile flashed with confidence.
“Wait. What about the sailor chapel that Grandpa wants?”
“It will be ready before the resort,” he assured her with calm authority.
“We’ll call it the Yorgho and Elena Chapel. Can we get married there?”
“Absolutely. Your grandfather will be delighted.”
“It’ll have to be big enough to accommodate your whole family.”
He burst out laughing. “You bet. If any relatives can’t fit in, they’ll ruin my day. Greeks can be quite resentful if antagonized.”
“Don’t I know that? We’ll make sure all your family and mine share our happiness. You can invite the whole island if you want. The resort will be big enough.”
“I don’t want to call it The Pink Villas. Can you think of a better name?”
“How about the Love Boat Resort? We can have little yachts decorating the lobby.”
“Wonderful idea. We still have one more thing to take care of before we run downstairs to celebrate our future,” he added with a wink.
His peculiar smile made her frown. She understood the celebration pa
rt and couldn’t wait to toast any way he wanted in his big bed, but she thought they covered all the bases for the wedding. “One more?”
“Look, the sun is setting. Right on time.” He released her and she arched her brow.
“On time for what?”
“For you to have your own ring, Aghapie mou, my love.” He took her right hand, and slid a large diamond ring on her fourth finger. “In Greece, we wear the wedding ring on the right hand.”
“Oh Stefano, it’s so beautiful.” Tears wet her lashes as she admired the ring sealing their engagement. Her own ring.
“Now, let’s make a wish together at the moment the sun sinks into the sea.” He gathered her in his arms. “I wish that we will always love each other, and remain together.”
She wrapped her arm around his nape and closed her eyes. “I’m glad I found my special Greek. I wish to keep you forever.”
Her special Greek brought her hard against his chest for a long kiss that promised the moon and the stars, and a love as enduring as the love of Yorgho and Elena.
A Note from the Author
Thank you for reading Her French Count. If you enjoyed this romance novel, please recommend and review the book, and other books by the same author. Please join my Newsletter.
About the Author
A tireless traveler, Mona Risk writes contemporary romance, medical romance, and romantic suspense novels, all simmering with emotion, sprinkled with a good dose of humor and set in the fascinating places she visited— or in Florida, her paradise on Earth.
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