Free The Renegade Billionaire by Rebecca Winters Page B

always forced food on me. One day, I told her I’d pay a king’s ransom if she’d be my cook. They needed the money, so she took me up on it.”
    â€œIs he still sick?”
    â€œHe gets bouts of pneumonia, but so far he’s managing.”
    While he sat there drinking his coffee, she got up to clear the table and clean up the kitchen. She’d probably been in the habit of waiting on her father. As Stavros was discovering, old habits died hard.
    â€œAndrea? Come back in the dining room and bring your purse so I can see those pictures of your family.”
    â€œI only have three in my wallet.”
    She returned and pulled them out so he could picture her parents. One of the photos showed her mother pregnant. She’d been a lovely blonde woman. “You strongly resemble her.”
    â€œDad says the same thing.”
    Andrea’s lean, chemical engineer father had rugged features with light brown hair and blue eyes. “To a Greek like me, your parents represent the handsome American couple.”
    She smiled and sat down to drink the rest of her coffee. “Why do we look American?”
    â€œI don’t know. Your mannerisms maybe. The way you hold yourself. I really can’t explain it.”
    â€œYou Greeks give off your own vibes too. At first, Sakis didn’t want to hire me because it would give a non-Greek a job.” She put the photos away.
    â€œBut he was already smitten,” Stavros murmured, unable to prevent himself from eating her up with his eyes. “I saw it at his office. Combined with your résumé, he was hooked. That was a lucky day for him and my family’s corporation, even if my grandfather was the only one who had vision.”
    A gentle laugh escaped. “Do you miss him?”
    â€œVery much. Just once, he admitted that my father was a harsh taskmaster. He said it surprised him. That was my grandfather’s way of telling me he approved of me.”
    Her eyes misted over. “How difficult for you. I’m sorry.”
    â€œDon’t be. I’ve grown a second skin. I’d rather talk about you. Are you planning to stay with PanHellenic Tours as a career?”
    â€œOh, no. Only until my father leaves for his new assignment in Indonesia.”
    Stavros felt as though he’d just been punched in the gut. That was one answer he hadn’t expected. “How soon will he be leaving Greece?”
    â€œMid-October.”
    Less than two months?
    His stomach muscles tightened in reaction. “That country has seen a lot of turmoil.”
    â€œNot where Dad and I will be living.”
    Stavros stifled a groan. “Does your boss know yet?”
    â€œYes. Why do you ask?”
    â€œThe way he talked with you today, I got the feeling he won’t want to let you go.”
    â€œWe’ve had a good relationship, but he always knew I’d leave when my father had to relocate.”
    He rubbed the back of his neck. “Is that what you want to do?”
    A haunted look crossed over her classic features. “Dad and I have never been separated. If Ferrante hadn’t died, we were going to live with my father wherever his work took him. Ferrante planned to give up his job. He was a linguist and would have found work with me so we could be together. The climb up Mont Blanc was going to be his last. As it turned out, it was his final climb.” Her voice shook.
    Stavros reached out to squeeze her hand before releasing it. “How old was he?”
    â€œTwenty-seven.”
    Ferrante had been young and so much in love with Andrea, he was willing to give up his interests to be with her. He didn’t know any man willing to do that. But to live with her father? Why? That question was on the tip of his tongue, but he didn’t feel now was the time to broach the subject.
    Her father couldn’t be an invalid—otherwise he wouldn’t be working at a mine site. Stavros didn’t understand.