Chapter 3
A couple hours later than anticipated, Nikos and Emma made their way up the front stairs of the townhouse. In an ancient part of the city, the building had been renovated to a luxury home several years before. Its stunning view of the Acropolis added to its charm. Nikos had snatched it up when it had come on the market about a year ago. Though his trips to Athens were infrequent, he hated staying in hotels. Now as he walked in the vacant house with Emma at his side, he was doubly glad he had purchased it. The look of excitement on her face as she went from room to room taking in the views and luxurious accommodations made it worth every euro.
Nikos stretched out on the couch and looked out at the sprawl of Athens and the Acropolis standing sentinel over the city. Dusk had begun to blur edges of the buildings. It was a breathtaking sight and never failed to affect him. The history in this city, in this building, was ancient beyond his ability to truly appreciate. There was something so humbling about knowing that millennia full of people had walked over this very same spot of ground, writing their stories, living their lives. Each story would have been unique, full of love, joy, pain, and loss. He thought of secrets that these walls, only a few centuries old, could tell. He thought of Emma and the secrets she still hid and haunted her in the night. How he hated that invisible barrier between them.
Emma dropped onto the sofa next to him, interrupting his musings. “This place is amazing.” She snuggled into his side and laid her head on his shoulder. His arm automatically pulled her closer and a sense of utter contentment settled over him as they looked out over the darkening landscape.
“Wait until you see the city. There is so much history here, so many stories and legends. You could also do a bit of shopping. The selection is better than what is in the village.”
“I hate shopping,” Emma groused. Nikos was always encouraging her to shop and expand her wardrobe. After living a Spartan existence, only buying what she could carry on her back, having clothes, shoes, and jewelry cramming her closet full felt excessive. She had expanded some, but her closet was still only a third full.
A realization rocked her causing her to jerk up to the edge of her seat. She hadn’t brought her backpack, or her IDs or her emergency fund. Her heart started to trip faster in her chest. How could I have been so distracted, she thought.
It had been a whirlwind of activity getting ready to leave that morning. Abigail and Gretchen were going to stay in the village while Nikos and Emma were in Athens. Emma had helped Abby pack her toys while Gretchen packed her clothes. The two women had settled into an uneasy truce after Emma had been nearly killed by a rip current at the beach. Seeing how much Nikos cared for Emma, Gretchen had ceased much of her sniping at Emma. She didn’t approve of her- not by a long shot, but she wasn’t making her life a constant misery either.
After getting Abby ready to go, they had been packing for herself and Nikos while he saw to a few last minute things at the winery. He had been impatient to leave and the whole morning, especially after their late start that she couldn’t bring herself to repent for, had been rushed and tense. Somehow, she had gotten so caught up in it all, she had forgotten her intentions of tucking her precious horde of ID’s and cash into her suitcase.
Emma’s stomach knotted, and she shifted restlessly. Nikos sat up next to her scrutinizing her closely. He said nothing, just waited patiently. She supposed it was a testament to just how goofy she must be on a regular basis for him to be unalarmed by her abrupt change in behavior. She pulled her hands over her face and blew out a long breath, forcing herself to let it go. She couldn’t fix it now.
“Sorry, I just thought I forgot something. Isn’t that weird when you think of something like that randomly hours later,” Emma said, proud of herself for sounding normal.
“What did you forget?” He relaxed back against the cushions, drawing her with him.
“I didn’t actually forget it. I just thought for a second I had forgotten my passport, but it’s in my bag. I remember seeing it when I unpacked. Never mind.” She waved a hand in a dismissive gesture and leaned back into him. As a distraction for both of them she asked, “So that’s the Acropolis? It is beautiful all lit up like that. When was it built again?”
It was all the invitation he needed. Nikos warmed to his topic and launched into a sermon on the history of the ancient structure. Emma was impressed by his knowledge. She certainly wasn’t as well-versed on the history close to her home. The thought of the rolling plains and their wide open spaces made her heart squeeze painfully. So many emotions had surfaced with every mile they had put between them and the vineyard. She had felt safe there for the first time since setting foot in Europe. It had become her sanctuary and she desperately wanted to go back.
Emma leaned against Nikos as he told her stories of the Greek gods. Slowly, she realized it wasn’t the villa that was her sanctuary, it was this man, strong, solid and real next to her. With a sudden clarity, she felt the knot in her gut loosen by a few degrees. As long as she was with Nikos, she was safe. With an effort, she focused her eyes on the twinkling lights of Athens and let his voice carry her away.