She’d been expecting bare cliffs and blinding white buildings accented in bright blue. But Alex explained that landscape was typical of the southern Greek islands. This part of Greece had green, vegetated islands with homes that blended more into the landscape. The Greek blue was there all right but in a more subtle way.
The one-bedroom apartment she was to make her home was in a small complex of attractive white-painted villas with terracotta roofs set around a swimming pool. Tubs of lavender and sweet-scented herbs were placed at every turn. Sad memories would have a hard time following her here.
Her compact apartment was white and breezy with a tiled floor. Dell looked around her in delight. She would be more than comfortable. Even better, her accommodation was part of her salary package. With the generous remuneration Alex had offered her, she hoped she might be able to make a dent in the debt left to her from the IVF. As she showered and then changed into a simple linen dress, she found herself humming and wishing she knew some Greek songs.
New start?
Bring it on.
* * *
As soon as Alex’s Aunt Penelope and Uncle Stavros had heard he was picking up his new staff member from Australia from the airport, they had insisted he bring her to share a meal with them. The elderly couple lived on site and managed the villas they let out over the summer, one of which he had secured as Dell’s accommodation.
They were actually his great aunt and uncle, Penelope being the youngest sister of his grandfather, but no one in the family bothered with that kind of distinction. He hadn’t tried to keep track of all the familial layers. It was just enough that his Greek family had welcomed him without judgement when he had arrived, the high flyer from Australia who’d crashed in spectacular manner. Like Icarus of Greek myth he’d melted his wings by flying too high—in Icarus’s case to the sun, in his case too much hard living and stress followed by the tragedy with Mia had led to burnout. He’d come here to heal but wasn’t sure how he’d ever get his wings back. He hoped the new venture might lead to the growth of new feathers. Because he couldn’t stay grounded for ever.
Dell had instantly charmed his aunt and uncle with her winning smile and chatty manner. She seemed to have a gift for making people feel at ease in a natural, unselfconscious way. Even in repose her face looked as if she was on the verge of smiling. Who could help but want to smile back in response? Yet he’d seen her snarl too and knew she could be tough when required. He felt some of the tension relax from his shoulders. It had been the right decision to bring her here. Dell Hudson on his side could be a very good thing.
The table was set up under a pergola that supported a grape vine, its bright new leaves casting welcome shade. Dell’s hair flashed bright in the filtered light, her simple blue and white striped dress perfectly appropriate.
It was a typically Greek scene and he marvelled, as he had many times since he’d got here, how quickly he’d felt at home. During school vacations there had been visits with his parents and two sisters. But once he’d taken over Athina, he hadn’t had time to make the obligatory trek to Greece, despite the admonishments of his parents.
‘Family is everything,’ his grandfather had used to say. But it was only now that Alex really appreciated what he had meant. It wasn’t that he didn’t value his heritage. Or that he didn’t love his family back home. But as he was the much-longed-for son after two daughters, too much pressure and expectation had been put on him. His subsequent rebellion had caused ructions that were only now healing. He felt he’d at last made his peace with his father on his recent visit to Sydney.
Now he tucked into his aunt’s splendid cooking—sardines wrapped in vine leaves and herbs; lemon and garlic potatoes; and a sublime eggplant salad. The food was reminiscent of his grandfather’s old Athina, not surprising when the recipes had probably been handed down from the same source. Dell chatted and laughed with his aunt and uncle over lunch, as if they were already friends.
‘I’m asking your Thia Penelope if I can interview her about her cooking for my blog,’ Dell said.
‘I am teaching her Greek,’ his aunt interjected.
‘I’m keen to learn.’ Dell smiled at the older lady. ‘I’ve never tasted eggplant cooked as deliciously as this. It’s a revelation. That is, if I’m allowed to tell my readers that I’m living in Greece.’
‘Why not?’ he said, bemused by the fact his aunt had taken it upon herself to teach his newest employee the language. ‘Just don’t mention the new venture yet.’
‘Sure, this will be a subtle way of leading into it,’ she said. ‘When the time is right it will be fun to reveal exactly what I’m doing here. Right now I’ll say I’m on vacation.’
His aunt beamed, her black eyes almost disappearing into the wrinkles around her eyes. ‘She’s a clever girl, this one,’ she said. As she said it she looked from him to Dell and back again.
There it was again—that matchmaking gleam. Just because he was single and his aunt had ascertained that Dell was single. Even though his aunt knew the story of how Mia had died. How responsible he felt for her death. How he did not want—did not deserve—to have love in his life again.
Dell blushed and looked down at her plate. The speculation must be annoying for her too.
‘That she is, Auntie,’ he said. ‘Which is why I’ve employed her to work with me on the hotel.’ He had to make it clear to his family that his relationship with Dell was strictly a working one. He had to keep reminding himself too.
On the drive from the airport she had got drowsier and drowsier as she’d tried to keep up the conversation through her jet lag. Her responses had dwindled to the odd word in answer to something he’d said minutes before and quite out of context. If he knew her better, he’d tease her about it.
But he would not tease her about the way, when she’d fallen fully asleep, she’d slid across her seat to rest her head on his shoulder. Because instead of pushing her away, as she’d murmured something unintelligible in her sleep he’d smiled and without thinking dropped a light kiss on her head. He’d been without a woman for too long. It was the only explanation for his lapse.
That could not happen again.
CHAPTER SIX
THE NEXT MORNING Dell stood on the expansive front balcony of Alex’s new resort building on the private island of Kosmima and looked around her in awe. There wasn’t another building in sight—just the jetty that belonged to the island.
Below her, the waters of the Ionian Sea sparkled in myriad tones of turquoise as they lapped on the white sands of the bay. She breathed in air tinged with salt and the scent of wild herbs. The bay was bounded by pale limestone cliffs and hills covered in lush vegetation. The sky was a perfect blue with only the odd cloud scudding across the horizon. She felt almost overcome by the natural beauty of the site as she felt the tension and angst of the last weeks start to melt away.
Her new boss stood beside her—waiting, she suspected, with a degree of impatience for her verdict. She turned to him. ‘It’s every bit as perfect as you said. Magical.’
Alex nodded slowly. ‘I think so too. It makes me believe that people have been feeling the magic for hundreds of years. Thousands, perhaps.’
They stood in silence for a long moment, looking out to sea. Was he, like her, imagining the pageant of history that must have been played out on and near these islands?
‘Do you know anything about the history of this island?’ she asked. ‘Any chance it was the site of an ancient Greek temple? That would be useful for publicity.’
‘It could also mean Kosmima could be declared as a site of archaeological significance and business prohibited. So I don’t think we’ll go there,’ he said.
‘I hadn’t thought of that,’ she said. ‘Maybe we should stick to the de-stressing and well-being angle. Just taking in this view is making me feel relaxed. Although not too relaxe
d to start work, of course. Tell me what you need me to do. I’m raring to start.’
‘First thing is to inspect the site.’
Dell turned and looked back at the magnificent white building that sat stepped back into the side of the hill. It was modern in its simplicity but paid homage to traditional architecture. ‘I expected something only half constructed but you must be nearly ready to open.’
‘On first sight you might think so, but there’s still a way to go before we welcome the first guests in June. This main building was initially built as a private residence. It was very large, but needed alteration and additions to make it fit for the purpose.’
The building was light and airy, luxurious in pale stone with bleached timber woodwork and marble floors. Expansive windows took full advantage of the view, to be shuttered in the colder months. From the back of the building she could hear the construction crew who had been here since early morning.
The last thing she wanted to do was remind Alex of the car journey from the airport. But she couldn’t pretend to know important details she had missed while snoozing. ‘In the car yesterday you were telling me about the background of this place. But I... I’m afraid I didn’t hear it all.’
‘Really?’ he said, dark brows raised. ‘You don’t recall anything?’
‘Er... I remember the geographical details.’
‘Before you fell asleep, you mean?’
‘Yes,’ she admitted, unable to meet his eyes.
‘Was I so boring?’ he said.
‘No! Not boring at all.’ In fact, she’d never met a man less boring. Who would have thought she might be actually growing to like the man who had been so vile during the court case? A man she’d considered an entitled, arrogant playboy who in the short time she’d known him seemed anything but that.
Now she did look up to find his black eyes gleaming with amusement. ‘I soon realised you were drowsing off.’
And falling all over him.
How utterly mortifying. But she would not say the sorry word again. ‘I do recall something about a billionaire,’ she said. ‘I promise I’m over the jet lag and wide awake and listening.’
She followed him into the high-ceilinged living space destined to be the ‘silent’ room where guests could meditate or just be quiet with their thoughts without interruption. Their voices echoed in the unlived silence.
‘There was an older, traditional house on this site when the island was owned by a very wealthy Greek industrialist,’ he said. ‘He and his family used it as a summer retreat. Some members of my family were tenant farmers on the island. Others were employed as gardeners and caretakers.’
‘So there’s a personal connection?’ She was still looking for angles for publicity.
‘Yes,’ he said. ‘The owner was a benevolent landlord who, for all the opulence, never forgot his peasant roots. There were many good years for my family.’ He paused. ‘I’ve only found out all this since I’ve been living in Greece.’
‘I guess it wasn’t relevant when you were building your empire in Sydney.’
‘Correct,’ he said. ‘I hardly knew this side of my family. Just my grandfather, my father’s father, emigrated. The rest of the family stayed here. I only visited a few times back with my parents, the last when I was a teenager.’
‘So how did you come to buy the island?’
‘The Greek owner died and it was left to a nephew in Athens who had no use for it. He sold it to a Russian billionaire who demolished the house to build this summer palace.’
The tone of his voice told her that the transfer of ownership might not have been good news. ‘What happened to your family?’
‘They were evicted. The new owner wanted utter privacy. The only staff to live on the island were the ones he brought with him. The island is only accessed by sea. He installed a heliport, and armed guards patrolled the coastline. The construction crews were escorted on and off the island. Every delivery was scrutinised.’
‘That’s scary stuff. Was there any real threat?’ She wasn’t quite sure how she could work that into a press release.
He shrugged. ‘Who knows? The locals were pragmatic. They got used to it. The development brought employment—much needed in Greece as you probably know. The good thing is the guy was passionate about sustainability and brought those organic principals to the new build. That was good for me when I took over.’
‘So how did you end up owning the island?’
‘The owner decamped with the mega-residence unfinished. No one ever found out why, although as you can imagine there were all sorts of rumours. Then the island went up for sale again.’
‘What made you buy it?’
‘Impulse.’
‘You bought an entire island on impulse?’
Of course, he’d been a multimillionaire while he was still in his twenties. Why wouldn’t he? And if his past history had anything to do with it, the impulse would pay off in return on investment.
‘I’ve always operated on instinct. It seemed the right thing to do.’
There was an edge to his voice but Dell wasn’t sure how deep she should dig into his motives. Escape. Retreat. Heal. Even giving back to the land of his ancestors at a time when investment was desperately needed.
But once they started to generate publicity for his new venue, it would be inevitable his personal tragedy would come to the fore. She would carefully suggest they work with it rather than hope it would stay buried. Perhaps a few carefully negotiated exclusives might be the way to go.
The story of the crazed gunman holding Alex’s lovely fiancée and a number of customers hostage in a robbery gone wrong had travelled around the world. That the handsome hotelier had sought refuge from his grief in the islands of his ancestors and built a resort there would generate good publicity. But she didn’t feel ready to raise it with him just yet. She would have to learn to read him first.
As Alex continued his tour Dell continued to be impressed by everything she saw—kitchen, spa treatment areas, guestrooms, an office area with Wi-Fi and computers. When he asked her opinion she gave it honestly. Better to have areas of potential weakness sorted now rather than after the retreat opened. His venues in Sydney had won design awards. This one would no doubt be clocking up some wins too.
‘You certainly know your stuff,’ she said. ‘I realise you’ve got a ton of experience in Sydney, but it must be very different doing remodelling and a fit-out in a different country. Where did you find the architects and interior designers?’
‘That’s where having an extended Greek family helps. My cousins in Athens were able to point me to the right people.’
‘And furnishings?’ Many of the rooms were still bare.
‘In the hands of the designers. Most of it is being made to measure and exclusive to this resort. I need to go to Athens next week. I’d like you to come with me.’
‘I would be pleased to,’ she said. A ripple of excitement ran through her. ‘Just one thing. Would it be possible to time it before I have a day off? I’d love to stay in Athens overnight so I could climb the Acropolis and see the Parthenon. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do. Then I’d like to spend some time in the Acropolis Museum. I’ve heard it’s wonderful.’
‘It is spectacular,’ he said. ‘I’m not what you’d call a museum kind of guy. But when you’re seeing all the antiquities and then look up to see the Parthenon through the windows it’s quite something.’
Alex spoke with pride of the museum. He looked Greek, spoke like an Australian. Yesterday he’d been too well-mannered to speak more than a few words of Greek to his aunt and uncle in front of her. But he had sounded fluent. She wondered what country he now identified with. Again she felt it was too personal for her to ask him. His grief must run very deep to have left everything familiar behind.
The tour ended outside with a beautiful aquamarine swimming pool, landscaped around with palm trees and bougainvillea. ‘Was the pool already here?’ she asked.
‘Yes. It’s big for a private residence but not outstanding for a hotel. I considered extending it but—’
‘Why bother when you have the sea on the doorstep?’ she said.
‘Exactly.’ He met her eyes and they both smiled at the same time. It wasn’t the first time today that they’d finished each other’s words. She felt she was in tune with his vision and it gave her confidence that she would be able to do a good job for him. She held his gaze for a moment too long before she hastily switched her focus.
Set well back from the pool and completely private was an elegant pavilion, the design of which, with its columns and pediments, gave more than a nod to classical Greek architecture. ‘Was the pool house here, too?’
He nodded. ‘It’s a self-contained apartment and where I’m living.’
‘It looks fabulous.’
Dell wondered if he would show her around his personal residence. She ached with curiosity to see inside where he spent his private time.
But he took her around to the southern side of the building where there were substantial kitchen gardens and a greenhouse full of early tomatoes. Mature fig, pomegranate, fruit and nut trees were planted behind—spring blossom surrendering to new leaves so green they seemed fluorescent. From their size, she assumed the trees had been there since the days of the Greek owner. Maybe longer.
‘How wonderful,’ she breathed.
‘I’ve employed the gardeners who used to work here. We intend to grow as much fresh produce as possible,’ he said.
‘I couldn’t think of anything better,’ she said. ‘It’s early days for me planning the food, but I really think the core of the food offering should be based on the Mediterranean diet. I mean mainly plant-based from this garden, olive oil from your grove, fish from these waters, white cheese and yogurt—could you keep goats here, chickens?—with lots of fruit. Food like your aunt’s baked eggplant based on traditional recipes handed down in your family. Maybe some of the daring new twists to old favourites that you served at Athina. Greek dishes interpreted in an Australian way, which would be a point of difference. Of course you’ll also have to cater for allergies and intolerances as well as whatever faddy ways of eating are in fashion. The juice bar is essential, and the fancy teas.’ She indicated the vegetable garden with an enthusiastic wave. ‘But the heart of it starts here. The locavore movement at its best. It checks the boxes for locally grown and “clean”, whatever you like to call it. This resort will be an organic part of this island, not on it but of it.’
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