‘GO! GO, PAIDI MOU!’
Audra laughed as Maria shooed her in the direction of Finn, who was waiting beside a nearby barrel of flowers in full bloom. The town square was still full of happy holidaymakers and very satisfied vendors.
‘You listen to my wife, Audra,’ Angelo said with a wide grin. ‘Your husband wants to spend some time with his beautiful wife. Go and drink some wine and eat some olives, and bask in the satisfaction of what you’ve achieved over the last three days.’
‘What we’ve achieved,’ she corrected. ‘And there’s still things to—’
‘We have it under control,’ Maria told her with a firm nod. ‘You work too hard. Go play now.’
Audra submitted with a laugh, and affectionate pecks to the cheeks of the older couple who’d become so very dear to both her and Finn during the last fourteen months since they’d moved to the island.
As if afraid she’d change her mind and head back to work, Finn sauntered across to take her hand. As always, it sent a thrill racing through her. Her husband. A sigh of pure appreciation rose through her.
‘You make her put her feet up, Finn,’ Maria ordered.
He saluted the older woman, and, sliding an arm around Audra’s shoulders, led her down towards the harbour. Audra slipped her arm around his waist, leaning against him and relishing his strength. They’d been married for eight whole months, but she still had to pinch herself every day.
Standing on tiptoe, she kissed him. ‘I think we can safely say the festival went well.’
‘It didn’t just go well, Princess.’ He grinned down at her. ‘It’s been a resounding success. The festival committee has pulled off the event of the year.’
She stuck her nose in the air. ‘The event of the year was our wedding, thank you very much.’ They’d been married here on the island in the tiny church, and it had been perfect.
His grin widened. ‘Okay, it was the second biggest event of the year. And there are plans afoot for next year already.’
He found a vacant table at Thea Laskari’s harbourside taverna. ‘I promised Thea you’d be across for her kataifi.’
They’d no sooner sat than a plate of the sweet nutty pastry was placed in front of them, along with a carafe of sparkling water. ‘Yum!’ She’d become addicted to these in recent weeks.
‘On the house,’ Ami, the waitress, said with a smile. ‘Thea insists. If we weren’t so busy she’d be out here herself telling everyone how fabulous the festival has been for business.’ Ami glanced around the crowded seating area with a grin. ‘I think we can safely predict that the festival cheer will continue well into the night. Thea sends her love and her gratitude.’
‘And give her mine,’ Audra said.
She did a happy dance when Ami left to wait on another table. ‘Everyone has worked so hard. And it’s all paid off.’ She gestured at the main street and the town square, all festooned in gaily coloured bunting and stall upon stall of wares and produce. Satisfaction rolled through her. It’d been a lot of work and it’d taken a lot of vision, but they’d created something here they could all be proud of.
‘You’ve worked so hard.’ Finn lifted her hand to his mouth and kissed it, and just like that the blood heated up in her veins.
‘I heard Giorgos tell Spiros that next year the committee needs to market Kyanós as an authentic Greek getaway. With so many of the young people leaving the island, most families have a spare room they can rent out—so people can come here to get a bona fide taste of genuine Greek island life.’
She laughed. ‘Everyone has been so enthusiastic.’
‘This is all your doing, you know?’
‘Nonsense!’
‘You were the one that suggested the idea and had everyone rallying behind it. You’ve been the driving force.’
‘Everyone has worked hard.’
He stared at her for a long moment. ‘You’re amazing, you know that? I don’t know how I got to be so lucky. I love you, Audra Sullivan.’
Her throat thickened at the love in his eyes. She blinked hard. ‘And I love you, Finn Sullivan.’ This was the perfect time to tell him her news—with the sun setting behind them, and the air warm and fragrant with the scent of jasmine.
She opened her mouth but he spoke first. ‘I had a word with Rupert earlier.’
She could tell from the careful way he spoke that Rupert had told him the outcome of the court case against Thomas Farquhar. She nodded. ‘I had a quiet word with Trixie.’
Finn shook his head. ‘I can’t believe you’re becoming best friends with a reporter.’
‘I believe it might be Rupert who’s her best friend.’ Something was going on with her brother and the beautiful journalist, but neither of them was currently giving anything away. ‘She told me the pharmaceutical company Thomas was working for have paid an exorbitant amount of money to settle out of court.’
‘Are you disappointed?’
‘Not at all. Especially as I have it on rather good authority that Rupert means for me to administer those funds in any way I see fit.’
He started to laugh. ‘And you’re going to give it all to charity?’
‘Of course I am. I want that money to do some good. I suspect Thomas and his cronies will think twice before they try something like that again.’
They ate and drank in silence for a bit. ‘Everyone is meeting at Rupert’s for a celebratory dinner tonight,’ Finn finally said.
‘Excellent. It’s so nice to have the whole family together.’ She’d like to share her news with all of them tonight. But she had to tell Finn first. ‘Do you ever regret moving to Kyanós, Finn?’
His brow furrowed. ‘Not once. Never. Why?’
She shrugged. ‘I just wanted to make sure you weren’t pining for a faster pace of life.’
‘I don’t miss it at all. I have you.’ His grin took on a teasing edge. ‘And I get to hang-glide.’ He raised an eyebrow. ‘We could sneak off to continue your training right now if you wanted.’
She’d love to, but... Her pulse started to skip. ‘I’m afraid my training is going to have to go on hold for a bit.’
He leaned towards her. ‘Why? You’ve been doing so well and...and you love it.’ Uncertainty flashed across his face. ‘You do love it, don’t you? You’re not just saying that because it’s what you think I want to hear?’
‘I totally love it.’ She reached out to grip his hand, a smile bursting through her. ‘But I’m just not confident enough in my abilities to risk it for the next nine months.’
He stared at her. She saw the exact moment the meaning of her words hit him. His jaw dropped. ‘We’re...we’re having a baby?’
She scanned his face for any signs of uncertainty...for any consternation or dismay. Instead what she found mirrored back at her were her own excitement and love. Her joy.
He reached out to touch her face. His hands gentle and full of reverence. ‘We’re having a baby, Princess?’
She nodded. He drew her out of her seat to pull her into his lap. ‘I—’
She could feel her own tears spill onto her cheeks at the moisture shining in his eyes. ‘Amazing, isn’t it?’
He nodded, his arms tightening protectively around her.
‘And exciting,’ she whispered, her heart full.
He nodded again. ‘I don’t deserve—’
She reached up and pressed her fingers to his mouth. ‘You deserve every good thing, Finn Sullivan, and don’t you forget it.’ She pulled his head down for a kiss and it was a long time before he lifted it again. ‘And they lived happily ever after,’ she whispered.
He smiled, and Audra swore she could stay here in his arms forever. ‘Sounds perfect.’
She had to agree that it did.
If you enjoyed this story, check out these other great reads from Michelle Douglas
The Million Pound Marriage Deal
A Baby in His In-Tray
Sarah and Secret Sheikh
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All available now!
Keep reading for an excerpt from His Convenient Royal Bride by Cara Colter.
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