“Is Mr. Petrakis in?” Eleni asked Dean’s secretary, Maggie. The woman had been thrilled to be transferred from cold Boston to somewhere much warmer in the winter.
“Yes, Mrs. Petrakis. He’s always here for you. Go on in.”
Eleni still gave a tiny knock on the door, in case he was on the phone or in the middle of something.
Dean glanced up from his computer screen, and a grin split his face. He waved her in, so she closed the door behind her and crossed the room. Dean’s new fourth floor office in the back of the financial suite had come out great.
As she stepped onto the balcony that looked out on the beach, she chuckled at Nadine with the four kids. They still took turns with homeschooling, even though she’d given up her full-time job here. Dean eased up behind her, enveloped her in his arms, and kissed her neck. He’d sure learned exactly what set her off in the past few months that they’d been married.
“To what do I owe this pleasure, Leni?”
The pleasure she was getting from those talented lips on her shoulder should have been enough reason.
“I was downstairs helping to train the two new admin assistants and figured I’d see if you had time to have lunch with your wife.”
“I always have time for my wife. Did you bring something, or should we see what Vlad has cooked up today?”
“I asked him to send something up. It’ll be here soon.”
“How are the ladies working out in the manager’s office?”
Dean settled into the chair on the balcony and drew her into his lap. She’d never get enough of his love and attention.
“They’re doing great, as is the new assistant manager. It’s a shame Hugh left the company.”
Since Dean had shown up to run Yios Corp. from The Ocean Pearl, Hugh had decided he needed a change in scenery. Eleni couldn’t complain. They’d hired someone for his job, plus two new activity directors, one for the Kids Klub and one for the adults and family activities. Eleni had been working with them on the new programming. It was nice to have a flexible schedule with less hours each week and much of it she could do from home.
They’d moved into The Hideaway last month after their wedding. Then, Dean had taken all of them, the kids and her mother included, to Greece for their honeymoon. They’d visited her mom’s old village and met many relatives, then traveled to see where Dean’s family was from. They’d spent another week at the Yios resort on Mykonos, enjoying the amenities and the special attention they got from being Konstanine Petrakis’ family.
Back home, her mom was over the moon, loving how she could watch the waves roll in and out every day. The kids enjoyed being on the beach and especially the puppy Dean had gotten them. Eleni had been somewhat miffed at the suggestion, but Thea was extremely responsible in walking and feeding the animal, and Dean had picked up any slack. Eleni hadn’t had to do much besides play with the “real” Cuddles when she wanted to.
Vlad spent a good deal of time at the house with them and had asked Mom to help him in the Ocean Pearl kitchen, making and testing new recipes. She’d been thrilled, and Eleni had a feeling there might come a time when her mother would leave them. Vlad had become quite vocal in how much he cared for the woman.
As she snuggled into Dean’s arms, he stroked her face. “Are you happy, Mrs. Petrakis?”
“I am. Never happier. I wasn’t sure I’d get this second chance after Sean died. But here you are, making my dreams come true. I love every minute of being with you.”
“I love you, Leni. I always will.”
Seems the Legend of Last Chance Beach had struck again.
Stay tuned for Trey Petrakis’ story, Masquerade Under the Moon, coming Oct. 2022
Get updates on new releases on my mailing list:
Karilemor.com
For more stories that take place on Last Chance Beach visit our website:
Or our Face Book reader’s group: