“Did you know that this wall is almost twenty meters thick?” Trish cast a sideways glance at Theo, keeping her hands firmly positioned on the bike’s handlebars. “And that Julius Caesar is said to have walked this same route in 85
B
.
C
.?”
“You sound like a tour guide,” Theo said with a smile.
“I am a tour guide,” she said with a laugh. “Or rather that’s how I started out in the business.”
“Do you miss it?” Theo asked.
Trish thought for a moment. “Sometimes. I liked being out and meeting new people, taking them to places they’d never seen. Or showing them a place they’d been to many times but getting them to see it in a new way.”
“Have you ever thought of doing it again?”
“No,” Trish said. “At least not until Cassidy is grown. I’d be gone too much and that’s not a sacrifice I’m willing to make.”
They rode silently for a minute before Theo spoke again. “Cassidy is lucky to have a mother like you.”
“Thank you, Theo.” A warmth filled Trish’s heart at the compliment. “That’s such a nice thing to say.”
“I mean it.” Theo focused on the road ahead. “Most women would choose their career over their children any day.”
“I don’t believe that.” Trish edged her bike closer to his to make room for two chattering women walking in the opposite direction. “I think most women want to spend time with their kids. If they’re gone, it’s because they have to be.”
“We’ll have to agree to disagree on this one,” Theo said. “Let’s stop here.”
He gestured with his head toward a clearing in a grove of trees just off the path. Trish wheeled her bike in behind him and braked to a stop. She brushed her hair back from her face with the back of her hand, her body humming with excitement.
Years ago Trish had dreamed of taking this ride. Of picnicking on top of the ancient wall. Of drinking wine and eating bread and cheese under the shade of the trees. And now that day had finally arrived…thanks to Theo.
When she and Theo had first arrived in the small picturesque town, he’d insisted they stop at a local store. Once inside he’d purchased a bottle of wine, along with some bread and cheese and a lightweight blanket. Trish had brought along a couple of backpacks, so he’d put the food and wine in his while she’d packed the blanket in hers.
Even dressed like a tourist in green cargo shorts and a tan T-shirt, Theo gave new meaning to the words tall, dark and handsome. And his eyes…well, when he glanced her way her knees grew weak and her skin warmed despite the tree’s shade.
“If you want to spread the blanket, I’ll open the wine.” Theo removed two carefully wrapped wineglasses from his backpack with oh-so-gentle hands.
Trish’s mouth went dry imagining the feel of those strong, yet gentle hands against her skin. Business luncheon, she reminded herself. This was strictly business.
With that thought firmly in mind she removed the blanket and spread it on the grass. By the time she’d smoothed the last wrinkle out she felt composed and firmly in control of her emotions. Putting her hands on her hips, she surveyed her surroundings. “This would be a great excursion for seniors as well as more active younger adults.”
She didn’t have to close her eyes to picture older passengers strolling down the path and the younger ones jogging or biking…all enjoying the view of the huge meadow surrounding the wall.
The look he shot her threatened to short-circuit her good sense.
“Sit.” Theo pulled the cheese and crusted bread from his backpack. “And not one word about work. You, Mrs. Melrose, need to learn to relax.”
Trish chuckled and took a seat next to him on the blanket. “And I suppose you’re the one to teach me?”
“I just may be.” Theo poured a splash of wine into a glass and handed it to Trish. As she took it from him, her fingers brushed against his.
Electricity sizzled. Trish looked up, and before she knew what was happening, she found herself drowning in the liquid depths of his eyes. An older man walking down the path called out a greeting as he passed but she barely noticed.
The beautiful landscape faded into the background. The only thing Trish knew was Theo: his look, his touch, his laugh.
By the time she finished the second glass of wine, the afternoon had slipped away. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d enjoyed a day so much, and she knew it was all because of Theo.
“What’s that expression?” Theo asked. “Penny for your thoughts?”
For a moment Trish could only stare. She wondered what he’d say if she blurted out the truththat she could easily see herself falling in love with him. His eyes would turn wary and that easy smile would freeze on his lips. Because he was a nice guy, he’d say something about caring for her, too. Then he’d change the subject.
“Trish?”
With a start, Trish realized Theo was waiting for an answer. Her mind searched for a one-liner that would make him laugh. Unfortunately none came immediately to mind.
“I was just thinking what a good time I’m having.”
He smiled and his shoulders relaxed. For one crazy second Trish had the feeling he’d been worried about her response.
“I’ve had a great time, too,” he said. “In fact, I hate to see the day end.”
“I wish we could stay and stroll with the locals in the
passeggiata
,” Trish said, her tone turning wistful. In the evening the wall served as a promenade for the village people and the tourists to leisurely walk together. “Steven and I talked about coming here for our fifth anniversary. But he’d already moved on by then.”
Theo caught the glimpse of pain in the hazel depths of Trish’s eyes. Hot anger rose inside him. How any man could hurt such a wonderful woman was beyond his comprehension.
He longed to tell her that she would never be sorry she’d met
him
, but he knew words were pointless. Instead, he leaned over and took her hand. “I wish I could stroll with you in the
passeggiata
.”
Her lips reminded him of sweet, ripe strawberries, and though he’d told himself to keep his hands to himself, a sudden urge to see if her lips tasted as sweet as they looked tugged at his resolve.
As if she could read his mind, Trish moistened her lips with the tip of her tongue. Theo groaned and she looked worried.
“Are you okay?”
Almost of its own volition, his hand rose to cup her face.
“I will be soon.” Theo leaned over and covered her mouth with his. Her lips tasted as sweet as he’d imagined but he discovered one taste was not going to be enough. Not for him. And not for Trish, either, judging by her response. She kissed him back, her mouth molding eagerly against his as her arms wrapped around his neck. They kissed for the longest time, kissed until the feelings stirring inside Theo warned him that they’d better stop.
Trish sighed as his mouth left hers, a soft regretful sound that nudged at Theo’s already tenuous control. Still, he forced himself to sit back and tried to ignore his racing heart. “I think it’s time we head back to Livorno.”
“I don’t want to go back yet,” Trish sighed.
Neither did Theo. Surrounded by the heady scent of her sweet perfume, he wanted nothing more than to lay her back on the blanket and make slow, sweet love to her. It was that very desire that propelled him to his feet.
Trish was a business associate, a woman who’d been hurt by a man who’d taken what she’d offered and then walked away. He would not hurt her. He. Would. Not.
“We have to leave.” He knew he sounded regretful. “Or we’ll miss the ship.”
Trish took his hand and fought a surge of disappointment. The day had been filled with magic and she hated to see it end.
It wasn’t just kissing Theo that had contributed to the magic. She’d enjoyed the conversation they’d shared too. She’d never realized how much they had in common.
They both loved children and believed caring for them should be a priority. Knowing Theo’s background, she shouldn’t have found that surprising, but his admission that he still hoped to have a family of his own someday had tugged at her heartstrings.
She’d visualized them raising their children together, making a house a home. He would help her with Paws and Hands Together and she would help him with the Wild Horse Project. But the evenings would be
their
time. And late at night, nestled in her husband’s arms, she’d thank God for sending her the man of her dreams.
She blinked away the image and realized that she was only kidding herself. When the cruise ended, she’d go back to Florida. Theo would stay in Corfu. There would be no comforting arms at the end of a hard day. No hugs or kisses.
But he was here now…
“How about one more kiss?” Trish asked in a husky voice.
“How can I say no to that offer?” Theo stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her. And when his lips closed over hers, Trish let herself imagine for just one more moment that this day, this closeness, could last forever.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
T
HOUGH
T
RISH WOULD HAVE LIKED
to get to know Helena Stamos better, when Theo invited her to have dinner with him and his sister after their trip to Lucca, she declined the offer. She’d had Theo to herself all day. He was on the ship to get to know Helena, and the two needed time alone.
Trish could have eaten in the dining room with the dentist and the newlyweds but the day’s events had left her exhausted and more than a little confused.
When Theo had accused her of encouraging a reconciliation with his father for her own gain, she’d been stunned. But she had to admit that having Theo and Stamos come to some sort of understanding would be of benefit to her business. Because then Theo would have no reason
not
to work for Liberty Line.
Still, a part of her sensed that Theo wasn’t ready for such a reconciliation. And she, more than most, realized what happened when you tried to rush people…
Trish placed her glass of tea on the table, and gazed out over the Mediterranean, pushing the troublesome thought aside. Ordering room service and having dinner on her deck had been the perfect cap to a wonderful day.
She glanced down at her watch. Only eight-thirty, which made it just three-thirty Florida time. Normally Trish would wait until later to call Cassidy. But she and her daughter had always been on the same wavelength, and right now Trish had a strong feeling her daughter needed to speak to her.
Trish slipped her hand into her pocket and pulled out her cell phone. Before she could punch in a single number, it began to vibrate then ring. She smiled, recognizing the distinctive tone.
“Angie,” Trish said. “I was just about to”
“Trish.” The word came out on a sob. “It’s Cassidy. She’s, she’s”
“Angie, give me the phone.” Trish heard her brother-in-law’s voice in the background.
“No. She’s my sister. I need to tell her” Angie’s voice broke.
Trish’s heart froze. Her fingers clenched the phone in a death grip. “What’s wrong? Is Cassidy okay?”
“She’s gone,” Angie wailed. “We can’t find her.”
The world closed in around Trish, suffocating her.
“Can’t find her?” Trish’s voice grew louder with each word. “What do you mean?”
“She was right behind me,” Angie said, her voice trembling with emotion. “I stopped to buy everyone lemonade, and when I turned she was gone.”
Trish’s heart came back to life with a vengeance, slamming against her rib cage with such force that she felt light-headed. “How long has she been missing?”
“No more than ten minutes,” Angie said. “We’ve already talked to security and they activated the Disney version of an Amber Alert.”
Trish had been trying to tell herself that Cassidy had just wandered off. But if the staff felt the need to call an Amber Alert…
“They think someone took her?” Trish’s voice rose then broke. Tears slid down her cheeks.
“We don’t know.” Angie cleared her throat but her voice remained shaky. “When we told the worker that we’d already looked for Cassidy, they said it was best to react quickly…just in case.”
At the thought of some…some sicko touching sweet, innocent Cassidy…For a second the room spun but Trish willed herself not to faint. She needed to stay strong for Cassidy. “I’m coming home.”
“Trish, this is Tom.” Her brother-in-law’s voice, strong and sure, filled the phone. “I’m asking you to stay put. I didn’t want Angie to call you until we found Cassidy, but she insisted. Cassidy’s probably somewhere close and doesn’t even know we’re looking for her.”
“What if she’s not?” Trish demanded. “What if she’s hurt and scared and I’m…I’m not there?”
“Give me an hour,” Tom said. “I’ll call you when we find her and let you know she’s safe.”
“
If
you find her.” Guilt flooded every fiber of Trish’s being. “This never would have happened if I’d stayed home.”