There was something in her way-too-casual tone that sent red warning flags popping up in Theo’s head. “What are you trying to say?”
Trish looked straight at him. “By refusing to contract with Liberty, it would seem that you are also cutting off a large source of potential donors to your foundation.”
The statement hung in the air, bold and raw, for several heartbeats. Theo tightened his grip on the cup. “I’m not contracting with Liberty.”
Trish leaned back in her seat and expelled a long breath. “If you look at this rationally”
“I’ve said all I’m going to say on the matter,” Theo told her, not bothering to hide his irritation. He’d given her his answer. The subject was not up for discussion.
To his amazement, Trish didn’t back down. She leaned forward and rested both elbows on the table. “Hear me out,” she said, raising a hand when he started to speak. “I really want you to sign that contract. It will be good for me, good for you, and”
“I told you”
“and good for your foundation,” she continued without missing a beat. “As a bonus for signing I will donate the following sum of money to your foundation”
Theo’s jaw dropped open at the amount she named. It was at least a year’s worth of tourist donations. For a second his mind jumped ahead to what they could do with the money. They could start work on some additional self-filling watering facilities, they could
No. He shut down the wishful daydreams playing in his head. Even if he was interested in signingwhich he wasn’tthere was something about the offer that didn’t ring true.
“What do you say?” she asked, her eagerness making her words come out fast. “The way I see it, this deal is a win-win for everyone.”
She looked so pretty sitting there with the sunlight from the window dancing across her hair and a hopeful gleam in her eyes that Theo was hard-pressed not to give her everything she wanted.
“This money you would donate,” Theo said, “where would it come from?”
She paused for a half heartbeat before answering. “From my company.”
The momentary hesitation confirmed Theo’s suspicions. Still he pressed onward, wanting to hear her admit that his father was behind this offer. “It’s a large sum.”
“My business is important to me. Keeping clients such as Liberty happy and satisfied is essential.” There was an earnest look on her face and a ring of truth in her words. Still, Theo wasn’t convinced.
“Stamos gave you the money, didn’t he?” Theo suddenly leaned forward, crowding her, trying not to be distracted by the intoxicatingly sweet scent of her perfume.
She averted her gaze, her hair hiding her eyes from view. “I told you,” she said, “I will be the one writing the check.”
He wasn’t fooled. She still hadn’t answered his question. “But the money will come from him.”
“How many times do I have to tell you.” A hint of desperation crept into Trish’s tone. “I will be”
“The money is coming from him.” Equally determined, Theo hammered his point.
“Do you really care who it comes from?” Trish gazed at him over the top of her glass of ouzo, a splash of red coloring her cheeks.
Disappointment coursed through Theo’s veins. It was as he’d thought. The redheaded American was in league with the devil. She didn’t care about the horses…or him. All she wanted was to get him to bend to his father’s will. Theo pushed back his chair. “Our business is concluded.”
“You didn’t give me your answer,” Trish protested.
“I’d sooner strike a deal with Satan himself than enter into an agreement with Elias Stamos,” Theo said, keeping his tone low, aware of the curious glances directed their way.
Confusion clouded Trish’s gaze. “But why? I’d say in this instance he’s being more than fair.”
“I don’t like to be manipulated,” Theo said. “And I don’t like lies.”
Her cheeks reddened as if she’d been slapped. She lifted her chin and her eyes blazed, but when she spoke her words were carefully measured and conciliatory. “I’m sorry you feel that way. That’s certainly not the intention of the offer.” She leaned forward, resting her forearms on the table. “I want to help you and the wild horses. At least consider the possibility.”
Theo could see the desperation in her eyes. She obviously had a lot at stake here. But he couldn’t help her, not this time.
His mind had been made up long ago, when he was a little boy. Back then he’d vowed never to have anything to do with the father who hadn’t wanted him.
And that was a promise he intended to keep.
CHAPTER THREE
T
RISH STARED
at the three wild ponies on the hillside and breathed in the fresh mountain air. The brilliance of the blue sky wrapped itself around her and the sun warmed her face. She’d scheduled the side trip to Kefalonia so she could better understand why Elias Stamos insisted this excursion be offered to his passengers.
It made sense now.
As far as Trish was concerned, the history and beauty of Kefalonia was something everyone should experience. The plight of the horses was something everyone should know, and no one told their story better than Theo Catomeris.
She turned from the wild ponies and slanted a sideways glance at the handsome Greek. She wasn’t sure which of them had been more surprised when she and her friend, Sally Edwards, had shown up at the dock for the three-thirty tour.
Right now his attention was focused on a salesman from Cincinnati. But during the boat ride from Corfu to Kefalonia, and even on the trip in the van to Mount Ainos, she’d caught him slanting quick glances at her. Trish could only hope her presence would prompt him to reconsider her offer.
Mentally crossing her fingers, she turned back to the horses, watching in amazement as onea spunky roannegotiated a steep patch of rocky hillside with surprising ease.
“Incredible,” Trish breathed.
“I know,” Sally said. “If he didn’t have that bald spot in the back, he’d be perfect.”
Bald spot? Although the ponies weren’t close, Trish had a good view of the roan and, from where she stood, his hair appeared intact.
“What bald spot?” Trish asked.
“Shh.” Sally grabbed her arm, and when she spoke, her voice was a whisper. “He’ll hear you.”
Trish rolled her eyes. Okay, so maybe she spelled words she didn’t want the dogs in her home to hear, but the pony was so far away she could have shouted without worrying about the animal being offended.
“The horse is not going to hear me,” Trish said. “And even if he did, I hardly think he’s going to care.”
“Horse?” Sally’s perfectly tweezed brows pulled together. “I’m talking about Jerry.”
Aha. Finally Trish understood. Jerry Arthur was the salesman Sally had been flirting with since they’d met on the boat ride from Corfu. Recently divorced, Jerry was in the Greek Isles on business. He was also the one currently monopolizing Theo.
Trish cast a surreptitious glance in their direction. “You’re right,” Trish said to Sally. “The guy does have a bald spot.”
“I’m not criticizing, mind you. I think it makes him look distinguished.” Sally’s lips curved up in a satisfied smile. “Did I tell you he promised to look me up the next time he’s in Omaha?”
“That’s great, Sal.” Trish tried to put some enthusiasm in her voice. While she wanted to believe the man would call, she had the feeling this was the last her friend would see of the guy. It had been her experience that men often promised things then didn’t deliver.
Sally and Trish had been best friends growing up in Nebraska. They’d kept in touch even after Trish had left for college in Florida. Though still single, Sally had never given up on her dream of having a husband and children.
Two years ago, at age thirty-five, Sally had decided to make her dream a reality. She’d lost eighty pounds, bought some new, stylish clothes and lightened her mousy-brown hair to blond. While she would never be model-thin, her weight loss had given her a newfound confidence with men and she’d jumped into the dating scene with an enthusiasm Trish envied.
“I’m glad you made me go on this excursion,” Sally said, her blue eyes sparkling. “I wouldn’t have missed this for the world.”
“I can’t imagine missing this, either.” Though Trish didn’t endorse his tactics, she now understood why Elias Stamos wanted this excursion available to his passengers.
Trish had barely finished speaking when Theo’s voice rang out over the crowd.
“If you all move closer, I’ll tell you about efforts currently underway to save these fine animals.” His deep voice sent a shiver up Trish’s spine. Though he’d made it clear when they’d left the taverna that their business was concluded, Trish couldn’t help but hope the door was still open.
She began to move forward, and when she turned to say something to Sally, Trish found herself alone. Sally now stood next to Jerry, her arm looped casually through his.
Trish sighed and let the group of people push her forward until she stood directly in front of Theo. His lips were moving ever so slightly, and it took Trish a second to realize he was counting, making sure all twenty-five people in the tour group were present.
She waited with anticipation for his gaze to settle on her. But when he got to her, he skipped over her.
The action told her more than words that the door was still shut.
Theo took a step back and gestured with an out-swept arm toward the side of the mountain and valley below.
“This mountain where we now stand is Mount Ainos. Below you can see the village of Arginia. And if you look over there, you can see three of the wild horses of the island.” Though his voice never faltered, Trish could see the emotion in his eyes when he looked at the horses. “These animals belong to a mountain breed of Greek horse descended from the Pindos breed. The Pindos is a descendent from the old Thessalonean breed which is now extinct.”
Though a few in the crowd moved away, most were as mesmerized as Trish by the passion in Theo’s voice as he painted a vivid picture of the horses’ struggle to survive.
“While they have faced tremendously adverse conditions in the past, these horses now face even greater challenges. They share this area with many other animals. Years ago, there was enough food and water for all. Now, due to the felling of many trees as well as destructive fires, the horse’s ability to find enough food and water is threatened.”
“What can we do to help?” the distinguished-looking older gentleman next to Trish called out.
“Thank you for asking,” Theo said. “We’ve established a foundation to save these horses. The immediate goal is the provision of self-filling watering facilities and shelter, along with a balanced diet in the winter months.”
Theo didn’t stop there. He went on to talk about more extensive long-range possibilities before mentioning to the group that when they stopped at the Monastery of Zoodohos Pigi on the way down, they would have an opportunity to make a donation, if they so desired.
After giving them a few minutes to take pictures, Theo announced it was time to head back to the van. As they started down the mountain path, Trish fell into step beside Theo.
“We’re going to have to stop meeting like this,” she said, keeping her tone deliberately light.
This time Theo couldn’t ignore her. “I didn’t know you were coming on this tour.”
Trish struggled to keep up with his fast clip. Normally she loved hiking, but she’d tripped on a hidden rock on their way up the mountain and her ankle was still sore from the almost fall.
Theo must have noticed her difficulty because he slowed his pace and even reached out a helping hand when she stumbled.
“I guess we’re even then,” she said.
“How’s that?” he asked.
“I didn’t know you were going to be leading this tour.”
He shot her a skeptical glance.
“I didn’t,” Trish said. “When I booked the tour, someone named Basil was listed as the guide.”
“Basil went home sick,” Theo admitted. “I’m filling in for him.”
“You do a nice job,” Trish said. “When you were talking about the hardships the horses face…”
Her voice caught. She wondered if the bay or the gray or the black roan would die this winter. Trish took a moment to compose herself. Ever since she’d been a child she’d loved animals. While her encounters with horses had been few, these proud, well-spirited ponies had found their way into her heart.
She thought of the money Elias Stamos would give, and how it could make the difference in these horses surviving the winter…or not.
While Theo hadn’t been overly friendly, he hadn’t been hostile, either. Maybe now that he’d had time to think, he’d be willing to take the money and give these horses a chance at a better life. She simply
had
to try again…
“I was wondering if you’d thought more about my offer,” Trish said.
A tiny muscle jumped in his jaw. “No,” he said. “I haven’t.”