Doorstep Twins / The Cowboy's Adopted Daughter

He clutched the phone tighter. “I know I’ve hurt you, Irena, but to be less than honest with you at this point would be unconscionable.”

“Your father told me your courage is one of your most remarkable traits. After this conversation I have to say I agree with him. I love you, Andreas. I know you did love me in your own way. But you were never in love with me, otherwise—” She broke off talking. He knew what she was going to say, that otherwise they would have married months ago. “I’m going to hang up now.” The line went dead.

Horrible as he felt for hurting her, relief swept through him that from here on out he wouldn’t be lying to her or Gabi.

Before he let any more time pass, he had a second call to make to Leon, who was vacationing for the next two weeks on Milos with Deline and the rest of the family. With Gabi sequestered in Apollonia on the north end of the island nine kilometers from the Simonides villa, the timing and proximity couldn’t be better.

In anticipation of her falling in with his plan, he’d made all the arrangements ahead of time. Now there was nothing left to do but inform his brother, who’d known this call was coming.

As soon as they spoke he’d never heard Leon sound so upset. He hadn’t told Deline the truth yet, but knew he had to.

After encouraging him not to wait any longer, Andreas hung up to wait for Gabi’s phone call. If she chose to fly back to the States in the morning, then he’d take her and the twins home in the company jet.

Gabi’s father patted the side of the bed and stared at her with solemn eyes. “When did Thea tell you about Leon Simonides?”

With that question she realized it was going to be a long night. She sat down next to him. “Right before she died.” After clearing her throat she said, “All along Thea thought the man she’d made love with was Andreas. That’s why I went to his office.”

Her parents listened intently as she explained what had happened to Thea. “When she swore me to secrecy, I intended to honor my promise to her. But after she died, I kept looking at the babies and thinking how terrible it would be if they never knew their father, either. I realized I couldn’t go through life with that kind of a secret.”

“Of course you couldn’t.” Her father pulled her into his arms. “I love you more than ever for what you’ve done.”

“So do I,” her mother cried. “It took tremendous courage, darling.”

“I’m sorry to have lied about my reason for going to Athens on Friday, but I didn’t know if I’d be able to get in to see Andreas.”

“Thank heaven you did. Honestly, when he walked in the salon, it was like looking at the children all grown up.”

Her dad shook his head. “I’m still amazed by what we’ve learned. He’s a very remarkable man. A good one. No wonder he’s at the head of the Simonides empire.”

“You should see him with the boys, Dad. The way he responds, you’d think he was their father.” Her voice shook.

Her mother reached over to press her arm. “What’s Leon like?”

“I can’t tell yet. He was in shock on Saturday and hardly spoke, but the fact that he came at all speaks of his character.” She wiped her eyes.

“Seeing those two brothers together will really be something,” her mom said. “That’s how it’s going to be for Kris and Nikos.”

Gabi nodded. “Thea was so beautiful, and they’re so handsome already. When they’ve become men, they’ll be as spectacular as Andreas—I mean Leon.”

“Does he know Kris will have to undergo a series of surgeries in the future?”

“Not yet, Mom,” she mumbled.

“Why didn’t you tell him?”

“Because I knew Leon was in shock. When I put myself in his place, I realized how hard it would be for him to tell his wife. I suppose I didn’t want to scare him off or have him thinking I was after his money to pay for the medical expenses.”

Gabi’s father patted her arm. “Tell Andreas. He’ll know the best way to broach his brother.”

Her dad was right. “I will.”

“Do his parents know anything yet?”

“No.”

“So where is this safe place he was talking about?”

She slid off the bed, too filled with nervous energy to sit any longer. “On Milos.”

“Of course,” her father said. “Their family compound is on that island in a private bay that is better guarded than the White House.”

“Actually, he mentioned I’d be staying at a nearby village called Apollonia, but I don’t know any of the details yet. He said to leave everything to him, but I have to be sure it’s the right thing to do. I told him I would have to think about it. He’s waiting for a phone call from me tonight.”

Her dad cleared his throat. “I guess your mother and I don’t have to tell you how wonderful it would be to know you and the children are close by while Leon is deciding what to do. Naturally I’d prefer that you stayed right here and—”

“No, Dad,” she interrupted him. “I don’t know how you’ve done your work through all this, but it’s time you were able to concentrate on the job you were appointed to. You have too many dignitaries coming and going to put up with so much distraction.”

“You and the children are hardly a distraction, Gabi.”

“You know what I mean. Your life isn’t conventional. You need to get back to it. Andreas told me to think of this as a vacation.”

Her mother flicked her a thoughtful glance. “If Leon realizes he wants his children, then you have to admit Andreas has come up with a temporary solution that suits everyone. A week from now and everything could be settled. But it’s your decision.”

That was what was haunting Gabi. No decision sounded like the right one.

If Leon wanted to claim his children and raise them, then she would be free to get back to her old life in the States. But her world had changed so dramatically since her arrival on Crete four months ago, she didn’t know herself anymore.

The twins had come to mean everything to her. As for Andreas…She kneaded her hands. He was waiting for her to get back to him.

She paused in the doorway fighting conflicting emotions. “Andreas is doing everything in his power to unite his brother with his own babies. I started all this and need to finish it, so I’ll tell him yes. See you in the morning.”

Once out the door she rushed down the hall to her room to make the phone call. He answered on the second ring.

“Gabi?” came the deep voice she could pick out over anyone’s. “Did you discuss this with your family?”

“Yes.” She struggled to sound calm. “The children need their father. If my coming to Milos will hasten the process, then so be it.”

“Good. Now here’s what I want you to do. Follow through exactly with the plans you and your parents have for tomorrow morning. But when you arrive at the airport, tell the driver to take you through to the heliport where my helicopter will be waiting. I’ll be there to help you and the boys aboard.”

“All right.” She gripped the phone tighter. “Andreas—there’s something else you need to know. I should have told you before now, but I was afraid.”

“Of what?”

“That you would believe what you first thought about me—that I was out to get money from you.”

“Go on.”

“This concerns Kris.”

“What about him?” Just now she heard a raw edge to his voice.

“He was born with a defective aortic valve in his heart. No one knows why. He didn’t inherit anything genetic from Thea. She didn’t develop heart trouble until she became pregnant. His condition is called stenosis.”

“I noticed he’s a little smaller.”

Most people saw no difference in the twins, but nothing got past Andreas. “According to his pediatrician here in Heraklion, he’ll have to undergo his first operation next month. I’d planned to have the surgery done in Alexandria with a highly recommended pediatric heart specialist.”

“We have one of the best here in Athens,” Andreas murmured, sounding far away. “How many procedures will be required?”

“Maybe only one more after that. The doctor said most valves have to be replaced every two to three years, but with non-embryonic stemcell heart tissue, the replacement valve should grow as Kris grows and no more surgery will be necessary. That’s what we’re hoping and praying for.”

“Amen to that.”

She put a hand to her throat. “When do you think you’ll tell your brother?”

“Tonight. He needs to be apprised of all the facts before you’re settled on Milos. In the next few weeks he and I will start giving blood for Kris’s fund.”

“Our family plans to give some, too. To look at him you wouldn’t know anything’s wrong. He’s so precious.”

“Until now I’ve never coveted anything of my brother’s.”

“I know what you mean. If the gods were giving out perfect children, you wouldn’t have to look any further than Kris and Nikos.”

“No,” came the husky rejoinder. “Get a good sleep for what’s left of the rest of the night, Gabi. Tomorrow’s a new day for all of us.”

“Andreas—”

“Yes?”

“I just wanted to say that I think Leon is very lucky to have a brother like you. Would that the twins develop that kind of love for each other. Goodnight.”

“We’re coming up on the little fishing village of Apollonia, named after the god Apollo.” Andreas had been giving Gabi an insider’s tour of the Cyclades from his position in the co-pilot’s seat.

She’d never been to Milos. As the pilot swung the helicopter toward the beautiful island sparkling like a gem in the blue Aegean Gabi’s breath caught. She’d once visited the islands of Mykonos and Kea on the ferry, not by air. To see all the fantastic volcanic formations and colorful beaches from this height robbed her of words.

During the flight from Heraklion, her awestruck gaze had met his many times. Maybe it was a trick of light from being at this altitude in a cloudless sky, but when he looked at her the gray of his irises seemed to turn crystalline, almost like a glowing silver fire.

The twins were strapped down in their carry-cots opposite her so she could watch them. They’d stayed awake during the flight, good as gold.

“Is that Apollonia down there hugging the bay?” she questioned as they drew closer.

Andreas chuckled. “No. That’s the home of the Simonides clan. Apollonia is just beyond it.”

Gabi was staggered. She stared at the twins. Little did they know the lineage they came from included a kingdom as magical as anything she’d seen in a fairy tale. But instead of towers and turrets and drawbridges, it was a gleaming white cluster of cubical beauty set against an impossibly turquoise-blue sea found only in this part of the world.

Further on lay the picturesque little town where she’d be staying. It was built in the typical royal blue and white motif along a sandy beach, the kind you saw in videos and on postcards advertising the charm of the Greek islands. Before the helicopter landed, she knew she was going to love it here.

She picked out the boats at the village pier. There appeared to be myriad shops and restaurants close by, an idyllic vacation spot if there ever was one. As soon as they landed and the blades stopped rotating, Andreas helped her and the twins into a car waiting by the helipad.

The pilot loaded her luggage and the stroller into the trunk. There was a considerable amount of stuff. She poked her head out the window. “Thank you!” she called to him. “When you travel with babies, there’s no such thing as packing light.”

Both men flashed each other a grin before Andreas took his place behind the wheel and started the motor. Seated across from his hard-muscled body, Gabi felt an excitement out of all proportion to the reason why she and the twins had been whisked to this heavenly place.

He drove them past tavernas and bars, pointing out a supermarket and a bakery where she could buy anything she needed. In a few minutes they turned onto a private road that wound beneath a cluster of trees and ended at a perfectly charming blue and white house with its own shaded garden and stone walkways.

Gabi let out a sound of pleasure. “This is an adorable place, Andreas.”

“I’m glad you like it. From the front door you step right out onto the beach. The house is fully air-conditioned, another reason why I chose it.”

“The babies and I will be happy as clams here.”

He darted her a curious look. “That’s an odd American expression. Do you think clams are happy?”

She burst into laughter. “I have no idea, but I know we will be.”

His low chuckle followed her as she got out of the car to open the back door. By now the twins were so awake they were eager to escape their confinement. While she released Kris’s carry-cot from the strap, Andreas removed Nikos. Together they walked toward the door where a pretty, dark-haired woman who looked to be in her mid-twenties held it open for them.

“Kalimera, Kyrie Simonides.”

“Kalimera, Lena. This is Gabi Turner.” The two women smiled. “Lena and her husband manage this resort. They have a son, Basil, who’s five months old.”

“Oh—I’d love to see him.”

“He’s with my husband right now, but I’ll bring him out to the garden later in the day. How old are your children?”

“Three months.”

“They are very beautiful.” Lena’s glance slid to Andreas, no doubt trying to figure out their relationship when the wiggling babies looked like him, not Gabi. “We have maid service. If you need anything, pick up the phone and the office will answer.”

“Thank you. This is delightful.”

“I think so, too. Enjoy your stay.”

After she walked off, they moved through to the living room whose white interior was accented with dark wood furniture and blue accessories. “What a charming house!” she cried.

“I’m glad you like it.” Andreas sounded pleased as she followed him through to one of the bedrooms down the hall where two cribs and a set of dresser drawers had been set up. Everything was impeccably clean.

Andreas helped her lift the boys out of their carry-cots and lay them down in their cribs. “I’ll bring in your things.”

“That would be wonderful.” She kissed Kris. “The babies have been awake for a long time and are getting impatient for their lunch, but first they’re going to need a diaper change.”

“Afterward I’ll help you feed them.”

“That won’t be necessary.”

“What if I want to?”

His playful teasing didn’t fool her. “You’ve done more than enough, Andreas. I can just picture your exceptional receptionist wondering where on earth you’ve disappeared to.”

She watched him kiss Nikos. “Didn’t I tell you I’m on vacation? The whole family’s here for the next two weeks.”

This time her heart really did get a major workout. “As I recall, you were going to give me an appointment at three o’clock yesterday afternoon.”

“If you recall,” he murmured, coming to stand next to her, bringing his warmth and enticing male scent with him, “a life and death situation altered the scheme of our lives.”

Gabi gripped the railing of the crib tighter. Our lives was right. When she’d gone to his office in Athens on Friday, the idea that days later she’d be alone with him on Milos would have stretched the limits of her imagination. Yet here she was…

“For the time being, my first priority is to lend Leon moral support.” On that succinct note he left the bedroom.

While he was gone she gave herself another lecture about remembering why she’d been temporarily ensconced in this corner of paradise. Leon was blessed to have his brother’s backing. As Gabi’s father had said, Andreas was a good man. How good no one would ever know who hadn’t walked in her footsteps since last Friday evening when she’d first confronted him.

In a few minutes he’d returned with the diaper bag and bottles of formula already prepared. They changed the babies before going into the living room to feed them. He was as confident and efficient as any seasoned father. Whether Leon ended up raising them or not, Andreas had claimed his nephews. She had an idea he would be an intrinsic part of their lives from now on.

After they put the twins down for their nap, Andreas announced he was leaving for his villa. “I’ll be back with food before they’re awake.” He flicked her a heavy-lidded glance before disappearing from the house.

While she was taking clothes out of the suitcase to hang up and put in drawers, she heard the car drive off. He’d told her the Simonides compound was only ten minutes away by car, but already she missed him. To keep herself busy she acquainted herself with the rest of the house.

A perfect little kitchen containing snacks and a fridge stocked with drinks connected to the living room. On the other side was a hall with a bathroom separating two bedrooms. Hers had a shady terrace with loungers and a table looking out on the translucent water. The pots of flowers and an overhang of fuchsia-colored bougainvillea on the trellis gave off a subtle perfume.

Gabi hugged her arms to her waist, hardly able to contain the rush of euphoria that swept through her. She was in that dangerous state where the lines were blurred and she was imagining something quite different than the reality of her situation.

The beach was calling to her, so, with Lena’s assurance that she would watch over the babies, Gabi changed into her two-piece aqua-colored swimming suit. A month ago she’d wandered into a little shop in Heraklion and had bought the most modestly cut outfit she could find, but it still revealed more than she liked. A tan might have helped, but this hadn’t been a summer to relax in the sun.

After smoothing on some sunscreen, she grabbed a large striped towel and left for the beach through the terrace exit. A person could step down to the sand where the sea was only ten yards away, no more. It shimmered like a rare aquamarine. She dropped the towel and ran out, luxuriating in the calm water whose temperature had to be in the seventies.

Gabi swam for a while, then floated around on her back while she watched various sailboats and the occasional ferry in the distance. There were a few other people farther down the beach, but for the most part she had this area to herself. Doing a somersault, she swam underwater to examine the shallow sea floor before surfacing to reach the beach and stretch out on her towel.

While she lay there on her stomach thinking this was pure heaven, she heard a motor that signaled a boat was approaching. When the sound was suddenly cut, she lifted her head from her arms and realized a ski boat had glided right up on the sand.

Her double vision was back as two Greek gods in dark swimming trunks jumped down from the sides with the kind of agility any male would kill for and walked in her direction.

“Andreas—” She sat up with a start, taking the towel with her to give herself a little protection from his all-seeing eyes. Then she remembered her manners, her gaze darting to his brother. “How are you, Leon?”

A faint smile hovered around his lips. “More in control than I was a few nights ago. I apologize for my rude behavior.”

She shook her head. “There’s no need.”

“There’s every need,” he insisted, reminding her of a forceful Andreas. “I should be the one asking you how you are. You’ve been taking care of my sons all this time and I never knew.”

Gabi smiled. “They’re my nephews so it’s no sacrifice, believe me.”

“May I go in and see them?” He was making the effort, she’d give him that.

“Of course. If they start to fuss, there are bottles of formula made up in the fridge. Just warm them up in some hot water. Andreas?” She flicked her gaze back to him. “Why don’t you show him their room while I go for another swim? If they wake up, it will be lovely for them to see their daddy.”

His white smile had a domino effect that slowly melted every bone in her body. “When you surface again, climb up the back ladder into the boat and I’ll take you for a ride. While Leon gets acquainted with them, we’ll enjoy a picnic on the water.”

“That sounds good. I’m getting hungry.” It was already three-thirty. She’d lost track of the time.

“So am I.” His husky tone caused a ripple effect through her body.

The second they disappeared through the front door, she hurried into the bedroom via the terrace and grabbed a loose-fitting short sundress with spaghetti straps she often wore over her suit as a cover-up.

Their deep male voices faded as she rushed back to the beach. After shaking out the towel, she walked in the water and chucked her things in the back of the boat before climbing in. By the time Andreas emerged from the house, she was presentable enough to feel comfortable being with him.

He ran toward her, shoving the boat back into the water, then he levered himself effortlessly over the side. His brief glance managed to take in all of her before he started the motor. “We’ll head for Kimolos.” He nodded toward an island that couldn’t be more than a mile away. “The sight of the little village of Psathi is worth the short trip.”

Halfway across, he turned off the engine and joined her in the back so they could eat. In the hamper were sodas, fruit and homemade gyros. No food had ever tasted so good. She didn’t have to search for a reason why.

“Thank you for a wonderful meal. In fact this whole trip.”

Andreas stared at her while he munched on an apple. “Thank you for not giving up trying to get in to see me.”

Gabi knew what he meant. Her mouth curved in a half-smile. “We need to thank your receptionist. Without her going out on a limb for me, that would have been the end of it.” Then a slight frown marred her brow. “But maybe it would have been better if she hadn’t had compassion on me.”

Lines darkened his striking features. “Don’t ever say that. I don’t even want to think about it.”

Neither did she. A world without Andreas was incomprehensible to her. She finished her cola. “What are your brother’s feelings by now?”

Letting out a heavy sigh, he closed his eyes and lay back on the padded bench to get the full effect of the sun for a moment. End to end, his toned physique with its smattering of dark hair plus his chiseled profile proved to be too much for her. She turned her head to stare anywhere but at him.

“If the twins hadn’t tugged at Leon’s heart the first time he saw them, he wouldn’t have agreed to my plan for you to bring them here. When I told him Kris has to go in for heart surgery next month, that seemed to jar him to the reality of the situation. But he’s terrified because he loves Deline and is afraid he’ll lose her when she learns the truth.”

“I can’t imagine being in his position.”

After a silence, “If you were Deline, do you think you could handle it?”

His searching question brought her head around. They looked at each other for a long time. “I don’t honestly know. She forgave him for what happened a year ago, but now that the other woman’s children are involved…”

She bowed her head. “If I loved him desperately, it might be possible. At the time he didn’t know he’d gotten my sister pregnant, but I’m not Deline. Do they have the kind of love for each other to deal with it?”

He jackknifed into a sitting position and put his feet on the floor of the boat. His eyes looked haunted. “After he tells her, I guess they’re going to find out how solid their marriage really is.”

Gabi stirred restlessly. “He needs to do it soon. Every day that passes while he keeps it from her will make it harder for her to trust him.”

“I told him that the night he saw the children at the park.”

“Andreas—much as I’d love to go sightseeing with you this afternoon to give him more time with the twins, I think we should go back. You need to impress on him that if he waits even another day, it might be too late to convince Deline of anything.”

“I agree,” his voice rasped.

“Trust is everything. If Leon wants to prove his love, then he needs to approach her now.”

He nodded. “Not only that, every day he’s away from his sons, he’s losing that vital bonding time with them.” Andreas sprang to his feet. “Let’s go.”