Home to Hellas (The Challenge Series) Read Online Free Page A

me.”
    “And said what?” She didn’t meet his gaze. “Anyway, I couldn’t do that to you, I never would. Mom had a modest life insurance policy, so I used that to get back on my feet. Natalie called me two weeks later and offered me a job at the college, so it was a stressful time but ended well.”
    The stress could have caused some issues, but he wouldn’t think so many. The way she avoided his eyes told him she’d left something out.
    “And the rest?”
    Her green gaze became sharp. A little fire led to good things. She’d been distant and foggy since her arrival. If he didn’t know her so well, he would have chalked it up to jetlag, but she waved sticks and cocktails at jetlag for the hell of it.
    “The rest is me being a wimp,” she replied and pushed off into the water. “I had some medical stuff come up. After Mom’s ordeal, I let the worst-case scenario scare me. I’m getting better about it, but please discount this quiet weirdness. I’ll get over it.”
    “Why do you not like me touching you?”
    She stopped short and her shoulders sank in something remarkably close to defeat. Yet, that didn’t fit. She might lose a game, but she always learned, always grew—experience made her a winner. She called it a win because living and trying meant she had the upper hand.
    “I think somewhere between the third Pap smear and biopsy…yeah, I’m not quite sure, but I’m trying.”
    He didn’t understand what she spoke of, but with the medical clue, he could find out. Dorian committed the words to memory. He swam near her, mindful of giving her space.
    “You look tired again.” Compassion filled his heart. The last few hours had disturbed him, and he struggled to make sense of it all. “Let me help you out. You can ice your knee and get some rest.”
    She bit her lip. “I’m getting old.”
    He held back when he wanted to brush a strand of hair from her face. “Ah, not so much, darling. Come, you can tell me what you think of the ice bath.”

 
     
    Chapter Four
     
     
    Jenn’s knee didn’t pound as hard as it had the day before, which made her think the ice bath might have something going for it. That or the sleep she’d gotten had caught up to the nights she’d spent restless. No matter the reason, she felt good when she met the Greek dawn from bed.
    The sound of Athena’s breakfast cart brought back wonderful memories. The housekeeper knew she and Dorian enjoyed time together. The spry grandmother of fifteen adored him and approved of Jenn. The light tap on the door wouldn’t have woken her, but since she was awake, she welcomed company.
    “Come on in,” Jenn called.
    Athena entered in another of her dark gray dresses, complete with lighter gray apron. She left the cart at the door and lifted a large tray with both hands. She often joked that Dorian changed the platters to silver after she grew too feeble to carry the much heavier porcelain ones—and that she wished she’d complained sooner.
    “Good morning,” Athena called. “I have pie and the coffee you like. Dorian ordered it early so it would be here in time. The best for Jenn.”
    “You’re too kind.” She stepped out of bed and slipped on her robe. “Can you join me for a cup?”
    Athena set the full tray down and cleared the small table near the seaside window. “I suppose I could. I always love to hear your travels.”
    “And I always love to hear about your grandchildren.”
    Athena lit up. “Two more grandsons this year. Probably the last, as they are the fourth in their families. Large families for today, so small compared to my day.”
    “Congratulations. How lovely. What are their names?”
    Athena wrinkled her nose. “Todd and Tucker. Their mothers’ choices, but what can I say? Nobody listens to me. Dorian says you lost your mother this year. I am very sorry.”
    “Thank you.” Though she’d gotten accustomed to the genial kindness people offered when they heard of her loss, she wished she could go