Ultimate Romance Collection. Rebecca Winters

sorry to come by now when I know you’re preparing for this evening, but I need to see Takis as soon as possible.”

      His mother eyed her with concern. “Something’s wrong. What is it?”

      She sat on the couch, folding her arms against her waist. “I wish I could tell you.”

      “If it’s about the latest tabloid gossip, I pay no attention to it.”

      Lys let out a slight gasp. “Then you know what was in the paper this morning.”

      “Takis mentioned it at breakfast before he and his father left the hotel together.”

      “I went over to his house, but he’s not there. I—I’m so afraid.”

      “What is it?” she asked in such a kind voice, Lys had to fight the tears that threatened.

      “He asked me to marry him, but I fear I’m not the right kind of woman for him. That’s what I need to tell him so we can call off this engagement party.”

      “My son has never done anything he didn’t want to do. He wants you for his wife.”

      “But gossip follows me wherever I go and it will rub off on him. I’d do anything to protect him and your family.”

      “Tell me something truthfully. Do you love him?”

      Her question brought the tears rolling down her cheeks. “Desperately, but he loves you and your husband with all his heart. He’s been so traumatized all these years for hurting you by leaving Crete, the last thing he needs now is to marry a woman who will bring more hurt to you.”

      His mother shook her head. “What hurt are you talking about?”

      Lys wiped her eyes. “He carries this terrible guilt that he abandoned you when he left for New York. He can’t forgive himself for it.”

      “Oh, my dear—” She came over to the couch and put her arm around Lys. “By the time Takis was a year old, his father and I knew he was different than the other two. He insisted on exploring his world and needed more to make him happy. When his girlfriend died, we knew he had to find his life and were thrilled that Kyrie Rodino gave him that opportunity.”

      “You were?” Lys cried. “Honestly?”

      “Of course. We’re so proud of what he’s done and accomplished.”

      Lys couldn’t comprehend it. “Then he’s the last person to know. He’s been afraid that he’s let you down and can never win your approval. And he’s worried that there’s—” She stopped herself before she said something she shouldn’t.

      “That there’s what?” Hestia prodded.

      “If I tell you, I’m afraid he’ll never forgive me.”

      “Of course he will.”

      “H-He’s afraid either you or your husband are seriously ill,” her voice faltered. “He thinks that’s why you asked him to come home for good.”

      His mother lifted her hands in the air. “We’re in the best health we can be at our age.”

      “Oh, thank heaven!” Lys half sobbed.

      “Where would he get an idea like that?”

      “Because you asked him to come home. He thought there had to be a vital reason.”

      “There was. There is. We love him, and we miss him. We figured he’d made enough money on his hotels that he could come back and do something else amazing here in Crete.”

      “He has done that!” Lys jumped to her feet. “You know the children’s hospital where your granddaughter had to go the other day?”

      Hestia nodded.

      “Takis had that hospital built and funds it completely.” At this point tears spilled down his mother’s cheeks. “He’s building another one in Athens.”

      “Our dear son,” she whispered.

      “Please, Kyria Manolis. Let him know how you feel. Tell him you’re both healthy. Reassure him you wanted him to find his way in the world. He needs to know how much you love him so he’ll be whole. But he doesn’t need a woman with my reputation ruining his life. Forgive me, but I don’t dare marry him.” She removed her ring and handed it to Hestia. “Please give this to him. Now I have to go.”

      Hestia called to her, but she dashed out of the apartment to her car. The tears continued to gush as she drove toward Heraklion. Her phone rang, but she didn’t answer it. When she reached the hotel, she parked the car and rushed to her suite.

      Once inside, she ran sobbing to her bedroom and buried her face in the pillow. When her phone rang again, she refused to answer it in case it was Takis. If he knew what she’d done by confiding in his mother, then he might never want to speak to her again.

      * * *

      Takis was surprised when his mother met him and his father at the back door of the apartment. “I’m so glad you’re home! Your fiancée has been trying to reach you.”

      “I know. I tried to call her back, but she hasn’t answered yet.”

      “I’m not sure she’s going to.”

      He frowned and followed her inside to the kitchen. “What do you mean?”

      She glanced at his father. “Both of you need to sit down so we can talk.”

      Takis lounged against the counter, unable to sit until he knew what was going on.

      “Lys came by the hotel earlier looking for you.”

      Takis groaned aloud. “We went into the village to pick up the bedroom furniture you ordered and set it up at the house. I wanted it to be a surprise for her.”

      His mother nodded. “While you were busy, we had a very informative talk about many things including the children’s hospitals you’ve been building. I’ll tell you everything, but first I want you to know you’re the luckiest man on earth to have found a woman who loves you so much.”

      “She admitted that to you?” Takis was stunned.

      “You’d be shocked what she told me.” In the next breath she related their whole conversation, leaving nothing out. After she’d finished, his father spoke first.

      He stared at Takis through eyes that glistened with tears. “Your mother and I have loved you since the day you were born. We were so afraid for you after Gaia’s death, we rejoiced when Kyrie Nassos opened a new door for you. We didn’t want to say or do anything to discourage you from leaving, and we’ve never regretted that decision. You have no idea how proud we are of you.”

      Takis couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Cesare had been right about everything. As for Lys...

      “We’re not ready for the grave yet, son. We expect to enjoy years of life with you and the wonderful woman who loves you enough to have confided in your mother.”

      Takis was so overcome with emotion, he could only hug them for a long time. After clearing his throat, he said, “Since Lys was so honest, I have something important to tell you too. You may not love me so much when you hear what I’ve done. It’s about the reason we’re engaged. Nassos left a will.”

      Once his whole confession was out, silence filled the room. His father walked over and clapped him on the shoulder.

      “I only have one thing to say. The fact that Kyrie Nassos thought so much of you he would give you half his hotel tells me and your mother that you’re the finest, most honorable Manolis we’ve ever known. I think all that’s left to say now is that you go find your fiancée and thank her for making this family closer than ever.”

      His mother smiled. “I already love her.” She reached in her apron pocket and pulled out the engagement ring. Takis was aghast Lys had