Page 9 of Smitten in Santorini

“I’m guessing you’re going to be babysitting?” Mick asked once they were alone.

Lena flushed. “Something like that. I’ll, uh, make sure he’s not in your way.”

Mick nodded and padded out of the room, leaving Lena staring after him almost wistfully.

This, she thought wryly, was the first level of hell.

7

Raegan and Mihalis were laughing out by the pool as he dipped a toe in the water, pretending he was going to jump in fully clothed, and Raegan would shriek in mock dismay. Lena watched them for a moment, her eyes shining as she absorbed the sound of the boy’s laugh with delight. His eyes sparkled, his little face scrunched up as he giggled; he was already comfortable in the new situation. Of course, he’d always spent time with Lena. She babysat regularly, giving Sophia and Giorgios alone time to work on the second baby they’d wanted; they’d tried everything but Sophia hadn’t been able to conceive.

“Thea Lena, pinao!” Aunt Lena, I’m hungry! Mihalis’ face was turned up expectantly and she snapped back to the present.

“We don’t have much in the way of food in the house, do we?” she asked Raegan.

Raegan shook her head. “Not if you’re talking about feeding a kid!”

Lena nodded. “Okay, let me order some food and then later I’ll go to the grocery store.”

Raegan nodded. “The insurance adjuster is at the site and he’s going to come here after he talks to the investigator. Maybe we can—”

“I’ll make sure Mihalis is out of the way.”

“That’s silly,” Mick said, joining them. “We can have Raegan watch him when the insurance guy gets here since I may need you to read or translate something, and after that we’ll reassess. If that’s okay with Raegan?”

Raegan grinned. “Me and the blue-eyed angel are fine—he’s a doll. He was the best-behaved toddler I’ve ever seen at Paige and Apollo’s wedding.”

“He’s a good-looking kid,” Mick said quietly, looking over at him. “Reminds me of my sister’s kid. He’s five.” He paused. “How old is Mihalis?”

“He turned three in May.”

Mick nodded. “Fun age.”

“Sometimes.” Lena picked up her phone. “Anyone want souvlaki? I’m going to have food delivered.”

They told her what they wanted and she placed the order. It arrived 20 minutes later and they sat down to eat. Mihalis kept up a steady stream of chatter, excited about the pool, the beach and being with Lena. He was charming and funny, batting his big blue eyes at Raegan and giggling at everything she said.

“I think he’s got his eye on you, Raegan,” Mick teased.

She laughed. “I can—and have—done much worse!”

“You spend a lot of time with him?” Mick asked Lena.

“Yes,” she nodded. “We’re very close.”

“And your sister just dropped him off here as she went off on a solo vacation?” he asked curiously.

“She’s going through a rough time. The divorce is already ugly.”

“Not something anyone ever enjoys, I’m sure.”

“No.”

“So what are we doing tomorrow?” Raegan asked them, taking a big bite of her gyro and sighing happily.

“You’re having a food-gasm, aren’t you?” Lena asked with a smirk.

Raegan snorted. “Paige told me the food would have that effect on me and she was right!”

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