Her Greek Doctor's Proposal by Robin Gianna Page B

to.”
    “Good. And while you’re at it, tell him about your foolish mistakes and how to keep his pants on, Andronikos. Like you are finally doing now.” Frowning, she glanced at Laurel. “I hope.”
    He’d thought he was too old to feel embarrassed about much anymore, but now knew that wasn’t true. If only she’d kept speaking in Greek, after all.
    Any chance Laurel might be oblivious to what his aunt was referring to? He glanced at her and saw a small smile on her face. Since Stella was as subtle as a sledgehammer, he knew she’d probably figure it out. With his aunt’s brows still lowered into a near scowl, she grabbed his face and gave him a kiss on each cheek before trudging up the steep road without a backward glance.
    “Andronikos? Is that your full name?” Laurel tilted her head at him as they resumed walking toward his house.
    “Yes, after my grandfather. Quite a mouthful.My aunts and mother are the only ones who use it.”
    “I like it. Andros for warrior and Nike for victory. It suits you.”
    “You think?”
    “I do think.” Her beautiful lips curved wider. “So does your aunt feel a need to protect you from women on the hunt?”
    So much for hoping she wasn’t listening. “Or women from me, maybe. I had a bit of a reputation as a young man. Sorry she was rude to you, but don’t take it personally. Stella enjoys being rude to everyone.”
    “And here I was feeling special.”
    He had to laugh at that, enjoying the teasing smile in her eyes, glad she wasn’t hypersensitive, or thinking less of him after his aunt’s remarks. “You are, believe me. I knew that the first day I met you, and you were so stubborn about me treating your hand.”
    “Stubbornness is a special trait?”
    “Never knew I found it attractive until I met you. But combined with beauty, brains and your unique brand of humor? Oh, yeah.”
    The eyes that met his had a twinkle in them but seemed to be searching too. She didn’t have to look hard to see he had a major jones for her, and he didn’t know what the hell to do about it, since it appeared to be mutual. Maybe someintimate time together far away from Kastorini or Delphi would burn it out, since that was pretty much his MO anyway. Laurel was leaving soon, so she wouldn’t want more than that either, and just thinking about all that made his pulse quicken. “So there’s my house, on the right with the—”
    “Daddy! Laurel!”
    Just as it had every day for the past two years, his heart warmed at the sight of his daughter tearing up the road to meet them, hair and arms flying, leaving the front door wide open behind her. It warmed even more when she flung herself at him, as though it had been days instead of hours since they’d been together.
    “Koukla mou.” He swung her into his arms, smiling at the excitement in her eyes, wondering how he’d gotten so incredibly lucky to have a daughter with such a sunny, happy nature. “What have you been up to since lunch?”
    “Trouble with a capital T.”
    He heard Laurel laugh, and grinned. “Her usual answer. Gets it from her papou . I have a bad feeling that’s going to be her answer for the next fifteen years, which strikes fear into her father’s heart.”
    “Don’t be scared, Daddy. I’m just kidding!” She wriggled from his arms and grabbed Laurel’shand. “Come on. I want to show you my fairy house.”
    “Cassie, let’s be polite and offer Miss Laurel something to drink first. Didn’t your Thea Taryn make lemonade this morning? Let’s go inside and ask her for some.”
    “She’s out back with Petros, kicking the football.”
    “I don’t think I can wait that long to see the fairy house, Andros. Mind if we have some after?”
    “It’s here.” Cassie tugged Laurel to the side of the house where a small strip of dirt contained various flowers his mother planted and tended for him.
    “These flowers are so pretty!” Laurel turned to him. “Are you a gardener?”
    “Can’t tell a weed from