Chapter 245

Kassandra joined Romanos at the table laid out on the back patio that offered an unending view of the shoreline. The raised porch provided shade from the hot Greek sun. Reaching Romanos, she kissed his papery cheek and sat down.

The small table groaned under the weight of a colorful and mouthwatering array of dishes. "I didn’t know that we were having a feast today," she said, spreading her napkin on her lap. "I would have skipped breakfast and run a few more miles."

"Eat," Romanos said. "No man likes his woman so much that it could hurt him if he embraces her."

Popping a piece of a juicy, thick-crusted pie into her mouth, Kassandra shook her head. "Since no man is actually intent on embracing or otherwise expressing love for your granddaughter," she continued in that same irreverent tone, "no worries there."

It had become a bit of a game this past week between them, about who could say the most outrageous thing. The smile disappeared from Romanos’s face. "He is your husband, child. "