Mending Hearts

Chapter 3

Laura was seated at the breakfast table, trying not to be too obvious as her view darted occasionally to the entrance to the room. She laid her nervous hands in her lap. She kept telling herself the only reason she was anxious to see him was because he was a friendly face, nothing more than that.

A few minutes later, she spotted him.

Helena's mouth curved slightly as she saw that Laura's eyes lit up when Stefan came in the room. Could she be this lucky? She glanced over to Stefan, very curious to see if she would see the same spark in his usually dull eyes.

But Stefan hid his pleasure better than Laura, only inclining his head slightly, and saying, "Good morning."

"Good morning," Laura replied, forcing her mouth to only spread into a polite smile.

Once they had all been seated, they were served. Mikkos and Stavros were absent, so it was just the three of them. Helena tried to find another trace of what she had perceived in Laura earlier, but she and Stefan only made the required polite conversation that grew tiresome quickly.

After eating her small portions, she motioned to a servant to help her out of her chair. There was only so much banality a woman could stand. "I have a social engagement I must attend to," she said. "If you will excuse me."

Stefan courteously stood from his chair and nodded, thankful to see her go.

Laura felt the same way. She allowed herself a broader smile, relaxing her posture. She always had to be on guard with her mother-in-law. It was mentally and physically exhausting.

They didn't exchange more than the bare minimum of words, even after Helena left. Both were aware that even when she was gone, her presence remained in every room of the house.

But still they enjoyed each other's company. Maybe because of that silence, and the freedom it brought with it. Neither had to pretend to tolerate Helena's icy and cutting remarks or Mikkos' apathetic response.

Or Stavros' sometimes tiresome presence. Laura had learned his charm would only go so far, and then the excuses grew weak. And when she thought of how she would be spending the rest of her life with him...

Well, she'd rather not think about it.

Stefan took the last sip of his drink and rose from his chair, reluctant to break the comfortable quiet they had strangely created. "It seems the day must begin."

"Busy day?" Laura asked, picking at her food. Usually she enjoyed most of it, but it was making her queasy today.

Stefan shook his head. "No, I'm merely going into town to purchase a few items."

Laura looked wistful. "Have a good time."

"Thank you." Stefan refrained from asking her if she would like to go, knowing it would just serve to make her unhappier, as she would feel compelled to decline his offer. Because of Stavros.

"Enjoy the day," he said.

"Thanks," Laura smiled, though it didn't reach her eyes. She watched Stefan go and marveled at how different he seemed from all of them. And she thought of how unfair life could be.

But she had learned that lesson before.

*****

"Will you be buying the nice clip? For your girlfriend, perhaps?"

Stefan stared at the silver hairclip in his hand. It was simple, but elegant at the same time. It would look lovely against her golden hair.

What was he doing?

"No, thank you," Stefan replied in flawless Greek, dropping the clip, and walking away from the stand before the man offered a cheaper price.

He had been walking through the downtown market for the last few hours, and there had been several things that had reminded him of her.

Which was ridiculous, given that he'd spent a total of an hour with her, if that. He knew nothing of her tastes, and little else about her.

As he continued his leisurely stroll, a display of ribbons caught his attention. Invariably, he looked and found one that nearly matched the color of her eyes. He toyed with the blue ribbon, mentally debating whether to buy it or not.

It was an innocent gift, he finally decided. Purchasing the small strip of silk, he kept walking. He still had to buy what he had come here for.