“Also, would you mind if I call you Rosie. Belle thought it would be a good idea for both of us to address you by the same name.”
Iola looked over at Belle and smiled. “I do not mind at all.”
“Great. Now that we got the business taken care of, we can relax and get to know one another.”
For the next hour, they shared stories of their homelands, until Maggie moved them inside for dinner, where the conversation continued throughout the evening.
Carter couldn’t remember the last time Belle had laughed so much, and they made plans to explore the town of Ashland tomorrow.
Later, after Belle had gone to bed, he walked Iola over to the guest house. “You’ve made quite an impression on my daughter,” he said. “She’s crazy about you.”
Iola’s gorgeous violet eyes sparkled. “As I am her.”
“I hope you’re going to like it here.”
She studied him intently. “I already do.”
“Belle’s not the only one who’s happy you’re here. I am too.” He felt his face grow hot and had no idea why he just said that. To cover his embarrassment, he quickly said good night and hurried back to the house.
When he was in bed, he lay there for a while, wondering why he was offered the stroke of luck that brought Iola into his life, and then surmised that it didn’t matter. The only important thing was that she was there, and for the first time in a long time, the hole that had been in his heart ever since Jenny died seemed a little bit smaller.
Chapter 6
Iola investigated nearly every object in the guest house, taking great pleasure playing with the box mounted on the wall with the moving pictures that talked. She’d made a mental note to ask Carter and Belle about it tomorrow.
Everything about this new world intrigued her, and there was nothing from the old one that she missed. Maybe it was because she’d been stone for so long. Or perhaps it was because this one was so much better. It didn’t matter. All that did was that she was alive and happy for the first time in over three thousand years. Now she just had to make sure that she cured someone before the full moon so that she could stay here.
Before going to bed, she opened the medicinal pouch that had been tied around her waist for centuries and checked the herbs inside. They looked fine and smelled good too. They’d been preserved in the same manner she had. With that joyful discovery, she fell asleep quickly and was awakened in the morning by bright sunlight streaming over her face.
About an hour later, after bathing and fixing her hair, she went through the clothes in the trunk and selected a pretty cotton dress that seemed perfect for a day of exploration.
When she joined Carter and Belle at the main house, Maggie had just finished preparing the most wonderful breakfast. She didn’t want the woman to know this was her first time eating an omelet, so she tried not to devour it, despite never having tasted anything so delicious before.
The entire day was like that, going from one new and fabulous experience to the next. She especially loved the trip to the beach, where they walked along the shoreline looking for shells. It was hard to believe that she had only known Carter and Belle for a day and a half. It seemed much longer.
By the time they headed home, they were exhausted. Maggie took Belle upstairs to tuck her into bed while Carter walked Iola to the guest house. “Thank you for showing me your town. I thoroughly enjoyed it.”
He smiled broadly. “I did too. I can’t remember the last time I had so much fun.”
“There is not much that I can offer in return for all that you have done for me, but I can make you a delicious cup of herbal tea to help you relax for the night.”
“That’s an offer that sounds too good to refuse.”
While she made the tea, Carter sprawled out on the couch in the family room. A few minutes later, she joined him there.
“Careful. It’s hot,” she advised, as he brought the cup up to his mouth.
“Noted,” he replied, blowing on it before taking a sip. “That’s delicious.” He set the cup down on the coffee table and adjusted the way he was sitting so that he was facing her. “I’ve never tasted anything like it.”
“Ah, I should think not. Those are my special herbs. No one else has them. Certainly not here. Not at this time.”
“Well, I’m happy that you shared them with me.” His dark eyes delved into hers, and a vaguely sensuous light passed between them.
She lowered her gaze, unfamiliar with the feelings churning inside her. “Who else would I share them with?”
“You have a point. Did you leave a family behind in Greece? A husband? Children?”
She floundered before the brilliance of his look and cleared her throat awkwardly. “No. No one. So there was no one to miss me. Except maybe my father, but I’m sure he missed the money I brought him the most.”
“I’m sorry. Perhaps, you’ll meet someone here. Someone who’ll care for you, and maybe that’ll happen sooner than you think.” He leaned toward her, his mouth just inches from hers.
The next thing she knew, his lips covered hers hungrily. She’d never been kissed by a man before and had no idea what to expect. But it far outweighed anything that she could’ve imagined. There was a tingling in the pit of her stomach, and her heart danced with excitement at the feel of his warm lips against hers. His kiss was slow and thoughtful, sending shivers of desire racing through her. She kissed him back, wrapping her arms around his neck and giving freely to this newfound passion.
She settled back against the couch, enjoying the feel of his arms around her until a shrill ringing sound that came
