Dragos Takes a Holiday (Elder Races #6.5)(10)

“It sounds like a lot of grueling physical work.”

“It is.” He sounded pleased at the thought. “It’s a lot of flying and swimming, and time spent outdoors in the open air and sun.”

She pursed her lips. Maybe while Dragos conducted the physical search, she could do some digging for local sources.

Eva slowed the Mercedes on the narrow paved road, until she pulled to a stop beside a thick, recently trimmed hedge in front of the large, peach-colored villa. A flagstone path cut through an opening in the hedge.

The peanut had fallen asleep in her arms, so Eva opened the car door for her to step out. While Eva and Hugh pulled out the luggage, Dragos joined Pia and they walked up the path.

The house was two stories high and built into a hill. Steps led up to a wraparound porch on the upper level and the main front entrance. As they started up the steps, an attractive human woman in her forties opened the front door. She wore a summer linen suit and ballet flats, her dark hair pulled back in a chignon.

“Welcome, Lord and Lady Cuelebre.” She spoke with a crisp British accent and smiled at them. “I’m Leanne Chambers, the property manager. We’re so honored that you’ve come to visit.”

“Hello.” Pia returned her smile. “This is a beautiful place. I’m in love with it already.”

“Isn’t it lovely? This is my favorite of all the rentals I manage.” Leanne’s dark gaze dropped to Liam, and her smile turned indulgent. “If you like, I can show you straight to the bedroom where I’ve put the crib.”

“Thank you, but if I try to put him down in a strange place, he’ll only wake up and fuss.”

The other woman inclined her head. “If you’ll allow me, I’ll give you a quick tour and get out of your way.”

She handed two sets of keys to Dragos and led the way through the house, keeping up a light patter of conversation. The house had been built in the late nineteenth century and used as a vacation home ever since. The windows were high and elegant in spacious rooms with hardwood floors, and decorated with simple, comfortable furniture.

Pia could easily picture people in Victorian and Edwardian dress gracing the large parlor room and the living room with the immense fireplace, or playing cards and board games on the veranda. The front lawn was just large enough to contain a croquet set. Pia caught a glimpse of the beach through the trees down the terraced path.

Despite its age, the house had been updated with every modern convenience. An outside shower had been installed so people could rinse off from the beach before stepping inside. The large kitchen had new stainless-steel appliances, and two of the five bathrooms had Jacuzzi tubs. There was only one bedroom that had an en suite bathroom, and Pia was pleased to see that it still had the original enameled tiles and claw-foot tub.

Leanne paused in the doorway of the master suite. “I took the liberty of setting the crib in the room beside this one. And because the house is so large, I bought a baby monitor to go with it. Along with filling the grocery order, I’ve stocked the fridge with four complimentary bottles of white wine, and a fruit-and-candies tray.”

Pia smiled at the other woman. “Thank you.”

“My pleasure. Is there anything else that you need?”

“I can’t think of anything,” she replied. “I love this place. Everything is wonderful.”

She glanced at Dragos. He had turned on his phone and his head was bent as he studied the screen. Her shoulders drooped. He glanced at her and frowned.

He pocketed his phone and told the manager, “Thank you, that will be all.”

“Very good.” This time the inclination of Leanne’s head was deferential. “I’ll see myself out. Enjoy your stay.”

Pia moved to look out the window at the sparkling water. The baby snored slightly. He sounded like a squeaky toy. Sleeping soundly had turned him into a dead weight, and her back ached from carrying him around.

Disappointment tried to darken her earlier excitement and pleasure. She had dangled Dragos’s favorite hobby in front of him, and they had just arrived in a literal paradise, but he still couldn’t keep his phone turned off. When she’d started a relationship with him, she knew she was going to have to share his time and attention, but she never realized how much of a problem that would be, or how much it might grow to bother her at times like this.

Mostly she was fine with it. That wasn’t rationalization; she really was. Between the overwhelming demands of his corporate responsibilities and the Wyr demesne, he carried a heavy load, and it suited her just fine to play a supporting role for him. She wasn’t as driven as he was, and she absolutely adored the fact that she had the luxury to concentrate on the peanut while he was so small.

Only occasionally, like now, it caused a heavy ache in her chest.

Dragos walked up behind her and put his hands on her shoulders. “What has dimmed that bright smile of yours?”

She tried to think of something positive and supportive to say. “Don’t you love it here? This place is gorgeous.”

His fingers tightened. He bent over her until his lips touched the thin, sensitive shell of her ear. He whispered, “I turned on my phone to search for a place to go to dinner.”

She looked over her shoulder at him. “Really?”

“Really. I’ve already turned it off again.”

The leaden feeling in her chest lightened. At the same time the back of her nose prickled and moisture flooded her eyes. Embarrassed at the sudden surge of emotion, she folded her lips tight and nodded.