Theofilos motioned for them to continue up a steep, cobbled pathway. They passed several more elaborate homes with gated gardens and stone walls while traveling further up the mountainside. These houses were distinctively bright in color-red and yellow, while others were of pastel hues. Some had ornate wooden eves with columned porches, and still others had faint painted designs as ornaments on the plaster walls under the roof. Potted plants were everywhere and from the little street some of the homes hinted of large gardens beyond their gates. Prevalent was the Neo-Classical style and the examples they now stood before were particularly stunning.

After two turns onto other forks in the passageway, Theo led his tiring guests to a singular, stone tiled walkway, appearing as a tunnel beneath the spreading trees above. It was flanked by high rock walls with planter boxes running tandem along the top of them. After fifteen or so meters there appeared a double wooden gate-closed and formidably locked. No address or name appeared anywhere near it. A small knotted rope could be seen protruding out of the wood through a tiny hole. Theo pulled it with a sturdy jerk. A distant bell like a telephone could be heard ringing somewhere behind the walls. It rang for several seconds before it stopped. Someone with graceful steps could be heard walking up to the other side to the gate. The footsteps ceased on the other side and the voice of a woman, now very close, broke the sound of running water in the street.

"Pios Einai?" The voice asked.

"Ego. O palaios filos sou . . ." Theo winked and smiled at the two of them, indicating it was, indeed the professor.

"Pios filos?"

"Theofilos. Apo sto Amerikaniko Scholio."

There was a pause. "Theo mou?"

"Neh neh, Nefeli! Ego Eimai."

The sound of locks being turned was followed by the gate swinging open. There before them was a tanned, middle-aged woman with short black hair and an appealing face. There was a distinctive tuft of light gray on the left side of her head, as if it had been painted there. She immediately smiled at them and jumped forward to give Theo a long, warm hug. The two friends looked into one another's face for a few long moments before smiling again.

"These are my friends from the USA," Theo said, turning and motioning to both guests. His eyes had welled up with tears. He strangely did not mention that they were on any research assignment.

The attractive woman in jeans, tennis shoes and a floral blouse also seemed moved by the encounter with her past friend. She then, for Daniela's and Nicasio's sake instantly broke into perfect English, though with a heavy Greek accent.

"Well it's my pleasure to welcome you here," she addressed them. "Please come in. I've just made some mountain sun tea."

The three followed the elusive woman inside onto a garden path which led back to a spacious and tall two story house. It was built of caramel-colored stone blocks and accented with crème tinted window frames. On each side of these were large, open shudders. A light green wrought-iron railing ran across the upper balcony with curvilinear patterns and there were two dormers tastefully set equidistant into the tiled roof. Priscilla curtains behind the open windows gently swayed in a breeze at the upper level. There was a feeling of complete privacy within this small, enclosed estate and a special aura of solitude which Daniela instantly admired.

Dr. Vasiliou led her three unexpected guests into an entryway where several large oil paintings of sailing ships hung, seemingly far up the walls to correct for the tall ceilings of the house. The interior space seemed to be almost half a story taller than most homes, with faint blue decorative molding defining the perimeter of the ceiling. A floral art nouveau bronze chandelier hung down from the center of this anteroom by a heavy matched chain. The professor passed them brusquely through the kitchen, a flash of rose-colored and green tiles, and outside again onto a large balcony which featured a stunning view of the surrounding mountains on one side and the distant Aegean Sea on the other. Flowerpots with blossoms were again abundant on this deck and the white table and chairs she offered them were a heavy, wrought-iron style with light green pillows.

"Please make yourselves comfortable and I'll bring out the tea," she offered, quickly turning warmly to the tour guide before she left, kissing him on the cheek. "Theofilos, ti kanis agapi mou?

"Kala, Kierie. Poli Kala!

"Orea. Just a few moments, everyone."

As the professsor went back into the house, Daniela shook her fists in the air as a gesture of victory. Theo smiled proudly and Nicasio took in a nervous deep breath.

"Look, Theo," he whispered cautiously to him, "no need to mention to the professor that I'm here on any kind of . . ."

"Not to worry, boss . . . I wouldn't tell her that anyway."

Nicasio looked perplexed, then nodded, noticeably relieved. Daniela got out of her chair in her excitement and walked over to the railing to look out at the panoramic view below. As the wind blew her hair back toward the two men, she seemed to be consumed in her own delighted thoughts.

Within a few minutes the professor had returned to the balcony, managing to carry a large tray with a pitcher of tea, four crystal glasses, and a small plate piled high with cookies. Sitting back down at the table, Daniela noticed that the woman had also managed to hastily freshen up in that short time. She had changed her loose-fitting, pedestrian blouse to a simple, but elegant white sleeveless top, emphasizing a serpentine silver arm bracelet.

"So please . . . tell me, Theo, how is the world out there fairing these days?" Her voice was strong and clear, the vestiges of a seasoned lecturer.

"Well, there are a lot of us still who miss you, Nefeli," he said in a respectful tone.

"So are you still working at the Blegan?"

"Yes. Still there. Nothing really has changed. A few more acquisitions. A few more schools come each year. The summer programs are always in high gear. You remember it all, I'm sure."

"Yes. I do remember it all. And dream of it sometimes. But . . . I don't miss it, Theo. So many other . . . wonderful things to do now."

She deftly poured tea into each of the classes.

"Yes," he said awkwardly, not expecting her to elaborate.

"So you finally came back here to see your family's home, I suspect? We had spoken of it often when we worked together. Do you remember those talks we used to have, Theo? About Andros?"

"Oh yes. Those were some great years, Nefeli. You brought so much to the facility. I learned a lot from your tenure there."

Dr. Vasiliou was silent a moment and obviously moved by the memories.

"So. . . now Theo. Please tell me about this beautiful couple you've brought here with you to Stenies."

She looked searchingly into each of their faces.

"Ti ormorfia pedia! They are simply gorgeous!" She smiled genuinely at them both.

Theo's guests instantly blushed. It was an unexpected comment which effectively unnerved them.

"Well this is Daniela and Nicasio," he said cordially, masking his usual playfulness. "They're some friends of mine from California. On holiday here in Greece. And for the first time!"

The two were speechless. First embarrassed by the professor's compliment and now petrified by Theo's growing disingenuousness.

"Actually . . . these two gave me the courage to come here, Nefeli. Back to Stenies and to see the house after so many years. It's been six, you know."

"So long, Theo?"

He nodded his head in quiet affirmation.

"Chronia, agapi mou. Chronia! Well, you'll just have to get to work on it now. And keep it open during the summer months. It's such a lovely place. Fill it up with love . . . and these beautiful friends of yours."

"Yes, I should do that," he said unconvincingly.

"Well I would love to see you as my neighbor more often, Theo. After so many years."

"And as always . . . I'd be honored." Theo smiled and held up his glass of iced tea as everyone did the same.

Daniela looked into the professor's face carefully. It had been quite a journey to find her. And while taking momentary pride in herself for the effort to so, she could read something in the looks of this mysterious woman which was warm, wise and genuine. She anticipated her stay there, however brief, would be most memorable.

* * *