"A sweet romance, a feel-good ending, and a surprise cache of yummy Greek recipes at the book's end? I'm sold!" --Trish Perry, author of Unforgettable and Tea for Two What happens when she wants roots and he wants to fly? After years of looking for a place to belong, Paula Andrews finally finds her niche in Tarpon Springs, Florida. Her soap and candle shop flourishes, and her friendship with the Papadopoulos family gives her the love and support she never got from her own family. The only thing missing is a romance—or in the grand hopes of the Papadopoulos family, a proper marriage. Preferably with Nick, their favorite son, currently serving in the Air Force. Paula, however, has doubts. After all, he’s been gone a long time and loves flying. Their lives have grown apart. Would he still feel anything for her? When Nick comes home on leave, sparks fly, and not just with Paula. Nick's father wants him home, helping with the family sponge-diving business. His mother wants him back in the family, back in church. Nick just wants Paula . . . and the Air Force. So who’s going to give in first? And what will it mean for their love and future? Debby Mayne is a best-selling author who has published more than 25 books and novellas, 400 short stories and articles, and devotions for women. She has also worked as managing editor of a national health magazine, product information writer for HSN, a creative writing instructor, and a copy editor and proofreader. Her novel, Love Finds You in Treasure Island, Florida received 4-1/2 stars from RT Book Review, and was named a Top Pick for the month of July. She and her husband Wally have two grown daughters, and live in Palm Harbor, Florida. To learn more about Debby visit DebbyMayne.com. Sweet Baklava By Debby Mayne Abingdon Press Copyright © 2011 Debby Mayne All rights reserved. ISBN: 978-1-4267-0870-1 CHAPTER 1 Nothing like the aroma of authentic Greek food to stir a woman's injured soul. Paula Andrews had to walk around toys scattered on the front porch. She inhaled deeply and knocked on the door of the large, two-story, wood-frame house. Nestled among other old Tarpon Springs, Florida, mansions, the Papadopoulos family home overlooked the Anclote River's Spring Bayou. She heard the bustling and scurrying inside the house as she stood and waited. A wave of nostalgia blended with the smells coming from the house and flooded her senses. The only thing that trumped chicken fried steak on her taste buds was Greek food cooked by one of the Papadopoulos women. "Don't knock!" someone yelled. "Just come on in!" Tentatively at first, she pushed open the door a few inches. When she was certain a small child wasn't smashed up against the other side, she shoved harder, making the heavy wooden door squeak. As she entered the grand two-story foyer, she spotted a familiar petite figure standing on the top rung of a ladder, her arms stretched to their maximum, fussing with the end of a piece of crepe paper. "Hey, girl," Paula called up to her best friend. "What can I do to help?" "Hand me that streamer." Steph Papadopoulos pointed to the table beneath the ladder. Paula grabbed the first one she came to and passed it to her friend. "Nick will love this." She surveyed the room, and her eyes rested on the banner. "But why does it say 'Welcome home, John Smith'?" Steph smoothed the tape over the streamer and chuckled as she stepped down off the ladder. "Remember that old family joke? Nick Papadopoulos is the Greek version of John Smith?" "Yeah, that's right." Paula grinned. "I do remember. And this is so you, Steph! Nick'll be beside himself when he sees all this." Steph snorted. "Nick's so full of himself, that's impossible." A couple of children scampered past them. Steph hollered, "Slow down, or you'll break something." She shook her head. "I don't know where my brothers are, but they're obviously not watching their kids." "Young'uns. Gotta love 'em." Steph grinned at her. "You always did have a way with words." As if on cue, a shrill scream emanated from the other side of the wall. "Stephie! Joey put gum in my hair!" "Did not," the little boy yelled back. "That's yellow gum in your hair. Mine's blue." Steph groaned and rolled her eyes, but Paula noticed the spark of amusement on her face as she rounded the corner and placed her hands on her hips. "Okay, you two. Enough of this craziness. Get me the scissors, Cleo, and I'll get that gum out of your hair." "No way." The little girl giggled. "I'll get the peanut butter. That's what Mama always uses." Steph quirked an eyebrow. "This is obviously not the first time your hair's been tangled with gum." She plucked another streamer from the table and held it up. "Sometimes I think I'm better off than my brothers." "Not so much," Paula said. "At least they're married." She nodded toward the child who was still in Steph's grip. "And they have you to watch their little angels." Cleo stuck her tongue out at Paula. "Yeah, I know, they