Unfortunately, in the past, lights from cafés and discos had confused the turtles, and many had died of dehydration after moving in the direction of the town.
Andreas had used his influence to help protect the turtles by establishing strict rules to prevent civilization from encroaching on their territory. As a result there was a no-lights curfew, no umbrellas permitted in the sand, no digging, no dogs, no boats, and no talking to disturb nature’s precious system for preserving the species.
The tourists who flocked here at this time of year to see the babies hatching were now forced to observe the fascinating phenomenon from the place where the wild grass met the sand. Thus the fledglings wouldn’t be startled or tormented, unless it was by seabirds on the hunt for food.
He’d always intended to bring D
ominique here. But she’d left Greece before that could happen, plunging him into a black void of despair. “At the next full moon,” he’d promised her.
As the words left his lips, he felt the hairs prickle on the back of his neck. Something told him he might find her here.
She had to be here. He couldn’t think beyond that.
At the bend in the road he slowed down and cruised by the designated parking area. Relief washed over him when he discovered the estate car among the others. He pulled into the first free place and got out.
After walking a few yards he spotted her, lying at the edge of the grass on her stomach. She’d separated herself from everyone else.
He hadn’t needed to worry that it would take him time to spot her, not with her glorious silvery-gold mane illuminated by the moonlight. Talk about heavenly foxfire.
CHAPTER TEN
DOMINIQUE did what the other tourists were doing and lay on her stomach. Signs had been posted everywhere, warning the tourists to stay invisible. She tried not to move while she waited to see signs of turtle activity along the beach.
If she hadn’t heard some people talking about the full moon tonight she would have been on the next plane to Kefalonia. From there she would have taken another plane to Athens, before booking through to Sarajevo as her final destination.
But this was a sight she’d always wanted to see. What was another six hours before she left Greece? With Ari in the hospital, it might be another day before Andreas felt he could leave.
For now she pushed that pain to the nethermost region of her heart and concentrated on a phenomenon of nature that could only be viewed here and at a few other rare spots on earth.
She’d been lying there several hours, anticipating the moment when she would see movement. Maybe there wouldn’t be any. Some of the tourists had already given up their vigil.
A few more minutes and she detected footfall behind her. She looked around. Her body quickened when she discovered who was staring down at her.
Andreas put a finger to his lips to stop her from making any noise. In the next instant he’d stretched himself out next to her and slid his arm around her shoulders.
For the moment they had to refrain from communicating with words. It was just as well. She couldn’t deal with any more pain right now. Besides, his nearness had caused her heart to thud so hard and fast she was afraid the baby turtles would sense the vibration through the tons of sand.
While she kept her eyes trained on the beach, she could feel Andreas’s gaze studying her profile. She didn’t dare look at him. Her emotions were in far too much turmoil.
Another ten minutes passed. Suddenly he applied a little pressure to her shoulder, alerting her that he’d noticed something. He was staring across the sand to the left.
She followed his gaze. Sure enough, about ten feet off, she saw two little turtles no bigger than fifty cent pieces surface and start making their way toward the foam.
It was a magical moment.
Her eyes filled with tears. She held her breath, hoping they would make it to the water without incident. The danger from predators was great, and a large percentage of them perished.
Andreas had once told her that scientists believed the magnetic field of the earth got imprinted in their brains during their struggle across the beach. That imprint enabled them to find their way back here in twenty years to lay their own eggs.
She found the whole experience indescribably moving.
At the end of an hour, the little babies had reached the water. Other fish and crabs were probably waiting for them now they’d disappeared in the ocean, but she was so relieved they’d made it that far she wanted to cry for joy.
Unable to help herself, she turned her head to look at her husband. She discovered moist black eyes fastened on her.
No matter what the future held, she was thankful he’d found her in time to witness something that had become a spiritual experience for both of them.
In one lithe movement, he got to his feet and pulled her up with him. Without a sound passing between them, they quietly made their way back to the parking area.