The Lady of Tarpon Springs Read online

  “Stop fighting me! I’m trying to save you.” His Greek command likely meant no more to her than the shouts of the woman in the pagoda had meant to him. If only he could make her understand. She was going to drown if she didn’t let him help her. He’d seen this before with men who’d been tossed overboard during storms at sea. Panic seized them and they wouldn’t relax and cooperate.

  Suddenly her body went limp in his arm. He needed to get her to shore. She’d likely stopped breathing. He dragged her to the muddy riverbank and dropped to his knees, surprised to see no more than a sprite of a woman. After the battle she’d waged when he was trying to save her, he’d expected her to be as large as the woman with the parasol. Placing his ear to her mouth, he listened. Nothing. He pinched her nose between his finger and thumb with one hand, tilted her head back, and placed his lips over her open mouth. He watched her chest for movement as he blew into her mouth.

  He continued, determined to revive the woman, but then let out a yelp and turned when someone landed several sharp blows to his back.

  The buxom woman who’d been leaning over the edge of the pagoda held her parasol in a threatening manner. “How dare you? Stop accosting my sister!”

  He had no idea what she was saying. Had she been attempting to drown the woman and was angry he’d thwarted her plan? He could think of no other reason why she wouldn’t want him to save a drowning victim. He gestured for her to leave him alone and leaned down to continue his ministrations. No sooner had he begun than she whacked him again. He ignored her, but with every ounce of his being, he wanted to grab that parasol and toss it in the river.

  Finally, the woman coughed and then sputtered, and Nico knew what would follow. He moved aside as the woman turned her head and immediately lost the contents of her stomach. He stood and was met with another whack of the parasol. “Look what you’ve done!”

  “Bessie! We’re coming. How is Eugenia?”

  Nico looked toward the sound. Dr. Penrose and Zanna were accompanied by the woman with the shrill voice, who had rushed off when he entered the pagoda.

  “That man was kissing Eugenia!” The old woman standing beside Nico shouted the accusation toward Zanna and Dr. Penrose, then raised her parasol and struck him again.

  CHAPTER

  13

  Nico raised his arms over his head to protect himself while Zanna and Dr. Penrose shouted. He wasn’t sure what they’d said, but at least she lowered the parasol. Lucy hurried to Eugenia’s side and knelt beside her and then quickly opened her medical bag while Bessie and Viola chattered like magpies.

  “If you two don’t quit fussing, I won’t be able to listen to your sister’s heart.” She gave them a stern look that gained the requested result. “Thank you, ladies.”

  Nico leaned close to Zanna’s ear and gestured to Bessie. “What was that woman shouting?”

  “She said you were kissing her sister,” Zanna responded in Greek.

  Nico’s mouth fell open, and he slapped his palm to his forehead. “She thought I was kissing her?” He shook his head. “I pulled that lady from the river. She wasn’t breathing, so I did the rescue breathing on her. That is not kissing.” He rubbed the back of his hand across his lips. “She really thinks this?”

  “I believe that’s why she was striking you with her parasol.” Zanna grinned. “I didn’t realize you were so eager to find a bride.”

  “The only bride I would want is not among the group gathered around the doctor.” He lifted the corner of his water-soaked shirt and gave it a squeeze, then nodded toward Bessie and Eugenia. “They do not look like sisters. One so large and the other so small.”

  “Viola is also their sister.” Zanna gave a nod toward Viola.

  “That one, too?” Nico glanced at the woman in question. “She has a voice so shrill, it hurt my ears.” He wrinkled his forehead. “And that bigger one—she’s dangerous with the parasol.”

  Zanna chuckled. “She was only trying to protect her sister from a passionate Greek.”

  He pointed his index finger at her. “You know that is not true.” Gesturing toward the road, he added, “I’m going back to camp for dry clothes. I had planned to purchase supplies before going to the warehouse, but that will have to wait.”

  “Go ahead and get the supplies. I will go to the warehouse and interview anyone who answers the advertisement.”

  He shook his head. Deciding upon the right men to fill positions with the company was Nico’s job. At least that was his opinion. He wanted to be certain they were men who would show up at work each day and give a good day’s work. Preparing sponges for sale required long, tedious days of repetitious labor. He didn’t want to take the time needed to train men only to see them leave a few weeks later.

  “You stay and help the ladies,” Nico suggested. “The doctor needs your assistance more than I do.”

  Her shoulders stiffened when he refused her aid. There was little doubt he’d angered her, but she needed to accept that he was going to oversee any decisions regarding workers and their jobs. She could make those decisions regarding finances and legal matters. He started up the muddy hillside.

  “Stop him! You stop him right now, Zanna. I’m going after the sheriff.” Bessie charged toward Nico while holding her parasol like a sword.

  Lucy had been focused on Eugenia, but Bessie’s shouts startled her. She called to the older woman, “Bessie! Come back here this minute.” Lucy gestured for Zanna to join them. “I need to keep my attention on Eugenia. Please explain that Nico saved her sister’s life.”

  “By kissing her?” Bessie wheeled around to make certain Nico was still nearby. She pointed at his back. “You! Don’t you leave until this is settled.”

  Nico spun around, his brows arched, and looked at Zanna. “What other silly ideas does she have?”

  “No new accusations, but she doesn’t want you to leave until she understands. It will only take a minute. I’ll talk fast so you don’t miss any of your interviews.”

  Nico flinched at her final comment. Zanna knew how to make a point when she was unhappy. He glanced at the old woman, who glared at him in return. There was little doubt she would either scream or attack him with her parasol if he attempted to make a getaway, so he simply folded his arms across his broad chest and dutifully waited while Zanna detailed exactly what he’d been doing. He couldn’t understand a word she was saying to the old woman, but from her deep-set frown, it didn’t appear Zanna was making much headway.

  When Zanna’s conversation with the woman stopped for a moment, Nico stepped closer to Zanna’s side. “Is it safe for me to leave now?”

  Zanna shrugged. “You can try, but I still don’t think she believes me. Maybe once Lucy tells her what you were doing is an accepted medical procedure, Bessie will trust that your actions saved Eugenia’s life.”

  Nico turned his gaze toward Lucy. She was placing her medical equipment back into her bag. “It looks like she’s done caring for the woman. Why don’t you ask her to explain so I can leave?”

  Lucy stood and turned toward Zanna, Nico, and Bessie. “I’m glad you’re still here, Nico. Could you lend Eugenia a strong arm to lean on? I need to get her back to my office and I’m afraid she may fall.”

  Zanna immediately interpreted Lucy’s request. Nico studied her for a moment. Had the doctor truly requested his assistance, or was this a trick so he wouldn’t get to the warehouse before Zanna? He couldn’t be sure, but if the doctor really needed his help, he’d appear to be an uncaring scalawag if he didn’t help. Besides, he didn’t want Bessie on the attack again.

  “Looks like Lucy can explain while you help Eugenia to the office.” Zanna strode toward the other women, Bessie close on her heels.

  When he didn’t move, Bessie glared once more and waved him forward. Now that Lucy wanted him around, Bessie was going to make sure he complied. He sighed and followed, careful to remain out of reach of Bessie’s parasol.

  Lucy gave instructions to Zanna, who then told Nico that onc
e Lucy had Eugenia sitting up, he should help her to her feet. With Viola on one side and Lucy on the other, they lifted Eugenia into a sitting position. But before Nico could step forward and assist the woman to her feet, she fainted.

  Nico’s chest tightened, and he lifted his arms heavenward. Could nothing go right this morning? “Move aside,” he said. “I’ll carry her.”

  Bessie tugged on Zanna’s sleeve. “What’s he doing? What did he say? Tell him to get away from Sister. Dr. Lucy can care for her.”

  “Eugenia has fainted again. We need to get your sister to Lucy’s office. Nico is going to carry her, so please step out of his way.”

  Bessie gasped. “It’s unseemly. What will people think, Zanna, if they see him carrying Sister down the street?”

  “I don’t know, Bessie, but I don’t think we need worry what others think right now. It’s more important Eugenia receives medical treatment, don’t you agree?”

  Bessie tilted her head to the side and furrowed her brow. “Well, I suppose if . . .”

  Nico didn’t wait for the ladies to say anything further. He pushed between Zanna and Bessie, leaned down, and scooped Eugenia into his arms. He marched up the sloping hillside and slowed only once to catch his breath before arriving at Lucy’s office.

  Zanna kept pace with him and opened the office door when they arrived. “There’s a bed in one of the rooms at the back. I think Lucy will want her there.”

  By the time Nico had placed Eugenia on the bed, Lucy, Bessie, and Viola arrived and soon entered the room. Nico found himself hemmed in on all sides. It seemed no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t escape. He was edging his way around the perimeter of the room when Eugenia groaned and opened her eyes.

  Lucy hurried to her side and placed a damp cloth on her forehead. “I thought I was going to need smelling salts to bring you around.”

  A wobbly smile curved Eugenia’s lips. “Was I dreaming or did a handsome man kiss me?” Her head lolled to the side and she looked at Bessie. “I rather liked it.”

  Bessie gasped. “Hush that shameful talk, Eugenia.”

  Eugenia frowned. “There’s nothing shameful about enjoying a kiss from a handsome man.”

  Nico was pleased the woman was awake and able to talk, though it appeared her sister wasn’t pleased with whatever she was saying. He’d almost made it to the doorway when Eugenia spied him and lifted a soggy handkerchief in the air. “There’s the handsome man I dreamt about. I want him to come to tea, Zanna. Tell him to come to our house tomorrow at two o’clock.”

  “I don’t think he will—”

  “Just tell him,” Eugenia insisted.

  Zanna did as the older woman instructed, but after interpreting the invitation, she added that she would pass on his regrets since she was certain he wouldn’t want to attend.

  Instead, he said he’d be delighted—provided she went along to interpret. He smiled, nodded, and gestured while talking to Zanna, hoping Eugenia would gather some understanding from his actions. When the old woman clapped her hands, he smiled at Zanna. “It looks like we will be going to tea tomorrow, but right now I am going to find clean clothes and then hurry to the warehouse.”

  He opened the front door with Zanna’s final comment in his ears. “I’ll be there before one o’clock.”

  She was one strong-minded woman, and yet he needed her help. The men applying for jobs most likely would not understand Greek any more than he understood these three crazy sisters.

  Zanna hurried home and downed her lunch while her grandmother chided her for being late. She couldn’t eat and talk at the same time, so she offered a mumbled apology rather than take time to detail what had occurred at the mineral springs. If she started that story, her mother and Yayá would ply her with more questions than she had time to answer, especially if she was going to make it to the warehouse before one o’clock. She needed Nico to respect her, and she didn’t want to give him reason to believe she couldn’t do her job.

  Yayá pointed at her shoes. “How come you have all that mud on your shoes?” She leaned to the side and touched the edge of Zanna’s skirt. “And on your skirt.” She tsked and ran her fingers along Zanna’s jacket sleeve. “Your jacket is damp. Did you go for a swim with the alligators this morning?” She cackled at her question.

  Zanna forked a bite of tomato salad into her mouth and shook her head. Why did Yayá have to notice everything? She swallowed and speared her fork back into the salad. “No. It’s a long story. I’ll tell you at supper. I need to be at the warehouse by one o’clock.”

  Her grandmother’s eyes sparkled with curiosity as she dropped into the chair beside Zanna. “I like a good story. You can talk quickly and I will listen with both ears.” She grinned and touched a finger first to one ear and then the other.

  Her lunch was only half eaten, but Zanna knew she needed to make her escape. If she waited any longer, Yayá would insist on hearing the story this very moment. “Sorry, Yayá. I have to leave for the warehouse.” She pushed back from the table, stood, and turned toward the door.

  “You are going to leave here with mud on your shoes and dirt on your clothes? Disgraceful! What will people think?”

  “I don’t think they’ll even notice, Yayá. I’m going to interview possible warehouse workers. A little dirt on my shoes will not matter to them.”

  Once outside, she swiped her hand down the side of her skirt and hoped the dried dirt wouldn’t be noticeable. If there had been enough time, she would have donned a clean skirt and changed her shoes, but today that wasn’t possible.

  When she arrived at the warehouse, a cluster of men had surrounded Nico and were bombarding him with questions. Sidestepping them, she made her way to Nico’s side. He shrugged and said, “Tell them to sit down and soon I will explain the work and then speak to each man individually.”

  Zanna quickly interpreted and gestured to some nearby chairs. Once they were seated, she smiled and cleared her throat. “Hello and welcome. Mr. Sevdalis and fifty experienced Greek divers and spongers arrived to this area a short time ago. This sponging business is owned by Dr. Lucy Penrose, who has appointed me as her business manager.” There were several groans. “If any of you have a problem working for a woman, then you can leave right now.” She folded her arms across her chest and waited.

  Nico stepped close. “There is a problem?”

  When none of the men got up to leave, she shook her head. “No, I don’t believe so. You can begin now. If any others arrive, we’ll have them wait until you’ve finished with the first group.”

  Nico, too, welcomed the men with a broad smile. “Preparing sponges for sale is tedious work. I want only men who are willing to be here every day and work hard. I’m going to tell you how we clean, trim, and pack sponges. When I’m done, you need to think about whether this is work you are willing to do for more than a few days or weeks. I don’t want to teach men and have them leave me after only a short while. I don’t have time to keep training new workers every week. I know most of you have come south for the winter, and that’s fine. But unless you plan to work for me all winter long, please leave now before you have been taught how to perform the job.”

  As soon as Zanna finished interpreting Nico’s beginning remarks, one of the men waved at her. “You gonna be around all the time to be sure we understand what he says?”

  “No. We have already hired some Bahamians who are experienced. They will be available to help you once you begin your work, but we want you to have a clear understanding of your job beforehand. We don’t have enough men to keep up with the harvests the boats have brought in, and we’re expecting a large haul in the next week or so.”

  The man shifted in his chair. “Them Bahamians speak English?”

  Zanna nodded. “Yes. And they’re excellent workers. Do any of you have experience working with sponges?” When none of them indicated any know-how, Zanna interpreted for Nico and asked him to continue.

  He stepped to a table and picked up a large black
lump. “Does anyone know what this is?”

  A man sitting near the front of the group grinned. “Looks like coal to me.”

  Zanna shook her head. “It’s sponge.”

  The men leaned forward, most of them frowning. “Don’t look like no sponge I ever seen,” one of them hollered.

  “Ain’t interested in washing myself with one of them things.”

  Zanna explained what the men had said and why the others were laughing. Nico nodded and smiled before he continued.

  “I think it is important that you know about sponges before you begin to work with them. That is why I showed you this sponge.” He held it up. “This is what divers learn is a good sponge. Before it is transformed into the sponges you see in a store, much work is necessary. When our boats are in the Gulf and the divers bring up bags of sponges, the men begin the first process of cleaning. The crew must vigorously press them with their feet or pound them with blocks of wood to get a white substance we call ‘gurry’ out of the pores and kill any elements the sponge has trapped in its canals as food.”

  “You make it sound like they’re an animal or somethin’.”

  “They are. They don’t have a brain or heart, or mouth, but they’re a very simple form of animal.”

  “That don’t seem right, to be killin’ animals,” another man said.

  “Don’t be a fool.” A tall fellow elbowed the man who’d expressed his disapproval. “A sponge ain’t like a dog or cat. She said it ain’t got no brain or nothin’. Iffen you wanna work here, you need to shut up and listen.”

  Nico gestured for the men to be quiet and then he continued. “We will do things like we did in Greece when we were out at sea for months at a time. The crew will press out the gurry and then place sheets over the sponges to make sure any remaining living things inside the sponge will die. After that, the sponges are washed and strung onto lines that are returned to the water, where they remain overnight. The movement of the water continues to cleanse them. The next day we do the same thing. Finally, only the skeletal portion remains. That’s when the men use their sharp knives, and while they strip off the skin, they squeeze the sponge to make sure all the gurry has been removed. Then they string the sponge on twine and they are hung on ropes on the boat to dry in the sun. After they are dry, they are stored in nets in the prow of the boat.”