by Leah Leonard
He exited the car, held out a hand and helped both Safina and Kelley from the car. Like the first time they met, she and Khalil’s hands remained clasped together for a second too long.
Clearing her throat, pulling her fingers from his grasp, Kelley said, “I hope everything is all right and thank you again.”
“Thank you. Goodbye.” Without a kiss or a handshake for his bride-to-be, Khalil got back inside the limo and drove down the field and out of sight.
Kelley and Safina climbed aboard the stunning jet, where they were treated like royalty. Several snacks and delicacies were prepared for them and they reclined in the leather seats and prepared for takeoff.
“Khalil is very generous to fly us down there,” Kelley said.
Safina stared out the window. “He is a good man.”
“He is, yes.” Kelley wanted to change the subject immediately. She could barely stand the idea of the shivers she had touching her friend’s fiancé. “So let me tell you what we’re going to be doing once we get to Ephesus. I got a grant to follow up on the pottery I learned about last year.”
“The piece that belonged to the Virgin Mary?”
“Exactly.”
“Did you ever find out who sent you the clue?”
The mysterious email Kelley received described the piece and its immense value to the history of Christianity. “No I didn’t, but apparently the evidence was compelling enough to attract my grant from huge Catholic organization in Boston.”
Safina buttered a roll and took a bite. “Does it not bother you that you do not know where this information came from?”
The source did bother Kelley, but she had to press on. “Yes and no. I want to find out, of course, but I spent a considerable amount of time verifying the information. I’m just grateful for the chance to come here to find this artifact and hopefully prove the piece is authentic. We already know the Virgin Mary lived in the area during her lifetime, so the idea that her DNA is on a vessel makes sense. This could be my chance to provide carbon tested DNA evidence that will legitimize my work and allow me to go on other expeditions.”
“I wish you good luck,” she said, passing the jam to Kelley.
Kelley spread the fresh fruit spread on her homemade bread. “Thank you. I wouldn’t have even considered this at all had it not been for you, you know. I wasn’t even aware of Turkey or Ephesus before you came to school, so if this goes well, I have a job for you!” she teased, and then added, “Although Khalil might have other plans for you that don’t include working.”
Waiting for some emotion or sign that she and Khalil had perhaps talked about children or their plans for the future, Safina only repeated what she had been saying all along. “He is traditional, yet he supports my dreams as well.”
“You’re lucky.” Kelley meant that.
Safina didn’t say a word.
Eleven
Khalil couldn’t believe the call he received about Oma. Her doctor said she would likely not live much longer. The words hit him in the gut. All the years he’d known her and tried to find a cure had come down to this. He intended to perform honorably toward Oma. She was a good woman and deserved that much.
But still, he was disappointed about her timing. Why did this dire news have to come right when he had made other plans?
He simply wished to be away from home for the morning, but now had to cancel his trip. Oma’s health had been such an emotional drain for so long. Only now as he paced across the marble floors and gazed out at the palace gardens did he realize he had only been living half a life up to now. He needed to get away.
In truth, there was only one motivation for his sudden awakening. He wanted to be near Kelley Jones Smith. He knew he should not allow himself the indulgence of her company, yet she stirred him, even more so today, when he saw her wearing the abaya he provided her. That body of hers was completely covered, and yet he could feel her pulsating under the fabric. Concealing her form only made her more attractive. He knew what was under those garments and wanted to know more about her, see how that intelligent mind of hers worked.
Unfortunately, duty called - perhaps a sign that he was to keep a distance between himself and his fiancé’s friend.
His family physician reported that Oma had taken to her bed, refused to eat or drink, and could hardly breathe. He feared she might be succumbing to her long and agonizing fate, and that her chronic condition had evolved into a grave illness, one that she could no longer fight off. All the years the two had been together, Oma had been a most honorable wife. Khalil had come to love her over time. He considered her a friend, a true part of his family, and as such, he wanted her vibrant and healthy. He never gave up hope that she might one day become well. Now that dream appeared to be unattainable. He wanted nothing more than to think of his future. For now, all he could do was wait.
Twelve
When the girls landed in Izmir, another limo drove them to Safina’s family cottage that her father agreed to let them use for as long as needed.
Nestled in the hills outside the ruins, the tiny one story home had two small bedrooms, a common living area and one bathroom. Thick tiles comprised the roof and an overhanging front porch. An old Jeep was parked next to the trees on a small gravel driveway.
“This is perfect,” Kelley told her friend.
“Are you sure? It is not like my other home at all.”
“We don’t need it to be. We have everything we need here.”
The driver dropped the girls off and went to the store, so by the time they returned from their first drive around the area, the home was fully stocked with supplies and groceries, everything they could eat for a week, and then some.
The driver left his number and told them that if they needed anything at all to give him a call. Khalil wasn’t kidding when he said he left a trusted advisor to watch out over them.
Kelley felt like the luckiest person alive.
They spent the first two days playing tourist and exploring the house of the Virgin Mary, the Basilica of St. John and the Ephesus museum, hoping to find any clues that would help the search. Next, they went to the dig site and began the visual survey of the area. Kelley took notes and made modifications to the sketches she prepared at home, and presented her permits and documents to the local authorities.
Once everything was set, Kelley learned that her equipment had been delayed, and she had to accept the sad realization that she would be doing most of the digging after Safina left to go get married next week. It was probably for the best, she told herself.
The two enjoyed the region, went to the beach and hiked and explored the area, talking about their old college days and having more fun than Kelley had in a long time. Work would come soon enough, she told herself. For now, she would enjoy the moment.
On the morning when the girls were planning to go back to Istanbul, Kelley’s equipment arrived.
Unfortunately, Safina received word from home. “Khalil is unable to meet us today and asked if I can stay here until the day before our wedding.”
“What?” Kelley panicked, her plans suddenly ruined. The jet wouldn’t be there to get them, and Josh’s plane would be landing in Istanbul in a few hours time.
Safina explained, “He has some business matters and asked if we could stay here until Wednesday. Great news, isn’t it? I can help you start the digging after all, my friend.”
Kelley avoided the Josh issue because she truly believed it was better for everyone and didn’t want to cause any emotional distress, but now, she had to get back to Istanbul to pick up Josh, or somehow convey a message that he would need to find his own way to Ephesus. But how could she do that? She promised to pick him up, he had no idea where he was, and she owed it to him to be there when he landed.
“What’s wrong?” Safina sensed the dismayed expression on Kelley’s face.
She sighed and took a seat at the table, raked her hands through her hair. “I’m just worried.”
“About?”
/> “I have…something…arriving in Istanbul today and I was hoping to go get it when I dropped you off. It’s necessary to my work.”
“If you need it, we will go together. Khalil told me whatever you and I need, we can have. Let me call him and have him fetch the jet.” She picked up her cell, started to dial. “Where do you need to be?”
“Istanbul airport. In about three hours.”
“Then it shall be so.”
Kelley gritted her teeth. She hated not telling Safina about her plan, or exactly what would be waiting for them in Istanbul, but she had to get Josh.
She could only imagine what would happen when the two were face to face again. Only time would tell.
Thirteen
Kelley had to admit, love or no love between them, Khalil was a dreamboat when it came to providing for his fiancé’s needs.
All Safina had to do was ask, and within two hours, she and Kelley were reclining on the jet.
Kelley fidgeted in her seat all the way to Istanbul. How would Safina react to the package Kelley had waiting for them at the airport? She realized she should probably soften the blow now, while they were on the plane, try and prepare her friend for seeing Josh, but she couldn’t bring herself to do it. She played several scenarios over in her mind, but none seemed right. The bottom line was she messed up, big time, and now the moment of truth was about to arrive. Should she bring Safina inside the terminal or have her wait in the car? No, she better take her inside. With the limo driver waiting, if Safina cried, shouted or got emotional in any way, she didn’t want that getting back to Khalil.
What if she became too upset at seeing Josh? Kelley could ask Josh to leave, she supposed, but what a waste of resources that would be! She really needed him here, not to mention the fact that she spent good grant money buying his ticket, and without him, the dig would take longer and ultimately cost her more.
The limo parked in the pickup area outside the airport.
Pulse quickened, Kelley turned to Safina. “Come in with me.”
“Sure. What kind of package is this?” She stepped on the curb and gazed up toward the glass doors leading into the baggage claim. “I can have the driver help us carry it.”
To Kelley’s shock, Josh was standing outside, bags draped over both shoulders with a big All-American smile on his face that showed off his dimples. Apparently his flight got in early. He acted like he didn’t see Kelley at all, his eyes locked on the one person Kelley swore he would not see during his trip here. “Safina!”
Safina’s mouth fell open. She moved like a zombie toward the door, never crying or screaming, but as she drew closer to him, she started running.
The former lovers threw themselves into each other’s arms. Well over six feet tall, medium brown hair cut perfectly around his face, Josh lifted Safina like a feather and swung her around like something out of the most romantic movie Kelley had ever seen.
Apparently time had not diminished their connection. The two acted like they were back at school. They were so engrossed in each other and appeared as though the entire world ceased to exist, so much so, Kelley feared they might kiss right in front of the driver! Then what would she do? And worse, what would Khalil do once word got back to him? Kelley cringed thinking about it.
Josh set Safina down on the curb and held both of her hands in his. “I’m so happy to see you!” His eyes welled with tears.
Safina grew suddenly aware that her future husband’s driver was likely watching her. She turned to Kelley and a slight flash of anger crossed her face. “So this is the package, is it?”
“I didn’t know how to tell you. I thought it might be best not to mention it at all, but…” Kelley raised her hands in defense.
“You didn’t tell her I was coming?” Josh appeared more than confused.
Poor guy! It would kill him to realize the love of his life was already taken! “Uh…” Kelley stammered.
“Come and let us get in the car and back on the plane,” Safina directed them. “Quickly.”
The good news was Safina didn’t appear too angry. Only when they were all alone would she know for sure.
Fourteen
Everyone remained exceptionally quiet during the flight back to Izmir. Kelley overheard Safina tell Josh that they could not speak of anything until they were alone.
The looks on their faces conveyed an entire conversation unfolding between them. The two pressed their knees against each other and their fingers touched.
What have I done? Kelley decided to pretend not to notice and stare at the waterways and mountains surrounding Istanbul until the plane left the area. The scenery was gorgeous, but the tension was ten times that of when she first arrived here. She closed her eyes and pretended to sleep, but even then, she still felt the tension brewing in the cabin.
Josh and Safina remained silent. The energy between them reminded Kelley of the way she felt around Khalil. Their chemistry sizzled to the point she knew any of the staff on board the plane would surely see the longing in their eyes. She only hoped Khalil wouldn’t find out. What a mess!
She wondered what the driver must have thought when he saw Josh swinging Safina around and hugging her. He could have been a long lost friend or brother, but no platonic friends behaved in such a manner.
Josh followed Safina’s lead and didn’t say a word through the entire flight or the drive to the cottage. He did, however, continue to cast several lovesick glances in Safina’s direction.
Once they were back to the family cottage, Josh followed Safina into her room. They whispered for a couple of minutes and then returned a moment later holding hands. Kelley considered the implications and didn’t like it one bit. Dear God! Then again, wasn’t Khalil spending time with his other wife?
Kelley expected them to all sit down together, perhaps share a meal or at least a conversation, but instead, whispering to themselves, the two lovers grabbed some food from the kitchen and disappeared outside to parts unknown.
Kelley decided to take this much-needed down time to review the maps of the area, along with her notes and jot down some new ideas on how exactly to proceed with her project. She wanted to wait up until the lovebirds got back because her curiosity about whether or not they were still getting along was bugging her more than she wanted to admit.
Several hours passed. Safina and Josh never returned. Kelley spent the time pouring over her research. She hadn’t had an opportunity to look over any of her documents since she landed, and in order to have a productive dig, she needed to prepare.
She poured over her entire thesis and notebooks two times, made special notes about what Josh and Safina could be doing to help out, and mapped out a tentative work schedule for the next two days, designed to make the most out of their brief time before going back to Istanbul.
Safina was getting married in two days! Of all the messed up situations she’d encountered so far in Turkey, her inability to get Khalil out of her mind was perhaps worse than the fact that Josh and Safina had taken off together for the evening. Somehow After several hours of waiting and wondering, walking to the porch, circling the small yard out front, wondering if she could hear them in the trees, which she never did, Kelley decided to go to sleep.
She got ready for bed and found herself staring at her ceiling, unable to drift off. She realized that although she wanted to know what the two of them were talking about, realized it was none of her business.
She tried her best to keep them apart, but for whatever reason, call it fate or destiny, the two were meant to see each other again, if for no other reason than to close the door on this particular chapter of their brief love affair once and for all before Safina became Khalil’s wife.
As she lay in bed that night and drifted off to sleep, the one thing she could not get out of her mind was Khalil. She missed him. Why, she did not know, but she did. And she hated herself for it.
Fifteen
The next morning, Kelley woke up to the scorching sun beaming through her
bedroom window.
She shot up in bed. Normally she rose before the sun. Already mid morning she unfortunately overslept. Great. Just what she needed. Now she would have to work all the harder to accomplish her goals in the next couple of days. Her mind raced to the list of tasks the team needed to do today. She had the supplies ready so they could get out to the site and begin work immediately.
She assumed Josh and Safina would have woken her by now, she would have heard them talking, or smelled coffee brewing. She walked into the kitchen half expecting to see them there cooking, but the coffee wasn’t even on yet, there was not a single dish out of place, and no lingering smells in the air.
Safina’s door was closed. Apparently she needed the rest.
Kelley did too, for that matter. The truth was, she hadn’t slept much since they arrived.
Another thirty minutes passed and Kelley began getting anxious. She’d already brewed some coffee, and made some toast and eggs, hoping the smells would arouse them, but it didn’t.
This wasn’t a vacation. She had work to do and very little time to do it. Safina agreed to help, so although it was potentially rude, Kelley decided she needed to wake her and Josh.
“Hello?” she knocked first, but when nobody answered, she opened Safina’s bedroom door, keeping her eyes covered so she would not have to actually see anything. “Hey. What are you two doing in there?”
She hoped they hadn’t slept together. What a mess that would be! Safina’s bed was still made. The clothes she scattered around the day before were gone, along with Josh’s bags.
What the? A single sheet of paper lay atop the bed, and nothing else. Kelley picked it up and started reading.
