The Lady of Tarpon Springs

by Judith Miller

  “That won’t be possible, Mr. . . .” Zanna hesitated a moment. “Nico.”

  Lucy leaned close to Zanna. “What did he say?”

  Zanna glanced back and forth between Lucy and Nico. “He wants to meet your father.”

  “Well, that’s impossible.”

  Zanna sighed. “I know, but you interrupted before I could explain.”

  Lucy shrugged. “Then I won’t say another word.”

  “I didn’t mean to insult you, Lucy, but it’s going to be difficult enough attempting to explain to him without stopping to repeat everything to you. I promise to give you a full report once he understands what has happened.”

  Lucy nodded and folded her arms across her chest.

  Perhaps it had been a mistake insisting Lucy come along to meet the train. Before she could give the matter further thought, Nico tapped her shoulder.

  “Then I will meet with Mr. Penrose in the morning. You come along to interpret so there are no misunderstandings between us. Such a thing could make for a bad working relationship.”

  Zanna shook her head. “I’m sorry to tell you this since I understand you and your men are likely very weary, but Mr. Penrose is dead.”

  He stared at her, then slowly shook his head. “This is a joke you decide to play on us, am I right?”

  The train whistle hooted three short blasts as a conductor circled them and shouted, “All aboard!”

  Zanna glanced toward the departing train and held a finger to her ear. “No. It isn’t a joke, Nico. Mr. Penrose is dead.” She raised her voice as the train chugged down the tracks.

  Nico continued to shake his head back and forth. “You are testing me to see how I would react in a dangerous or stressful situation. You can be sure I am not a man who is easily flustered.” He shoved out his chest. “I have weathered many storms, and I am still alive to tell about them.” He leaned toward the women, a grin on his lips. “Next you will tell me that one of you lovely ladies is going to operate the sponging business.”

  “How did you guess, Nico?” Zanna smiled. “That’s exactly right. I speak and write Greek very well. And since I am a lawyer, I understand the intricacies of business. I have lived in Tarpon Springs all my life. For those reasons, and a few others, Dr. Penrose decided I was the best choice to become manager.”

  He appeared to listen intently as she spoke. At first he frowned, but when she mentioned Dr. Penrose, his smile returned. She hoped he was warming to the idea. After all, it hadn’t been easy convincing Lucy this plan would work.

  “I’m interested to hear more.” He smiled and gestured for her to continue.

  Bolstered yet somewhat confused by his change of attitude, she continued. “I plan to do my very best to guide you and your men through the many difficulties that have arisen due to the untimely death of Mr. Penrose. I’m sure we’ll encounter a few obstacles, but nothing that can’t be overcome with cooperation between me, you, and your men.”

  For a moment, he stared at her as though she’d delivered a hard blow to his midsection. Then he tipped back his head and released a deep belly laugh. Zanna glanced at Lucy before pinning Nico with a glare. “Why are you laughing?”

  He pointed at Zanna. “At everything you have said. Your humor delights me, but my men are weary. While I’m sorry you had to bring me the sad news of death, I think it is time I meet the Dr. Penrose you mentioned a short time ago. I believe he would be the best choice to operate the business.”

  Her lips tightened in a thin line. “You’ve already been introduced.” She nodded to the woman beside her. “This is Dr. Penrose.”

  He coughed and sputtered before finally gaining a modicum of control. He gestured toward Lucy, but his gaze remained fixed on Zanna. “Her?”

  “Yes, her.” If the matter wasn’t so serious, Zanna would have laughed at his expression. “Dr. Penrose doesn’t understand Greek, so I will interpret for her if you wish to ask any questions I can’t directly answer for you.”

  “I have many questions. First of all, I do not understand why she has employed a woman to manage her business. It is not proper.” He raked his fingers through his thick black hair.

  Zanna sighed. How many times would she need to repeat herself? “As I told you, she chose me because I understand business dealings. I read and write Greek and—”

  “What about your family? You have no father or brother?”

  “I have both.”

  “Why didn’t she hire your father or brother to manage the business? That would make more sense. A woman can’t manage diving crews and a sponging business.”

  “My father owns a boat-building business, and both of my brothers work with him. My father couldn’t afford to give up his business to manage one that belongs to someone else, and neither of my brothers has the ability to keep books, negotiate contracts with buyers, and manage employees.”

  “And you think you do?” He laughed. “This will never work.”

  Zanna arched her brows. “Except for your divers and the three of us, there is nobody else in sight. If you want assistance, I suggest you accept the fact that you and your men will be managed by a woman.”

  Zanna watched the changing emotions play across Nico’s face. If he was the one who had convinced these men to leave their homes and families, he likely wouldn’t want to tell them a woman was going to manage the company. Of all the things he’d told them about coming to a new country, Zanna was certain answering to a woman had not been included. Would they blame him? Would they ignore her when she issued orders? Would they revolt when Nico revealed she knew nothing about sponging? Her stomach churned at the thought. She clenched her hands together. These negative thoughts weren’t going to serve her well. She needed to remain positive and reassuring. The men would more likely accept her leadership if she approached them with confidence.

  As he shifted away from her, she saw a glimmer of thoughtfulness in his eyes. “I recall a letter from Mr. Pappas where he mentioned there were fleets of hook boats harvesting sponges in this area. Surely some of them must be Greeks?”

  Zanna bristled at the question. He was still trying to find some way to avoid her control. “I’ve already told you, the only Greek men in Tarpon Springs are my father and brothers. There are some Bahamians, but no Greeks. If you plan to work for the Penrose Sponge Company, you are stuck with me.”

  “And it seems you are going to be stuck with me—and forty-nine men who won’t look kindly upon working for a woman.” As if on cue, one of the men shouted to Nico that he should cease his flirting and locate Mr. Penrose. Nico quickly waved him to silence, then looked at the women. “Are the lodgings you secured close to the dock?”

  Zanna swallowed hard and whispered his question to Lucy, who merely shrugged. “I have no idea what to do with them, Zanna.”

  Before the two of them could discuss the matter further, Nico tapped Zanna on the shoulder again. “You could maybe visit with your friend after you have shown us where we will be living? My men are tired and hungry.”

  Zanna attempted to recall the terms of the contract. She was sure she would have remembered if there had been something about food and lodging. Nico was obviously attempting to take advantage because she was a woman. She folded her arms across her chest and met his gaze. “Nothing in the contract states Mr. Penrose will provide food or lodging for your crew. I can escort you to the hotel, but I doubt they’ll have enough vacant rooms for all of you. I’m not sure what they charge as their weekly rate, but I’ll be happy to inquire.”

  “And who is to pay? My men don’t have money to pay for hotel rooms. The director of the Greek Exchange told me our food and lodging would be provided. The contract you have is written in English. I can’t read what it says, but I know what we were promised.” He took a step closer and bowed his head. “Unless you want to be the one to tell the men you have no place for them to sleep, I suggest you do something, Miss Krykos. You have told me you are experienced and able to manage a business. This is the perfect tim
e for you to show me just how good you are.”

  CHAPTER

  5

  Zanna had never refused a challenge, but locating accommodations for fifty men when neither the men nor Lucy had sufficient funds was more of a test than even she could accept. The lawyer in her decided the only remedy was to take the offense.

  She squared her shoulders and cleared her throat. “As I told you, there is no obligation to provide housing, Mr. Sevdalis. The contract is silent on that issue. I don’t doubt someone may have told you that Mr. Penrose would supply living quarters and food—”

  “Not just someone, but the director of the Greek Sponge Exchange. He is a man of virtue. Why would he tell me this if it is not true? He stands to gain nothing.”

  “But his name isn’t in the contract—only you and Mr. Penrose signed this contract, and there is nothing that says anything about food or housing. I don’t know why the director told you such a thing. I don’t have any idea how he came to that assumption.”

  “The director was involved.” Nico’s dark eyes flashed with anger. “He is the one who came to me with a letter from Adelfo Pappas, who lives in New York and is a friend of Mr. Penrose. Mr. Pappas was the one who translated the letters that were sent to the director. Maybe in those letters there was an agreement about food and living quarters.” He hiked his shoulders and held them there for a moment. “How am I to know anything except what I was promised?” His voice grew louder. “What you are doing is not right. Should we lie down and sleep right here? Or maybe go inside the depot?” He balled his hand into a fist and pointed his thumb toward the building.

  Lucy nudged Zanna. “What’s he saying? I don’t understand what’s going on, but I can see he’s become angry.”

  Zanna quickly explained, then bowed her head close to Lucy’s ear. “We’re in the right to deny lodging since the contract is silent, but if you have any suggestions, I’d be pleased to hear them.” She forced a smile. “We’re not off to a very good beginning.”

  “There’s the land not far from the waterfront that Father purchased years ago. He never did anything with it, and some fishermen constructed huts they used for a period of time. Do you think they can make do down there? They’d be close to the docks, although some of them may need to camp outdoors.” She arched her brows. “Do you know the area?”

  “Yes. My brothers and I used to go down to the docks and fish when we were young. I recall seeing fishing shacks not far off, but we never went near them. Papa said there were snakes and alligators. That was enough to squelch any ideas about exploring.”

  Lucy smiled and nodded. “I don’t think there are any alligators, but there may be a few snakes. I haven’t been down there for years, so maybe the lean-tos have been torn down. Other than that, I don’t have any ideas. You can take them down there and see if they’ll agree to stay.”

  Zanna didn’t miss Lucy’s final comment—if the men were going to be escorted to the unoccupied land, Zanna would be the one taking them. She didn’t particularly relish the idea, but the offer would reveal a good-faith effort. At least that was her hope.

  Before she could discuss the possibility with Nico, Lucy gently touched Zanna’s arm. “I have patients to see, and I have every confidence you’ll have this matter well in hand before nightfall.” That said, Lucy hurried toward the depot door and disappeared.

  Nico glanced at the depot and then back at Zanna. “Miss Penrose is leaving before we have settled this matter? She is coming back?”

  “Dr. Penrose has placed me in charge. She has patients who need her attention. However, she did advise me that you and your men may encamp on land she owns. It’s located close to the docks, and there are already some shacks on the property—at least I hope they’re still there. They were constructed by fishermen years ago, so I can’t vouch for their condition. I’m sure you and your men have adjusted to difficult living arrangements in the past.”

  “Yes, but—”

  “My father has often told me that men who make their living from the sea are men of great substance who can adapt to any circumstance. He’s seen proof of that time and time again.”

  “My men and I don’t need flattery, Miss Krykos. We need a place to sleep and food to eat.”

  Food. She’d forgotten about the food. “First, let’s get you and your men to the encampment area. We can discuss the food once we’re there.”

  He frowned. “Seems it would be easier for you to purchase food in town so we can take it with us. I don’t believe a little thing like you could carry so much food. And this way you won’t have to walk back and forth several times.” His smile didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Unless you weren’t intending to return with food?”

  “I’m going to help with food, but I don’t have a plan just yet. As I said, food was not part of the contract, and I’m sure your men are able to fish.”

  He folded his muscular arms across his chest. “They can fish, but we did not travel with fishing equipment. Maybe your father and brothers could let us use theirs?”

  “I’ll see what can be done, but we can’t go and purchase food at the market. Miss Penrose doesn’t have the money to advance for food. Her father’s estate was depleted by the funds he sent to Greece. Her medical practice furnishes her only enough money to meet her own living expenses. I’m sure you can understand her predicament.”

  He rubbed the back of his neck. “No more than she understands mine. She ran off without doing anything to help.”

  “That’s not true. She’s offered the land where you can live. If you’d quit arguing, we could go there and you could get settled before nightfall.” When he didn’t respond, she met his gaze. “Shall I take you there or shall I go home? The choice is yours. I truly want to forge a good relationship that will benefit you and your men as well as Dr. Penrose, but I have nothing more to offer you, Mr. Sevdalis.”

  “Nico.” He turned to the men and waved them forward. “Follow Miss Krykos. She’s going to take us to a place where we will set up camp. We’re going to be sleeping outdoors. No complaints. Be thankful we are in a place where the weather is warm and it is not raining.”

  “Maybe she can keep us warm if it turns cold.” The comment was shouted from the rear of the group.

  “Be quiet, Peter. That was rude and insulting. And just so all of you know, Miss Krykos is Greek. She understands every word you say.”

  “So that’s why she is so pretty. She’s one of us,” another man called.

  Nico wheeled around on his heel. “I told you that is enough!” Nico came to an abrupt halt. “I will not have such talk about any woman, Greek or American. You all know this. If you do not agree, you can find work somewhere else or return to Greece. Do you understand?”

  “We were only joking, Nico. You don’t have to become angry. We’re tired and hungry.” The rest of the men murmured their agreement.

  Nico waved them to silence. “Then stop talking and follow us.”

  The men’s murmuring continued as they walked through town, most of them expressing interest in the stores as they passed by. Zanna led them out of town and onto a well-worn path that eventually neared the acreage. She pointed in the direction of the water. “We need to go down this way. There’s no path.” Though she would have preferred to have one of the men take the lead, she was the only one who knew exactly where they were going.

  Once off the path, overgrowth slapped at Zanna’s skirt and a wayward branch scraped her cheek. Her gaze flitted about as she attempted to plow through the mass of tall grasses and palmettos. The oak, bay, magnolia, and mangrove, adorned by yellow jasmine and Spanish moss, created an illusion of security, but her father’s warning of snakes and alligators plagued her at every turn. Gulls, cranes, and herons signaled the nearness of the river, and she heaved a sigh when at last she spied a small hut in the distance.

  She glanced over her shoulder at Nico. “There’s one of the shacks.” She pointed in the distance. “See it?” He didn’t appear overly impressed by t
he sight. She forced a smile and pointed to the left. “There’s another. It appears they’re all still standing. That’s a good sign, don’t you think?”

  “We’ll see once we get closer. They look to be in poor condition.”

  After leading them through the boggy land, she’d expected a little more enthusiasm. Then again, they’d been expecting hotel rooms with soft mattresses and fresh sheets, so a few crude huts weren’t likely to garner much fervor.

  When they arrived at the first hut, Zanna shaded her eyes against the setting sun that shimmered through the fluttering palmetto branches. “I can see five huts, but there may be more down closer to the water.”

  Nico leaned forward and peered into the opening, then stepped back and stood upright. “These are made to sleep one person. There is little space.” He pointed to the opening. “See for yourself.”

  She didn’t care to plunge her head into the hut, but she needed to appear strong and confident. After a quick look, she straightened and attempted a smile. “It will keep out the rain.” When he didn’t respond, she said, “Even though there is only one bunk, two men could sleep on the floor, don’t you agree?” She took a backward step. “Why don’t we see if some of the others are any larger?”

  The men were already inspecting the remaining huts, and murmurs of discontent had begun to rise among them. “From the sounds of my men, I don’t think those other shacks are any better.”

  “I have nothing else to offer. For now, they can sleep in the huts and on the ground. I know Dr. Penrose won’t object if they want to cut down some of the trees and construct additional lean-tos.”

  Nico called to the men. After they’d gathered round, he explained that they would have to make do at the encampment. “You are welcome to use anything in the area to make more shelters, and some of you should make a fire at once. Miss Krykos and I are going back into town to purchase food.”