A smile tugged at his lips. Delicious food with delightful company. Perhaps he’d have time to pick a bouquet of flowers for Mrs. Krykos—and for Zanna. Or maybe that would be too presumptuous. Zanna wanted everyone to believe she was a no-nonsense, tough businesswoman.
But he knew the truth. There was more to her than just a lovely lawyer. There was an intelligent, beautiful lady who would do anything she could to help her friends.
Deciding she should change out of her walking suit before dinner, Zanna hurried home earlier than usual. Her mother was dicing vegetables into an iron kettle when she entered the house.
Her mother glanced at her and then at the clock. “Zanna! You’re early.” She blew out a breath that caused a loose strand of hair to ripple over her forehead. “Seeing you made me think I was behind schedule with my supper preparations.” Her brow crinkled into tiny worry lines. “Why are you home already? Is something wrong? Are you ill?”
“No.” She shook her head. “Nico told me you invited him to supper tonight. I . . . I thought you might need an extra pair of hands to help.”
“She already has two extra hands to help.” Yayá rested her elbows on the table and wiggled her fingers in the air. “Right here. Two hands that help prepare the meals every day. Am I right, Halina?” She pinned Zanna’s mother with her dark eyes.
“Yes, of course. You help me with everything. I don’t know how I would manage without you.” Zanna’s mother smiled at the old woman.
Yayá shook her head. “You might fool your mother, but you don’t fool me. You came home to make yourself pretty before that young Greek arrives for supper.” She tapped her finger alongside her right eye. “I can see that look in your eyes. You want him to notice you.” She cackled. “Your mother didn’t invite him so he would take notice of you. Your mother and father have already said they want you to marry a good Greek man who will be at home by your side every night. Not one who is out diving for sponges.”
She wanted to argue with her grandmother that Nico seldom was out at sea and that he was a good Greek man, but such a remark would only cause an argument. Besides, there was no reason to create a problem where one didn’t exist.
Zanna stepped to her mother’s side and folded her arms across her waist. “There are fifty Greek spongers at the campsite, so why did you invite Nico to supper?”
Her mother shrugged. “Because your papa asked me to.”
Her mother’s reply only begged more questions, but Zanna knew that anything further on the subject would need to come from her father. Not because her mother wouldn’t divulge the information, but because she wouldn’t have inquired. Over the years, her parents had developed many routines in their lives, and this was one of them. Her father would make his request known, and her mother would set an extra place at the table without any discussion.
Zanna stepped around the wooden table. “Since you don’t need my help right now, I’ll go and change out of my suit.”
“Aha!” Her grandmother’s shout brought Zanna to an immediate halt. “I told you she had eyes for that diver. Now she goes to change into something she thinks will make her prettier for him. Maybe a bow in your hair or a dress with ruffles, ya?” She pointed her paring knife at Zanna’s mother. “I told you she would think the Greek was coming to call on her.”
Zanna hurried from the kitchen before her grandmother could say anything more. The revelation that her father was the one who had invited Nico dashed any romantic thoughts she might have had. She knew her father. This offer of supper had something to do with business. Perhaps Atticus had changed his mind and was once again expressing a desire to go to sea. If so, her father might ask Nico to discourage Atticus. One thing was certain: Her father wasn’t interested in matchmaking—he’d leave that to Yayá.
When she returned from her room, wearing a dress of white-dotted swiss with a lace-trimmed bodice, her grandmother grunted and bobbed her head. “I told you so. She’s got more lace on that dress than you had on your wedding gown, Halina.”
Zanna could feel the heat rise in her cheeks. “I change into a dress for supper every evening, Yayá. Don’t make this into something more than it is.”
“You don’t change into a fancy dress to eat supper every night. You wear that dress when you go to church or for a special occasion. So, I am left to think you have decided tonight is special.” She pursed her lips together and patted her white hair. “And I see you fixed your hair, too.”
Thankfully the door burst open before she was required to respond. One by one, Atticus, Homer, her father, and Nico stepped inside. She was surprised to see Nico with her father and brothers. She’d expected him to arrive alone. Had her father asked Nico to meet with him before supper? If so, it was strange that he had mentioned receiving an invitation for supper only from her mother.
Zanna was quick to notice he’d donned a clean shirt and pants, and his curly hair had been recently combed. Moments later he looked up and caught her staring at him. Was that a wink or only her imagination? An unexpected rush of heat raced up her neck.
Her father lifted his nose and sniffed. “I am guessing we are having lamb and vegetables. Am I right?”
Her mother gestured toward the other room. “The table is set. It won’t take me much longer.” She glanced at Zanna. “Fill the bowls and carry them to the other room, please.”
The talk around the dinner table was jovial, and Nico was especially pleased to tell about the latest harvest. “All three of the boats carried full loads this time. Now I must pray they continue to do so.” He nodded at his plate. “A wonderful meal, Mrs. Krykos.”
Zanna’s mother smiled. “Thank you. I’m glad you like it. I only wish Zanna would learn to cook.”
He nodded. “Every man hopes to marry a good cook, but love is most important, don’t you think?”
Yayá cleared her throat. “Love is good until the stomach rumbles for food. Right, Jurek?”
Her father chuckled. “Right. Pass me the lamb, Zanna.”
Nico looked across the table at Zanna. “We had other good news today, didn’t we, Zanna?” She bobbed her head, and he continued. “Felix, one of our divers who suffered a diving injury, is doing better.”
“What kind of injury? Zanna told us nothing about a hurt diver.” Her mother gave her a suspicious look. “Were you trying to hide something from us?”
Zanna shrugged. “No, but I don’t think to tell you everything that happens on the docks. You don’t know Felix, and it slipped my mind.”
Nico met her fleeting gaze. “An injury to his eyes, but Dr. Penrose is encouraged by his progress. He returned to the camp today.”
She’d been holding her breath while he answered, and now slowly exhaled. Thankfully he’d realized she didn’t want him to dwell on Felix’s injury. Her parents already considered sponging dangerous work, and discussing Felix’s injury would only reinforce their belief. Besides, if Nico ever asked to court her, the danger of diving would provide her father with an excuse. Even though Nico seldom went out with the boats, the risk involved still existed.
She needed to change the course of their conversation to a neutral topic. “Did you have something special you wanted to ask Nico, Papa? Something I couldn’t have answered about the business? Is that why you invited him to supper?”
“I wanted to talk to him about building sponging boats.” He took a bite of lamb, chewed it, and swallowed. “It is not important.”
Using her fork, she pushed the roasted vegetables to the side of her plate. She knew her father. Even if she pursued the matter, he’d say nothing more. She decided to ask Nico later.
During the remainder of the meal, they talked of Greece and questioned Nico about the town where he had lived. Afterward, the men gathered outside and talked some more while Zanna, her grandmother, and her mother cleared and washed the dishes. When they’d finished, Zanna excused herself and went outside.
Her heart plummeted when she stepped outdoors. As her eyes adjusted to the darknes
s, she saw Atticus and Homer, then her father. Had Nico already left? Without saying good-bye? When she turned to go back into the house, she heard his voice. He’d been leaning against a tree, his body shadowed by the overhanging branches. She crossed the short distance and stopped near her brother’s side.
Atticus, sitting on a tree stump, looked up at her. “Come to ruin the fun, have you?”
“Only if you’ve been attempting to convince Nico and Papa to let you go out on the boats again.”
He tipped his head back and laughed. “No chance of that. I may be Greek, but I’m not the seafaring type.”
Her father stood and gestured to Atticus and Homer. “Come on, boys. If I know my daughter, I think she wants to question Nico about those boats I mentioned at supper.”
Once they were out of earshot, Nico stepped close to her side and grinned down at her. “Was your father right? Is it the boats you wanted to know about, or did you just want to be alone with me?”
Her breath caught at his nearness, and she willed her heart to quit beating so quickly. “I do want to know about the boats.”
“Nothing to worry over. Mr. Pappas came and talked to your father about the cost of building several sponging boats; then today he came back and said he wasn’t interested after all. He said his investors had backed out. I think it must be true. Besides, I can’t worry over what he might or might not do. He’s a strange man. One minute I believe he’s my friend and has my best interests at heart, the next minute I’m not so sure.”
A breeze filled the air with a sweet honeyed scent. “I don’t know what to make of him, either. I do agree that it’s difficult to know whether he has your best interests at heart.”
He lifted her chin with his fingertips and looked into her eyes. “What about you, Zanna? Do you have my best interests at heart?”
Zanna’s pulse beat like the waves against the shore on a windy day. She opened her mouth to answer him, but the words were slow in coming.
“Zanna!” Yayá shouted from the doorway. The older woman pressed a hand to her forehead and peered into the dim light, searching. “Where have you gone? Has that handsome man left yet? Did he tell you that you look pretty?”
Heat rushed up Zanna’s neck and into her cheeks, and she thanked God for the dim light. “I’m so sorry.”
Nico chuckled, cupped Zanna’s cheek for a moment, and then let his hand fall to her wrist. “You do look pretty, Zanna.” He grinned. “And the ability to cook isn’t really that important to me.”
With that, he slipped away into the night. She pressed her hands to her lips and sucked in a breath. Had Nico really implied what she thought he had?
Practicality told her she shouldn’t make too much of his words, yet her heart didn’t seem willing to listen to reason. She leaned against the tree’s rough bark, relishing the warmth bubbling inside her. Everything would have to return to normal between them tomorrow, but tonight she could simply be pretty.
CHAPTER
22
Nico settled at the desk with Zanna near his side. Since his arrival in Florida, he’d been diligent in his study of the English language, but Zanna insisted it was important he acquire even greater skills. Already he could speak and read more than the other men. His accounting skills, however, still needed attention. Zanna wanted him to become knowledgeable enough to review the ledgers and understand if they were working at a profit or a loss and also know the financial changes occurring within the company week by week.
Going over the accounts made him long to hear the squawking of gulls and the lapping of waves against the side of a sponging boat. Not that he minded sitting next to Zanna. Her appearance could rival any view of the rising sun over the Gulf. Yet staring at these figures made his head ache.
Since their time together after supper the other night, Zanna had softened. She seemed less determined to prove herself at every turn, but when she felt strongly about something, she remained relentless.
Nico sighed when Zanna tapped the page with her fingertip. “I know you don’t find this interesting, but try to concentrate. Otherwise we’ll be here much longer.”
He rested his elbow on the desk and cupped his chin in his palm. “I find these figures tedious. I don’t ever plan to take charge of this part of the business, so why do you think it’s so important that I learn?”
“You must understand the financial condition of the company, Nico. How will you know if you can afford to purchase another boat or hire more men and expand the company? Or how will you know when costs exceed income and you must decrease the size of the business?” She placed her hand atop the page she was studying. “If you don’t know the company’s finances, you can’t make sound decisions. You need to be able to speak with knowledge and authority to anyone who wants to conduct business with us.”
“That’s why I have you, isn’t it? When I arrived, you told me Lucy placed you in charge of the business. I oversee the boats and my men, and you are responsible for the books and contracts.” He leaned back and raked his fingers through his hair. “I don’t ask you to go out on the boats and learn to dive or operate the pumps, and you shouldn’t expect me to learn how to write numbers in a book.”
“But how will you know when—”
He waved a dismissive hand. “If I want to know whether we have enough money for a new boat, or if we can purchase more diving equipment, I will ask you.”
“And what if I’m not here?”
His brow furrowed. “Where else would you be? This is your home. If you are gone visiting for a while, then I will wait for your return. There is nothing so urgent that I can’t wait to ask you.” He tilted his head. “At least nothing I can think of at the moment.” When it appeared she could think of no rebuttal, he leaned across the desk. “But since you are here right now, there is one question I want to ask about the money.”
“You see? This part of the business is important.”
She straightened her shoulders as if she’d bested him, and he laughed—a loud belly laugh. “I never said it wasn’t important. I said only that I don’t want to learn about it. However, I do want to know if there’s enough money that I could promise the men a celebration of some sort. All three boats have brought in full loads each time they went out this month. I think this is something to celebrate. Don’t you agree?”
Zanna nodded. “I think that’s a good idea. A celebration would be a wonderful way to show how much you appreciate their hard work.”
“How much we appreciate their hard work—not just me, but you and the doctor, too. She owns the business, and even though she doesn’t come around much, I think it would be wise if she attended, as well.”
A smile spread across Zanna’s face. “I’m sure Lucy would be happy to attend, and even help us prepare.” Her eyes shone with excitement. “Why don’t you tell the men that if they return with a full harvest the next time they go out, there will be a celebration waiting for them? That way, there will be plenty of time to prepare something special.”
There was little doubt that Zanna was thinking of something much larger than what he’d had in mind. The thought pleased him. Knowing she was eager to do something special for the men warmed his heart.
“I can see you already have some ideas.” He grinned. “I didn’t miss that look in your eyes.”
“What look?” She widened her eyes until they were the size of two saucers, then pointed at them. “You mean this look?” She dropped her hand onto the desk and laughed.
He nodded. “Yes, that look.”
“Well, I was thinking it would be great fun if we went out to the lighthouse at Anclote Key and had a picnic. We could enlist my mother and Yayá to help cook. The men could bring their instruments so there would be music and dancing. There’s a nice beach for those who want to swim, or they could fish off the dock. It could be a day of good food and relaxation.” She smiled and pushed the ledger toward him. “And there is enough money that if you wanted to give each man a small bonus, we could aff
ord to do so.”
“Only if the doctor agrees. The money we would be using for a bonus belongs to her.”
“You’re right, of course,” Zanna said, “although I think Lucy would agree to it.”
“I’m not so sure. The only time she speaks of the business is when she thinks she might have the opportunity to sell it. A picnic and extra money for the workers might not appeal to her.”
“I’ll talk to her. Lucy is very generous. If her father had confided in her so that she hadn’t been taken by surprise, I believe she would have been more accepting of what’s happened.”
“That isn’t our fault. And even you said she should have taken care of her father’s estate much earlier. I understand she wants to use her time healing sick people. But I hope she’ll be careful about who she sells the business to. I won’t work for an owner who isn’t honest.”
“I don’t think that’s anything we need to worry about right now. If any buyers had made an offer, Lucy would have told me, so set your mind at ease and let’s finish going over the ledgers. Later I can think about the picnic and celebration party.”
Nico leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms over his chest. “I’ll go over these ledgers again on one condition.”
“What condition?”
He lifted his brows. “That you’ll dance with me at the party.”
“Oh, the things I must suffer through to keep Lucy’s business afloat.” Her eyes sparkled. She put on a stern face and tapped the books. “Now, no more distracting me with waggling eyebrows. I’m too smart for that.”
He did his best to concentrate, but his focus kept shifting from the page to Zanna’s ruby lips. Then she leaned close and their arms would brush or he’d feel her breath on his cheek. It was maddening.
At last, Zanna shoved the ledgers aside. “We’ll study these again another day. You’re not even paying attention.”
“I . . . I tried.” He rubbed the back of his neck and drew in a long breath. He had no intention of admitting her proximity had driven him to distraction. They had to maintain the ability to work together. That was paramount. If Zanna thought for a minute that his feelings could put Lucy’s business in jeopardy, she’d squash any possibilities between them. “I promise to study the ledgers more—when I’m alone.”
The Lady of Tarpon Springs Page 20