She looked up and gave him an unsteady smile. “I’m fine now that you’re with me and Adelfo is gone. I can’t believe he threatened us with a weapon. The man is a true chameleon.”
Markos snorted. “I can think of worse names than that to call him.”
Nico chuckled and patted Markos on the shoulder. “How did you know we needed help?”
“We didn’t know until we heard Pappas yelling. He had been at the warehouse a short time ago and was looking for you. He was acting crazy, making all sorts of threats. We didn’t know what he might do, so we went and asked the sheriff to come to the docks and see if he could reason with Adelfo. When we went to the warehouse, a couple of the men told us he’d left just minutes earlier. That’s when we walked toward the boathouse and heard him.”
Zanna sighed and leaned her head against Nico’s arm. “There’s no telling what he might have done to us. He was angry because I overheard the conversation you men had with him about the Anastasi and looking for a sunken treasure.”
Markos nodded. “We need to have a long talk, Nico. I became obsessed with that sunken ship and the possibility there might be jewels, gold, or silver waiting to be discovered. The thought of riches caused me to lose sight of what is truly important. I feel responsible for what happened to Felix and to my brother, but when I attempted to stop searching for treasure, Pappas threatened to tell you what we had been doing and that he wasn’t a part of it, that he’d heard us talking in camp. He said if you found out, we’d never dive again.”
Nico frowned. “You must know that I would have given you an opportunity to explain, Markos.”
Markos shrugged. “You always talk about the rules, Nico. You told us if we didn’t follow them, we would be fired. I know you to be a man of your word. And that is a good thing, but I didn’t think you would listen to my excuses.”
“I don’t know what I would have done, Markos, but I think it is time we wipe the slate clean and begin fresh. I need you and the other men. If you give me your word you will be diving to harvest sponges when in the Gulf, then I want you to continue working for me. But if you want to hunt for treasure, you need to seek work elsewhere. It is your choice and the choice of each crew member to decide what he wants for his future.”
Once the men departed the boathouse, Zanna lifted her head from Nico’s shoulder. “Shall we go back to the warehouse?”
He shook his head. “Let’s go out to the end of the pier. I want to talk to you alone.”
Her heart quickened at his words. “That sounds intriguing.” Her cheeks turned warm when he placed his arm around her waist as he walked alongside her. Was anyone standing on the dock and watching? Would her father learn of Nico’s behavior? Would her father be angry? She would have pushed his hand away, but she wanted to feel his touch, wanted to feel that she belonged to him.
After they’d stopped at the end of the pier, Nico reached into his pocket and withdrew her written note to him. “This is what brought me looking for you.” He cupped her cheek in his palm and looked into her eyes. “I went to your house and spoke with your father. He has given us his blessing. If you agree, I would very much like to court you, Zanna Krykos.”
She smiled at him and recalled how many times she’d vowed to remain a single woman. How much she’d changed since meeting Nico. God had brought this man into her life, and now all she desired was to become his wife. “I would be very happy to have you court me, Nico.”
“And after I have courted you for a short time, I would like to marry you.” He traced her lips with his thumb. “You’re my lady. You are the only woman I will ever love, and you’re all the treasure I could ever need.”
He closed the distance between them, sealing his declaration of love with an unhurried kiss so sweet, so true, so possessive it made her heart feel as if it would burst. She was his—his lady of Tarpon Springs—and soon she would be his forever.
Note to the Reader
My daughter first mentioned the sponging history in Tarpon Springs a couple years ago. She’d lived in Florida and was acquainted with the area. After visiting with her, I did a bit of research and was captivated by the idea of a story set in this lovely community. Tarpon Springs is located on the Anclote River, less than a mile from the Gulf, and was settled back in the 1870s. The town continued to grow, and by 1887 the first railroad, the Orange Belt Railway, arrived to the city. Later, Tarpon Springs became a popular winter resort because of the mild climate and the mineral springs there, which were thought to be rejuvenating.
The town of Tarpon Springs was already in existence when, in 1905, a Greek sponge buyer from New York introduced the first mechanized sponge-fishing boat. At that time, he also hired five hundred deep-water helmet divers who emigrated from the Greek Islands that had become famous for their sponging industries. More Greek immigrants soon followed, and businesses thrived as a result.
My story is fiction. Neither Zanna nor any other woman managed a sponging company in the early 1900s, and the number of divers who first arrived to America in 1905 was five hundred rather than fifty. The fatalities and injuries to the divers, whether in Greece or in the Gulf, were numerous. In that regard, the incidents I’ve depicted in the story are true. Although none of my characters actually existed, I hope they’ll remain in your memory long after you’ve read about them.
And if you find yourself in Florida, do stop in Tarpon Springs. Take a walking tour of the city, visit the history museum and the docks. Partake of the Greek cuisine and pastries and visit the sponge shops located in the old Sponge Exchange. Take a boat ride to watch a diver jump into the deep while wearing one of those ancient helmets, heavy boots, and canvas suits. He’ll drop over the side like a rock and then reappear with a black sponge on the end of his hook!
Thank you for choosing to read The Lady of Tarpon Springs. I hope you enjoyed the voyage.
Blessings,
Judy
Special thanks to . . .
My editor and the entire staff at Bethany House, for their devotion to publishing the best product possible. It is a privilege to work with all of you.
The staff at the Tarpon Springs Heritage Museum.
The staff at the Tarpon Springs Library.
The staff at the Tarpon Springs Area Historical Society.
The staff at the Safford House Museum, Tarpon Springs.
Mary Greb-Hall, for her ongoing encouragement, expertise, and sharp eye.
Lorna Seilstad, traveling companion extraordinaire and wonderful critique partner.
Mary Kay Woodford, my sister, my prayer warrior, my friend.
Justin, Jenna, and Jessa, for their support and the joy they bring to me during the writing process and throughout my life.
Above all, thanks and praise to our Lord Jesus Christ, for the opportunity to live my dream and share the wonder of His love through story.
Judith Miller is an award-winning author whose avid research and love for history are reflected in her bestselling novels. Judy makes her home in Overland Park, Kansas. To learn more, visit www.judithmccoymiller.com.
Books by Judith Miller
The Carousel Painter
The Chapel Car Bride
The Lady of Tarpon Springs
FREEDOM’S PATH
First Dawn
Morning Sky
Daylight Comes
BELLS OF LOWELL*
Daughter of the Loom
A Fragile Design
These Tangled Threads
LIGHTS OF LOWELL*
A Tapestry of Hope
A Love Woven True
The Pattern of Her Heart
POSTCARDS FROM PULLMAN
In the Company of Secrets
Whispers Along the Rails
An Uncertain Dream
THE BROADMOOR LEGACY*
A Daughter’s Inheritance
An Unexpected Love
A Surrendered Heart
BRIDAL VEIL ISLAND*
To Have and To Hold
To Love an
d Cherish
To Honor and Trust
DAUGHTERS OF AMANA
Somewhere to Belong
More Than Words
A Bond Never Broken
HOME TO AMANA
A Hidden Truth
A Simple Change
A Shining Light
REFINED BY LOVE
The Brickmaker’s Bride
The Potter’s Lady
The Artisan’s Wife
www.judithmccoymiller.com
*with Tracie Peterson
Resources: bethanyhouse.com/AnOpenBook
Website: www.bethanyhouse.com
Facebook: Bethany House
Twitter: @Bethany House
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