by Leah Leonard
“Really? I am impressed Americans know so much about the culture here, although I am aware that our cities are becoming increasingly popular these days. How did she first come to know it?” he asked.
“Several years ago, she brought a book home from the library that talked all about Mary’s life. We both loved the story and from that book, I learned that people believed Mary lived in the Ephesus area toward the end of her life.
From that moment on, my mom and I talked about coming to Turkey and we both wanted to see Ephesus, ever since I can remember.
We saved up for several years to make this happen.
“And your father?” Uri asked.
“He didn’t mind us going. He wasn’t a big traveler anyhow, but he supported the fact we wanted to come,” she said.
“I am pleased and honored to be here with you,” he said.
Her eyes filled with tears. “I wish she could be here, of course, but if not, I’m glad I’m here with you too.”
Eleven
Uri was deeply touched by Stephanie’s story and how her mother inspired her to come to his country.
He held her hand. “Come. Let us see this amazing place.”
The couple walked up the sidewalk to a wall covered in cloth.
Stephanie gasped and ran up to it. “Look! It’s the Wishing Wall! I can’t believe we’re here!”
The joy on her face brought more pleasure to Uri than anything had in years. “What is the significance, my darling?”
“People who make the pilgrimage here write their prayers to the Virgin on cloth and tie them on the wall so she will answer their prayers. The cloth also signifies that they successfully made the journey,” Stephanie explained.
“Shall we?” Uri asked.
“Yes!” Stephanie clapped her hands with joy.
Uri approached a nearby vendor and purchased some cloth and a pen for a small donation. He handed the pen and one piece of cloth to Stephanie and kept the other. “Go ahead and wish, my dear.”
Stephanie beamed. “Thank you!” She took the cloth and bent down on the sidewalk, shading her prayers with her hands so he could not see them.
“Will you share?” Uri asked.
“My prayer? No. Sorry. That would be unlucky.”
“Not your prayer, dear, your pen,” he grinned.
Stephanie giggled and handed him the pen. “Oh yeah, here ya go.”
Uri wrote his wish for true love everlasting. He had not thought about such a possibility before today, but dear Stephanie had awoken his soul and enlivened his heart. Once he finished writing, they walked to the wall together so they could both mark their place in history by tying their wishes on the structure for eternity.
“This is really romantic, don’t you think?” Stephanie asked after they finished.
“You are romantic, darling,” Uri kissed her fingers, took her hand and the couple went to stand in line behind a few dozen others who had come from far and wide to pay homage to the Virgin. The line moved rather quickly, and soon, they were walking through the heart of the humble stone structure.
“This is smaller than I expected,” Stephanie whispered.
“Are you enjoying it though?”
“So much, yes.” She lifted her gaze to meet his, and her sweet smile melted him.
“I am pleased,” he told her.
Once they were outside again, Uri couldn’t resist a kiss. He spun Stephanie around, pinning her against the brick of the sacred structure.
Twelve
Stephanie had never felt more content or happy than she did with Uri touring the site she’d waited a lifetime to see. Even though there was no definitive proof that the Virgin actually lived in this exact building, the spiritual energy of the place was incredible. So many believers visited from all corners of the world, leaving their positive energy and prayers there, making the site feel incredibly holy.
When they exited the house, Stephanie was filled with an awe and reverence that felt almost overwhelming. Her spirit was uplifted and she knew she would remember this day for the rest of her life.
To her stunned amazement, Uri took that opportunity to pin her to the wall, kissing the breath out of her. She couldn’t resist kissing him back. “What are you doing?”
Uri smiled and started nibbling her neck, “What do you think?”
“I think,” Stephanie said between kisses, “we should be more respectful and take this up in the car. Don’t you?”
Uri lifted his hands in surrender. “Indeed. I shall do my best to resist your many charms.”
Stephanie kissed his cheek, took his hand, and together they walked down a slight incline to a bank of vendor booths. The people were selling all kinds of medals, photos and candles of the Virgin. Oh good, she thought. She needed to find something special for Aunt Ellen. Her eyes watered a little at the thought. She would love to get her mother something too, but…She pulled out her money, and was about to buy a couple of small medals of the Virgin Mary when Uri stopped her.
“Allow me, dear,” Uri pulled out some cash, paid the shopkeeper. “Anything else you would like?”
“I don’t expect you to pay, you know.”
“I do,” Uri bowed. “Which is exactly why I not only want to, but I insist upon doing so. Please, this is your day. What else would you like?”
Stephanie sighed. “Well…”
“These?” Uri asked, picking up a small hand painted portrait of the Virgin.
“They’re nice,” she smiled.
“All right,” he said, scooping up two of them. “And what about a couple of these?” He pointed to some candles in all colors of the rainbow.
“I don’t need them,” she said.
“Who said anything about needing? You are on vacation, yes?”
She nodded.
“Then you should have some mementos of your experience. Something to remember me by. Please, I insist. What colors do you like?”
She shrugged. She wasn’t sure she should accept.
“How about green for you…to match your stunning eyes,” he beamed. “And another color to give as a gift. Who shall you give this to?”
“My aunt,” Stephanie said.
“Ah yes, the lady who brought you to me. I must thank her somehow. What is her favorite color?”
“Pink,” Stephanie said.
“Then this is what she shall have,” he selected one green and one bright pink colored candle, both with the Virgin’s image on the outside, and took all of the items to the vendor, returning a moment later with a bag and handed it to her. “Ready to go?”
She nodded. “Thank you. Seriously. I’ve had such a great time.”
Gently wrapping his arm around her shoulder, he kissed the top of her head. “You have brought me much joy today, sweet Stephanie. Come. Let us get you back to port.”
***
Uri led Stephanie back to the waiting limo. They climbed inside and proceeded down the mountains toward the port. “I know you are concerned about the time, dear, but I believe we can still stop and see Ephesus.”
Stephanie looked nervous. “Are you sure?”
“My driver can take us through the gates past the important sites, at least.” Uri took her hands. “I would love you to return to my country, but in the meantime, I do not wish to be the cause of you missing such an important historic site.”
“Okay,” Stephanie agreed. “I guess this will be the luxury tour then, right?”
“Only the best for you, dear,” Uri beamed.
“My mom and I always wanted to come here too.”
“Indeed, the city was an important center of commerce in the ancient world.”
Stephanie leaned in to him, “You’re so knowledgeable.”
“I try, dear,” he smiled and ordered his driver to slowly pull up the road between the monuments and explained each one to her, including the Temple of Artemis. “Artemis was the Greek goddess of chastity, the moon and the hunt.”
“Well, you certainly know
a lot about this site. I’m impressed,” Stephanie smiled.
“Come, let us step out so you can have a closer look.” Uri took her hand and together they walked up toward the stone pillars and gazed out at the magnificent scenery. “It has been years since I’ve been here.”
“It’s beautiful,” she said.
“As are you, darling.” He kissed her deeply and was pleased to feel her sinking into his arms. He never imagined anyone in the world could even come close to arousing the passion within him that Tamara had. The tightness in his trousers suggested that Stephanie was on her way to doing just that.
Thirteen
Stephanie was thrilled she had a chance to see Ephesus, even if it wasn’t for very long. Today was a unique experience, to say the very least, and well worth it.
The couple returned to the limo and the driver sped down the mountain, dropping them off near the gorgeous shopping area at the entrance to the port. Uri took her hand as they walked down the brick sidewalk, and they began window shopping. Several ships sat off in the distance and the sun was bright in the clear blue sky. The whole scene was like a dream.
Uri bought them some ice cream and they talked and walked like two high school sweethearts. She was having a great time. They wandered into a small boutique, and he purchased two pashmina scarves, one in pink for Aunt Ellen, and a green one for her.
They were still enjoying the day, slowly making their way down toward the ships when they went past a high end jewelry store. Something in the window caught Uri’s eye and he stopped to take a look. “You, darling, would look amazing in something like that.” He pointed to a stunning gold and diamond tennis bracelet.
“No…” Stephanie tried to change the subject.
“Come, I wish to take a closer look.” He reached for her.
“No, I don’t think I could, but thanks.”
“Come.” He took her hand and led her into the store.
“Hello,” said a sales associate. “Let me know if I can show you something.”
“As a matter of fact you can,” Uri pointed to the bracelet. “We’d like to see that.”
“We really don’t,” Stephanie pulled away.
“Here you go,” the girl handed the bracelet to Uri.
“Come here,” Uri coaxed Stephanie. “Go on. Try it.”
He placed the gorgeous bracelet on her wrist. It was too big and slipped down her slender arm. “Do you have another?”
“Not exactly like that one, but we could certainly have it ordered for you if you’d like,” the sales girl said. “Or if you like this one, it can be sized to fit.”
“How long would it take?” Uri asked, admiring it on her arm.
“Not long,” the salesgirl replied.
“I don’t think so, but thank you.” Stephanie handed the bracelet back to the woman who put it away. She couldn’t believe Uri was making her try these things on. It was one thing to allow him to purchase a few souvenirs, but she would never accept such an expensive gift from anyone, unless they were engaged, and even then, the prices were all in Turkish currency here, but she was smart enough to know this store was expensive. Really expensive.
Uri gazed over his shoulder at some rings in a nearby display. “Let me see that one.”
The woman removed a giant round solitaire from the case, handed it to Uri, who turned to Stephanie. “Let’s see if this fits you.”
Stephanie gasped. “Uh, no, I couldn’t possibly…”
Before she could finish her protest, Uri took her left hand and placed the diamond on her finger. Stephanie nearly choked.
“Looks good on you,” he said, taking in every little detail about her.
Even though she was sure Uri was just playing around, the sight of the ring brought her old life screaming back to the forefront of her mind.
Uri had successfully distracted her from her parents and aunt for awhile, but now she was thinking about the man who believed he would soon be her fiancé, the man who was waiting for her back home.
Poor Buck. Her longtime love and friend who she’d known almost her whole life had just proposed a week before her parent’s accident. She took his ring at first, but gave it back the day before the funeral, telling him she wasn’t ready yet after all that had happened.
Now, here she was, playing house with a complete stranger, a man who, although kind, she would not see again. This day was a fantasy, a diversion from the painful reality of her recent past. What she was doing wasn’t right! She couldn’t treat Buck this way. He didn’t deserve it. Neither did Uri, for that matter. She was obviously confused and needed to get away from here as soon as possible before either of them got hurt.
Stephanie pulled the ring off, handing it back to the clerk. “No thank you.”
Uri appeared deflated. “You would not consider such a gift from me?”
Stephanie didn’t know what to say. Was this a gift or a proposal of marriage? If it was a gift, it was far too expensive, if it was a proposal…How could any sane woman possibly accept a ring like that from a man who she just met a couple hours ago?
Uri definitely knew what he wanted and was obviously used to getting it, but still, she wasn’t a possession. Love took time, right? She tried telling herself that, even though the feelings he aroused in her were unlike anything she’d experienced ever before in her entire life.
Before she could reply, Uri pulled her into his arms and kissed her passionately. “You have aroused feelings in me I thought were no longer possible. I want you as my own, sweet Stephanie. I will not take no for an answer.”
Prying herself from the arms of her dream man, Stephanie brushed the creases out of her gown and gazed into the dark eyes of the handsome stranger she could never have. “Thank you for an amazing day. I’ll never forget you as long as I live, and I wish you great success and happiness. Bye.”
With that, Stephanie kicked her heels off, tossed them in one of her shopping bags and replaced them with her tennis shoes before running out of the store. Souvenirs and street clothes in hand, she stormed off down the brick sidewalk toward the bridge and her ship. Oh my God, she thought as she ran without looking back. What have I done?
None of that mattered now. It was too late to change her mind. She ran until she got a considerable way down the promenade and gazed over her shoulder to see if Uri was following.
She saw him several hundred yards back, squinting inside store windows, trying to find her. Seeing his gorgeous face reminded her that he was nothing but a dream. How could she have allowed a momentary loss of self-control ruin her lifelong goal of running her family farm and marrying Buck?
True, she wanted to topple into bed with Uri after dancing with him today, and he was kind to her, especially after all she told him about her parent’s death and how much visiting the Virgin house meant to her.
Still, she was right to run. The afternoon intrigue with Uri had to end. Now.
Her eyes filled with tears at the thought of her parents, the emotional high of having her dream come true and seeing such an amazing place, for the man at home who she betrayed, and the one here in Turkey she knew she needed to get away from as soon as possible before she let him break her heart.
Fourteen
In all his days, Uri had never experienced anything like what happened to him today. He stood stunned as the potential love of his life ran from the jewelry store and disappeared from sight in the middle of the crowded marketplace.
Apparently the ring scared her more than he imagined. He should never have been so presumptuous, but the more he got to know sweet Stephanie, the more he realized she may indeed be his future bride.
He truly believed she felt the same way he did, and that she would be happy, if not thrilled, to try on a ring and realize he had already developed strong feelings about her.
Stunned, he did not go after her at first, assuming she was merely making a brief trip to the ladies room. He waited a few moments for her to return, but when she failed to appear, he realized she
had actually abandoned him. Surely not!
The look on the face of the saleswoman in the store baffled him. How humiliating! No one treated him with such disrespect! No one!
He laughed off the disgrace by telling her, “This is a little game my fiancé and I enjoy playing. Now I have to go find her. Have a wonderful day,” then walked into the bright sunlight, glancing in both directions to see if he could spot the bright green gown and stunning strawberry hair. Unfortunately, she was nowhere in sight. He searched the marketplace, couldn’t find her, then ran toward the waiting limo.
His driver leaned against the bumper, smoking a cigarette. He leapt to attention when Uri approached. “Sir? How may I help?”
“Did you see her?” Uri asked. “The young lady I was with?”
“Yes Sheikh, I did. About five or ten minutes ago.”
“Why didn’t you stop her?”
“I apologize, Your Highness. I didn’t realize—”
“Never mind.” Uri knew he had no right to blame his driver. How was he supposed to know the girl would run away? Nobody could have predicted that. “Where did she go? Which direction?”
“She ran toward the bridge,” his driver reported.
“How long ago?”
“Five minutes, ten…I am not sure, Your Highness.”
“Then let’s get going,” Uri demanded. “I must find that girl again.”
“Absolutely.” The driver opened Uri’s door, hopped behind the wheel and sped down the road.
Uri’s head was spinning thinking about the delicate flower who escaped his grasp and got away. How could she leave him like that?
Then again, perhaps his behavior was crass and insensitive, especially considering her parents just died.
She had cried earlier. Perhaps the thought of marriage was simply too much. He would forgive her this once. After all, theoretically, they barely knew each other. For now, he would find her, apologize and make this right, no matter what.
The limo crawled along the promenade. Uri and the driver both scanned the crowd, looking in the shops and studying the people on the sidewalks to see if they could find Stephanie. Once the limo reached a certain point, they could go no further. The driver parked, and the two men ran toward the bridge that led out to where the ships were docked. To Uri’s dismay, four mighty vessels sat lined up in the harbor, one of which was already headed out to sea.