“Now that I’ve eaten, I’ll give your legs that massage you’ve been waiting for.”
Not expecting an answer from the stranger, she picked up the lotion and walked over to the bed.
After squeezing lotion up and down his left leg, she began to rub it in. “When I was in junior high, we once read The Invisible Man for Halloween. That’s a holiday in the States, in case you haven’t heard of it. The children dress up in costumes and go door to door asking for candy.
“Anyway, there was this scientist who’d made himself invisible. He wrapped himself in bandages so it would outline his body. But sometimes a dog or a cat would chase after him in the streets and pull the bandages away. People would scream in terror when they couldn’t see anything underneath.
“It was a really fascinating concept. Of course I love science fiction of all kinds, so the story captured my attention right off. Anyway, when I walked in this room yesterday and saw you, I was reminded of that story.
“Thank goodness when I looked in your eyes this morning, I saw life there staring back at me,” she teased. “You’re kind of a cross between him and The Mummy.
“Maybe you don’t know about this old movie. It concerns a guard of the Pharaoh who dared to love his Egyptian queen. For his punishment the other guards turned him into a living mummy. It still gives me chills just thinking about it.”
A faint noise came out of him. It could mean most anything.
“If your feet are ticklish, I’m sorry. I’ll try not to drive you crazy.”
When she’d finished with one leg, she moved around the end of the bed and started on the other. Strange how it felt so natural doing this small service for a total stranger. The darkness of the room with just the two of them added a certain intimacy, which she enjoyed.
In truth it was much easier than if it had been Richard lying here. Too much unhappy history had passed between them to have made it an enjoyable experience.
“Do you know? I haven’t the faintest idea of your nationality. Obviously you understand English, but you could be from so many different countries besides Ecuador, your predicament has fueled my imagination.
“You’ve probably never been to South Dakota. That’s where I live in the States. A small town called Lead, gateway to the Black Hills and Mount Rushmore. Fresh out of college with an English degree, I started working for the local chamber of commerce.
“In the beginning it was only supposed to be a temporary job until I found a good teaching position. However the work became so interesting to me, I’ve been with them ever since.
“If you asked me what I actually do there, the answer would be a little bit of everything under the sun. Something’s always going wrong and I have to fix it. That’s why I like it so much.
“Of course my family is there. My mom and my sister Beth who married Tom three months ago. Now they’re expecting a baby. You already know my marriage to Richard failed, so that’s about it. The story of my life. No doubt I’ve bored you to tears.”
She gave his foot a final rub, then covered his legs with the sheet. “Since there’s no television in here, I’ll read you what’s on the front page of today’s newspaper. Someone left it in the room. In case you’re a native Spanish speaker, please forgive my pronunciation.”
Terri washed her hands, then put on some lotion from her own purse before placing the chair near the wall light so she could read the print.
“This is from El Telegrafo. Let’s see…
“Mediante oficio No. 19370 enviado al Presidente del Congreso, José Cordero Acosta, el Procurador General del Estado, Ramón Jiménez Carbo, senñala que su pronunciamiento sobre la inconstitucionalidad del artículo 33 del Reglamento que dispuso la prisión domiciliaria para—entre otros—los ex presidentes y ex vicepresidentes de la República, ‘tiene carácter vinculante.’”
She put the paper down. “If I knew what vinculante meant, this article would make a lot more sense. But I don’t think it would be of interest to anyone who isn’t involved in local politics. Of course, maybe you are. If so, forgive me if I don’t read further.”
To her surprise, his body appeared to be shaking. Alarmed, she jumped up from the chair and hurried over to his side.
“What’s wrong? Do you need the doctor?”
He shook his head.
“Are you cold?”
Again he made the same gesture.
After a moment of consideration, “Are you laughing?”
He nodded.
Her lips curved into a smile. “My Spanish was that awful?”
Once more he shook his head.
“Liar,” she whispered, loving their one-sided conversation more than she’d loved anything in years.
“I’m glad you can laugh, but maybe you shouldn’t, just in case it pulls at the stitches under your chin. When your wife comes rushing in, I’m sure she’ll be looking for the same attractive man she married before the accident.”
He shook his head.
“Don’t be modest. I’ve seen your eyes, remember? And you’ve got great legs.”
His body shook again.
“With that head of dark hair, something tells me there’s a real hunk hidden under all those bandages. In case you haven’t heard the word ‘hunk’ before, it means, a good-looking man. In Spanish a woman would say, muy guapo. You’ve probably been called that a lot around here.”
She left him long enough to find the packages she’d bought and had asked to be gift-wrapped.
“These are for you. I think they’ll fit. You’re probably six feet two or three. I thought you’d want to be wearing something more spectacular than a hospital gown when your family shows up.”
Terri put the packages on the chair and opened them one at a time. “I bought you these navy pajamas and matching robe. I’m sorry if they’re not your taste, but with that tan I think you’ll look sensational in them.
“I also picked up these leather sandals. They’ll fit a size eleven or twelve foot. In case that sizing doesn’t mean anything to you, be assured you’ll be able to wear them.”
She held everything up for him to see. “After your shower in the morning, you can put these on. It will make you feel more normal.”
Leaving everything on the chair, she moved it against the wall, then returned to his side.
“I’m sorry Captain Ortiz hasn’t phoned yet. I know he would have if there’d been any news. Please don’t be disheartened. Who knows? When morning comes, I might walk in here and discover you’ve got a room full of company.
“In that case, you’re going to need a good night’s sleep so I think I’d better leave. It’s getting late.”
He let out another strange sound and shook his mummy-like head.
“What’s wrong? You don’t want me to go yet?”
Again, his head moved back and forth.
“So—you want me to help you pass the time, is that it?”
His definite nod secretly pleased her. It meant her presence brought him some comfort. It felt good to be needed.
“Since your hearing hasn’t been affected, I guess I could stay for a while longer and talk to you. But don’t be surprised if one of the sisters comes around to check your vital signs and throws me out. I’ll put your new clothes in the drawer so I can sit next to you.”
In a few seconds she was seated at his side once more.
“I’ve just thought of another idea. When my sister and I were little girls, we used to print the names of movie stars on each other’s backs and try to guess who they were. The one who got the most right answers on the first round had to buy the other one a treat the next day.
“Why don’t I try printing a continent on your leg? The one you come from. You nod when I’ve stumbled onto it.”
Excited over her own idea, she uncovered his leg and started drawing the letters for Europe up his shin bone.
When she’d finished, his head remained motionless.
“Hmm. How about this?”
She wrote South America.
Still there was no gesture from him.
Next she printed the words North America.
Now she got the nod she’d been waiting for.
“American?”
Another emphatic nod.
Terri shot to her feet. “I should have played this game with you earlier.” Her voice shook. “Do you work for the Herrick Company, too?”
He gave her a nod.
She sucked in her breath. “Okay. Let’s learn your first name. I’ll start saying the alphabet. You lift your right hand slightly when I come to the right letter. A,” she began. “B.”
He lifted his hand.
“Second letter. A. B. C. D. E.”
Again, his hand moved.
She went through the alphabet a third time. When she reached N, he raised his hand.
“Your name is Ben!” she cried out. “Short for Benjamin?”
He nodded.
With her heart racing she said, “Let’s do your last name.” She went through the same process. It seemed his last name started with an H. By the time she’d been through the alphabet seven times, he’d spelled the name Herrick.
Terri blinked. “Is it a coincidence you have the same name as the company you work for?”
He shook his head.
“You mean you’re the head of the company here?”
Contact at last!
Ben nodded as he gazed into her expressive eyes. They widened in incredulity. Their heavenly blue color reminded him of Texas bluebonnets which flowered every spring at the ranch.
With her dark-blond hair cut in a kind of windswept shag, and a mouth shaped like a heart when she was pondering something serious, she looked utterably adorable to him.
“But if that’s true, how is it possible no one’s looking for you of all people? Captain Ortiz never said anything about the head of your company disappearing. It doesn’t make sense! But that doesn’t matter right now. The important thing is that you’re alive and on the road to recovery.”
He watched helplessly as she bit the soft underside of her lip. What he’d give to taste such an enticing mouth.
“I’ll call Martha Shaw and tell her you’re here so she can let your family know.”
No! Lord, no. Not Martha.
He moaned, then lifted his hand in the air. Unfortunately his blond angel of mercy wasn’t paying any attention to him.
Stunned over her discovery, Terri grabbed for her purse to get the secretary’s number. When she found the paper she’d written it on, she hurried over to the wall phone at the head of the bed.
Using her phone card, she made the call. This time it took six rings before the other woman answered.
“Martha Shaw speaking.”
“Ms. Shaw? This is Terri Jeppson.”
“Yes, Terri. How is your husband?”
“I believe he’s all right, but I haven’t seen him yet. There’s another reason I’m calling.” She struggled for breath.
“You sound upset. What’s wrong?”
“The man the hospital thought was my husband has turned out to be someone else. The trouble is, his throat was burned and he can’t talk. However I discovered a way to communicate with him. He says his name is Benjamin Herrick.”
After a long silence, “Ben is the patient?” She sounded as shaken as Terri.
“Yes. I need to inform the police, but I thought you should be told first so you can get in touch with his family and co-workers. Naturally he’s had no visitors.
“The thing is, today’s his fourth day in here. Though he’s been getting excellent treatment, it has to have been a ghastly experience for him not being able to talk or explain who he really was.”
Ben heard the tremor in Terri Jeppson’s appealing voice. The woman’s compassion for his plight—never mind the fact that she was still waiting for word about her ex-husband—touched him in places he hadn’t known existed.
“How bad is he?” Martha asked in a pain-filled whisper. “Don’t spare me.”
Terri’s hand tightened on the receiver. The other woman sounded like she’d taken the news personally, almost as if…
“Actually the doctors have assured me he’s going to be fine.” Without hesitation she told the secretary everything Dr. Fortuna had related to her.
“Thank God he wasn’t killed. I’ll let his family know at once.”
“Tell them he’s at San Lorenzo Hospital, Room W621. There’s no use anyone phoning his room. He won’t be able to use his voice for several more days. But I’m sure either Dr. Dominguez or Dr. Fortuna will be happy to discuss his condition if the family will call the sixth floor nursing station.”
“I’ll convey the message. Terri?” There was a hint of pleading in her tone. “Would you put the phone to Ben’s ear so I can say something to him before we hang up?”
The woman was in love with him. Terri could hear it in her voice.
“Yes. Of course.”
She turned in his direction.
“Mr. Herrick?”
Ben groaned. Now that Terri knew his identity, he could tell she no longer felt as free to treat him the way she had earlier when she’d believed he was alone in the world and lost… Damn the situation.
“Ms. Shaw wants to say something to you.”
Bile rose in his throat. Martha had no shame. She would use anyone to get what she wanted, but there wasn’t anything he could do about the situation right now. He nodded to Terri.
With great care she placed the hearing end of the receiver next to his ear and left it there. He saw how she purposely looked away from his eyes to give him some privacy. She did everything right. He was utterly charmed by her.
“Ben? I hope you can hear me. It’s Martha! Thank God you’re all right!” she cried in a tear-filled voice. “I’ve been trying to reach you for a week at least. When you didn’t return my calls, I knew something was wrong. But I thought it was because you were angry over the letter I wrote you a while ago.”
Repulsed would be a better word.
“As soon as we hang up, I’ll tell Creighton so he can phone your parents. When they hear what’s happened, they’ll be down to bring you back to Houston for a recuperation period. I’d give anything in the world to do it myself, but I know I don’t have that right. At least not yet.”
Yet?
“Oh, Ben,” she whispered emotionally. “I can’t wait to see you. It’s been so long. I know what a terrible mistake I made, but don’t you think I’ve been punished long enough?”
Her tears were wasted on Ben who’d become conscious of the wonderful peach scent coming from Terri’s hand as she held the phone close to his ear.
Those soft, feminine hands had brought his body so much pleasure, the endorphins they’d produced had blotted out any pain he’d been feeling. He’d never wanted her to stop.
“Please, Ben—when we see each other again, tell me we can work things out. I’ve always been in love with you. You know it’s true! There’s so much I want to say to you.”
Ben couldn’t get rid of Martha fast enough. Frustrated as hell, he lifted his left hand so Terri would realize he wanted her to hang up the phone. He had information to give her about her ex-husband.
Terrie saw his left arm go up. She imagined Ms. Shaw had said what she’d wanted to say.
Putting the phone to her own ear she said, “Ms. Shaw?”
“I wasn’t finished talking,” the other woman snapped.
“I’m sorry, but Mr. Herrick signaled me that he was tired. Perhaps if you waited until tomorrow to call again, he’ll have more strength.”
Ben nodded, letting Terri know she’d said the right thing.
“Do you think he heard me?” There was that pleading sound in Martha’s voice again. Something was going on here, but it wasn’t any of Terri’s business.
“Yes, of course.”
“Thank you for phoning me, Terri. I’ll inform everyone who needs to know. Please don’t hesitate to call if there’s any help you require with your travel pl
ans. I hope everything’s all right with your husband.”
“Me, too. Goodbye, Ms. Shaw.”
She hung up the phone before walking around the other side of the bed to the table where she’d left her purse.
Mr. Herrick made a couple of sounds. If she didn’t miss her guess, he didn’t want her to go yet. She rushed over to his side.
“I have to get back to the hotel and phone Captain Ortiz.”
To her surprise he gave an emphatic shake of his head. Even bandaged to the hilt and out of commission, she felt his aura of authority.
“You’ve had enough excitement for one evening and need your rest now.” She put his new clothes back out on the chair so they’d be seen by the help. “I’ll tell the nursing staff who you are and leave Ms. Shaw’s number with them. Sleep well, Mr. Herrick.”
Don’t go, dammit.
He was still making sounds of frustration as she left the room.
Much as she would have loved to stay, she didn’t dare. She’d been enjoying their association far too much. In truth, she felt a bond with him that defied logic. It had happened when she’d first looked into his eyes and felt his soul reaching out to her.
Her heart whispered it would be better if she didn’t remain in his presence any longer. Otherwise she might crave it more and more. Something told her that was a no-no.
Surely a wise woman would walk away right this minute before she learned the answers to burning questions like, did he have a wife? If so, did she know his secretary was in love with him? Was he a womanizer like Richard?
The thought that this man was anything like her ex-husband left Terri feeling strangely desolate. That’s why she had to get out of his room and far away from the hospital.
Nothing about this situation had anything to do with her. There was no reason for her to visit him again. She’d done everything she could for Mr. Herrick. By tomorrow morning, he’d be receiving a surfeit of attention from the people who loved him.
The intrigue was over. Mystery solved.
As for Terri, she’d go to the place where Richard worked and see for herself that he was faring all right since his accident. Once that was accomplished, she’d fly home to Lead.
Poor Ray. She’d dumped all her work in his lap. He’d be happy to see her back on the job.
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