“Other than emotional distress, nothing. He was here with me last night. It’s probably better you don’t recall anything after Jaime’s memorial.”
She licked her lips and frowned. “Give me a minute.”
He pulled her hand to his lips. “I have all day.”
“Won’t they make you leave soon? Can you make out the time on the clock over the door?”
He followed her glance. “It’s midmorning, but they won’t ask me to keep my visit short. I told them I was your next of kin.”
“Like a brother?”
“No. I told them I’m your husband.”
Astonished, she raised her left hand. “Where’s my ring? I don’t remember marrying you, but you must have given me a ring.”
Before he could explain, Maja returned with the bowl of soup on a tray. She placed it on the rolling table at the end of the bed, pressed the bed control button to raise Ana’s head, and rolled the table close to her. She handed her a spoon. “Try and swallow it all.”
Ana’s hand shook, and she dropped the spoon. “Maybe I should just drink it.”
Alejandro picked up the bowl. “I’ll help you.”
“I wish all my patients had such thoughtful husbands. It makes my job so much easier. I’ll check on you again soon.”
Ana rested her hands on his and took a couple of sips of the broth. “This doesn’t have any taste. Try it and you’ll see.”
He did. “It’s warm and liquid. You must need liquids.”
She swallowed a little more. “That’s enough. Now let me think what I do remember.”
He put the bowl back on the tray and rolled the table out of her way. “You know me.”
“Alejandro something. Was I going to use your name?”
He’d not thought she’d actually believe they were married, but he couldn’t see any harm in the convenient lie for the time being. “No, of course not. Everyone knows you as Ana Santillan.”
“I can’t remember a wedding. Did my mother come?”
“No. We planned to have another wedding in Rouen. We haven’t told her yet. I haven’t called her about your accident either, and I should.” He pulled her phone from his pocket. “The accident has been on the news. You’re well-known in Fr
ance, and I wouldn’t want her to hear about it before we call.”
“What should I say?” She plucked the top sheet.
Clearly she’d been shaken up by the accident, but he hadn’t expected her to be so apprehensive about making a phone call. “Tell her you’re fine and then mention the accident. You broke your leg and won’t be dancing for a while, but she doesn’t need to come and take care of you. Promise to visit her soon.” He scanned the names in her phone, found her mother’s and handed her the phone.
She held it in shaky hands. “I’m fine, broken leg and I’ll see her soon.”
“That’s it.” He held his breath, but the conversation with her mother went more smoothly than he’d dared hope. “Tell her you’ll call her again soon.”
She nodded, but first asked about her stepfather. “I can’t wait to taste his new recipes. Love you.” She handed him her phone. “Will you keep it for me?”
“I will. The Mediterranean Siren is in port this week, and as soon as you’re released, you’ll be more comfortable there than at home. We need to call Fatima.” He again scrolled through the names on her phone. “Do you want me to talk to her?”
“Fatima will be worried, won’t she?” She covered another yawn. “I’ll call her. What should I say?”
He’d never seen her unable to handle her side of a conversation, but with her vision blurry and her memory hazy, he couldn’t fault her. “Tell her you’re fine and ask about the kittens.”
“Kittens?” She closed her eyes and frowned. “Are they black or white?”