Part 19 (1/2)
Though he'd been glad she'd called last night and had asked some pointed questions about Anna's condition, and had finished by saying he'd do what he could, he'd hung up on her soon after she'd said there was nothing to be done.
He said that he loved Anna. That was all she could ask.
You didn't trust him to love you.
Megan bit her lip. While Stefano both angered and hurt her when he walked out, the last thing she should be thinking of now was her relations.h.i.+p with the man. It wasn't that she didn't trust him when she'd kept the folder stashed away. She'd been scared. What if he'd seen the contents and thought she'd pursued the job without so much as considering a life with him? Or, worse, what if he'd panicked at the sight of the photo as Santi had and decided to stay away?
In the end, keeping the information from him caused precisely the result she feared.
She leaned her forehead against the cool gla.s.s that separated her from Anna. She shouldn't have been afraid of an open discussion with Stefano. He'd shown over these last couple of months that he'd care for her, he'd protect her, he'd encourage her in everything. True, he'd questioned some of her parenting decisions, but in the end, he'd listened and been willing to see things from her perspective. She should've trusted that he'd listen with an open mind when she explained how she'd gotten both the job offer and the photo. That they'd discuss the ramifications together.
She smiled, picturing the way Anna launched herself into his arms for a hug before going to her last sleepover at Julia's. Unabashed joy radiated from his face as well as from Anna's. She could only imagine how utterly enjoyable life under the same roof might've been for the three of them. And no doubt, during the times they were alone, she and Stefano would've had an off-the-charts s.e.x life. The biggest risk she faced was that he might not love her as deeply as she loved him. But didn't every marriage carry that risk? There were never guarantees, in any marriage. She shouldn't have been scared.
On the other hand, the possibility she could lose Anna forever scared her all the way to her bones. She stared at the small, fragile body in the bed on the other side of the gla.s.s. With each pa.s.sing minute Anna remained unconscious and feverish, that possibility became more and more real.
Dr. Serrano's low voice floated to her from the hallway, causing her to straighten. She couldn't understand his rapid-fire Catalan, but she gathered he was discussing Anna's case with the nurses. He'd visited Anna's room a half-hour ago, but left to take a phone call from another doctor before he could give Megan an update.
While she respected that Dr. Serrano had other patients and medical professionals who needed his attention, a selfish part of her wished he could've waited until after he'd shared what he planned to do next for Anna. The lack of information wore on her more as much as the lack of sleep.
At long last, the doctor rounded the corner and entered her room. He apologized for the delay in visiting her with an update, then gestured for Megan to take a seat so they could talk. Megan was too agitated and nervous to respond. Her jaw shook as she sent prayers skyward for Anna.
Once she was seated, Dr. Serrano dropped his clipboard on the bed, then sat beside it and leaned forward, his dark eyes filled with concern.
”She hasn't gotten any better, has she?”
”No, which is a bad sign. By now, the antibiotics should have had some effect. In fact, I'm becoming concerned about the potential for swelling around her brain.” Megan's throat constricted as she absorbed the impact of Dr. Serrano's words. ”However, I do have some good news.”
”Yes?” She'd take anything at this point.
”There is a Canadian doctor-a Dr. Jenkins-who is the foremost authority in the world on bacterial meningitis. By good fortune he is at a medical conference in Madrid this week. I've spoken with him on the phone about Anna's case. He has some ideas about the next steps to take, though he would like to evaluate her himself first. We can have him here this evening with your permission. With his expertise” -he cringed slightly at his mangled p.r.o.nunciation of the word- ”I believe we can give Anna a fighting chance. More than a fighting chance.”
How much did she adore Dr. Serrano right now? She shouldn't have begrudged him an instant of the time he took before he came in to update her. The man was an angel. ”Anything that will help, you have my permission to do. And as soon as possible.”
The doctor stood. ”In that case, I will call him back right away.”
”Thank you. From the bottom of my heart.” She stood and clasped his hand. ”I'm so grateful that you thought to call him and convince him to leave his conference to come see Anna.”
”You are quite welcome,” he replied. ”However, Dr. Jenkins called me.”
”He did?” Megan frowned as she released the doctor's hand. ”But how could he-”
”A friend of yours knew of Anna's condition and called Dr. Jenkins asking for advice. When your friend mentioned that you live in Barcelona, the doctor called me and offered to come from Madrid if I wanted him to consult on Anna's case. I told him it would please me a great deal to have his a.s.sistance, but that I wished to speak with you first.” Dr. Serrano raised an eyebrow. ”Whoever your friend is, they must have a great deal of influence. That call for advice very well may save Anna's life.”
Stefano. It couldn't be anyone else. Her heart swelled with grat.i.tude.
”Even so, I really appreciate all you're doing for Anna. She's very lucky to have you.”
The doctor smiled before leaving Megan alone once more, with only the drone of a television infomercial to keep her company. She returned to the window, but Anna appeared as she had all afternoon. Still, pale, and quiet.
Megan let out a ragged breath and told herself for the millionth time that afternoon that everything would be all right. Everything possible was being done to help Anna's recover. Allowing herself to think otherwise wouldn't help Anna one iota.
Across the room, a low buzz came from her purse. After calling in sick to work again this morning-she couldn't bring herself to tell Ramon how bad things were with Anna, knowing he'd rush to the hospital and half the hotel staff would follow in his wake-she hadn't checked her cell phone. The messages were likely piling up. May as well distract herself dealing with them until Dr. Jenkins arrived. Rather than sit in the chair she'd occupied all day, she flopped on her back on the bed and thumbed the phone's power switch to reveal a new text message from her mother.
Thank you for tix. You shouldn't have. Will see you shortly.
Megan did a double take. Tickets? What tickets?
The message had to be meant for someone else. Her parents frequently enjoyed attending movies with the next door neighbors. Perhaps the neighbors bought tickets in an effort to get the Hallbergs' minds off their sick granddaughter. She'd bet anything the neighbors' phone number was right next to hers on her parents' speed dial.
As Megan started typing a response, a second message appeared on the screen.
Car service just arrived at the house. Flight in three hours. We'll be there tomorrow morning. Love you, sweetheart. Kiss Anna for us.
She paused with her thumbs over the screen. The message was definitely meant for her. But how in the world-?
Stefano. It had to be Stefano. He'd bought plane tickets for her parents so they could be by Anna's side.
She set the phone on the bed beside her after typing back a quick see you soon. She needed to call Stefano and thank him. She closed her eyes and pulled her sweater tighter around her shoulders as she thought through what she'd say. A simple thank you didn't cover it.
”Ms. Hallberg?” A soft voice came from the doorway. ”Are you awake?”
Megan took a moment, then opened her eyes to see one of the nurses turning to tiptoe away. The angle of the sun had s.h.i.+fted. She must've fallen asleep. ”Yes?”
The nurse spun back around. ”I am sorry if I woke you. There is a Mr. Jones here who claims he is family? You said not to expect family visitors, but he asked me to find you-”
”Jones?” She blinked, dazed. It couldn't be. She pushed to a seated position. ”Yes. Yes, let him in.”
Skepticism clouded the nurse's features. ”Only immediate family is permitted, you understand.”
”He is immediate family.” Megan used her index fingers to swipe the gumminess from her eyes. ”Is he downstairs or up here at the nurses' station?”
A rich voice came from the doorway, gliding over her like a warm, comforting blanket. ”I'm right here.”
Megan looked like h.e.l.l.
Black smudges marred the skin under her eyes, strands of hair fell from her loose ponytail, and her clothes looked as if she'd slept in them. She sat atop a hospital bed with its sheets perfectly in place, but its pillow mushed. A black sweater hung off the side of the bed and her cell phone rested face down near her hip.
She must've crumpled there in exhaustion, keeping herself available the instant Anna needed her.
Heaviness threatened to collapse his chest at the sight of her blinking at him. Never had she looked so beautiful. Stefano dropped his bag on the floor, then crossed the room in three steps to wrap her in an embrace.
Instantly, her arms came around him and she buried her face in his shoulder. ”I'm so sorry. I'm so, so sorry.”
He ran a hand over the back of her head, smoothing her hair. ”Why are you sorry?”
”I don't know,” she whispered into his s.h.i.+rt. ”For Anna. For everything.”