Kitabı oku: «River Of Secrets», sayfa 3

“Busy setting herself up for trouble, if you ask me. Don’t stick your nose where it doesn’t belong, lady.”

Amy flinched at the hostility in his heavily accented tone. What was his problem? Probably in his midforties, he was a short, round little man with a bald head and beady black eyes. A salt-and-pepper mustache sat neatly upon his upper lip. He spoke excellent English, too. Most natives didn’t understand American idioms. The one he’d used had rolled smoothly from his tongue.

“Trouble?” Amy arched a brow, refusing to let his attitude intimidate her.

“Yes. Why do you want to go looking for that one?”

Amy swallowed hard. How much did she dare reveal? “I…might have some information about a family member of hers.”

Roberto laughed. “Family? And how would you know about any family she might have? Her family is either dead or soon will be.”

Amy shivered and stood. He gave her the creeps, and the chief wasn’t jumping in to help, although the look he gave Roberto told her the man didn’t normally talk like this in the chief’s presence. She stood, looking back and forth between the men. “Listen, if you know how to contact her, I want to talk to her. Otherwise, never mind.” She focused on David. “Thank you for the information. I appreciate the help.” What little it had been.

Amy stepped toward the door, and Roberto slid in front of her, blocking her exit. Nervousness clenched her midsection, but she met his eyes and raised her chin, keeping silent, waiting on him.

Finally, he stepped aside. “Watch your back, senhorita. This is not a good place to make enemies. Not if you want to live very long.”

Amy sucked in a breath, acknowledged his warning—or threat—with a nod, waved goodbye to David and hurried out the door.

FOUR

Where was she? Juan wondered. He’d planned to ask Amy to eat with him, but she was nowhere to be found. So he’d found a table with Jonathas and Salvador, yet couldn’t help wondering what Amy was doing.

When she didn’t return in time for lunch, he finished up and decided to lie down for a while. He hated to admit that he needed to rest, but his body had flashed neon warnings in the form of a throbbing headache and aching muscles. When he woke up two hours later, his headache was gone and Amy still hadn’t returned. He questioned Anna, who said she’d gone into town to run a few errands. He stayed busy on the wing, waiting for her to get back.

Lucas declared it was good therapy for building his stamina back up. Now, as he worked, his eyes kept straying to the plastic-covered opening, hoping to catch a glimpse of the dark blond head or slender profile. Juan shook his head. He couldn’t allow himself to fall for her. He had no idea who he was. He didn’t even have a real name.

Shrugging those thoughts off, he watched Salvador and Jonathas work together, building the opposite wall. The two had hit it off pretty well despite their age difference. The wall was coming together and the wing should be finished before too long.

He slammed the hammer onto the nail. Bam.

And the memory was there. He jerked, sat with a thump on the wooden floor. The jungle smell—wet, fresh, teeming with life. He hefted the machete and chopped another vine out of his path. Men followed. The mansion sat just ahead. The other SEALs were in the water. His job was to disarm the alarm system. Someone else listened in on everything as he monitored the mission.

“You almost done with that part of the wall?”

Juan whirled to find Romero, the orphanage’s resident handyman, standing behind him. A large dark man in a sweat-drenched white tank top, the tattoo on his left upper bicep rippled on top of bulging muscles. His tool belt hung low on his lean hips, and his white teeth flashed in the blazing sun, competing with the gleam of matching gold in his nose and ear.

The memory still spun through Juan’s mind like a movie out of control. He cleared his throat and said, “Uh, yeah. Just taking a little break.” He wiped the sweat from his brow with the towel he kept stuffed in the back pocket of his green cargo shorts.

Why was he tramping through the jungle with a team of SEALs? Where was the mansion that he could now picture in detail? Had he been a SEAL?

“Miss Anna sent this out to you.” Romero handed Juan a plastic cup full of ice-cold lemonade. He downed it in one swallow, his mind still rippling from the memory. “Obrigado.”

“Welcome.”

Thunder rumbled, and Romero looked at the sky. “Storm’s coming.”

Juan peered up through a break in the canopy above him and eyed the restless sky that only moment ago had been cloudy but sunny. Now the clouds rolled and swirled, obliterating the sun. Thunder boomed and a flash of lightning encouraged him to hurry and put away his tools.

He called to the teens who were packing up, “Come on guys, we’re done here. Let’s get inside before we get soaked—or electrocuted.”

The young men wasted no time gathering their things, and the four of them headed for the plastic door that led to the newly renovated main building. Salvador walked beside him down the brightly lit hallway. “How’re you doing, Sal?”

Salvador’s shoulders lifted in a shrug. “All right, I guess.”

“How’s Carlita? Has she spoken yet?”

Salvador took a deep breath. “She will be fine. She will speak when she is ready. Everyone just needs to stop trying to force her. She is my family. I will take care of her.”

The intensity of the young man’s words hit Juan. He studied Salvador and saw the fierce love for his sister reflected there. “Maybe you’re right, Sal. We just want to see her get better, that’s all.”

Salvador swallowed hard, visibly forcing himself to relax. “I know, Senhor Juan, I just want to help her and don’t know how, sometimes it makes me…” He broke off and gave a sheepish smile. “Sorry.”

Juan’s heart ached for this brother of the young girl. So much responsibility at such a young age. He should be getting ready to graduate college, be enjoying his youth, discovering his place in the world. Instead, his family was dead and he had a little girl to raise. “I know. You’re doing a great job. Still, I wish she could see a child psychologist or some kind of counselor.”

Salvador threw his shoulders back and said, “Thank you for your concern, senhor. I think I will go see if she is ready to go to supper.”

Juan watched the young man branch off to the right to head down to the room he shared with his sister. That was one thing Juan really liked about this orphanage. They didn’t separate siblings. They kept them together as much as possible. Salvador and Carlita shared a suite with another brother and sister pair. It was a dorm-room design. Twin beds sat on opposite walls, with a bathroom in between the two rooms. There was a short wall that allowed privacy when changing clothes in the room. Each child had a chest of drawers and shared a small closet for hanging clothes. Some of the older teens even had televisions in their rooms that got certain approved channels from the satellite dish. Of course, if one wished to have living quarters separate from his or her sibling that could be arranged, too. Most orphanages had a boys’ living area and a girls’ living area.

Juan stepped inside the temporary tool storage room and set his tool belt on the shelf. The construction crew from Manaus had been hired to do most of the work with funds from donations, but Anna was very careful with the expenditures. By allowing some of the orphanage workers to help, it provided jobs for those who otherwise wouldn’t be working. And besides, construction out here in the jungle moved slowly. The intermittent storms often sent the main workers home early. But those laborers from the orphanage could wait out the storm and then go back to work.

Juan headed to his private staff room to shower and get ready for supper himself.

“Senhor?”

Juan stopped and turned. Jonathas approached him and asked, “Senhor, did you find out about the darts from the gym?”

Juan studied the young man. “No, we haven’t heard anything yet. Why?”

Jonathas shrugged. “I was just wondering.”

Was he really just wondering or was there more to it than that? After all, the darts were gone when he and Lucas arrived on the scene—and Jonathas was there. But he had a legitimate reason for being there. Juan himself had told the boy to come find him when he was ready to work on the orphanage wing. And yet…

Juan clapped Jonathas on the back and said, “I’ll let you know when I hear something.”

“Okay. See you at supper.” The boy turned back. “Oh, hey, don’t forget the picnic tomorrow.”

“What picnic?”

“The one I hear they have every year. They even have a dunking booth. Get ready to get soaked.” He disappeared around the corner.

Juan grumbled, “Oh, yeah, that picnic. Who says I’m gonna volunteer?”

The next morning, right before sunrise, Amy continued her daily tradition of her dockside quiet time. Her stomach was still in knots, and she needed some guidance. After calling the McKnight family again—and again getting no answer, she gathered her Bible and notebook and headed out, only to come across Jonathas in the jeep driving toward her. She called, “Good morning. You’re up early.”

The seventeen-year-old pulled up to a stop next to her and said, “Bom dia, senhorita. My morning routine. I am driving down to check on the cows.” The cattle meant a lot to the orphanage as they provided milk and meat. Often they were sold to raise money for other necessities that the orphanage needed in order to keep running efficiently.

Amy smiled. “You’re doing a great job, Jonathas.”

Bright white teeth flashed in the morning light. “Thank you.” He disappeared in a trail of dust, and Amy continued on to the dock. Walking to the end of the fifty-foot pier, she sat and looked out over the muddy brown water, catching glimpses of the wildlife that never ceased to amaze her. A caiman floated past. Then another. And another. Nocturnal creatures, it was still early enough for them to be out and about. They looked like alligators, their snouts skimming the top of the water.

The first time she’d had her quiet time out here, she’d had her legs hanging over the edge of the dock. Then she’d seen her early-morning companions and nearly had a coronary. Today, she didn’t even flinch. This was her favorite time of the day. The sun rose with a blend of orange, yellows and reds, first peeking above the horizon, then coming forth in its full glory to proudly display God’s handiwork. It never failed to take her breath away.

When the sun finished its climb, she pulled out her Bible and just sat without opening it. Instead, she went straight to the point. What do I do, Lord? What do I say? Should I talk to Lucas and ask him what to do? Would it do more damage to Micah—er, Juan—no, Micah, if I bring up the past and… She groaned and dropped her head in her hands.

“Problems?”

She jumped. It was Micah’s voice—but it wasn’t. It was deeper, with a rasp he didn’t used to have. Due to the damage from smoke inhalation, no doubt.

Amy turned and looked up at him, seeing the resemblance all over again. She’d noticed it in the beginning, but had never entertained the possibility that he might actually be Micah. Because Micah was dead. Only now he stood looking at her with a frown creasing his forehead.

She frowned back. “Problems? A few. God and I were just having a conversation about them. Well, actually, I was talking and He was listening.” Then she smiled. “What are you doing here so early?”

Micah sighed and dropped his head. “Looking for you. I was wondering if I could join you.”

“Sure.” Amy could see he had something on his mind. “What’s up?” She did her best to sound cheery and carefree. No need to let him see her turmoil until she could talk to Lucas and get in touch with his family. Surely one of them would see she’d tried to call and call her back. She’d gotten a satellite phone, and both Cassidy and the ambassador had the number. Hopefully, he’d check in with his office and they’d give him the message that she wanted to talk to him.

Micah sat down beside her, crossed his legs and rested his elbows on his knees with his hands clasped loosely in front of him. Silent, he stared down in the muddy water.

Amy waited and inhaled his freshly showered scent. He looked good this morning, muscles gleaming in the morning sun. He had on short sleeves and didn’t seem to mind the scars prominently displayed on his left arm. Silent, she remained patient, allowing him to find the words he seemed to be searching for.

Finally, he blew out a breath and said, “I’m sorry if my scars offended you.”

Was that what he thought?

“Oh, no,” she reached out impulsively and laid a hand on his scarred left hand. “Why would you think that?”

He looked her in the eye, “Because of the way you reacted in the woods after the dart incident. You were…repulsed. And I’ve noticed you’ve been avoiding me these last few days.”

Amy caught her breath and stemmed the tears that threatened to fall. Although she had been avoiding him, it wasn’t because of his scars. She protested, “I wasn’t offended or repulsed, I…hurt for you. I can’t believe what you’ve been through. You…you’re…I wish…” She stopped, sucked in air and said, “I can’t even explain the feelings that went through me yesterday. I wish I could, but, please believe me, your scars don’t bother me. No, they’re not pretty, but they represent your strength, your courage. The fact that you can even walk shows what a fighter you are.”

A thought occurred to her, and she grabbed her Bible, flipping the pages, “Here, I want to read you something. It’s in I Samuel 16:7. The last part of the verse says, ‘The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.’”

Micah reached out and ran a finger down the page in her Bible. Softly, he asked, “And you think He’s looking at my heart?”

Amy nodded. “I know He is…and I promise, I am, too.”

Light flared in his eyes, hope, tenderness…fear. Micah stared back out over the water, clearing his throat. “Thank you. Amy, I know we haven’t known each other that long, and I’m not sure what the future holds for me, but…” He caught her eye, and Amy sucked in a breath at the look. No, no, she couldn’t let him say anything. Not yet. Not until she told him everything.

“Here,” she blurted, “this will help. Start with John.” She handed her Bible over to him. He took it reluctantly, obviously wanting to finish what he’d started to say. She stood. “I’ll just leave you and God to have a talk.”

He hefted the Bible and smiled up at her. “You don’t have to leave.”

“I need to go in and help get the little ones ready for breakfast anyway. You can give me the Bible later.”

“All right. I think maybe I will just sit here for a while—see what God has to say.”

Amy walked up the dock and turned up the path, passing the gymnasium. She looked back to see Micah sitting with the Bible in his lap. At least it was open. She whispered a prayer. “Reveal Yourself to him, Lord. Show him Your love and goodness.”

Only a few steps later, she heard a rumble in the distance and saw the jeep heading back her way, occasionally catching a glimpse of it between the trees. Jonathas must have finished with the cows early. She picked up her pace, stopped and looked back. The trees were in the way, but it looked as if the jeep had stopped on the dock. The front faced the end where Micah still sat. How strange. It just sat there, idling…no, wait, it was moving. Why would some one drive the jeep on the dock? She moved to get a better look.

Then the vehicle was rolling on the downward sloping dock, down toward the end where Micah sat. Picking up speed quickly, soon it would be right on him!

“Juan!” she screamed.

Surely, Micah would feel the vibration of the dock and look up, hear it as it got closer. Who was driving? A quick glance showed an empty driver’s seat. Horror swept over her. Sure enough, the jeep was bearing down on Micah and he had no where to go except into the river where the caimans still swam.

FIVE

Amy screamed his name again as she raced back toward the dock. She saw him turn around and frown as he caught sight of the jeep heading toward him. He waited, puzzlement creasing his forehead. He was thinking the vehicle would stop, but he didn’t know what Amy did—no one was driving. Realization dawned for him almost too late as she watched him make the split-second decision to roll into the water. The jeep slammed into the river a few seconds later, grille first.

“Juan!”

Where was he? Had the jeep landed on top of him when it hit the water? She climbed down the bank and waded into the shallow part of the river, desperately searching for him.

Scanning the surface of the murky river, she still didn’t see any sign. Oh, God, please let him be okay. Help me find him. She went under and opened her eyes, but visibility was nil. Terror choked her as she pushed aside thoughts of caimans, piranhas and other dangers while reaching, feeling for Micah. Nothing. She searched until her burning lungs forced her back to the surface.

Breaking through, she spat, gasped and breathed in air. Something grabbed her ankle and she screamed, choked on more water and kicked at the vise around her lower leg. But it held on. Then she was free as Micah surged before her. Her pounding heart eased as she realized he was the one who’d grabbed her foot. He’d latched on to her to help him find his way up.

“Are you okay?” he demanded. “Are you crazy coming into the river like this?”

She gasped, “I had to find you.”

“I’m fine. Swim for the shore.” He looked around and froze. Amy looked in the direction he stared and choked back another scream as one of the caimans she’d watched earlier headed their way. Fast. “Oh, Lord, help.”

“Swim, Amy.”

She swam.

Micah stroked behind her slightly to her right, protecting her. He could have easily passed her and reached the shore first, but he stayed behind making sure the caiman didn’t catch up with her. She swam harder, reaching as far as she could with each stroke, making each pull through the mucky water count. Finally, she could put her feet on the bottom of the river; slogged through and flopped on the sandy edge looking behind her. The caiman had slunk away.

Micah collapsed beside her, breathing hard.

“O senhor, senhorita, are you all right?” Jonathas ran toward them, eyes wide with the horror of witnessing the events. First, Micah and the jeep, then the threat of the caiman.

Were they all right? Amy wasn’t sure. “What just happened?” She reached up to wring the water from her hair, hands shaking violently. Micah stood, sloughed the wetness from his face and eyes and looked out over the water. The tail end of the jeep stuck up out of the river, but it was disappearing fast. “I’m not sure, but I don’t think that was any accident.”

David Ruibero, the chief of police, arrived about an hour later. Juan then called Lucas from the medical mission to come check out Amy, even though she insisted she was fine and that he was the one who needed checking out. Lucas confirmed her self-diagnosis, and Juan relaxed a little.

They gathered in the main building in the cafeteria where they sipped freshly brewed coffee and talked about the incident.

“I want that jeep hauled up and examined,” Juan stated. “That was no accident. In order for it to drive so straight and right up the dock, the steering and the gas pedal had to have been jammed.”

“Did you see anything, Jonathas?” Lucas asked.

“No, senhor, I’m sorry. I was taking care of the cows, and I heard the jeep start up. I chased it, but it was too fast and I could not keep up. I also couldn’t see who was driving. I followed the tracks and got there in time to see the jeep going down the dock toward you.” His voice choked, and he cleared his throat. “I thought you were dead.”

The chief eyed the teenager suspiciously. “Are you sure about your story?”

Jonathas blinked, all sign of worry gone, his face now a blank facade. “Believe what you will. I do not lie.”

David drew himself up, and a muscle twitched in his jaw. He kept himself under control with obvious effort. “I would appreciate your cooperation, not your disrespect.”

Juan translated most of the conversation for Amy since it was all in Portuguese.

Jonathas calmed down, but not much. Instead, the sullen look Juan knew best slid over the teen’s face. The chief said, “Well, if you happen to remember anything else, would you please get in touch with me? I can’t catch a criminal I can’t find.”

“Right. Can I leave now? I still have chores to finish then I want to get ready for the picnic.”

Juan slapped the boy on the back and thanked him. Jonathas left, and Lucas brought up another subject that Juan had been wondering about. “Have you gotten any information back about the darts?”

David nodded. “Yes. I was going to e-mail or call you, but when I got the call about this situation, I brought the report along.” He reached in his back pocket and pulled out a paper, unfolded it and said, “The lab said that the tests they ran confirm that it’s poison from the poison dart frog. If any of those tips had hit you, you would have been paralyzed. The poison affects the nervous system almost immediately. Very serious stuff.”

Amy shuddered, the information and damp clothes chilling her. Juan wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “So, what do we do now? That’s three times someone’s tried to kill me and I don’t have a clue why. We need to find this person before he tries again and manages to succeed.”

David said, “I’ll have a truck get out here and see if we can get the jeep pulled out of the river. It could take a while.”

Lucas piped in, “Tell them I’ll double their hourly wage if they’ll do it today.”

The chief raised a brow, but didn’t argue. Instead, he shrugged and said, “It’s your money.” He pulled out a satellite phone, punched in a number and walked off to make the arrangements.

Juan looked at Lucas. “Thanks.”

“No problem.”

Amy pulled away from him and said, “I’m going to change clothes and go tell Anna what’s going on. Will you please let me know when you find something out about the jeep?”

Juan nodded. “Sure.”

Amy left and Lucas asked, “I guess you didn’t need me to set you up, huh?”

Amy still shook, her nerves snapping as she walked back toward the main building that housed Anna’s office. She needed to talk to someone, or she’d burst. Hopefully, Anna had a few free moments and Amy could unload on her. Plus, she’d left her satellite phone plugged in and she needed to check it to see if anyone had called. She hadn’t taken it down to the dock because she hadn’t wanted to have any interruptions during her quiet time.

She sure hadn’t counted on a runaway jeep for an interruption.

Upon reaching her room, she quickly showered and changed, then headed toward Anna’s office to update the woman on the recent events.

The door to the temporary playroom swung open, and Amy stopped to see Carlita standing there still in her pajamas, her little stuffed bunny clutched in her left arm. When she saw Amy, her mouth form a perfect O and her eyes went wide.

Amy crouched down on the child’s level, smiled and used her Portuguese to say, “Hello, Carlita. How are you this morning?”

Carlita gave a half smile, and Amy’s heart leaped in her chest. More progress. “Are you looking for something? Someone?”

Carlita looked back over her shoulder, then back at Amy.

“Is Salvador with you?”

At her brother’s name, Carlita’s brown eyes lightened, but she remained silent. Amy said, “Okay, will you take my hand and let’s see if we can find him?”

The little girl hesitated, so Amy reassured her, “Come on, I’ll help you find him.”

Finally, hesitantly, Carlita held out a small brown hand, and Amy took it gently. The feel of the tiny fingers curling around her own made her feel like weeping. The little girl’s trust was such a precious thing.

She decided to take care of Carlita, then track down Anna. They were almost there when Salvador emerged from the room on the right, dressed haphazardly and toweling his short hair.

He spotted them coming toward him and stopped, staring at their clasped hands. In English he said, “There you are. I took a shower, and when I came out, she was gone. Thank you for bringing her back.”

“You’re welcome. I ran into her on my way to see Anna. I think this one was looking for you. She’s such a sweet girl.” Amy squeezed the small hand still in hers. “I hope she’s beginning to like me a little.”

Salvador shot her a tight smile and said, “Yes, she needs a woman, a mamãe.” Almost to himself, he added, “It was wrong what happened. So wrong. My family should not be dead. She misses…” He looked away. Amy hurt for him and reached out to pat his bony shoulder. Amy couldn’t help notice the anger, the boiling rage that simmered just beneath the surface at the injustice his family had suffered. Hopefully, the love and care he received at the orphanage would make a difference in his future. She certainly admired his dedication to Carlita.

“You’re right. It was wrong. I don’t know why God allows things like that to happen, but try to lean on Him, Salvador.”

He shook his head, taking his sister’s hand in his. “I pray every day, believe me. I pray for the men who…”

“Who what?”

“Nothing…forget it.”

“Salvador, I…” What could she say? Maybe Micah could talk to him. Man to man. They’d each suffered tragedy in their lives. Perhaps Micah could help. Making a mental note to ask Micah to talk to him, she changed the subject. “Well, here is little Carlita, safe and sound. I’m looking for Anna. Have you seen her?”

Salvador nodded toward the hall. “She is in her office, I believe.”

“Thanks.”

Amy waved and little Carlita waved back. She walked on past Salvador and Carlita’s room to the office at the end of the hall. Anna had taken over running the orphanage after Cassidy’s kidnapping.

She knocked on the door.

“Come in.”

Amy stepped in. “Hey there. I just stopped by to let you know someone tried to kill Micah again, and I happened to be there this time.”

Anna stilled, “Micah?”

Amy’s hand flew to her mouth. “Did I say Micah? I meant Juan.”

Eyes narrowed, Anna said, “You wouldn’t mean Micah McKnight, would you? Because I know all about that Micah. Cassidy told me about her brother when she was here getting to know Alexis. Why did you call Juan Micah?”

Amy blew out a sigh. She’d been coming to spill her guts anyway, so she might as well start with the subject of Micah. “Juan is Micah McKnight.”

Anna sat in her chair with a thump. “What makes you say that?”

“The birthmark on his stomach and back. I saw it the other day when we were hurrying through the jungle. A branch ripped his shirt almost completely off and…there it was. It looks like half of a belt wrapped around his waist. I used to tease him about it all the time.”

“Have you told him?”

Amy shook her head. “No. I mean, what do I say? How do I tell him? He doesn’t remember anything. Would it hurt him for me to try to jar his memory? And if I tell him who he is, I have to tell him who I am and who my mother is and what she did to him…” Amy sucked in a much needed breath.

“I see your dilemma, but, Amy, you’ve got to tell him. Because if you don’t and he remembers…”

Amy groaned and dropped her face into her hands, “I know,” she said through her fingers, “but I don’t know how to approach it. I mean, medically…”

“I’m pretty sure it won’t hurt him,” Lucas spoke from the doorway. The two women looked at him. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, I was just coming to check on you, Amy, and see how you were feeling after your dunking in the river. I heard you talking.” He shrugged. “I probably listened longer than I had to, but you were discussing my patient…and friend.” He didn’t seem terribly embarrassed about listening in, just honest and concerned. “You can tell him who he is, just ease into it. As far as I know, there’s no medical reason he’s blocking his memories. Knowing his identity may actually help him recover faster.”

Anna bit her lip. Amy averted her eyes and said, “You don’t know the whole story, Lucas. I’m afraid of what he’ll do if I tell him everything.”

“So tell me.”

Amy shook her head. “No, I…I can’t. I’m sorry.”

Lucas shrugged. “Well, even if you don’t want to confide in me, you need to tell Juan…er, Micah who he is.”

“I’ve called his family, hoping to tell them and see what they want to do, but they’re on an extended cruise. They’ll be gone for another week or so. I’ve left messages for them to call me on every number I could remember. So far, nothing. I haven’t checked my phone today, but I’m not holding out hope. They’re not expecting to hear anything from or about Micah, so…” She gave a sad laugh. “They’ve finally accepted that he’s not coming home and now…” She hiccupped a soft sob. “Now I’ve run across him and don’t have a clue what to do about it.”

“Tell him. Just be gentle in how you do it,” Lucas insisted.

Amy nodded and glanced at Anna. “Okay, you’re right. He needs to know. And I suppose I should be the one to tell him.” She closed her eyes against the thought. She really didn’t want to do it.

Lucas said, “He’s having flashes of memory anyway. He may remember on his own before you get a chance to tell him.”

“I’ll tell him…after the picnic.”

She slipped back to her room, stopping just inside the door. Spying a note on her pillow, she picked it up and read the broken English.