Margaret could feel the tears sting her eyes. No, it doesn’t matter. I’m glad you have her again. And when you have the pups, I’m sure she’ll be there with you.
It’s going to happen soon. There are three and they’re very eager to be born. She tilted her head. It will be good, won’t it?
Wonderful.
And she says I have to pay attention to you and you’ll choose what’s best for us. You are not her, but you can still be my friend. You don’t have to be her. Will you do this?
Oh, yes. Margaret reached out and gently stroked the retriever’s silky head. She could feel the boundless love that was Juno reaching out to her, enfolding her. I will never be her. Why should you need two? I am only myself. But it would be my privilege.…
*
“You’re not supposed to be up yet,” Cambry said in disapproval when he came in that evening and saw Margaret, fully dressed, sitting on the edge of the bed. “Lassiter won’t like—”
“Lassiter is too busy right now to be a watchdog over anyone. He stuck his head into the room this afternoon to tell me that he was flying back to the detention camp for a few hours to meet with Father Dominic and arrange to have the monks housed until he could build them another monastery. He said that Carlos Estefan had already arranged for medical attention for the prisoners, but he needed to check on that, too.” She made a face. “As usual, Lassiter has to be in control.”
“Evidently not in control of you,” Cambry said drily. “How did you get yourself dressed with that bad shoulder?”
“With great difficulty. I almost went back to bed afterward.”
“Which you should have done.”
She shook her head. “I want to see Patrick. I checked with the head nurse and she said that he’d be allowed short visits after a few hours’ rest following that bone reset.”
“Why not wait until tomorrow?”
She shook her head. “It has to be tonight. The only question is whether I can talk you into getting a wheelchair to take me to him. The nurses would have a fit if they saw me trekking through the halls.”
“But you’d do it anyway if I don’t get you the wheelchair?” He held up his hand. “Wait. I’ll be right back.”
He was true to his word and a couple minutes later he wheeled the chair into her room. “Okay. Hop in.” But he didn’t wait. He carefully helped her down from the bed and onto the chair. “Ten minutes and you’re back in bed, okay?”
“Okay.” She motioned to Juno. Come on. It’s time you were back on duty. I like your company, but he needs you.
I know. Juno trotted down the hall beside Margaret’s wheelchair. I help him heal. I didn’t know I could do it, but she showed me. I couldn’t heal her, but it’s good that I can help him.
Very good. Cambry was wheeling her into Patrick’s room and Juno immediately left her and went over to Patrick’s bed and laid her chin on Patrick’s hand.
Patrick’s eyes were closed, but he lifted his hand and stroked Juno’s head. “Hello, girl. I missed you.” His voice was still weak, but light-years stronger than it had been a few days ago. He had faint color in his cheeks and that was another good sign. He was opening his eyes and saw Margaret being wheeled across his room. “It’s good to see you, Margaret. Lassiter told me that you were on the sick list, too.” He looked at her bandaged shoulder. “He didn’t tell me why. My fault?”
She shook her head. “It started a long time before I met either of you. I’ll tell you about it sometime.” She reached out and touched his hand. “I wanted to see you. You’re looking much better. Now I know you’re going to get well.”
“I think you may be right.” He smiled faintly. “And I’m finding it fairly incredible.”
“But it’s going to take you a long time. So I’m going to put you to work.”
He looked at her warily.
“Juno needs something to do and someone to care about for the next year or so. And then there are her three pups who will need care and training. Pups can be rambunctious and a real headache, but they’re worth it. I figure by the time that you get them all straightened out, you’ll be straightened out, too.” She beamed at him. “Isn’t that a good idea?”
“Four dogs?”
“You’ll like it. And it won’t be forever. Your job with Lassiter would take you away from them too much. They’d be lonely. I’ll find more permanent work for them once you get well. When you’re ready, someday I’ll show up on your doorstep and take them away. Though probably by that time you’ll want visiting rights.”
“I imagine I would,” he said drily.
“Then it’s settled.” Her smile was luminous. “It’s the right thing to do, Patrick. I’ll send Juno with you when you go to Johns Hopkins tomorrow.”
“Send? Lassiter told me that you’d be going with us.”
“Did he? But he didn’t discuss it with me. Lassiter has this guilt thing about me and he’s always trying to find a way to keep me bored and safe.” She got to her feet, leaned forward, and kissed him on the forehead. “Good-bye, Patrick. I’ll be in touch. Heal fast.”
“I will.” His eyes closed. “Otherwise, you might wish another dog on me. Four is quite enough.”
Cambry was chuckling as he wheeled her out of the room. “If Patrick wasn’t sedated, he might have trouble sleeping tonight.”
“You know Juno will be good for him. You’ll have to stay with him for a while until he’s out of bed and on his feet, but then it will work itself out.” She was suddenly exhausted. That first burst of adrenaline was gone. “Now I’m ready to go to bed. You may chauffeur me back to my room.” She made a grandiose, imperious gesture with her good hand. “Home, Cambry.”
3:45 A.M.
Darkness.
But she knew Lassiter was somewhere in the room.
She opened her eyes and saw him standing a few feet from her bed. “Hi,” she said drowsily. “When did you get back?”
“Just a few minutes ago. I didn’t mean to wake you. I just wanted to be sure you were all right.” He took a step closer to the bed. “Are you?”
“I’m fine.” She yawned. “So much for being back in a couple of hours.”
“It all turned out to be more than I expected.”
“Of course it did. That’s your life, Lassiter. I’ve only been with you for a short time and I’ve learned that.”
“The circumstances with us were extraordinary.”
“Yes, but so is your life. I understand. I told you: I accept you as you are. Are the monks going to be okay?”
“Of course. It won’t be the same for them, but I’ll work out things to compensate. I have a few ideas. I’ll tell you about them tomorrow. We leave at eleven.”
“Go to bed. Good night, Lassiter.”
His brows rose. “Am I being dismissed?”
“I’m too tired to talk to you tonight.”