Читать книгу For Better, For Worse - Rebecca Winters - Страница 6

Chapter Three

SIX ENDLESS DAYS after the surgery—three days after her conversation with the doctors—Dr. Penman informed Kit that Rafe had been transferred to a private room and she could start visiting him. When he called her with the news, she happened to be standing in front of the motel room mirror. She gasped at the haggard-looking woman staring back at her. Her mouth was drawn tight and her eyes were noticeably dull. Many times in the past Rafe had told her how much he loved the fullness of her mouth and the slight almond shape of her gray-green eyes with their curling lashes. Right now he wouldn’t have known her even if he’d had his memory!

Without wasting another second, she gave herself a thorough makeover. With her hair freshly washed and wearing a minimum of makeup, just enough to emphasize her golden tan, Kit felt more like the woman who had captured Rafe’s attention from the very first moment he saw her.

She purposely wore the same dress he’d admired then, an expensive, form-fitting navy Italian knit that buttoned up the front from the hem to the square neck. A bright-red knit border at the hems and up the front gave it a sophistication and outlined her curves, drawing male interest wherever she went. But she wanted only one man’s interest…. She dabbed on his favorite scent and fastened the gold earrings he’d bought her in Tangiers.

According to Dr. Noyes, Rafe’s memory could come back at any time and there was no way to predict exactly what would trigger it. Kit determined to do whatever it took to hasten the process. The possibility that he’d never regain his memory was something she refused to consider.

“What I’d give for your figure,” the nurse on duty murmured as Kit passed by the desk on her way to Rafe’s room. “In fact, what I’d give to be married to a gorgeous man like your husband.”

A smile curved Kit’s mouth. “When we met, I remember thinking that I’d never seen a more beautiful man. After I got to know him, I realized the person inside was even more wonderful.”

The nurse sobered. “We’ve all heard about your husband losing his memory and we’re praying it comes back soon.”

“Thank you. I am, too.”

“The orderlies brought him down a little while ago. He’s getting restless. Now that he’s out of ICU and his tests are over, he wants to leave the hospital. He insists he can do everything himself. He’s a fighter, and I’d say that’s a good sign.”

“I hope you’re right. My husband has always taken responsibility for others. He’s not used to depending on anyone.”

“Yes. I noticed.” She gave Kit a wry smile. “He may have forgotten the past, but there’s nothing wrong with the rest of him…if you catch my drift.”

Kit’s eyes smarted, and she managed a weak smile in return. “I intend to have a real marriage.”

“If you want my opinion, you won’t have any problems, not looking the way you do.”

“Beneath this facade, I’m terrified.”

“I know you are. I would be, too.”

“Do you have any advice?”

The nurse cocked her head. “You obviously love him, so show him that love in every way you can. I know that doesn’t sound very professional, but in his case there’s no guideline to follow.”

Kit nodded and started for his room, so nervous that she couldn’t stop shaking. She’d only seen him once, that first morning after the operation. Since then, both doctors had asked Kit to be patient while they ran tests and learned as much of his history from her as possible. The rest of the time they talked with Rafe to work him through the first stages of accepting his memory loss.

To help pass the time, she ate most of her lunches and dinners with Diego in the hospital cafeteria. The chaplain joined them when he could. Diego stayed at a motel near the airport and, to Kit’s everlasting gratitude, acted as the go-between for her and the Mendez family, regularly advising them of Rafe’s progress. His kind words of encouragement and the chaplain’s compassion were all that had sustained her through the long week of waiting, but now it was over.

When she entered the room, Rafe was sitting in bed in his hospital gown watching a television program. He looked perfectly normal. In fact, from her vantage point near the door, she couldn’t see anything but a small patch of white bandage where the incision had been made. His luxuriant black hair covered most of it. He was more attractive than ever and certainly showed no sign of having undergone anything as serious as brain surgery.