LITMIR.BIZ

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a faint respect for her observation.

      “I recognize the signs, Senor, believe me. The fact is I’m made the same way you are. No doubt you’re dying to get back to your olive groves, but your sense of responsibility to me has kept you here. I’m sorry for that.”

      He put a hand behind his neck and rubbed it absently. “Who told you the nature of my business?”

      “No one. When Dave said your last name was Goyo, I realized you had to be the owner of Soleado Goyo.” And a very important person.

      She knew she’d caught his interest by the way he shifted his weight. “You’re familiar with the brand?”

      “I’ve cooked with your olive oil many times. In my opinion it’s unmatched. While I was driving past all those olive groves yesterday, I slowed down to ask a worker about them.”

      “No one told me.”

      “I don’t know why they would. I—”

      But before she could finish her explanation, a man in a moustache and a blue summer suit walked in the room. He nodded to Senor Goyo. “Good morning, Senora Gray. I’m Dr. Filartigua.”

      She breathed a sigh of relief. “I’ve been hoping you would come in. Thank you for operating on me. I know I’m very lucky.”

      “That’s my job. How are you feeling?”

      “Well enough to leave.”

      “I’m gratified to hear it, but I insist you stay an extra day to give your body a chance to get over the shock of the accident.”

      “I feel fine, Doctor. I need to get back to my job in New York right away.”

      He shook his head. “No flying for a month.”

      “A month—”

      “The air pressure changes on a jet could cause problems. You want to heal as quickly as possible, don’t you?”

      She fought not to cry out her disappointment. “Of course.”

      “You can do normal activities, but no driving on your own. I’ll take a look at your eye in a week and we’ll see what’s going on in there.”

      His comment jarred her. “But it was just a piece of glass. I thought the operation was successful.”

      “Indeed it was, but only time will tell us how much permanent damage was done internally.”

      Her body shuddered in reaction. “Are you saying my sight could be impaired?”

      “It’s possible, but concentrate on getting well and letting nature take its course. The nurse will be coming in to start you on a course of drops for the next three days. They’ll stem any infection. Enjoy being pampered. Everyone needs it once in a while.”

      “But—”

      “No arguing.” He smiled. “I’ll check on you again in the morning. If all is well, then you’ll be released.” He patted her arm and left the room.

      A familiar male hand grasped hers. She tried to pull away but he held on. Jillian knew what he was trying to do, but if he dared say one word, she feared she would howl the place down.

      Blind? Or close to it in one eye? She couldn’t comprehend it.

      Her thoughts turned to her late husband, who hadn’t been given any odds. He’d died on impact with that semi. How did she dare complain when she still had the sight out of her left eye?

      After surviving the precarious moment, she eased her hand from Senor Goyo’s firm grip. “I’m all right,” she whispered.

      “In that case I’m going to drive to Toledo for your purse and suitcase. I presume you travel with a laptop.”

      He understood a lot. She nodded without looking at him.

      “You can work from your hospital bed. I won’t be long.” As he started to leave she called to him.

      “Don Remigio—”

      He paused in the doorway. “I answer to Remi,” he said, his voice grating.

      The last thing she wanted to do was offend him. “Remi, then. I’m so indebted to you, I don’t know where to start.”

      “That’s good. It helps assuage my guilt.”

      “The accident was my fault, not yours.”

      “You’re entitled to your opinion. Mind the nurse while I’m gone.” He disappeared.

      The room seemed bigger without his virile presence.

      And much emptier, she realized after he’d been gone a few minutes. Since the rollover he’d been her constant companion, waking or sleeping.

      She should be glad he’d gone. Tomorrow she would take a taxi to the Prado Inn, where she’d intended to stay before catching her flight. For the next week she would do what she could on the computer.

      By using a taxi to get around, she could take time out to look for some different and interesting spots in Madrid’s environs to add to the new itinerary.

      In the middle of making plans, the nurse came in to put three sets of drops in her eye. When she lifted the patch, Jillian couldn’t see anything, but the nurse told her that was normal this soon after surgery.

      Yes, it was normal if you were blind….

      As the other woman was refastening the tape, the phone rang at the side of her bed. The nurse picked up the receiver and handed it to her before leaving the room.

      Only Jillian’s brother knew to reach her here at the hospital. She spoke into the phone. “David Bowen, if you’re checking on me again, I’ll have you know I’m fine!”

      “You sound in a bit of a temper,” came Remi’s heavily accented voice. The sound of it caused her heart to turn over for no good reason. “You must be getting better.”

      Heat crept into her face. “I’m sorry you got the brunt of that outburst. It’s just that I don’t like my brother worrying about me when they’ve got a baby on the way.”

      “He told me.”

      Good heavens. The two men sounded like they’d been friends for years.

      “As for the reason I’m calling, I thought I’d ask if you need any shopping done.”

      She blinked. “That’s very kind of you, but everything I require is in my suitcase or my purse.”

      “Muy bien. Then I’ll see you within three hours.” He clicked off.

      Jillian hung up the phone thinking he was more protective than Dave, and that was really saying something. For some reason Senor Goyo felt a sense of responsibility toward her she didn’t want or deserve. Too bad he’d overheard what the doctor had said.

      She hated it when people felt sorry for her. After Kyle’s death she couldn’t get back to work fast enough. The people on the tour buses didn’t know anything about her or her life. That’s the way she liked to keep it.

      “Buenos dias, Senora.” A custodian had entered the room and hurriedly made up the cot Remi had slept in. She folded it against the closet doors. It reminded Jillian she didn’t want him sleeping in here with her again tonight.

      The woman emptied the wastebasket, then swept the room before leaving again. No sooner was Jillian alone than the nurse came in to get her up so she could go to the bathroom. On her own she washed her hands and face, then brushed her teeth with the necessities provided. Afterward she felt good enough to take a little walk around the room.

      When she climbed into bed the nurse took her vital signs, gave her a smile and turned on the TV for her. “Once Senor Goyo has returned with your things, I’ll help you shower.”

      “That

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