Rafael's Convenient Proposal

No. The fault is mine.

Inhaling deeply, Mallory said, “Will you translate for me again, Lianor?”

“Of course.”

“Tell Brianca I’m the one to blame. Last night Apolonia found out I love to swim. I’m positive she thought I’d seen her, and that’s why she dared to venture past the curls. Ask Brianca if she was the one who called out Apolonia’s name to me.”

Lianor conveyed her wishes. Once Brianca understood what Mallory had been saying, she lifted her head and nodded.

“Remind her that she was the one who saved Apolonia’s life. I was so busy having a marvelous time out there, I would never have known what was happening if I hadn’t heard her screaming your niece’s name in a clear voice.”

More conversation ensued.

The teenager’s face brightened a little.

“Tell her we need to be thankful that everyone did their part. The ambulance came just in time and everything worked out. I know Apolonia’s going to be fine.”

Again Lianor translated, but the teen still didn’t seem totally convinced.

On impulse, Mallory hugged Brianca who hugged her back. They both shed a few more tears, then parted with smiles.

“Thank you,” Brianca said in English before darting back to the palace.

As she ran off, Lianor squeezed Mallory’s arm. “After receiving blame from everyone, especially from Ines who told my brother Brianca could be trusted, she needed your kindness. You’re a truly wonderful person, Mallory.”

“Please don’t give me any credit. The only thing of importance is that Apolonia’s alive. Where did the ambulance take her?”

“To the local hospital in Atalaia where Violente lives. It’s five kilometers from here.”

“I want to see her.”

“We’ll go after you’ve had breakfast and relaxed for a little while. I know you’re strong, but that was an emotional as well as physical ordeal you’ve just been through. I don’t want you passing out on me.”

They walked up the beach. Mallory picked up her sandals but didn’t bother to put them on. “There’s no chance of that happening; however I must admit I could use some tea.”

“Come on. Let’s go up to your room and take care of you.”

Side by side they hurried into the palace where Mallory took a shower and washed her hair. Since they were going to the hospital, she opted to wear a cotton blouse and matching wraparound skirt in a khaki tone.

When she entered the dining room and saw the amazing breakfast waiting for her, her appetite returned. Lianor was hungry too. They ate a little bit of everything including the sausage which had been cooked with green pepper, onion and a cheese sauce.

“Oh that’s good. No wonder it’s Apolonia’s favorite.”

Lianor’s eyes filmed over. “Thanks to you, she’ll be eating more of it, although she shouldn’t,” she added in a tremulous voice.

“What do you mean?”

“Apolonia has been putting on weight and looks like I did at her age, but Maria has never worried about things like that. Neither did my mother who fed us constantly. By the time I was seventeen, I was huge.”

“I was overweight in my early teens too, but then I shot up and that changed everything.”

“It didn’t happen that way for me.” As if she were embarrassed by the admission, she got up from the table. “How long do you think Apolonia will have to stay in the hospital?”

Lianor had changed the subject so fast, Mallory realised she’d just had a glimpse of the pain she hid from the world. Maybe one day she’d trust Mallory enough to tell her the rest.

“I have no idea. Every case is different. Maybe she’ll be home by tonight.”

“I hope so.”

Mallory eyed her with concern. “I’m ready to go whenever you are.” In truth she was anxious to see Apolonia for herself. There could be complications, but she hadn’t wanted to upset her friend further by discussing them.

“I’ll pack a bag for Apolonia and meet you at the car.”

Within fifteen minutes they’d reached the hospital in the peaceful little town surrounded by beaches. Though not big, the hospital was as modern and up to date as any in Los Angeles.

After learning that Apolonia had been transferred from the ER to a private room, they walked to the nursing station on the main floor where Lianor found out which room down the hall was her niece’s.

Mallory touched her arm. “You go in first. You and your brother need some time alone with her. I’ll wait in the lounge we passed.”

“Thanks. I won’t be long.”

Once she was on her own, Mallory walked the short distance to the waiting room where she saw a mother nursing her baby in one corner, an old couple sitting in another holding hands. Mallory smiled at everyone and sat down.

Tension kept her body from relaxing. Until she knew how Apolonia was faring, she wouldn’t have any peace. Not able to sit still, she got up and decided to take a walk outside. On the way to the exit she told the nurse at the desk she’d be right back.

The beautiful sunny day mocked the turmoil going on inside of her. Though she looked out on a calm ocean, all she saw was a pair of fathomless black eyes staring at her with a mixture of agony to think it might have claimed his daughter…and shock to think the woman he’d disliked without ever having met her, had plucked his Apolonia from its watery grasp in time to save her.

“Ms. Ellis?”

Mallory had heard that low, gravelly male voice earlier today. With heart pounding, she turned around.

She’d only noticed his eyes before.

Now she saw the whole man dressed in black swimming trunks and a blue T-shirt. He must have been planning to join his daughter in the surf when he’d heard she was in trouble.

Physically she saw nothing that nature could improve upon. His Mediterranean heritage gave him his olive skin. The arrangement of striking male features beneath vibrant black hair and brows created someone fascinating as well as unbelievingly appealing.

He had height and breadth in perfect proportion to his long powerful legs. Such an unforgettable face and strong, cut body could well inspire any artist to immortalize him on canvas.

To say he was an incredible-looking man would be an understatement.

“How’s your daughter?” she asked tremulously.

She heard the ragged breath he took. “Right now they’re giving Apolonia warmed fluids intravenously. So far she’s holding her own. The doctor says if she doesn’t develop additional symptoms in the next five hours, she’ll be able to go home.”

“That’s wonderful news!” she cried. Mallory couldn’t have been more thrilled if Apolonia were her own flesh and blood.

Those black eyes, eloquent with emotion, bore into hers. “You saved my daughter from drowning,” his voice shook. “How does one person thank another for the gift of life?”