Don’t think about it, she lectured herself. Rini’s alive and here in the same room with you. We’ll be going home in a couple of days.
Thursday morning Luna awakened and noticed Rini was still out for the count. That was because on the past two nights he’d awakened and got out of bed, too restless to sleep. She feared he’d had nightmares.
Taking care to be quiet, she got up and left the room to change into her skirt and blouse. Once dressed, she went back in Rini’s room and put the suitcase in his bathroom. Today he would be able to wear normal clothes home.
She found her purse. After phoning her driver to come and get her, she left the suite. Out in the hall she told the staff at the nursing station she was leaving. “I’ll be back to drive my husband home once he’s released.”
“Plan on ten o’clock and pull up to the ER entrance.”
“I’ll be there.”
On the way home she phoned Leonardo and Antonia to tell them her plans. “I’ll call you after he’s settled, and we’ll go from there.” She’d kept in daily touch with them but couldn’t tell them to come over yet. Rini needed to express a desire to see them.
A few minutes later she entered the palazzo. “Viola?”
“I’m here.” The housekeeper hurried to the foyer.
“Rini will be coming home this morning.”
The older woman pressed her hands to her mouth with excitement. “The news is out that he’s alive and back in San Vitano. It’s a day of celebration! Signor Machetti says the office is flooded with hundreds of calls.”
Luna nodded. “I don’t doubt it.”
A pained expression crossed over her face. “He still doesn’t remember anything?”
“No, but I’ve told him about you and Mateo. Would you ask him to do a favor for me?” She nodded. “Ask him to run to the store and buy a supply of protein shakes. Rini needs calories to put on weight and your cooking will do the rest.”
Viola beamed. “I’ll tell Mateo now and make sure everything gets done.”
“You’re an angel. I’m going to shower and change. Then I’ll be taking his car to get him.”
She dashed up the stairs, so excited to be bringing him home she could hardly stand it.
In a few minutes she left the shower to blow-dry her hair and do her makeup. Last Sunday she’d looked like a pale wraith. This morning the color was back in her cheeks. She wore her favorite lipstick and used some eyeliner.
Next, she drew a short-sleeved outfit from the wardrobe that Rini loved on her. He said the green stripes on the white jacket were the color of her eyes. She matched it with a white skirt and white sandals. The green peridot earrings he’d given her on their one-month anniversary complemented her outfit. He might not remember her, but she planned to do everything she could to make herself attractive to him.
Though it was only nine-thirty, she hurried out the back of the palazzo to the parking area for the car. Just knowing she’d be bringing him home had made her eager and breathless. First, however, she stopped at a phone store to buy him a new cell phone and installed an app that would be of great help to him. Luna wanted to surprise Rini tonight before they went to bed.
CHAPTER SIX
RINI HAD LIVED for Thursday to come, but when he awakened, he discovered his appealing wife had disappeared on him. Where in heaven had she gone on this day of all days?
He had to fight his disappointment. Before falling asleep the night before, he’d worked out a conversation to have with her when he said good morning to her. Now it would have to wait, and it frustrated him no end.
After the staff checked his vital signs and he’d eaten breakfast, he went into the bathroom. To his surprise he found the suitcase and opened the lid. She’d packed a dark blue crewneck shirt and a pair of tan pants. There was also a belt. Like he’d told Dr. Tullia, Luna was part angel. He forgave her for slipping away so early.
Stuck in one of the holders he found a pair of darker tan leather sandals. Real shoes after all this time. These were clothes he’d worn before the mine cave-in. He dressed quickly after a shower and shave, deciding to leave the shirt out.
One of the male staff had come into the room with a wheelchair. Behind him Rini saw Dr. Tullia, an unexpected surprise.
“Ciao, Dottore.”
The doctor lit up with a smile. “Ciao, Rini.”
“Come va?”
The man looked shocked. “Molto bene. E tu?”