Inamorata (4 page)

“Oh, that’s all right. Really...”

“You are much sunburned. It will be very painful and you will feel it tomorrow.”

“Believe me, Dr. Rivera, I feel it now.” Mick nearly jumped out of her skin as the cool stream hit her back.

“Please do not call me doctor again,” she whispered. “I am sorry if I am hurting you.”

Mick just nodded furiously. The soft gentle hands slowly worked the cool lotion into her hot back, instantly taking way the heat.

“Amazing,” she mumbled into her pillow.

“Sleep now,” Isabella said, working the lotion across her shoulders and down her back.

“Is my bra was getting in the way?”

Isabella grinned. “Sleep.”

Mick chuckled and nestled her head into the pillow. She was almost asleep when she thought for sure she felt a soft hand on her hair, smoothing it back. It was the last thing she remembered.

Chapter 6

Sean could feel the eyes of several men upon him as he sat at the bar in Los Rios. Sean tried to focus on the conversation he was having with the mayor of the town.

“I’m just trying to figure out why three good men, who obviously needed the money, just up and quit,” Sean said as he sipped his beer.

Sean saw the old mayor glance at the men at the bar and shift uncomfortably in his chair. He pulled at the collar of his shirt and looked up at the ceiling fan that was lazily whirring trying to circulate the musty air of the bar.

“Señor Brennan, I cannot say why these men would no longer wish to work for you. I can only tell you that I have two more that will start in one week. That is the best I can do. Now, if you will excuse me, my wife has dinner waiting. Let me know if you need anything further.” He downed his drink so fast it nearly dribbled down his shirt. “
Buenas noches
,” he said quickly and walked out.

Sean sat back and let out a deep, disappointed sigh. He finished his beer and walked out. On his way to the Land Rover, he heard a noise behind him. As he turned, the pain exploded in his jaw. He flew against the car and two men grabbed him, holding his arms. A hard fist was buried in his midsection as the men held him upright. Blow after blow came until they savagely threw him to the ground.

Through the fog and pain, he heard a low voice. “Leave, amigo. Take your dyke sister and the old couple and go home. I warn you,” the attacker said in a low dangerous voice then stepped over Sean and walked out of sight.

Sean groaned and held his ribs as he struggled to get to his feet. He tried to avoid slipping into unconsciousness as he drove back to the site.

*******

“She is sleeping,” Isabella said as she sat by the fire.

Maria nodded and handed her a cup of coffee. “It is nice and strong,” she said and Isabella nodded, taking the offered cup.

Juan could tell his cousin was deep in thought. “What troubles you, Isabella?”

She looked up and took a deep concerned breath. “I wonder if I am doing the right thing. I did not want to tell anyone, but I have received several letters, anonymous of course, telling me to stop this nonsense.”

Maria gasped quietly. “Why would anyone think this is nonsense?”

Isabella shrugged and tiredly pinched the bridge of her nose. “I do not know, Maria. I sometimes do not understand my own people.”

With that, they heard the Land Rover pull up. They were all shocked as Sean tumbled out and staggered against it. Juan jumped and ran to his side. He put an arm around his waist and Sean cried out in pain.

“What happened, Sean?” Juan asked.

Isabella was now at his other side, steering him toward the campsite. She looked up to see Mick running out of her tent.

“Geezus Christ,” she exclaimed. She was completely disoriented, her hair wild and disheveled.

“Help him to his tent, quickly,” Isabella ordered.

Mick took her place at Sean’s side. Isabella ran back to Mick’s tent to retrieve her bag.

They laid him gently on his cot and Sean let out a painful groan. Mick was shocked at his bloody face. “Sean, what the fuck happened?” she asked quickly.

Juan unbuttoned Sean’s shirt and cursed under his breath as he saw the bruises on his ribs.

“I dunno. I was asking the mayor about the men. I left and was waylaid,” he said angrily and shifted on the cot. “They told us to leave, Mick,” he said quickly.

“Leave? Why?” Mick frowned deeply. “Lie still, Dr. Rivera is here. She’ll take a look at you,” Mick said just as Isabella hurried in. She sat on the edge of the cot that Mick vacated.

“What has happened?” Isabella asked.

As Mick explained what happened, Sean interrupted her, “Mick. They called you a dyke, sis,” he said searching her face.

Mick raised an eyebrow. “How original,” she said, trying to keep the situation light. She heard the small chuckle from Isabella.

“No!” Sean said and shifted, trying to sit up. “Mick, how did he know?”

Juan was very confused. “Sean, I do not understand,” he said quietly.

“I do,” Mick said flatly. “Since we arrived, I told Sean I’d keep a low profile. This is a foreign country and I…well I didn’t want to offend anyone,” she said honestly and her brother nodded.

“So that is why you went all the way to Panama City?” Juan asked, nodding now in understanding.

Mick let out a rueful chuckle. “It didn’t matter, I offended the countrymen anyway.”

Isabella looked up and smiled. “We have settled that, no?”

Mick gave a sheepish nod. “Someone had to follow us, Sean,” Mick said.

“That’s what I think,” Sean said; he winced as Isabella examined the cut on his lip.

“Even as big as Panama City might be, we are still a small country. Word may travel fast, given that you are American.”

“What is happening?” Juan asked, shaking his head.

For a moment, there was a deafening silence.

“Get me hot water and soap,” Isabella ordered.

“I have it.” As both Juan and Mick started to leave, Maria came in with a bowl of steamy soapy water and a few cloths.

Mick stood over her younger brother who let out a painful groan as the doctor gently bathed his face.

Isabella looked up to see Mick offer a sympathetic grimace of pain, then the angry look flashed through her icy blue eyes. She had never seen eyes that blue or that angry.

“I need more light,” she ordered and Mick obeyed quickly. She ran and got the lantern and turned it up, brightly illuminating the area. She set it on the table.

“What else do you need? Tell me,” Mick nearly begged as she watched her brother who was now breathing heavily.

Isabella glanced up then concentrated once again on the patient. “I need you to go wait outside, Mick. You are of no use as you are right now.”

Mick glared down at her. “I’m not leaving my brother,” she said in a low firm voice.

Juan walked up to her and put an arm gently around her shoulders. “Come, Michaela, let the doctor do her job. She knows best right now. Come,” he said gently, but firmly.

Isabella saw the jaw flex in anger but Mick relented and allowed Juan to pull her out of the tent.

Mick paced back and forth, running her fingers through her hair casting a glance every now and then at the tent. In a half hour, Isabella walked out and zipped up the tent door. Mick was instantly at her side.

“He is asleep, Mick. He will be fine. I do not think anything is broken. I want him to go to the hospital in Panama City tomorrow for x-rays just to be sure,” she said in a kind voice.

Tears sprang into Mick’s eyes; she nodded unable to speak.

Isabella smiled and put a hand on her shoulder. “He will be fine. Just bruised. Now, you need to get back to your tent. It is late, you need sleep, Señorita Brennan.”

“You called me Mick before. Please cut the Señorita shit, okay?” she asked and smiled.

Isabella laughed. “
Sí
. You have a very colorful way of expressing yourself. Now, go…”

“I-I’m just gonna sit with him for a little while,” she said as her voice cracked.

Isabella tried to argue but saw the set, tensing jaw and sighed. “You are a stubborn one, Mick Brennan.
Sí
, but only for a few minutes.”

“
Gracias
,” Mick said softly.

Twenty minutes later, Isabella
walked into Sean’s tent and shook her head. Mick was sitting on a small chair, her hand resting on her brother’s shoulder; her head slumped down on the cot sound asleep.

Isabella gently walked up and placed a hand on her sunburned shoulder. “Mick,” she whispered and Mick blinked then rubbed her eyes. “Come now, you need sleep.”

Mick nodded, looked at her brother and kissed his forehead. “’Night, Seaneen,” she whispered. She realized how exhausted she was and allowed Isabella to help her to her tent.

“Maria and Juan?” she asked in a worried voice.

Isabella unzipped her tent and gently ushered her in. “They are fine, Mick. Do not worry. You need sleep,” she whispered and pulled back the netting.

Mick sat down on the large cot and sighed as she slipped off her shoes. Just as she was lying down, she stopped and her eyes flew open. “Where are you staying? You can’t drive back to Panama City now,” she asked firmly.

“I will drive to my mother’s home. It is in Los Rios and…”

“No way. Not after what happened to Sean. No. If you need to go, I’ll drive you. You are not driving alone.”

“Mick, I am a grown woman and this is my village…” she was interrupted once again.

Mick shook her head. She stood and walked over to the back of the tent and pulled out a sleeping bag and extra pillow. “You’re staying,” she said firmly.

Isabella opened her mouth to argue and once again saw the set jaw. “What is to prevent me from leaving, Señorita?” the doctor asked honestly.

Mick shrugged. “Nothing. I’ll just follow ya,” she countered evenly.

“I imagine you would. If you were not so near exhaustion, I would argue. “Okay.
Gracias
, I will take the floor.”

“Nope, you get the cot. I take the sleeping bag. House rules.”

“I do not understand, house rules,” Isabella said.

Mick laughed at the exasperated tone. “Am I bothering you?”

Isabella looked to the heavens. “No. You are annoying me, but you are not bothering me.”

Mick laughed again and laid the sleeping bag on the floor.

“Mick…”

“Shut up and go to bed, I’m pooped. No arguing. Good night, Dr. Rivera,” she said and opened the sleeping bag, spreading it on the floor.

“Do you always get your way?” Isabella watched as Mick tossed the pillow down onto the sleeping bag.

She turned to the doctor in thoughtful repose. “Yep, pretty much,” she said and grinned. “You sleep standing up?” she asked, raising an eyebrow. “No peeking.” She reached down and blew out the lantern.

“
Usted está loco
,” Isabella said as she lay on the cot.

Mick stifled a groan as she lay atop the sleeping bag. “I’ll take that as a compliment, though I heard the word
loco
in there.”

Isabella laughed and lay on her side. “
Dulces sueños
,” she whispered, watching Mick.

Mick put her hands behind her head and closed her eyes. “I have no idea what you said, but I hope the same for you.” She opened her eyes and looked at Isabella. “So I hope you weren’t swearing.”

Isabella grinned and cuddled the pillow. “No. I said sweet dreams.”

“Ahhh. Good. Then sweet dreams to you, too, Isabella.”

In a few moments, Mick looked over at Isabella. “Are you sleeping?” she whispered.

“
Sí
.”

Mick chuckled. “I just wanted to say I’m glad we’re getting along.”

“Me too. Go to sleep.”

“You’re doing a good thing here, Dr. Rivera.”

“And you were not going to call me doctor any longer.”

“What should I call you?” Mick asked; she rolled over on her side.

“Well, my name is Isabella,” she replied softly.

Mick grinned. “Isabella,” she repeated. “I like that. So shall it be.”

“Good. Now will you go to sleep?”

“Yes, ma’am. Goodnight,” Mick said. “Isabella.”

“Good night, Mick.”

Chapter 7

It was barely sunrise when Isabella woke the next morning. She glanced over and saw an empty sleeping bag. She slipped on her boots and met the humid morning. The sunrays were streaming through the tall trees, the tropical birds calling out their morning song. She smiled; how she loved this country. She gently sniffed the air and headed toward the wonderful aroma of coffee. The huge steaming pot beckoned her; picking up the towel, she poured herself her morning wake-up call.

Glancing around, she wondered where Mick had gone. Actually, she wondered where everyone was. The Land Rover was still there as was her own car. Then she walked over to Sean’s tent. Peering through the screen, she saw her. Mick once again sat next to her brother, absently running her fingers through his black hair.

“Go back to bed, you nag,” he mumbled and Mick laughed quietly. “I’m fine.”

“Anything feel busted? Isabella doesn’t think so—”

“Isabella?”

“But you’re going to the hospital anyway,” she assured him.

“Why?”

“’Cause she said so.”

“Since when do you listen to another woman?” He raised an eyebrow. “Or is it because she’s Isabella?”

“She’s a doctor, you jackass.”

“I’m fine,” he said again.

Mick grinned. “I don’t care, you’re going.”

“Dammit, I’m a grown man,” he reminded her.

“Since when?”

“Oh, shut up.”

“Make me,” she countered playfully.

“Bite me.”

“Ew!”

Isabella shook her head and walked away. “Americans,” she muttered as she drank her coffee.

*******

“
Buenos días
,” Mick said happily.

Isabella looked up from her coffee. “Good morning. You look rested.”

Mick stared at her, looking very confused. So much so Isabella thought something was wrong. “What is wrong? Are you not well?”

“Huh?” Mick shook her head. “Oh, no. I’m fine. You’re just so…nothing.” She walked over and poured herself a cup of coffee.

“I’m so what? Are you going to be insulting again?”

“No, no…”

“Then what is it?”

“You roll out of bed and look this good? You have natural beauty, Isabella. Free from the trappings of makeup and all that. That’s all.” She quickly drank her coffee and went on before Isabella could respond. “So, I’ll take my lamebrain brother to Panama City today, like you said.”

“Good, Mick. As I said, I do not think anything is broken. With all the work he is doing, we must be sure there isn’t something internal that I cannot see.”

“I get you. He’s grumbling but he’ll go.” She sat down next to Isabella. “I gotta figure out what’s going on and why someone would do this to Sean. Isabella, why do think this is happening?”

Isabella bit at her bottom lip and avoided Mick’s face.

“Okay, what’s up?”

“What is up? I do not understand.”

Mick rolled her eyes. “Yes, you do. You’re being a bit evasive. You’re hiding something.” She waited while Isabella drank her coffee. “Look, I know how important this project is. I want it completed but—”

“I do not want anyone hurt because if me,” Isabella said in a quiet voice.

Mick watched her with a kind smile. “No one is going to get hurt.”

“Your brother got beat up because of this,” she reminded Mick.

Mick dismissed the idea with a wave of her hand. “Sean’s been beat up before. It’s his personality. Now, listen. You started a good, noble thing here. And I’m going to finish it,” she said firmly then knelt in front of Isabella.

“You don’t know these people.”

“You don’t know the Brennans,” Mick countered. “We Irish are a pretty tough and stubborn lot. We don’t like being pushed around.”

Isabella met her eyes then and for a short while, they gazed at each other in silence.

“That was a nice moment.” Mick grinned then. “Now, I’m making breakfast. Yes, I can cook. And I think I’ll ask Maria to take Sean to Panama City so you can check him out. He’ll do whatever you say, trust me.”

“I believe you, Mick Brennan. You have a way of making people do as you want.” Isabella smirked, “And I will help you with breakfast.”

“Whew! I thought I’d have to beg you. You’re on…”

*******

Sean sat painfully erect in the examining room.

Isabella walked in and smiled. “How do you feel?”

“Fine, really. Can we get on with this, Doc? I wanna get back. Mick is alone with Juan and…”

Isabella put up her hand. “I understand. You Brennans are driving me
loco
,” she said and Sean laughed then held his side.

She held the x-rays up to the light. “Sean, your ribs are not broken but you will be very sore. I would tape you but it really would do no good. I know you won’t sit still but you have to be careful. Please tell me you will at least try?”

“I will at least try. I promise.” He bowed then winced as he held his side.

“You Brennans are truly
loco
.” She examined the cut on his brow. “No stitches. It will be fine. And your jaw is only bruised.”

Sean flexed his jaw. “Only…”

Isabella laughed. “You will live. Okay, you may go back.”

Just then, Maria poked a worried head in.

“Come in, Maria,” Isabella said, beckoning to her. “I was just telling Sean, as I suspected nothing is broken but badly bruised.” She washed her hands then dried them. “And I hope he will take it easy…”

“That will not happen,” Maria said, sadly.

“Well, there is hope,” Isabella said, tossing the paper towel into the basket.

“Do not worry, Isabella. Young Sean will behave,” she said firmly, glaring at Sean.

“I will, I will,” he said, holding his hands up in defeat.

*******

As they walked out to the car, Sean glanced up to see Isabella in a deep conversation with a very handsome man. Then the man lowered his head and kissed Isabella soundly. Sean watched for a moment then got into the Land Rover. He noticed Maria saw the exchange as well. As they drove out of the parking lot, Isabella had walked away from him.

Mick and Juan were just eating lunch when they returned.

“What’s the verdict? Brain surgery?” Mick asked, taking a long drink of water.

Sean laughed and explained, then gave a questioning glance to Maria who shrugged, then kissed Juan.

“What’s up?” Mick asked, looking back and forth between them.

Sean took a deep breath and then explained the exchange between Isabella and the man at the hospital.

“Really?” Mick asked lightly. Sean saw the slightly crestfallen look. “Well, hell Sean, why not? Good grief the woman is gorgeous. You should have gone for her while you had the chance,” she said chuckling. “I wonder why she was with Rita and the other women though.” She shrugged and looked at her brother who was smiling slightly. “Sean, get that puppy dog look off your homely face. When did you think I had a chance with the doctor? Before or
after
she slugged me?”

Both thought about it for a moment. Then, remembering the fateful night, they both burst into laughter. Sean leaned over and kissed her cheek. “I love ya, sis. We’ll go back to Panama City in a few weeks and paint the town,” he said with a wink.

“The Brennans are back, me boyo!” his sister declared in her Irish brogue.