“The only way this will turn into a tragedy is if you allow guilt to taint your life. As Captain Ortiz said, you’re a very important man. Besides all your many business connections, thousands of people depend on you for their livelihood. You mustn’t let this eat at you.
“If there’s anyone to feel sorry for, it’s Juanita Rosario. She’s the one who’s in mourning, but I’m confident a new baby will help her to get over Richard. Now that I’m in possession of all the facts, I think I know why he pretended to be married before he came down here.”
While they’d been talking, Ben had finished his breakfast. He pushed himself away from the table and got to his feet. She sensed he was waiting for her explanation.
“Richard always liked women, but couldn’t bear commitment. It probably saved him a lot of grief to tell Juanita he was married so she wouldn’t have expectations he couldn’t fulfill.”
Ben nodded. “That thought had crossed my mind.” She heard him expel a deep sigh. “Tell you what—I promise not to feel guilty anymore if you’ll let me help you plan a memorial service for him.”
“I’d love that,” she said emotionally.
A gleam of satisfaction entered his incredible gray eyes. “Good.”
“The only thing is, Mom and I already talked about it. We think it should be held in Spearfish where he was born. She’s been making the arrangements.”
“That makes perfect sense. I’ll contact the captain of my company jet and we’ll fly to South Dakota in the morning. By then the weather will be better.”
“Are you sure you can leave when you’re this close to setting sail?”
His features hardened. “A man died under my watch. Anything else will have to be put on hold until he’s had a proper service.”
“Thank you,” she whispered.
Terri had felt a bond with this man from the beginning. Now she knew why.
She’d fallen in love with him.
It had happened without any volition on her part. What she felt for him was so all-consuming, she was in literal pain. Somehow Ben Herrick had
stormed her heart, changing the tenor of her life forever.
Terrified he would divine her secret, she jumped up from the chair and started putting everything back on the tray. “Since you’re still recuperating, now might be the best time for the surprise I’ve had planned for you.”
His lips twitched. Apparently her comment had pleased him. “Does it have to do with food?”
“I realize the thought of a big juicy steak never leaves your mind, but no— This is something entirely different. You have to lie down first.”
In a few long strides he reached the bed which had already been made up by someone in housekeeping. Once he’d settled back on top of the quilt, he flashed her a wicked smile. In navy sweats, he looked irresistible.
“How did you know I’ve been praying you’d give me another leg massage?”
Heat scorched her cheeks. “Wrong again.”
While he sat there scrutinizing her every move, she turned on the TV and VCR, then pressed play.
Pretty soon she heard him chuckle as The Mummy flashed on the screen. It had Spanish subtitles.
“As long as there’s a storm outside, I thought this might be the perfect way to pass the time.”
He eyed her for a long moment. “It will be perfect if you’ll bring us some chocolate ice cream and join me.”
Terri didn’t need to be asked twice. She disappeared into the kitchen and fixed two heaping bowls for them. When she returned, he patted the side of the bed next to him.
Her heart skipped a beat as she handed him one of the bowls. Much as she would have loved to nestle close to him, she opted for the chair and began eating.
While he was absorbed with the movie, Terri was absorbed with him. When the phone rang, she noticed his dark brows furrow in displeasure. Maybe something was wrong aboard the ship. He put his spoon down and reached for the receiver with his free hand.
Realizing the TV could interfere with his conversation, she rushed over to the machines and turned them off. But she needn’t have bothered because he’d already hung up.