“Oh, thank you, but I don’t know,” Marion sighed with regret. “I really need to sleep.”
“Understandable; however, it would be a terrible shame if you were to miss this, mademoiselle. You are travelling with the Red Cross, and I can guarantee that there will be nothing like this where you are headed.”
Upstairs, Marion slid her key into the lock and sighed with delight when she saw the luxury within. The room was relatively small, but the furnishings were elegant. Not that it mattered. She just planned to sleep.
“It’s lovely, Daniel. Oh, uh, thank you. You can put the bag there. I’ll deal with it later.”
“Remember, there’s no rush,” he told her, setting it on the floor beside a huge armoire. “Sleep all night if you want. They’ll be here to pick us up around noon.”
“What about dinner? Do you think we’ll make it?”
“Tell you what. First one awake knocks on the other one’s door.”
Almost giddy with exhaustion, she gave him a sheepish smile. “I may sleep right through your knock.”
“That’s all right. I’ll save you some if I can.”
The bed promised oblivion. She kicked off her boots and sank happily into the crisp white sheets without getting undressed, having no idea and not caring when she might wake up. When she awoke after a few hours, it took a moment for her to recall where she was, then she flung the covers back and got to her feet, feeling refreshed and bubbling with curiosity. Marion Hart was in Saigon, Vietnam.
Moving quickly and hoping she hadn’t missed Daniel’s knock, she washed up then pulled a simple dress and shoes from her suitcase. She stopped in front of the mirror, checking her hair and makeup, and wondered for the hundredth time what she was doing there. She didn’t even know what time it was, either here or in Toronto. What would she be doing right now athome, assuming it was sometime after work? Probably sitting on the couch with Chester, reading one of Sassy’s books. Maybe Sassy was sitting with him now instead. She’d been very happy to welcome the cat to her apartment, and he had seemed satisfied as well. The two had always gotten along well.
There was a knock on her door, and Marion’s heart jumped. Daniel waited in the hallway, dressed plainly in brown trousers and a white shirt. He’d cleaned up and slicked his hair back.
“Good. You’re awake. Ready?”
“You’re just in time,” she said. “I’m famished.”
They stepped into the hallway, and she locked her door behind her. When she turned, he was standing with his hands in his pockets, smiling down at her.
“We’ve never had dinner together before,” he said.
“This is definitely the farthest I have ever gone for a date.”
He opened his elbow with invitation, and she slipped her arm through, failing to contain her wide grin as they made their way to the restaurant. The opulence of the room was beyond anything she could have imagined, and she smiled with thanks as the maître d’ slid in her chair.
“This is incredible,” she said, taking everything in. “I’m so glad he recommended we come for dinner.”
Daniel nodded, leaning back in his chair. He looked completely relaxed. For a moment, she couldn’t look away. How far he had come from that furious, trapped animal, shackled to his bed in that tiny hospital cell. On the day he’d rescued Sassy from Big John, she had been concerned by how dirty and withdrawn he was. Today, he was strong and alive, almost youthful in his contentment.
“You look so happy,” she marvelled.
“How could I be anything but? For the longest time I thought my life was over. Now look at me.” His gaze was direct enough to melt her. “I have everything I want.”
Heat rushed up her neck, and she fumbled for the menu. “Lobster thermidor!” she cried, changing the subject as fast as she could. “I’ve never had lobster!”
“I used to fish for lobster.” He shuddered. “I do not miss the Atlantic. In that water, you freeze before you get a chance to drown.”
“That’s awful.”
“You should get the lobster. Get whatever you want, Marion. Like the man said, we’re not going to see food like this for a long time.”
“Do you want to get some wine?”
His brow lifted. “Why not? A bottle of white, to go with your lobster?”
Her nerves began to calm while she was eating her salad. “I am still stunned that I’m here. And that you’re with me.”
“Here in Vietnam? You’re living life in a big way, Doc.”
