Inamorata (5 page)

Chapter 8

“Señorita Mick, Sean is getting up,” Zeke, the spy, whispered in her ear.

Mick was sweating, the hammer poised over her head. The other workers, laughed to themselves. Mick thought she heard one mutter ‘mother hen’ but chose to ignore them. She needed all the workers she could get. She looked up to see Sean holding his side as he walked out of his tent.

“What are you doing?” she asked loudly.

Sean looked up and glared at both of them. He slowly made his way to them. “I have to take a piss. Is that all right?” he growled angrily.

Mick grinned and nodded. “Need any help?” she offered and batted her eyes. Zeke giggled and put a hand to his mouth.

“Traitor,” Sean mumbled to the little boy and walked away.

“My man, get me another bucket of nails, will you?” Mick asked.

Zeke ran to his task. Mick grinned. She really liked this little kid. She ought to meet his grandmother, just to let her know where he was all the time.

The little boy came back, grunting. He set it down and knelt next to his friend.

“Thanks,” she said absently and continued nailing the boards in place. She was aware that he was watching her intently. She sat back on her heels and wiped the sweat off her face. Zeke ran to get her a bottle of water. Then knelt next to her eying her tool belt. Mick smiled inwardly as she drank the water. “I haven’t done this much work in years,” she said tiredly. Most of the men were taking a break, sitting under the trees and eating.

“That is because you are a woman, not a man like me,” he said proudly.

Mick raised an eyebrow then chuckled quietly. “That must be it, my man,” she said. She then handed him the hammer. Zeke’s eyes widened as he looked from the hammer to this friend and back again.

“Go ahead, I’ll show you what to do.”

In a few minutes, Zeke was hammering the nails as Mick instructed.

*******

Isabella pulled down the now paved narrow road. She was shocked to see how far along they had come. The foundation had been poured and set. The frame of her little clinic was being prepared.

Tears welled in her eyes as she got out of her jeep. Maria smiled as she walked up to her, hugging her in an affectionate embrace.

“I am amazed, Maria,” she said through her tears.

Maria nodded. “Mick is a miracle worker. In all my life, I have never seen her this driven. Juan is amazed as well. We have gone through so many workers we never thought we would get this far. She works night and day. Sean is impatient to get back to work but Mick watches him like a hawk.”

“When did you finish the road?”

“Yesterday. It was to be finished two days ago. When the company did not appear, Mick was so angry she jumped in her jeep and took off to Panama City.”

“Really? She came to the city…?” Isabella stopped. “Why did she did not come to see me at the hospital on her visit?” She chuckled then, aware of Maria curiously watching her. “That was selfish of me. I know how busy she is...”

“Whatever she said, it worked. They came out and were soon finished,” Maria said and shook her head. “She is a wonder, that Michaela.”

“Michaela…That is a strange name.”

“It was her grandmother’s name. Her parents were born in Ireland, immigrated just before Michaela was born,” Maria said as both women watched Mick and little Zeke hammering away.

“She has the little one working.” Isabella chuckled as they watched.

With that, the little boy looked up and grinned wildly as he waved to her. He pointed to his hammer and nodded happily. Isabella nodded and waved back. He then dashed over to her side with hammer in hand.

“Doctor Rivera! Look, I am helping Señorita Mick. She teaches me how to hammer the nail. I, too, am building your clinic!” he exclaimed.

Isabella squatted down and pulled him into her arms in a fierce hug. “
Muchas gracias, mi amigo
,” she whispered sincerely and kissed his cheek. For a moment, the little boy clung to her. For a moment, he did not let go. When he did, Isabella whispered, “What is it, Zeke?”

“Nothing. You smell of the perfume of my grandmother,” he said with a shrug. He clung to her once again.

Maria watched the little boy cling to Isabella. Tears stung her eyes as she wiped them away. “Come now, Ezekiel. It is time for lunch. Go, tell Mick to stop for a while,” Maria urged, and Zeke grinned and took off to get his friend.

“He is a very special boy,” Isabella whispered as she watched him give Mick the order. Mick nodded and wiped the sweat off her face but continued. Both women laughed as the little tyrant stood there, hands on hips and waited.

Mick nailed a few boards and Zeke tapped his foot. “Okay, Okay. Geez,” they heard her growl as she stood and stretched her back. She took off the heavy tool belt and Zeke took it, groaning. Mick laughed and took it away from him as they walked over to the table. Sean was busy with the blueprints and Mick stood next to him as he pointed out various problems.

Isabella watched the brother and sister. Mick was completely drenched with sweat. A red bandana tied around her head stopped the perspiration from running into her eyes.  She took a long drink from the water bottle then poured it over her head. Isabella watched the muscles flex in her arms and observed Mick was no longer sunburned but wonderfully tanned. She wore a gray tank top, saturated with sweat and a pair of cargo shorts and work boots. Isabella could see the icy blue eyes sparkling as Mick laughed with her brother.

Sean looked up and waved the doctor over to them. “Doc! Come here we need your input,” he called out.

“
Buenas tardas
, my friends. You are amazing,” she exclaimed happily. “I hope you are well, Sean.”

“
Gracias
, Doc. I’m very well. Thanks to mother hen over here,” he said and motioned to his sister, who playfully smacked the back of his head.

“Isabella, you look well,” Mick said kindly. “We need your opinion, since this is your clinic. Where would you like your office?” she asked, grinning.

Isabella had never thought of that. Her only thought was getting the clinic built. “I am not sure…”

“Well, if you don’t mind, I thought right here,” Mick continued and took the pencil from Sean, pointing to the spot on the drawing.

Isabella looked at the drawing. “I am sorry. This makes no sense to me.” She blinked in confusion.

Mick understood and took the drawing off the table. “Come with me,” she said and led Isabella over to the site. She held up the blueprints while Isabella stood next to her, shoulder to shoulder.

“Now, here are three examining rooms. As you stated, we, uh, you, only needed three small rooms. Here is the emergency room and the small operating room, as you requested,” Mick went on professionally, pointing out the various areas.

Isabella tried to get a mental picture but could not. She looked at the cement foundation. “It looks so big,” she said in awe as she looked around.

Mick nodded. “Yes, but once we get more of the frame going you’ll see. It will be exactly as you visualized,” she promised sincerely.

Isabella looked into her blue eyes. “How do you know what I visualized?”

“Well, I just took what you wanted and how you talked about it. I guess I just figured this is what you visualized.”

Isabella smiled and nodded. “It was exactly how I visualized it.”

“Good. Now, Doctor Rivera. Where the heck do you want your office?” Mick asked playfully.

Isabella grinned as a child filled with anticipation. She was aware of Mick’s smile while she waited for Isabella. “Well…I would like to be able to see the sunset,” she said in a small, hopeful voice.

Mick nodded. “Done,” she said and rolled up the plans.

Isabella frowned as she walked back to the campsite with Mick. “That is it?” she asked.

“Yep.” Mick nodded and rolled out the blueprints and shooed her brother out of the chair. She placed the rocks on the corners and smiled remembering Zeke’s helpful hand. Sean groaned and walked away, after kissing his sister’s head.

Taking the ruler, pencil and the other tools of her trade, Mick got to work. Suddenly, she seemed oblivious to all around her.

Sean walked up to Isabella and put a hand under her elbow. “She’s in another world right now, Doc. She can’t ever hear you,” he assured her as he led her away.

“The meal is ready, but I am sure Michaela is not. Take this to her anyway, Ezekiel.” Maria handed the plate to the little boy who happily complied.

“Thanks, my man,” Mick said absently as she worked.

An hour later, she was finished and her meal untouched. She tossed down the pencil and tiredly rubbed her face. She then took the blueprints and walked over to the cement foundation. Pacing off the correct distance, she then turned and paced again.

Isabella watched in awe as Mick grinned, and called her over. She stood next to Mick, looking toward the western sky.

“This is your office. Right here will be a huge window.” She motioned to the empty space. “Close your eyes,” she whispered. Isabella complied as Mick continued, “Picture the sun just setting. The last of the sunlight is shining on your lov…on your face as you watch. You are happy because you have done a good day’s work, helping the people of Los Rios and the other villages. Your mind is at peace as the sun sets behind the mountain.”

Isabella actually sighed at the vision behind her closed eyes. Mick was passionate and romantic and she wondered how she had no one in her life. She opened her eyes then. “
Magnifico
,” she whispered, looking at the open space and the mountains in the distance.

She then looked over at Mick who had a look that Isabella was not ready to understand or at the very least, accept. She cleared her throat and Mick blinked.

“Well then. I’d better get back to work,” Mick said in a coarse voice. 

For an instant, they looked at each other.  “It is a good beginning, Mick.
Gracias companero
,” she whispered kindly.

Mick sported a genuine smile and winked. “
Da nada
, Doctor.”

Chapter 9

Sean and Mick stood in Sean’s tent. They were the picture of dejection as they watched the tropical rain that was coming down in sheets. “Shit,” she muttered and ripped off her soaked bandana.

“Ditto, sis. Man, it came fast,” he said amazed as he gazed at the sky. “It’s so frickin’ humid.”

“But it’s so beautiful and peaceful,” she admitted in a dreamy voice.

“Beautiful? This mosquito-infested, humid forest? Are ya nuts? God, I miss the smell of exhaust. And I have yet to find a joint that can make a decent hot dog,” he said seriously and flopped down on his cot. He watched his sister. Her hands were in the pockets of her work shorts and she was smiling as she watched the rain. “You really love it here, don’t you?”

Mick nodded. “I do. At first, I felt like you do. But now, I don’t know. I love the people. I love the heat and the humidity. Don’t you love the birds in the morning?”

He gave his sister a disturbed look. “Birds? You mean that constant cawing I hear at four a.m.?”

Mick laughed and looked out the tent door once again. “Well, we’re getting nothing done today. Juan and Maria are safely snuggling in their tent. Let’s go into Los Rios and have a drink,” she announced.

Sean flew off the bed. “Now you’re talking,” he agreed and grabbed the keys.

They sat in the same little bar listening to the same whirring of the ceiling fan. The old, rotund bartender scratched his beard and yawned. “Are you hungry? Theresa will prepare you something…”

As they were about to order the door opened and in walked Isabella. She smiled as she wiped the rain off her face. “I knew that was your car out there. Do not tell me a little rain has stopped the Brennan family?” she asked, smiling, and both siblings laughed as they took their beer to a table.

Mick pulled out a chair for her. “It’s too much for Sean.”

Isabella laughed as the owner placed a beer in front of her.

“This is not a little rain,” Sean said seriously. 

Mick clapped him on the back before she sat next to Isabella. “Now, Seaneen,” she started in her Irish brogue. “It’s a fine soft day, it tis. Don’t be a wiener.”

Isabella hid her grin, and Sean glared at his sister. In the corner of the bar, they noticed two men watching them. They said something to each other and both men laughed. One of them eyed Isabella and raised his eyebrow. Sean and Mick saw it, and Mick put her hand on Sean’s thigh.

“Skip it, brother,” she whispered.

Sean relaxed but Isabella stiffened as she sipped her drink.

The two men started to talk again and Mick’s head shot up when she heard the word ‘
puta
’ again. What is it with that word? Mick thought angrily.

Isabella reached over gently to touch Mick’s hand. “They are not speaking of me, Mick,” she whispered.

Sean was livid. “Well, I understand more of the conversation than you, Mick.”

“What the hell are they saying?” Mick angrily asked her brother.

“They’re talking about the three women in Panama City. I think they’re trying to get a rise out of us, sis. Don’t pay any attention.”

All three concentrated on their drinks. When the men knew they were being ignored, one snorted rudely. “Doctor Rivera, why do you help the
puta
in the city? They deserve to be diseased. Leave the whores to die.”

Now Isabella’s nostrils flared in anger. She was so angry she spoke in Spanish.

Mick’s eyes widened, not knowing what in the hell she was saying but the angry doctor intimidated her nonetheless. She sat there slack-jawed and speechless.

Whatever Isabella said, Sean winced at her vehemence. “Oh, boy,” he whispered his warning to his older sister.

“What? What’s she saying?” Mick asked as she watched the tirade.

“Ya don’t want to know,” Sean whispered out of the corner of his mouth.

When the lovely doctor was finished, a thin sheen of perspiration covered her caramel skin. Both men were shocked by whatever it was she said.

The bartender came out of the kitchen upon hearing the loud outburst. He glared at the two men. “
Bamanos
!” he barked and picked up a baseball bat. Both men then slugged down their drinks and glared at the table as they left.

Mick was still watching Isabella who was huffing like a steam engine. Both the bartender and Sean burst into laughter. Mick grinned but didn’t know what the hell was going on.

“What? What?” she asked, and Dr. Rivera shook her head and grinned.

“
Nada
, Mick. It was nothing,” she assured her as she sat down.

The bartender came over and put a bottle of tequila on the table.

“On the house. Any woman who can talk like that deserves to eat the worm!” he announced. “I will get your dinner.”

Mick grimaced and watched as Isabella poured three glasses. “Um, you’re not really going to eat the worm. Are you?” she asked cautiously. Isabella raised a challenging eyebrow then took a long drink.

One hour and half a bottle of premium tequila later, Sean’s head was on the table, just missing his empty plate.

“The boy can’t drink. So, where was I?” Mick asked happily and poured another drink. She was now sitting backward on the chair, her long legs straddling the seat.

Isabella rested her chin on her hand. “We were talking of lost loves, Mick.”

“Ah yes… So, tell me your story, Dr. Rivera,” Mick asked and leaned in. She too rested her chin on her hand; leaning on the back of the old wooden chair.

Isabella ran her fingertips around the rim of her glass. “My story is not much interesting,” she whispered, staring at the glass.

“Tell me, please,” Mick said. “Please.”

She looked into Mick’s captivating blue eyes and began. For some reason, Mick was easy to talk to. Perhaps it was the sincerity on the handsome face; perhaps it was the tequila. Whatever the reason, she told her story for the first time to a relative stranger.

“I was in love with Hector Ramirez. He was tall, dark, and very handsome. I was seventeen and he was much older. He said he loved me, and I believed him. He said he would marry me, and I believed him. But he did not. He left me pregnant and alone in Panama City. My parents would not take me back. I had no choice. I stayed in Panama and decided to have my baby. But God was not looking at me with much favor. My poor baby was stillborn, and I was once again alone. Too ashamed to go back; too scared to go forward, I stayed. For one year, Mick, I lived with the women who sold themselves for money,” she whispered and Mick blinked a few times. Isabella never made eye contact. “I needed money and fell into the wrong line of business,” she laughed genuinely. “I was not a good whore, Mick. I made no money there. However, I made very, very good money cooking and cleaning.” She stopped and frowned deeply. “Cooking and cleaning for the very men who used my friends. So, I was just as much a whore as they were.”

“Please don’t call yourself that,” Mick whispered as her emotions caught in her throat.

“It is true,” the doctor said softly, staring at her glass. “They sold their bodies for money to men who treated them horribly, and I cleaned their houses and cooked their meals.”

“You were young and scared and alone,” Mick said softly. Then instinctively she reached over and took the elegant hand in her own. Both women said nothing as they stared at their hands. Mick was amazed at the warmth that spread throughout her body as she caressed Isabella’s soft hand.

“What happened?”

“I saw the conditions in which these women worked. Saw the carelessness and disease. It was then, when I was eighteen, I decided to take the money I had and become a doctor. Twelve years later, and many loans, here I am.”

Mick’s mind raced back to the night of their meeting. “So, that’s what you were doing that night?” she asked as her brother mumbled something. Mick absently took her jacket and rolled it up. She gently lifted her brother’s head and slipped the jacket underneath; replacing said head.

“I treat them and the homeless in Panama City. The women come to me once every two months. I tell them never have sex with a man who does not wear a condom. Sometimes, they listen. Sometimes they do not. I had just finished with my examination. I was done for the evening and wanted to unwind a bit. The Red Sunset was a familiar place. Then, you appeared,” she said and hid her grin in her glass.

Mick cleared her throat and took a drink. She started to explain again, but decided not to beat the horse that was already dead, and buried.

“So you never married?” Mick asked.

“No, I never met another who wanted my heart. My body?
Sí
, but not my heart.”

Mick watched her for a moment. “Someday you will. You’re young and attractive. Some smart guy will come along and see the whole package,” she assured her.

The doctor cocked her head. “Whole package?”

Mick laughed. “All of you. Your body, heart, and soul, Doctor Rivera. Someday some guy will see all of you and fall in love, with all of you. You have passion and compassion. You have a heart and soul. Give it to someone, someone who’ll appreciate you,” Mick said earnestly and then smacked her lips together. “Geez, I should not drink tequila.”

Isabella laughed and finished her drink. “Come, we should go. Sean looks like he could use his cot.”

The bartender help Mick get her brother safely into the passenger’s side of the Land Rover. It had stopped raining and as Mick started to walk Isabella to her car, they noticed all four tires were flat.

“Must have been those jackasses from the bar.” Mick quickly looked around in the darkness. “C’mon. I’ll take you home,” she said quickly and took Isabella by the elbow.

“No, Mick. It is not far, I will walk.”

“Are you nuts? There is no way in hell you’re walking anywhere in the dark. Shit, woman. Someone just flattened your tires. No. Either I take you to your mother’s or you come back to the site with me.”

Isabella hesitated, biting at her bottom lip.

“C’mon, you’re coming with me,” Mick ordered and hopped into the Land Rover after pushing Isabella into the backseat.

Of course, it started raining as they pulled onto the newly paved road leading to the site.

“Go to my tent!” Mick ordered.

Isabella seemed stunned as she watched Mick hoist her brother over one shoulder and stagger to his tent.

Isabella dashed to Mick’s tent and stood in the middle dripping wet.

Outside Juan poked his head out. “Michaela? Is everything all right?”

“Yeah! Dr. Rivera is with us. She’s staying, so don’t worry,” Mick yelled across the campsite. She planned to run for it but was so soaked it didn’t matter. She quickly walked into the dark tent and zipped up the front.

As she turned, she bumped into the doctor. Mick instinctively put her hands under  Isabella’s elbows to steady her. When Isabella placed her hands on Mick’s wet shoulders it took every muscle fiber in Mick’s body not to kiss the lips she knew had to be soft. In the darkness, Mick could only hear her breathing.

“Man, that came down fast,” she said lightly and walked around Isabella. She quickly found the lantern.

After she lit it, she rummaged through her makeshift dresser acutely aware Isabella watched her the entire time. “Good thing we’re the same size. You can borrow a T-shirt and shorts and get out of those wet clothes.” Mick found the appropriate sleeping apparel and turned back to see Isabella watching her, her arms folded across her body. Again, Mick was amazed at her beauty. She handed Isabella the clothes.

“
Gracias
,” she mumbled softly.

“
Da nada
,” Mick said. “I’m slowly getting the hang of the language.”

“Knowing two words is not exactly getting the hang of it, Mick.”

Mick laughed. “You’re right. Oh, hold on a minute.” She walked toward the back of the tent.

Isabella watched with curiosity as Isabella came back with a length of rope and a blanket. Mick methodically tied one end to the middle support post of the tent.

“I am a brilliant architect, Dr. Rivera,” she said absently then walked the rope past the cot and tied it off at the top loop by the tent entrance.

Isabella continued to grin as Mick whistled while she worked. To her surprise, Mick tossed the blanket over the extended rope.

“
Viola
! Instant privacy,” Mick exclaimed proudly.

Isabella clapped softly and Mick took the obligatory bow.

“You are a good architect. However, I would feel better if you let me sleep on the floor,” she said sincerely.

Mick grinned. “No,” she said and shooed her behind the blanket.

The doctor scowled slightly. “One day you will do as I wish,” she said seriously from behind the blanket.

Mick laughed as she struggled out of her wet clothes. She usually slept naked but that thought went right out the window. She quickly slipped into a tank top and boxers, hanging her dripping clothes over the chair.

She actually sighed with contentment as she eased herself down and stretched out on top of the sleeping bag. It was much too hot to be under any covers tonight.