So something was going on—something between Burke and Garrett. And until she knew what it was, she would be no more help to her husband than a child groping in the dark.

“Thanks for helping me make sense of this,” Allison said. “His daughter will be here a little later. I hope that seeing her will raise his spirits.”

“So do I. Meanwhile, do your best to keep him calm and quiet. Stress isn’t good for his body.”

“I’ll be here for as long as he needs me,” Allison said.

“Good. Call if you notice anything that doesn’t seem right.” The nurse turned and headed back toward her station.

Actually, nothing seemed right, Allison thought. It was as if Garrett and Burke were locked in some kind of power struggle; and Garrett seemed as eager to involve her as Burke was to keep her in the dark.

But whether she liked it or not, she was already involved. If Burke wouldn’t tell her what was going on, maybe Garrett would.

When Allison stepped back into Burke’s room again, she found that he’d gone back to sleep. His breathing was deep and even, his vitals stable. Relieved, she stood by his bed for a moment, her eyes tracing the chiseled lines of his face. This was the man who’d vowed to cherish and protect her to the end of his life; the man who’d thrilled her with his loving and provided her with every material thing she could possibly have wished for.

But what had she given him in return? Was it enough? Or was he still mourning his beloved Kate? Was she really what his friends called her—his trophy wife, with nothing to offer but youth and looks?

Leaving him, she walked down the hall to the visitors’ lounge and chose a popular women’s magazine from the rack. Back in his room, she settled in the chair by the bed and leafed through the pages, seeing mostly ads and celebrity photos. Her mind wandered back to the day Burke had walked into her little Capitola gallery to buy a silver charm for his daughter. She’d been attracted to him at once. The man had exuded power and self-confidence. But what had drawn her to him was the glimpsed vulnerability, the loneliness in his deep blue eyes. They’d started talking. He’d invited her on a dinner date that had lasted until the next morning. By then they’d become close. He made her feel treasured and protected, but also needed.

The connection between them had been instantaneous, deep, hot, and strong enough to get them through a long-distance courtship, ending in a proposal.