Nico had returned with the towel while she was still busy with her patient’s arm, and without any further direction had wrapped it around his friend’s ankle. Now she pulled it back, just to check that it had helped to reduce the swelling, and was pleased by what she found.

It took only a few minutes more to wrap the ankle, but the poor man was shaky and pale by the time she was done. If only she had some way of dulling his pain.

“Perhaps a few sips of grappa?” Father Bernardi offered, as if reading her mind.

“What a good idea. But some water first, please. You too, Nico.”

“Very well.” Crouching beside the bed, he grinned at his friend. “You bore up well.”

“Easy enough with your wife as nurse.”

“I’m going to help Nina tidy all of this away, and I’ll bring the grappa with me when I come back.”

“Thank you, signora,” his friend whispered, his smile wan.

“You’re very welcome. I’ll be back tomorrow to check on you.”

In the kitchen she busied herself with disinfecting the basin, tweezers, and scissors while Nico sorted out the rectory’s first-aid box. He was finished before the kettle had boiled, so occupied himself by standing behind her and depositing kisses on her temples and the tips of her ears.

“We have to move on tonight,” he whispered, his breath tickling pleasantly against her ear.

She nodded, swallowing back her disappointment, and it was a minute or more before she found her voice again. “He won’t be able to walk. Not without crutches.”

“He’ll have help. Don’t worry.”

“You’re going with him?”

“Yes.” He took hold of her shoulders and turned her to face him. “What is it?”

She looked up, her eyes fixed on the scattered freckles that adorned his nose, and tried to smile. “I know you have to go.”

“I overheard a little of what you and Father Bernardi were saying. I don’t want you to worry.”

At last she met his searching gaze. “How can I not? I love you, and that means I fear for you. But I also trust you, and I know you won’t take foolish risks.” She stepped into his arms and pressed her ear to his chest, memorizing the steady rumble of his heartbeat. “How long . . . ?”

“Until I’m home? A week, maybe a little longer. But I will come back to you. I promise I will. And then you will worry no more.”

Chapter 18

The promised week passed, and still Nico did not return, and it was hard, at times, to remember his promise. To remember how certain he’d been that he would come home to her.