the Third Secret

FIFTY

MEDJUGORJE, BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA

11:00 A.M.

Katerina sat beside the bed and kept watch over Michener. The vision of him being carried into the hospital unconscious was still fresh in her mind, and she now knew what the loss of this man would mean.

She hated herself even more for deceiving him. She was going to tell Michener the truth. Hopefully, he’d forgive her. She hated herself for agreeing to Valendrea’s requests. But maybe she’d needed prodding since her pride and anger could have otherwise prevented her from ever rediscovering Michener. Their first encounter in the piazza three weeks ago had been a disaster. Valendrea’s overtures had clearly made things easier, but it didn’t make it right.

Michener’s eyes blinked open.

“Colin.”

“Kate?” He was trying to focus.

“I’m here.”

“I hear you, but I can’t see you. It’s like looking underwater. What happened?”

“Lightning. It struck the cross on the mountain. You and Jasna were too close.”

He reached up and rubbed his brow. His fingers gently probed the scrapes and cuts. “She okay?”

“Seems to be. She was out, like you. What were you doing there?”

“Later.”

“Sure. Here, take some water. The doctor said you need to drink.” She brought a cup to his lips and he sucked a few sips.

“Where am I?”

“A local infirmary the government operates for the pilgrims.”

“They say what’s wrong with me?”

“No concussion. Just too close to a lot of voltage. Any closer and you’d both be dead. Nothing’s broken, but you’ve got a nasty lump and a gash on the back of your head.”

The door opened and a middle-aged, bearded man entered. “How’s the patient doing?” he asked in English. “I’m the doctor who treated you, Father. How do you feel?”

“Like an avalanche rolled over me,” Michener said.

“Understandable. But you’ll be okay. A small cut, but no skull cracks. I’d recommend a complete exam when you get back home. Actually, considering what happened, you were pretty lucky.”

After a quick look and a little more advice the doctor left.

“How’d he know I was a priest?”

“I had to identify you. You scared the hell out of me.”

“What about the conclave?” he asked. “Have you heard anything?”

“Why am I not surprised that’s the first thing on your mind.”

“You’re not interested?”

Actually she was curious. “There was no news an hour ago.”

She reached out and clasped his hand. He turned his head toward her and said, “I wish I could see you.”

“I love you, Colin.” She felt better having said it.

“And I love you, Kate. I should have told you that years ago.”

“Yes, you should.”

“I should have done a lot of things differently. I only know that I want my future to include you.”

“And what of Rome?”

“I’ve done all that I said I would. I’m through with that. I want to go to Romania, with you.”

Her eyes watered. She was glad he couldn’t see her crying. She swiped away the tears. “We’ll do good there,” she said, trying to keep her voice from quivering.

He tightened his grip on her hand.

And she cherished the feeling.