The Fountains of Silence(107)

Daniel nods and hands the photo back to Ana, struggling to make sense of it all. How did this happen? “If it’s okay with you, I’d like to speak to my father, to see what he knows.”

“Sí, I understand.”

There’s a part of Daniel that wishes she hadn’t told him, not yet, that they could have vanished inside their reunion and enjoyed one blissful day together. But there’s another part of him that feels overjoyed to share this connection with her. He’d tried so hard to manage his expectations, but the moment he saw Ana in the Sorolla courtyard, his heart exploded.

Ana bites her lip. “Your mind is racing. Are you angry?” she asks.

“No, I’m not angry. I’m just shocked. And selfishly, I’m worried this might be the only reason you wanted to see me.”

Ana takes his face in her hands. “No. As I said, I’ve wanted you for years. I didn’t know the truth until yesterday. Nick phoned after seeing Cristina at the airport. He was rattled and said he had seen a ghost. He felt certain you knew something was awry, that you could tell his behavior was odd.”

“Nick’s behavior has always been odd.”

“Only because we tried to stay silent. Silence warps everything. I can accept if there’s silence around us, but not between us. Not anymore, Daniel. So I had to tell you right away. But I promise, this is not why I wanted to see you. I wanted to see you”—she leans in close—“because I want to be with you and I hope you might feel the same.”

She wants to be with him. Ana runs her fingers across his back. Her touch is both soothing and stirring. It pulls things into focus. He thinks of Fuga and their handshake in the cemetery.

If someone had told him that he could have Ana but it would be complicated—he wouldn’t have cared. The endless days and nights on assignment, looking into the sky for her. And now she’s right beside him. Her head is on his shoulder. Her hand is washing across his back. Who cares if it’s complicated. Life is complicated. He lost his mom, he lost his career, he lost Ben, and for eighteen years he lost the woman he loved. But being with her now has brought everything close again. He hears Ben strike a match.

This is your time, Dan. Grab it and run. Do the stuff you see in the movies. It’s the stuff no one gets to do. But you can do it, Matheson. I don’t want you calling me in ten years whining that you should have done this and should have done that. As the saying goes, it’s later than you think.

He turns to face Ana. He kisses her. He kisses her again, holding her close and summoning his every strand of strength to remain decent in public.

“Do you want to meet her?” he finally whispers. “She’s a beautiful, strong woman.” He smiles. “Like you.”





142



Ana and Daniel wait outside the Prado.

“Let’s try to remain casual. Nick told her I was meeting Tom Collins.”

“The man with lots of ice,” laughs Ana.

“I’m glad you’re laughing. My stomach is in knots. Maybe we shouldn’t hold hands. Cristina will be confused.” Their hands reluctantly separate. Ana steps slightly apart.

“There she is,” gasps Ana, her voice catching. “Dios Mío, she’s beautiful!”

Cristina appears on the stairs of the Prado with Nick and Ruth. She wears a green halter dress with leather platform sandals. Nick spots Daniel in the crowd and gives a wave.

Cristina bounds directly for her brother. Alight with excitement, she begins chattering in Spanish.

“Oh, Danny, it’s the most incredible museum ever! The Lovers of Teruel, have you ever seen it? I bought a postcard to show you, just in case.”

“Did you see the Bosch pieces? They were always my favorite.”

“El Bosco, yes.” Cristina nods, serious. “Very confusing. Very you.”

Nick greets Ana and pulls her toward the others.

“Cristina, this is our friend Ana. Ana, this is Daniel’s sister.”

Without hesitation, Cristina greets Ana enthusiastically with a kiss on both cheeks.

“Do you know the story behind The Lovers of Teruel?” asks Ana. “It’s tragically romantic.”

Cristina links her arm through Ana’s. “You must tell me everything!”

“Diego and Isabel were desperately in love, but her father did not approve of the match. Diego promised that within five years he would make something of himself and return for Isabel’s hand.”

“Five years!” gasps Cristina. “That’s a long time.”

“Five years? That’s nothing,” laughs Daniel.

While Ana recounts the legend of the lovers, Nick pulls Daniel aside. “You okay?” he asks.

“Spinning. My head is spinning.”

Nick appraises him. “But hopefully part of the spinning is good? Seeing Ana?”

“Sorry, yes. It’s indescribable. Best day of my life. But now . . . this?”

“Maybe you noticed my shock at the airport. Ana showed you the photo, right? She swore me to secrecy. You have to see Lali. There’s no doubt. What are you gonna do?”

“I have to call my father.”

“Let’s get you back to the hotel. Clear your head. Call your dad and we’ll meet for dinner later.”