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“Really?” The word slipped out before he could stop it.
She turned to him and frowned. “What? You think I’ve always been spoiled?”
He opened his mouth but realized this was a trap. Knowing no matter what he said he would be in trouble, he closed his mouth without saying a word.
“Well,” she said, “the truth is my grandfather believed in teaching my brother and me what it’s like to fend for ourselves.”
“Okay, then. Is retail work something that appeals to you? You could open your own boutique.”
She tilted her head to the side as though recalling those memories. And then she shook her head. “I don’t think so.”
“What else is there?”
“I worked in the library in college. And as much as I love to read, well, that isn’t for me.”
“Keep going.”
She sighed. “There isn’t anything after that, I’m afraid. Because Lukos and I got married straight out of college. And then he got sick and that took up our lives. Except...”
Roberto stopped walking and turned to her. There was something in her voice. She’d had a thought and something told him that it was important. “What is it?”
She shook her head. “It’s nothing.”
“It’s definitely something. Tell me.”
She sighed. “I was just thinking about when Lukos was in the hospital.”
“Oh.” He’d totally misread her. He didn’t mean to lead the conversation in this direction. What had made him think he knew her so well?
“No, it’s not that. Lukos didn’t want me hanging over him while he was getting his treatments, so I had time on my hands. One thing led to another and eventually I ended up volunteering my time.” She smiled. “I met some of the most amazing people. They had every reason to be gloomy and yet they cheered me up. Can you believe that?”
“It sounds like they touched you.”
“They did. They really did.”
“The way your face lit up talking about them says a lot.”
“But I didn’t do anything special. I took a cart around the oncology ward. I handed out books, snacks, games, anything to take the patients’ minds off their problems for a moment.”
“And how did that make you feel?”
She shrugged. “I loved seeing people smile and knowing I had something to do with it. More than anything, they just wanted someone to listen to them.”
“Then you have your answer.”
“What answer?”
He took her hands in his own. “You are the most giving, caring person I know. When you speak of your volunteer work, your whole face lights up. I think that’s what you should do—help people.”
“You think I should go back to pushing the cart around the ward?”
He shrugged. “You could do that. Or you could head up your own foundation that would help people.”
Her mouth gaped and then she shook her head. “I couldn’t do that.”
“Why not? You understand people. You’re good with numbers. And if you need donors—and you will need donors—I’ll be the first in line. Your brother will be the second in line.”
Her gaze searched his. “You’re serious, aren’t you?”
“Of course I am. This world needs people like you—people who are willing to help others in need. I couldn’t think of anything more rewarding—”
“Or painful. I’ve already lost a husband.”
He grew quiet. He’d seen how she got excited over the memory and he’d let himself get caught up. In that moment, he’d forgotten what she’d been through. He knew that losing her husband had been devastating for her. What was he thinking to suggest that she deal with those memories on a daily basis?
“Forget I said anything.” He started walking again and she fell in step next to him.
She didn’t say anything, but he sensed her thoughts were on that traumatic period of her life. Here he’d been trying to get her to let go of the past and focus on the future. And now he’d undone everything.
* * *
The day had gone by way too fast.
And now the sun was starting its slow descent toward the horizon.
