Rush to the Altar

Her brows lifted. “For once I’m overcome by the admission.”

“Don’t let pride carry you away, Sister, otherwise you’ll have to say extra novenas after vespers. Tell me—are you going to be here in the morning to make certain I never darken your doorstep again?”

“I’m afraid not. After the burden it has been taking care of you, I’m going on retreat with some other sisters.”

“Where does a nun go exactly for a well-earned vacation?”

“That’s none of your business.”

“Ah, come on. You can tell me. I can keep a secret as well as a saint.”

“If it will prevent you from bothering the other sisters, let’s just say I’m returning to the Good Shepherd Convent for a short period of rejuvenation and study. I need it after the draining last eight weeks being in charge of your case.”

Riley chuckled. “Rumor has it you’re a devotee of Thomas Aquinas. He would be proud of you for following his example. You work in a hospital, serve the sick. You preach purity and peace to the heathen,” he teased her. “I’m partial to Francis of Assisi myself.”

“That doesn’t surprise me. No doubt like him you’ve done your share of street brawling because of a misspent youth.”

“Would it surprise you to learn I even spent time in a Perugian prison?”

She took off the blood pressure cup. “Nothing about you surprises me. Unfortunately the similarities between you and Francis of Assisi stop there, Mr. Garrow. His incarceration led to a spiritual conversion.”

“How do you know mine didn’t? Uh-uh.” He put up his finger. “Don’t judge this book by its cover.”

“It’s the cover that has gotten you into so much trouble.”

If he weren’t mistaken, her eyes took on a haunted look as she studied him. For a brief moment they reminded him of Mitra’s eyes when she used to worry about him.

“I’m leaving the hospital, not dying, Sister. You won’t be getting a last rite’s confession out of me, but I do have a gift for you.”

“A nun doesn’t ac—”

“Spare me the lecture,” he broke in without remorse. “This is one I guarantee you won’t refuse.”

Acting as if she hadn’t heard him, she placed a jug of fresh ice water from the cart on his bedside table, but he knew she was dying to hear more.

“You’re not even going to ask what it is?”

“Need I remind you that for it to be a true gift, the right hand mustn’t let the left hand know what it’s doing?”

“I’m not the one striving for perfection. You, however, are very close to that sublime state and wouldn’t dream of stooping to a petty weakness like curiosity. Therefore I’ll tell you I’ve made a donation to your convent in honor of Sister Francesca.”

When his declaration penetrated, she bowed her head.

“You may not have succeeded in getting me to bare my soul, but you’ve convinced me there are angels on earth. Thank you for preventing me from giving up when I was at my lowest ebb. For that you’ve earned a permanent place in this sinner’s heart.”

No doubt she was hiding her face because she didn’t want him to see the moisture filling her eyes, another sign of weakness she was determined not to display.

As she turned to push the cart out of the room she said, “Ever since you were brought in here, you’ve been in my prayers, Mr. Garrow. You always will be.”

“That’s a comforting thought. With you as my advocate, maybe there’s hope for me after all. Take care, Sister.”

“God bless you,” she whispered before disappearing from the room.

No sooner had she left him alone than Bart entered.

“Sorry I’m late, but I think you’ll forgive me when you see what I’ve brought you. I dug through my old things in the trailer to find this for you. It was published while you were working in Brazil with your father.” He handed him a copy of International Motorcycle World.

The October issue from last year showed a female on the cover with a blond braid swinging below her helmet. She was riding through a farmer’s muddy field on a motorcycle. There was a doctor’s satchel strapped to the back. The caption read: Even a modern day American vet still rides an old Danelli-Strada 100 Sport Bike to work because they’re built to last forever.

“Go ahead and take a look while I get us a couple of soft drinks from the machine.”

“Thanks, Bart.”

The magazine had been printed the same month his father had been killed doing what he loved best. With an eagerness Riley hadn’t felt about anything for a long time, he opened the magazine. A small paragraph on the inside about the cover said, “The children in Prunedale, California, call her the ‘mad’ vet as she rides around on her trusty cycle.”

He chuckled before turning to the main article. His first surprise came when he learned there were two men involved in the creation of the original company; Luca Danelli and Ernesto Strada. Riley had always thought Strada meant it was a street bike because strada was the word for street in Italian.

The story followed their fascinating lives from their childhoods in Italy, through the World War II years and beyond to the culmination of their dream to build a motorcycle empire in Milan.

Riley and his father had always performed their stunts on Danelli-Strada bikes. Then much to the motorcycle world’s chagrin, all manufacturing suddenly ended. His parent had insisted Danelli-Strada was the only brand to be trusted and never could understand why it had gone out of business.

“Listen to this—” Riley said as soon as Bart came back in the room. “After Ernesto Strada died, Luca Danelli lost heart, stopped production and dropped out of the manufacturing scene.” He put down the magazine. “So that was the reason.”

The older man opened one of the colas and handed it to him. “Keep reading.”

After swallowing the contents in one go, Riley picked up where he’d left off.

International Motorcycle World has learned that once again Danelli motorcycles are being manufactured at their new headquarters in Turin, Italy. This announcement comes from CEO, Nicco Tescotti, who granted International Motorcycle World’s chief staff writer Colin Grimes an exclusive interview.

Racers around the globe are ecstatic in welcoming back this manufacturing giant after a long dearth. Already the new prototype called the Danelli NT-1 is clocking faster race times than any of the competition. Everyone else better move over because once again Luca Danelli is making his genius known. According to Tescotti, the company is here to stay.

Excitement swept through Riley’s body. Maybe Sister Francesca’s prayers for him hadn’t been in vain after all. He lifted his head to find Bart smiling at him.

“I thought that article might put a light in your eyes.”

“Might?” Riley blurted. “This has to be my lucky night.”

“How come?”

“I was just told I’m getting out of here tomorrow.”

“That’s the best news I’ve heard since the plastic surgeon promised he could fix up your face like new.”

Not exactly like new, but Riley could live with the subtle changes and wasn’t about to complain.

“With this article I know exactly where I’m headed after I leave the hospital. You must have been inspired to bring it to me.”

“For years now I’ve been aware you wanted to pursue your own career, but you couldn’t do anything about it while your father needed you so badly.”