He confirmed this a moment later when he finally lifted his head. She heard him groan again and quickly shoved the wallet into the inner pocket of her jacket. Only then did she hurry over to his side. She put a hand on his back and then helped him to sit up. His head turned so she could get a good look at his brown eyes, the same brown she saw in the mirror every day. He reached out with one hand to run a finger along her jaw. "Lucinda?"
***
Samantha had to close her eyes and consider what he had said. Did the name Lucinda sound familiar to her? She finally shook her head. "I don't think so."
"You don't think so? Don't you know your own name?"
"Not really, no."
"So what am I supposed to call you, darling?"
"Samantha Young."
"That's a pretty name. My name is Hector Delgado, but I bet you already know that."
"How would I know that?"
"You took my wallet didn't you?"
Her face turned warm at this. She put her hand into her jacket to produce the wallet. "How did you know?"
"I didn't know for sure. I just didn't feel it when I sat up. Either you'd taken it or the ocean had. I guess I got lucky."
"I didn't take anything," Samantha said. "I just found your boat washed up on the shore and I took it to see who you were."
"It's all right, darling. No harm done." He took the wallet from her hand. He didn't verify that she hadn't stolen anything; he just put it in his front pocket. "So, Samantha, where did the old girl dump me?"
"The old girl?"
"My boat. The Lady Jane."
"Why does your boat have a name?"
"Most boats have names. Ones this size anyway. You get something knocked loose by the storm or something?"
"No. When I came here five years ago I couldn't remember who I was or where I came from. I still don't remember very much." She had to bite down on her lip as she thought of her parents dying.
Mr. Delgado put a hand on her arm. "I'm sorry, sweetheart. I didn't mean to hurt your feelings. Do you have any idea where we are?"
"Eternity."
"You mean we're dead?"
"No. This island is called Eternity. That's what Reverend Crane named it."
"Reverend? Is this some kind of religious commune?"
"I don't think so. We just work together to keep the island running."
"Uh-huh." Mr. Delgado stared at her for a moment. "So this reverend is in charge here?"
"No, he died. Miss Brigham is in charge now. She lives outside town."