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surgeon.
    With a deep rumbling cough the surgeon cleared his throat. “No doubt the widow will want to thank the man who saved her life.”
    “Si, I would like to wish her a swift recovery.” He’d rescued a woman. A warm fluttery sensation filled his chest as he knelt at the lady’s side. Ramon stiffened, his smile faded. He could not breathe, his heart raced. “Ana?”
    She cupped her forehead. “Don Ramon, you have my undying gratitude. Indeed you saved my life. Do forgive me, but I need to rest. I will join you later to speak of old times.”
    He noticed her sad, half-smile. “Indeed, I look forward to speaking with you, Señora Reyes.”
    Ana rolled her eyes downward and whispered, “Ave Maria.” She turned her face to the wall.
    Ramon tucked a blanket about her. “Later, indeed. Now that I have found you again, I shan’t lose you.” Louder, he said, “Rest well, dama Ana.”
    If she married a noble named Reyes, he’d know of it. No, her widow garb was a disguise. She’d fooled the entire crew. He couldn’t wait to hear her explanation. Though it should prove to be amusing, he didn’t really think he’d find it funny.
     
    * * * * *
     
    Now dressed in a dry gown, Ana pulled the damp, black veil over her face. As she stared out through the dark, transparent fabric, her thoughts drifted back to the day Ramon left for Seville and his mother, Dama Beatriz, dismissed her as the milkmaid.
    Dama Beatriz warned the entire countryside about Ana, calling her an alluring creature intent on seducing the sons of Castile. Left with no means of obtaining another position nearby and her parents dead, she headed to Seville. She’d never left the estate she was born on, before. She grew up with Ramon. They played together like sister and brother until she turned thirteen. Four years her senior, she recalled when Ramon turned seventeen he looked and acted much different than the boy she ran through hay stacks with. Tall as any man, with stubble on his chin, and a hunger in his eyes when he gazed at her, she often found him peering at her breasts. Things changed between them then and five years later she found herself orphaned, homeless, friendless…and Ramon nowhere in sight.
    Then she heard a public announcement in the square. In the name of God and King, Juan De Nunez sought colonists for an expedition to a new planet. She plodded through Seville to the port of San Lucar where De Nunez’s airships docked. They would fly explorers and settlers to Italy to board three rocket ships, which massive cannons would fire into deep space. They would soar to the newly discovered planet.Luck was with her when she ducked into an inn, hoping to work for a night’s keep.
    The crafty innkeeper’s wife, a Christianized Moor, liked the idea of a milkmaid venturing to outer space. She said, “Ana you are bold like me. I cannot go to the new planet because I am a Moroccan, but I don’t want their Planet X. You are an unwanted peasant. The king doesn’t want the likes of you aboard his rocket, which is reason enough for me to help you. Don’t go in the guise of a man. It works for many women, but you are too pretty. When they see you are a woman, they will abuse you. Go as an elegant widow with a large dowry.”
    She’d handed Ana a heavy leather bag. Ana recalled, her breath caught in her throat and her heart pounded when she saw all the shiny silver coins inside.
    The woman had continued, “As they seek volunteers on this maiden voyage, the passage is free, but you must have money to whet their appetite for the rich dowry they expect you to bring.”
    She had wagged her thick eyebrows. “Do not worry where this came from. It is but a small portion of silver hoarded in the baggage of one of my quality patrons, who was taking it to France, without paying the Castilian tax.” She’d winked at Ana. “He didn’t mind that I took a little. What would he do, report to the law the silver he meant to smuggle into France was