Fidelity (Infidelity #5)(47)

As the doctor spoke, I noticed Adelaide’s grip of her spoon tighten. In that moment, I vowed to join her on this journey, if she’d have me. I’d give her the encouragement and support she needed.

Though that was my desire, I was a realistic man. I didn’t have the illusion that we were finally a couple or that we could even pick up where we’d left off. Besides, I didn’t want to pick up where we’d left off. I wanted to go back further to before she told me to leave and never contact her again.

Adelaide’s arms tightened around my neck with each step.

“Just down the stairs,” I said. “I’m sorry if this hurts your ribs.”

Her shoulders moved up and down. “It does, but apparently pain medicine is out of the question.”

I brushed my lips over her forehead. “Just squeeze tighter. Give it to me.”

Adelaide’s chin dropped to her chest. “Oren, you don’t need to…”

I stopped with only a few steps to go. “I don’t need to. I want to.”

Her eyes met mine. In that moment I hoped she could see the sincerity in my stare, the same way I saw the wonder in hers. Perhaps the first time I looked into the life of Adelaide Montague was out of a sense of obligation, but that pretense ended once I truly knew her. Obligation was not the reason she held a place in my heart. Having her there, keeping her there, wasn’t something I could control. She was there and always would be, because of the woman she was, because at one time she’d loved me too, a poor boy who’d worked the docks in the city, someone who’d never dared to dream of a lady like Adelaide.

She’d loved me when I’d thought myself unlovable.

Maybe it wasn’t gone?

Adelaide settled her head against my shoulder as I stepped as gingerly as possible. She was light, too light. We were on our way to the dining room so Adelaide could eat whatever it was that Silvia had prepared. Dr. Rossi had said to take eating slowly, but damn, I wanted to find lasagna. I wanted bread. I wanted ten courses of never-ending food. I wanted Silvia’s cooking to return the fullness to Adelaide’s cheeks and pad the bones I was able to feel through the nightgown and robe she wore.

Liz smiled up from the bottom of the stairs with her hands upon the back of a wheelchair.

As I turned, Adelaide saw the chair. “Dr. Rossi said I should walk.”

“Ma’am, we don’t want you to overdo.”

I lowered Adelaide to her feet near the chair. As I did, her hand reached for mine and tightly gripped. Trembling rattled through her as she fought to stand. Though I knew her unused muscles added to her shakiness, I feared it was also the pain of her ribs.

“Maybe you should sit,” I encouraged.

“No. I’m tired of being an invalid.”

My grin broadened, taking in her strength. “You heard the lady. We’re going to walk to the dining room.”

“Yes, sir,” Liz responded, dropping behind, but not going away.

She needn’t worry. As Adelaide and I walked slowly, step by step, through the house, if Adelaide so much as faltered, I wouldn’t hesitate to scoop her back into my arms.

“Your home is beautiful,” Adelaide said as we navigated the hallway. In front of us was the back of the house, my favorite view, the reason I’d built this house here. It was one of the things Angelina adored.

Through the windows, the sound sparkled with the beauty of a million diamonds.

It had been years since I’d appreciated the view, but now, with Adelaide’s petite hand gripping mine, I did. “I’ve always loved the view.”

“We’re in New York. What is that?”

“It’s the Long Island Sound. That’s Long Island across the water.”

She shook her head, her freshly washed and dried hair skimming her shoulders.

I helped her to a chair in the formal dining room. The house as a whole was rarely used by anyone but Silvia. The dining room was one of the safest rooms. Though the pocket doors at each entrance were ajar, the room was interior. The windows and sound were a distance away.

“I can’t believe I’m here and we’re here,” she said, gazing up. “But I’m beginning to doubt that my daughter is here. I still haven’t seen her.”

“She is. I wouldn’t lie to you.”

Silvia appeared. “Ms. Montague, it’s nice to meet you. I’m Silvia.”

Adelaide reached out, cupping Silvia’s hand between both of her own. Her eyes glistened as she spoke. Immediately, I knew she was thinking back to the stories we’d shared. “Silvia, please call me Adelaide. It’s so good to finally meet you. My dear, you are as lovely as I’d heard.”

Silvia’s eyes fluttered from Adelaide to me and back as her voice stuttered. “A-as you’ve heard?”

There was so much about me that even those closest didn’t know. I usually wasn’t the sharing type. Adelaide brought out another side to me.

“Yes,” Adelaide said, her honesty bringing our past to light. “Oren always spoke highly of you. And seeing you, I understand why he loves you like a daughter.”

Silvia took a step back, her lips forming a straight line. Never could I recall seeing her speechless.

“Ma’am, I believe I’m at a disadvantage.” And just like that, she was back. Silvia leaned closer. “But I say we kick him out of here and you fill me in on what I apparently was never told.”