“YOU DON’T NEED to carry me.”

Adelaide’s voice might be weak, but the sparkle in her eyes wasn’t. The blue was glowing—electric—as if her eyes were telling their own story. They were saying that her body would still need to heal, but inside she was alive.

The reality was that I’d carry her anywhere—everywhere. As it was, I was only carrying her down the steps to the first floor. Dr. Rossi had said it was good to get her out of bed. I’d told Lennox that she’d be downstairs.

This morning, after she’d awakened, after we’d talked and kissed, I gave her privacy. It wasn’t that I wasn’t willing to be with her as Dr. Rossi disconnected her from the different tubes and helped her bathe. But I hadn’t earned that right.

Stealing a woman—even one I love—didn’t give me the right to take what she wasn’t willing to give. With her in my arms and the memory of our kiss, I was content to accept anything she offered. Who was I kidding? I’d push for more, as I had the kiss, but not too much. She deserved to make the decisions. After all, she’d been the one to send me away.

While Liz and Dr. Rossi helped her, I’d made my way to another room and showered. Through the night and morning, sleep had only come in small snippets, but I wasn’t complaining. Having Adelaide safe and with me gave me more energy than hours of rest.

After Adelaide was disengaged from her connections and showered, I’d joined her again as she tried to eat. It wasn’t much, just broth and Jell-O, but it was food, it was in her stomach, and thankfully it stayed there.

With each passing moment and instance, I appreciated Eva Rossi’s candor. Subjects I would have preferred to avoid to shelter Adelaide, Eva attacked head-on. She was straightforward about Adelaide’s heart stopping and the CPR. Then as Adelaide nibbled her first meal, Eva explained that the DTs should be done but her body needed help to heal. She recommended daily vitamin shots and lots of rest. She also emphasized that from this point forward, Adelaide would need to consider herself a recovering addict. She didn’t beat around the bush. She said no wine. No alcohol of any kind. Even painkillers were discouraged. The high dosages of alcohol and opioids her body had been forced to metabolize had left her liver enzymes too high. The only way to a full recovery was without further assault.

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.”

Still standing, I found my tone, the one that hid the fact that I was overwhelmed at seeing Silvia and Adelaide together, of witnessing what I hoped would be a budding friendship, perhaps like the one Silvia had shared with Angelina. “I’m not going anywhere. Silvia, I’ve been talking up your culinary skills. Don’t make a liar out of me.”

“As if I can impress with the diet restrictions Dr. Rossi gave me.”

“Let’s give it a try.”

She shrugged, sending a smile to Adelaide as she walked back to the kitchen. Once she was gone, Adelaide’s gaze met mine. “I’m sorry. Did I say something out of turn?”

I shrugged as I sat. “Maybe I’ve never actually said those words to her.”

She reached out to my hand. “But they were true?”

I nodded. “I’ve never lied to you.”

“Then it’s time. Life is too short. Now, you were still trying to convince me that my daughter is here and yet it’s after three and I haven’t seen her.”

“She is,” Silvia said as she brought us glasses of water. “Lennox took lunch up to her about an hour ago.”

Adelaide’s back straightened. “Lennox? Your son?”

I nodded.

“Oh,” she sighed more than spoke. “I’m relieved to hear that. I had memories of something about someone else.” She shook her head. “I don’t know what was real.”

“We have a lot to sort out,” I said. “I spoke with Lennox before he took Alexandria her lunch. He said she didn’t sleep well. The last few weeks at Montague have been difficult. According to him, she may be married.”

Adelaide’s eyes widened and she set the glass of water back on the table as the liquid sloshed upon the shiny table. “No, please don’t tell me she married Bryce.”

“He doesn’t think it’s legal. She’s denied it.”

“Then why would he think she was?”

“Your husband had a marriage license shown to him while they detained him in Savannah.”

“They detained him?”

Silvia came back in with bowls of soup, something with noodles and a wonderful aroma, and then just as quickly, she stepped away.

“He’s here now. Everyone is.”

“A marriage license?” She shook her head. “Surely Alton has realized that I’m gone.”

I nodded. “Yes, that happened sooner than we’d hoped.”

She paled. “Does he know where I am?” She wasn’t only asking about location but also about with whom. We’d successfully kept our affair secret through the years. Once he learned where she was, that would no longer be the case.

“Not yet,” I said. “They’ve hypothesized that you are with Alexandria. Your husband is wisely not making a big deal out of your disappearance. So far there’s been no news coverage. According to Lennox’s assistant, the police believe you were kidnapped. They’re waiting on a ransom demand.”

Adelaide’s smile bloomed. “You did say you took me.”

“And I’m not letting you go. There’s no amount of ransom I’ll accept.”

“But what about Alton?”

“His hands are a little full with the murder investigation and bogus marriage.”

We both turned to footsteps as Chelsea stopped at the doorway.

“Miss Moore.”

“Chelsea?”

We both spoke simultaneously.

“I’m sorry. I don’t want to interrupt,” she said, her eyes wide, one bordered by a sickening brown and green discoloration.

Adelaide’s hand went to her lips. “Chelsea… what happened?”

The young woman’s fingers went to the bruise on her cheek as her face tipped forward. “I heard voices and thought maybe Alex was awake.”

“See?” I said. “She’s here.”

Adelaide’s shoulders straightened. “Why are you here?” It was a tone I wasn’t accustomed to hearing come from her lips.

“Because she’s my best friend.” This time we all waited as Alexandria appeared behind Chelsea holding Lennox’s hand.

I took a deep breath. “Well, amore mio, this is what we’d wanted.”

Alexandria dropped Lennox’s hand and raced around the table to Adelaide. “Look at you!” she cried, wrapping her arms around Adelaide’s neck. “You’re sitting here. You’re eating.”

When the two separated, both of their eyes were moist with emotion. After Lennox pulled out a chair for Chelsea and another for Alexandria, he came forward offering his hand. “Mrs. Fitzgerald, Lennox Demetri.”

Her blue eyes scanned my son up and down. “My, my… you are the spitting image of your father.”

His lips quirked upward. “It’s very nice to meet you.”

“And you as well. Please call me Adelaide.” She turned to Alexandria and cupped her cheeks. “We need to talk.”

“We do, but right now I want to relish the fact that you’re talking.”

“You visited me?”

“I did.”

“You were in Savannah?”

Alexandria swallowed. “I was.”

“How did you know? Did Jane call you?”

It was as if they were alone in their own bubble until Alexandria answered.

“No, Momma, Chelsea told me that you needed me.”

Adelaide turned toward Chelsea, her expression souring and neck straightening as it had when Chelsea first entered the dining room. “I suppose I owe you my gratitude.”

“No, Mrs. Fitzgerald, you don’t owe me anything. Alex needed to know what was happening with her mother.”

“Thank you.”

As the women spoke, my eyes met Lennox’s. Adelaide was right. My son was the younger reflection of me, the better parts of me, the parts before I’d sold my soul. In his eyes was my prize. He’d been spared so much.

“We’re all here—” Lennox began.

“Who else needs soup?” Silvia asked. “I may have made it a little spicier than the doctor recommended and for those of you not on restrictions, we have bread and…”

“I wish,” Alexandria said. “Silvia, it’s amazing, but…” She looked to Lennox. “…Deloris just called. I need to find my handbag.”

“And Chelsea, the three of us need to head back to Savannah,” Lennox added.

“No.” The word came from nearly everyone besides Lennox and Alexandria.

“Why?” Adelaide asked.

“It would be better to give our statements and get out of Savannah before Bryce makes bail.”

Adelaide’s head shook back and forth. “Alexandria, Oren was just saying something about a marriage license?”

“I didn’t marry Bryce. Alton tried to force it. He had a judge in his office. I didn’t say yes. If there’s a license, it’s forged.”

“We can’t let him get away with ruining any more lives,” Adelaide said. She looked at me. “Too much time has been wasted.”

Alexandria sat between Lennox and Adelaide. “We have a few minutes before Deloris gets here. Momma, help me.” She motioned between Adelaide and me. “How do you two know one another?”

Silvia was still standing. I reached for her wrist. “Let’s not worry about the food yet. Sit with us. This involves all of us.”

Chelsea began to stand. “I’m intruding.”

“No, Miss Moore. You’re here because you chose to help Alexandria. Sit.” I took a deep breath as all eyes turned to me. “We have too much to discuss to ease into any of it. Let me start. I first became acquainted with Adelaide—”

She reached for my hand. “It was a Christmas party…” Her smile shone, telling me to begin our story there, not years before. She turned to Lennox. “…your father’s first Christmas as a single man.”

“What?” Alexandria said before Lennox reached for her knee, pulling his chair closer to hers.

“Let them talk. I heard this from Oren about two weeks ago and it still hasn’t sunk in. Just listen.”

She nodded, turning back toward us. “Okay. I’m sorry. Can you define acquainted?”

Pink returned to Adelaide’s cheeks. “No, dear.”

“Holy shit,” Alexandria murmured.

“We spoke…” I emphasized the word. “…for the first time at that party. We were surrounded by other guests. I’d planned all these fantastic business pitches. That was why I was there. The guest list was exclusive. However, fate had other plans.” I turned to Adelaide. “Everyone else disappeared. It was only the two of us. I’d never been so attracted…” My eyes closed in memory and reopened. “…I had, but I never believed that I deserved to know that same kind of love for a second time in my life.”

Adelaide squeezed my hand as Lennox tensed. The muscles of his face flexed as he clenched his jaw, just as he had in his office when I’d explained this for the first time.

“It was a few months later before I tried to contact Adelaide again. I couldn’t get her out of my mind.”

As had happened decades ago at the Christmas party, the rest of the table disappeared. I was recounting our story to the only woman whose opinion mattered. In her gaze I saw the love I’d feared was gone. Was it because we were walking down memory lane or was it still there?

“He tracked me down at a luncheon,” Adelaide said. “Of course I hadn’t gotten him out of my mind either, but I never thought… when he stood there at that restaurant for a moment I thought he was a figment of my imagination.” She reached out and caressed my cheek. “But he was real, just as he was when I woke this morning.”

“Amore mio.”

“My love.”