Chapter 9 #2
Before he did something foolish, like pull her into his arms, he smiled at Mrs. Taylor and said, “I won’t be long. They’ll be coming to prep you in fifteen minutes.”
“He loves you. I had my doubts, but it’s obvious.”
Abby swallowed back the response, not to me. “I’m not sure he does, but I have more hope for us this time. I’m more mature. I realize he’s just a man, not a fairy-tale prince.”
“You’ve grown up.”
She sat on the bed and hugged her grandmother. “It’s about time.”
“I’m glad you can finally see the man underneath.”
“He’s still the man I married. Stubborn, impossible—larger than life.”
“You never saw that before. I knew when you married him that you were in total awe. Who wouldn’t be?
He’s rich, charming, exceedingly handsome, and impossible to resist.” She ran a finger down Abby’s cheek.
“But that’s not love. Love is deeper, stronger.
You see the flaws and love him anyway. All you saw before was perfection.
That’s a recipe for disaster. No one is perfect. ”
A tear slipped down her cheek. “You’re right. When the fairy tale dissolved, I ran away.”
“Don’t be so hard on yourself. You were nineteen! It probably did your marriage good to grow up and come back to him as an adult. His equal. I wanted to give you that time.”
She felt her face heat. She was so not Dante’s equal. She’d never be as ruthless and cold. He wanted her for one reason only.
Her grandmother’s smile faltered. “Everything is all right, isn’t it?”
“I’m worried about you.” And the potential mess I’ve gotten myself in, she thought to herself.
Her grandmother patted her hand. “I now have the best heart surgeon in the world, and this hospital is the best in Italy. Dante’s generosity has ensured they have the best equipment and medicine, the best of everything money can buy. And if it’s good enough for Dante then it’s good enough for me.”
“For Dante?”
Her grandmother didn’t notice her flinch. “The nurse told me he comes in every few months for tests.”
Abby backed off the bed. Her legs turned to jelly and her chest struggled to draw breath. “What tests?”
“I don’t know. He sees Dr. Cavelli. He’s been tested regularly since his father died. I’m sure it’s nothing.”
The words echoed in her head and she doubled over as pain ripped through her. Dr. Cavelli had been Dante’s father’s doctor.
“Abby.” Her grandmother’s voice rose. “Abby?”
She put her hand out. “It’s okay, Nana. It’s that time of the month.” God, this was worse than anything she’d experienced before. She dropped to her knees and clutched her side, dizziness making the room swim.
Her grandmother pushed the buzzer by the bed and a nurse hurried in. She took one look at Abby and helped her to a chair.
“There’s no need to fuss. I just need some ibuprofen. I’ve got my period, that’s all.”
“How long have you been having such painful periods?” the nurse asked.
“For too long. I’ve told her to see a doctor,” said her grandmother.
“I’m fine.” She lied through her teeth. The pain was making her feel sick.
The nurse picked up Abby’s wrist and took her pulse. “No period should be that painful. You can hardly walk. If I were you, I’d see a gynecologist. Is there a history of endometriosis in your family?”
Abby could barely see through the pain. “Nana?”
“Not on my side of the family, but I don’t know about your mother.”
“Hmm. I’ll get you something for the pain and a hot compress.” She stood and left the room.
“Right, that’s it, my girl. You’re seeing a doctor.”
Abby laughed through the pain. “You’re the one about to have an operation, so why are we worrying about me?”
“I’ll always worry about you. I love you.”
Abby smiled and blew her a kiss. “I love you too.”
The nurses arrived to prepare Nana while she and Abby talked about where they would go and what they would visit while Nana was recuperating in Florence.
By the time Dante discreetly slipped back into the room, the painkillers the nurse had given Abby had dulled the pain to a constant ache.
Abby stood and took her grandmother’s hand.
“I’ll be waiting for you when you come out of surgery. ”
Nana Taylor looked at Dante. “You look after her, my boy. She’s one in a million.”
“I know. Believe me, I know.”
As they wheeled her grandmother away, Dante hugged her close. “She’ll be fine, mio fiore.”
She hugged him hard, not wanting to let him go. He stroked her hair and kissed the top of her head. “I promise, Abby. Your grandmother will be all right.”
For the first time in many months, it wasn’t her grandmother she was scared for.
Why was Dante having tests performed? He suddenly was welcoming her back into his life when he hadn’t bothered to contact her in three years.
Now he was desperate for children right away.
Why? She stood holding him so tight she could feel her arms tremble with effort.
She’d lost him once before due to her own stupidity.
She swore under her breath she wouldn’t lose him again.
“There is no need to be afraid, Abby. I’ll not leave you. You’re a Lombardi. Whatever happens, you’ll never be alone.”
She finally let him go. “I know. Blame it on that time of the month. I’m overemotional.”
Dante accepted her answer and went to get her some tea.
She watched him walk away. His presence always filled a room.
He walked in anywhere and immediately owned it.
Everyone looked to him, the natural-born leader.
He was the head of a huge family empire, employees and shareholders his responsibility.
He was the head of his family, and their welfare was his concern.
She felt her heart expand in her chest. Who was there for Dante?
He might have shoulders that could hold up the world, but who did he turn to when he needed help?
Everyone needed help. Everyone needed someone.
There was something Dante was not telling her.
Not telling anyone. She knew his wanting her back in his bed was not something he’d decided on a whim two nights ago. He always did things for a reason.
Now that she knew about Dr. Cavelli, she was going to find out what that reason was. If it was anything like the suspicions flooding her brain, making her sick to her stomach, then she would be Dante’s rock. His support. She would hold up the world for him. She owed him that.
No. She wasn’t doing it because she owed him.
She would do it because she loved him. At some point during the twelve months of her marriage when she lived in house and shared his bed, her girlish infatuation had grown into love.
That’s why she’d run away. She’d been terrified he’d never love her back.
But she had enough love for the both of them.
He loved her in his own way, and maybe that could be good enough.
Besides, she had given her word. He’d more than helped her grandmother.
She would fulfill her side of their deal.