Chapter 34
The ceremony had been perfect. Melinda and Adam ate, drank and danced their way through the reception. The music had been chosen specifically for people in love. Each song, whether fast or slow, was romantic. She didn’t want the night to end.
They had wandered out onto the terrace and he wrapped his arms around her as they watched the moon glisten over the ocean. He kissed the top of her head drinking in her subtle floral perfume. She shivered. “Are you ready to go?”
She stifled a yawn. “I guess so, but it’s been a day to remember.”
Adam held the glass door open and they stepped into the grand ballroom. They made their away across the dance floor toward the coatroom. Melinda leaned into him. She was happy. “I’ve never been to a more romantic wedding.”
“You seemed to have a great time.”
She sighed and looked into his eyes. “I did, and you?”
“I most definitely did.” His attention was diverted. “Let’s go look at the Christmas tree one last time.”
For the wedding Molly had a rose-covered arbor set up as the segue into the drawing room, where an enormous evergreen had been decorated. As the couple walked under it, Adam took her hand and stopped her. He pointed up.
“Mistletoe.” His voice was husky.
“So it is.” Melinda’s heart fluttered.
“We shouldn’t let it go to waste.”
Solemnly she said, “No, that would be a sin.”
Adam tilted her face toward his. He lowered his lips until they were a hairsbreadth apart. “Tonight was incredible.” She felt his mouth graze hers.
She stepped into his arms and pulled him into the kiss. Her insides sighed. It was as if the trickle of longing she had been holding back cracked. She wanted more of Adam. She kissed him again as he gathered her in the circle of his arms. For how long they stood in the embrace, Melinda wasn’t sure. It felt right.
A loud crash tore them apart.
Melinda swung around and saw one of the wait-staff pick up a small silver tray and then disappear through a swinging door.
“Where were we?” Adam said.
With her heart hammering in her chest, common sense took hold of Melinda. Reluctantly she said, “We were getting our coats. The car is waiting.”
If Adam was disappointed, it didn’t show on his handsome face, although his deep brown eyes held a hint of amusement mixed with desire.
After the attendant handed them their coats, Adam took Melinda’s stole and wrapped it around her shoulders. He slipped into his after tipping the young woman.
Melinda and Adam strolled hand in hand out the front door. The air had turned sharply colder than when they’d arrived. The light mist that had been falling made the steps slick.
Melinda tightened her arm on his. As she was about to say be careful, Adam began to fall. She tried to hold on, but he landed heavily on the ground and his pant leg ripped.
Melinda looked around for help. Their driver hurried over as Will came rushing out the door. Skidding on the stairs, he called, “Are you okay, bud?” He reached down and slipped his hands under Adam’s arms to help him up.
It was then that Adam groaned. “Wait. My leg.”
Melinda knelt down heedless of the slush she was kneeling in. “Do you think it’s broken?”
“No, it came out of the socket.”
“I’ll call an ambulance.” Melinda opened her bag to get her cell.
Will said, “Melinda, it’s okay. Don’t call.”
Confused, she looked at Will and then Adam. “If he needs to go to the hospital, an ambulance is best.”
Will helped Adam to one foot. She heard a snap. Will supported him as they hobbled to the car.
She demanded, “What is going on here?”
“Mel.” Adam’s face was ashen. “This isn’t how I planned to tell you.” He swallowed hard. “I have a prosthetic leg.”
“Huh? What are you talking about?” Melinda looked at Will. “Did he hit his head?”
Under his breath Will said, “You should have told her.”
Adam searched her face with his eyes. “I lost it. From the IED.”
All the air in Melinda’s lungs seemed to evaporate. She croaked, “What?”
Adam was sitting in the passenger seat of the car. He looked at her and pleaded, “Can we talk about this at the hotel?”
At a loss for words she nodded. Will said, “I’m going to get Stacey and we’ll meet you two there. Adam will need help getting up the stairs.”
Adam heaved himself to a standing position. He hobbled to the back door, using the car for support. He half fell inside and looked at Melinda. “Come with me.”
She looked at Will. Softly she said, “I’ll ride with Adam.”
The ride back to the inn was silent and the air filled with tension. Adam stared out the window. Melinda had a thousand questions, but she didn’t want to ask them, at least not yet. The most important one of all was—why hadn’t he told her? After the past weeks of them seeing each other and growing closer, it mystified her why he hadn’t.
Melinda turned her head to stare out into the inky darkness. She thought they were friends. No, that wasn’t true. She thought they were more than friends on the path to something potentially significant between them. She had shared the single most painful and life-altering event in her life with Adam, and yet he had held back from her.
She noticed the streetlights cast flickering shadows across his face. His mouth was set in a grim line. Was he in pain, embarrassed or mad?
All too soon the town car stopped in front of the inn. The driver opened Melinda’s door first and helped her from the back seat. She walked around and stood on the bottom step. Adam pushed his door open. His eyes locked with hers.
He pulled himself upright. Melinda stepped toward him and held out her hand. “Let me help you up the stairs.”
Adam seemed to hesitate before taking her hand. “You’re cold.”
Without answering she said, “Let’s get inside.”
One stair at a time, Melinda held Adam steady. He was concentrating on each step. “Your leg hurts, doesn’t it?”
He let go of his breath. “Yeah.”
The driver ran up the steps and held open the door. Melinda said, “Thank you.”
She paused to dig in her purse for a tip and he said, “It’s all set, miss.”
Adam cocked his head. “I planned ahead.”
They entered the semi-darkened entrance. There was a Victorian lamp glowing on the desk and a similar one on the mahogany credenza. An overhead light illuminated the stairwell.
“Do you want to sit or just head upstairs?”
“Will should be pulling in. He can help me get to my room.” He pointed to the dimly lit drawing room. “Would you mind helping me get to the chair?”
Melinda slipped her arm around his waist and turned toward the archway. “Ready?”
Just help him get comfortable and then you can escape. Will knows what to do.
She flicked the dimmer switch and the room was bathed in light. There was a loveseat a few steps away. “Over there?” She gestured to it.
Adam took a hop. “I’m fine.”
She threw up her hands, her anger bubbling beneath the surface. “A second ago you wanted my help, now you want to hop?”
He forced a smile. “What can I say, I’m a complicated guy.”
“That’s an understatement.” She guided Adam to the sofa and stuck a cushion behind him. “Can I get you anything else?”
“No, thank you.”
“I’m going up to bed.” She turned, feeling the weight of sadness envelope her. Without looking at him she said softly, “Good night, Adam.”
“Night, Melinda.”
Adam watched Mel leave the room. He had a sinking feeling she was walking out of his life permanently. How could he make this up to her? Will would know what to do. He leaned his head back and closed his eyes.
Mel’s lips touching his under the mistletoe had been a magical moment. The emotions that rolled over him were intense. He had never experienced something so sweet and tender, and that had him longing for more, much more.
He could feel someone watching him. His eyes opened. For a split second he prayed Mel had come back.
“Will.”
Will’s tie was draped around his neck and the top of the shirt buttons were undone. He looked around. “Where’s Melinda?”
“She went upstairs.”
Will held up two glasses partially filled with amber liquid. “Scotch?”
Adam knew what this meant. Will only pulled out the strong stuff when it was time for a serious conversation. “Have a seat.”
Handing Adam one glass, Will sat down and stretched out his legs in front of him. Casually he said, “It’s nice here.”
Adam absentmindedly swirled the liquid in the glass. “Mel found it online.”
“Stacey was thrilled when Melinda said you were staying here. That’s why she wanted to as well.”
“Sorry we haven’t spent much time with you.”
“No big deal. We were hoping the two of you would get bitten by the bug.”
Adam cocked a brow. “What are you talking about?”
“Stacey calls it the love bug. She happens to think you and Melinda are the perfect couple.”
“An hour ago, I thought we might have a chance.” Adam took a deep drink. He winced. “I hate scotch.”
“It’s good for you. It has a way of clearing the fog out of your brain.”
Adam snorted. “Only you would say something so ridiculous.”
Will balanced his glass on the arm of the chair. “What happened an hour ago?”
“We kissed under the mistletoe. It was like I could see the future and Mel was in it.”
Will nodded slowly. “I see.”
“Is that all you got?” he demanded.
“Not to ask the obvious question, but why didn’t you tell her about what happened in Iraq?”
“You know why.” Adam downed the rest of the scotch and set his glass aside.
“Remind me.” Will pulled a pint bottle from his inner pocket and poured Adam a splash more. “Anita? She was a shallow, self-centered person. But that has nothing to do with Melinda.”
Adam slammed his closed fist on the arm of the sofa cushion. “No! Melinda isn’t like that. But I didn’t...” He groaned. “As we began spending more time together, I discovered she was amazing. Each week that passed, it got harder to tell her the truth. By not telling her in the beginning, it felt like I had been lying by omission.” He took a swallow of his drink. It burned as it went down his throat. “I was scared. Would she think I was less of a man?”
Quietly Will asked, “Is that how you see yourself? As somehow less than the man you were before?”
“I don’t know anymore.” Adam dropped his chin to his chest. “You knew me then and you know me now. Do you think I’m different?”
As he rubbed the back of his neck Will said, “Yes, but that is to be expected. You have always been one of the best men I know and I’m proud to call you my friend—hell, my brother. But man, it’s not how I see you, it’s how you see you.”
“Do you think Mel would see me as damaged?”
“No. I don’t. The woman helped you after you sliced open your hand. Brought you dinner and checked in with you daily.” Will shook his head. “Man, you sold both of you short. Your lie robbed you of the opportunity to sit and have a conversation like adults.”
“I know. I screwed up.” Adam’s shoulder sagged. “Now I’ll never have the chance.”
“Yeah. You won’t be able to tell her before she finds out. That ship sailed.”
Adam toyed with his now empty glass. “She told me about her husband John’s accident.” He looked at Will. “The day she took me to the emergency room, she had a flashback. It was from the day he died. I can’t imagine what that day had been like.”
Will’s eyes grew wide. “She told you all of this?”
Adam nodded. “Right after I cut my hand.”
“And you didn’t think that was a golden opportunity for you to share your experience? Are you an idiot?”
“First class, at your service.” He saluted Will.
“So, where do you go from here?”
Adam fell silent. It was several long moments before he spoke. “I was hoping you’d help me upstairs. There’s something I should have done a while ago.”