The Reluctant Wife (7 page)

Chapter Nine

Walking into the hospital made everything seem more real.

Abby’s heart raced and it wasn’t because Dante had her tucked in against him, with an arm around her waist. While she loved being by his side and seeing all the envious looks from the nurses on the premises, her stomach felt as though a garbage truck had emptied its load inside her and left her to shift through all the filth.

It was an effort to stand up straight. The weight of her decision to hand her grandmother’s care to a surgeon she did not know, in a country where she could not fully understand the language, and in a hospital far from her grandmother’s home, had her thankful Dante’s arm supported her.

Had she done the right thing?

Dante shivered beside her. Was something wrong? But he wore his usual mask of invincibility.

“The information desk and directory is over there.” Abby pointed and moved down the right-hand corridor.

A tug on her arm stopped her. “No need. The cardio ward is on the fifth floor.”

She must have looked puzzled.

“My father was treated here. I know every inch of this hospital.” His tone indicated he didn’t have fond memories.

So, it had been a shiver. She slipped her hand in his and felt the clamminess. “You don’t like hospitals?”

“I’m not sure anyone does. I don’t like being around illness. It makes me feel impotent. I hate seeing the fight go out of someone’s eyes and seeing them become resigned to their fate.” He continued to look straight ahead, his lips set in a grim line.

She squeezed his hand. “Are you still talking about your father?”

He didn’t seem to hear her. “I’d never give up. I’d fight death to the bitter end.” The savagery in his voice told her everything. Watching anyone dying of cancer would be horrific, but your father?

“I don’t know what’s worse. Losing those you love suddenly, or having to watch someone dear to you fade away.”

She swallowed her own terrible memories.

“I never got to say good-bye. My last words to my brother were ‘I’m glad I’ve got a sore throat so I don’t have to watch your silly football game.’ Now I’d watch every game he played in if I could have him back.”

They shared a look of sorrow, both momentarily lost in their own private grief.

“Dante, I mean, Conte Lombardi, I didn’t realize you had an appointment with us today.”

The words were spoken in a silky caress. It intimated familiarity, and the eager and seductive smile that accompanied the nurse’s greeting set Abby’s teeth on edge.

“Good afternoon, Lauren. I’m on my way to the cardio unit. My wife’s grandmother has been admitted.”

Abby didn’t miss the use of the nurse’s first name. She took in the voluptuous woman who was still making
come to bed
eyes at her husband. The uniform was too tight and far too short. Dante looked at their entwined hands. Perhaps she should loosen her grip. His knowing smile raised her body’s anger meter another notch.

“Excuse us, Lauren, but we’re in a hurry.” Dante maneuvered her around the sexy nurse.

“Lauren seems to know you rather well.” Abby had bitten her lip for all of a few seconds before letting her jealousy spill over. “Come here often, do you?”

“I’m the hospital’s largest contributor. I’m well known here.”

“I’m sure you are. Lauren doesn’t look the contributor type.”

There was a trace of laughter in his voice. “I’m a man, Abby, not a saint. You’ve been gone a long time.”

The mention of their separation saddened her. It was three years she’d never get back. Three years of experiences she would never share with him. “Now that I’m back, there is no need to flirt.”

“Nagging is one thing I have not missed while you were gone.”

“Nag, I don’t… Missed? You missed me?”

Dante smoothed her hair as they rode the elevator. His face was unreadable and she inwardly cursed that she’d allowed one word to give her so much hope.

“I’m getting into character for your grandmother.”

“I don’t nag.”

Dante pulled her out of the elevator. He lifted her hand to his lips and pressed a very sensual kiss on her palm, his eyes never leaving hers. “My wife is too beautiful to nag,” he murmured, that throbbing purr of seduction in his voice humming along every nerve in Abby’s body. “Relax, Abby. We are both supposed to have realized we’ve made a terrible mistake and we can’t live without each other.”

He was standing so close, face-to-face. Her breath was trapped in her lungs. She couldn’t keep her hands off him, and they slid around his neck as she pushed closer. His hands moved around her waist, his mouth a full, lush promise of sinful pleasure, lowered to hers. She forgot where they were, forgot everything but wanting a taste of him. She wasn’t disappointed. His mouth claimed hers in a possessive kiss.

His hands gathered her closer, bringing her into full body contact with him, gliding over her curves as though reveling in their soft femininity. The kiss deepened, going well beyond a public declaration of togetherness. His touch made her feel sexy, aware that she was at least desirable to him. She felt his response. He’d never be able to meet her grandmother in this state.

As if sensing he’d gone too far, Dante broke the kiss and backed away. Taking a deep breath, he said, “Now you look like a woman in, if not love, at least lust.”

“And what do you look like?” She indicated his groin.

“A man who has lived without sex for far too long. You’d better walk in front of me until I get myself under control.”

She went, although how her quivering legs carried her, she didn’t know. He’d always had this effect on her. One look—one touch—had her body screaming “take me.” She glanced over her shoulder and almost laughed at the pained look of concentration on Dante’s face. It would seem she had a similar effect on her husband. Maybe this marriage could work.

Her grandmother must have read the hope in her expression when she entered the hospital room. Nana broke into a huge smile and clapped her hands together, her relief evident.

“Forgive me,” Nana said.

Abby moved across the room to hug her grandmother and kiss her cheek.

“There is nothing to forgive.”

“I thought he’d hurt you more if I let him convince you to return. You needed some time to grow.”

She brushed the hair off her grandmother’s forehead. “Shush. You were probably right. I needed a bit more maturity to understand the kind of life I could have with Dante. We will hear no more about it. You concentrate on getting well.”

That was true. She’d never have been able to handle this business arrangement while nineteen and besotted.

Nana wiped a tear from her eye. “Look at me. I’m a mess. Getting old is no fun. I must look a hundred.”

“Nonsense. You look young enough to be Abby’s mother, Mrs. Taylor.”

“Still so smooth and sexy, I see. Come here, my boy. I haven’t seen you since the wedding. You’re more handsome than ever. I might be old but I’m still susceptible to your Italian charm. Do you forgive me?” she asked in a shaky voice.

“There is nothing to forgive. You were protecting Abby as you’ve always done.”

With mixed emotions she watched Dante hugging her grandmother and kissing her cheek.

“He smells nice too. All man. Lucky girl.”

Abby’s face flooded with heat. “Nana!”

The warmth of his smile echoed in his voice. “Now I know where Abby learned to flirt. Are they looking after you well?”

“Of course.” Her grandmother’s smile faltered and her voice wavered. “Thank you for everything you have done. I don’t know how I will ever repay you.”

“No repayment necessary.” He pulled Abby back against him. “You indirectly brought Abby back to me, and that is all I need.”

Her grandmother beamed at them both. His declaration sounded so heartfelt.

“It’s lovely to see you two together, but are you both sure it’s for the right reasons?”

Dante did not know her grandmother well enough to recognize the no-nonsense tone of her voice. Abby shouldn’t have worried. The smooth Italian conte came into play. He answered as if he were an accomplished actor.

“Mrs. Taylor, I’m the first to admit I have been the world’s biggest fool for letting our marriage remain strained for so long.” He bestowed a look that could only be described as absolute adoration on Abby that had her heart somersaulting.

Before her grandmother could speak another word, the doctors arrived. Dante shook hands with her surgeon and the nurses. They all spoke rapidly in Italian, going over her charts.

“Good news. They’re going to operate tonight. In a couple of hours.”

…

Dante watched Abby’s face drain of color. “Tonight? That soon?”

He stared at her frozen features, knowing exactly what she was feeling. Scared. Petrified. The one person Abby loved and trusted to love her in return could be taken from her. He wished with all his heart he could spare her that. But, she knew as well as him, life was fleeting.

He moved to place his arm around her. He could feel her shake.

“They told me that the renowned Dr. Prasad, my surgeon, has another emergency and to fit me in, he has to operate tonight.” Mrs. Taylor was trying to put on a brave face, but he saw the slight twitch near her eye. “Hence why I’ve not eaten or taken any liquids all day.”

“Why don’t I give you some time alone with your grandmother while I arrange beds for us? We’ll stay here tonight.”

She glanced up at him with shock. “But what about your important meeting?”

He saw the fear in her hazel eyes and knew he would not leave her. He bent and placed a swift kiss on her lips. “Business will be there tomorrow. Tonight, my place is by my wife’s side.”

He watched her struggle for a few moments. He hoped she thought this was a show for Mrs. Taylor. He didn’t want Abby to know that he’d do anything to protect her, anything to keep the fear and pain out of her beautiful eyes.

“Thank you,” she whispered. “I won’t forget this.”

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.”