Ashes (Web of Desire #3) - Aleatha Romig Page 0,90
is Andros going to eat with us?
My head shook at the realization that such a simple word could continue to fuel my growing bud of hope.
Lifting the blankets, I reminded myself I’d already showered.
In the bathroom, I applied a layer of lotion and some light cosmetics—just enough to not look like I’d spent three days in a fog—and then I dressed in slacks and a blouse. When I made it to the end of the hallway, I stilled. Standing near the dining room table were my husband and daughter, discussing silverware placement.
It was a mundane conversation and at the same time, exactly what I needed. The two of them weren’t talking about me or my meltdown or worries about the future. They were chatting like a father and daughter might.
“The fork goes on the left,” I said.
Two nearly identical sets of blue eyes came my way.
“It’s not the fork,” Ruby said. “It’s the glass. Tell him it is over the knife and spoon.”
When my gaze met Patrick’s, he winked.
My head shook as a real grin grew. “I think he knows that, sweetie. I think Patrick is teasing you.”
She opened her mouth with a gasp. “Seriously?”
“Trying not to miss out,” he said with a grin.
After we were done dining, I offered to clean up the table.
“The dishes are from here. The baking dishes go back upstairs,” Patrick said.
As I started water in the sink and opened the dishwasher, I nodded. “Okay, we can take them up in the morning at breakfast.”
Patrick reached for my hip and turned me away from the sink and toward him. “Are you sure?”
“Yeah, Ruby is right. I need to start living.”
His blue eyes closed as he pulled me closer, lowering his chin to the top of my head. “Maddie, you’re the strongest person I know.”
I wrapped my arms around his waist, my forehead against the buttons of his shirt. His suit coat was gone and his sleeves were rolled. The beat of his heart filled my hearing as his chest moved steadily with each breath. When I looked up, he was looking down. “I’m stronger with you.” I turned to Ruby, now sitting on the sofa with something on the television. “You were always with me, in her.”
Patrick nodded. “And now I’m here too.”
“And tomorrow I’ll make it upstairs because you’re with me.”
Patrick
Climbing into bed, I met Madeline’s gaze. “I never told you where I went this morning.”
“Patrick, you have work to do. I understand that.”
“This was work, but it was also personal.”
Wearing a soft cotton nightgown, much like the one she’d worn in the hotel room what seemed like a lifetime ago, Madeline sat against the headboard and pulled the blankets to her lap. “Okay, tell me.”
I let out a long breath. “I don’t know what I should tell you and what I shouldn’t.”
“I’ve just unleashed a lifetime of shameful secrets, and you’re still here. Do you think I’ll run from the man who loves me and our daughter and who I love and trust because of something you did?”
Sitting next to her against the headboard, I reached for her hand. I ran my fingers over hers. “This isn’t what I did, but I just had a thought.”
Madeline’s green eyes shone. “Really? The—I don’t know—four to six times in the last few days weren’t enough?”
Leaning nearer, I kissed her cheek. “It’s never enough. I wasn’t thinking about that. I was thinking that you’re my wife.”
“I am.”
“I’m your husband.”
“It usually works that way.”
“We need rings.”
Madeline’s breath caught. “We don’t. The rings don’t make it more real.”
“The rings tell the world that you’re taken and so am I. I want the world to know that.”
When she turned my way, her eyes glistened. “And you’ll wear one too?”
“Yes, of course.”
She looked down at her hand. “The only ring ever offered me was that monstrosity from Marion.”
“Andros?” I asked, hating that I’d mentioned his name.
“No,” she said, shaking her head. “He gave me jewelry, all kinds. Never a ring. I never asked why, but I was relieved. I didn’t want to wear his ring.”
“Good,” I said, lifting her hand and kissing her fourth finger. “Monstrosity. Yes, I saw it at the jewelry store. Tell me what kind you want.”
“Whatever you want to give me.”
“Now you have me thinking.”
Our fingers intertwined as Madeline spoke, “There have been so many thoughts and memories over the last few days.” She looked up. “I’ve been trying to imagine where we’d be if I hadn’t been taken.”