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“Let go of her arm,” Alec growled, placing his hand over Dad’s.
“Don’t hurt him,” I pleaded. “He doesn’t know what he’s doing.”
Just then, the sounds of “Dancing Queen”by ABBA filled the room. The grip on my arm loosened enough for me to pull away and within seconds, I was behind Alec.
“Come dance with me, Charlie.” Mom approached with her hand held out and I waited with bated breath until he took it. I watched my parents twirl around the living room to the song they danced to on their wedding day. Disco music was Dad’s favorite and we’d found it helped to distract him when he lashed out.
“You’ve got some explaining to do, Firefly.”
Swallowing past the knot in my throat, I looked up at the gorgeous man standing at my side.
“He has Alzheimer’s disease.”
It was the first time I’d spoken the words out loud to anyone in almost four years. The relief I felt over finally letting someone in was almost instantaneous.
Call me a coward, but I didn’t want to have the upcoming conversation in the house. Knowing he’d follow, I made my way to the front door and slipped outside. The fading sun cast shadows around the property, hiding the disrepair which was so glaringly obvious, as I took a seat in one of the rocking chairs, leaving the second free for Alec.
Closing my eyes, I let the sound of the forest waking up around us and the soft creaking of the wood as I rocked back and forth calm my racing heart.
“Sometimes I sit out here for hours, just thinking about the good times.” He reached over, giving my hand a gentle squeeze before entwining our fingers. “He made us promise to keep it quiet. My father loved this town and the people in it so much. He wanted them to remember him the way he was, not stand by and watch while this disease claimed each of his memories. I know it may seem silly to uphold a promise to a man who doesn’t even remember asking for it, but it was simpler to say they were deaf than to have to explain why they keep to themselves.”
“The bruises. That’s why you lied to River.” It was a statement, not a question. “It was easier to blame being clumsy when someone spotted them on your arm. They’re from him, aren’t they?”
Turning my head, I stared deep into his expressive eyes when I answered, “Yes.” There was no contempt there, only understanding and something else I couldn’t quite decipher. That was the moment I knew for sure. I’d not only fallen; I’d tumbled right over the edge.
I was hopelessly in love with Allesandro del Toro.
“What you saw back there is a rarity. The majority of his confusion happens in the evenings and at night though. They call it sundowning.”
I went on to explain about the day he took the hikers out on the trail. The day which altered the course of our lives forever. Alec held my hand through it all; giving me the strength I needed to share my father’s rapid decline.
“At first, it was little things, like not being able to think of the right word to use or misplacing his keys, but it progressed quickly after we got his diagnosis. Every menial task you and I take for granted; he can’t do on his own. Within the past four years, the man who taught me to tie my shoes has been replaced by someone who needs help bathing and dressing.”
“It wasn’t fair of him to ask you both to handle things on your own.” I started to interrupt, but he silenced me with a quick kiss. “I get his reasoning, baby, however it took away your support system. That all ends right now though. You’ve got a whole host of people to lean on.”
“I ruined our date night,” I muttered.
“After this morning, I wasn’t sure if I’d have to spend time convincing you again to take a shot on us, so our reservations aren’t until seven thirty.”
God, this man.
Unable to contain myself, I burst out laughing. Somehow, I felt lighter after all the heavy I’d laid at his feet, also hopeful. Sitting there on my front porch with him at my side, I came to a realization. If anyone could slay my demons, Alec could.
CHAPTER 7
Allesandro
WHILE QUIN RAN inside to let her mom know we were leaving, a plan began to come together in my head. For the last four years, these two women had been left completely alone to struggle through life and would have continued to do so without complaint. Well, that shit was over. FinitoFinished.
I knew Quin had been hiding something, but never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined the scene I walked into twenty minutes ago. I’d been nervous as hell when I’d knocked on the door, then my emotions ran the gamut between confused, pissed, and finally heartbroken. This loving family had been dealt a devastating blow—one I couldn’t imagine—which continued to impact them day in and day out.
When I saw Quin being manhandled by her father, I nearly lost my shit. Then to discover how long it had been happening? It was inconceivable. I was going to have a fight on my hands, but she couldn’t continue to live somewhere that put her or our baby at risk. That was nonnegotiable.
“I’m ready.” She closed the door behind her.
“You look incredible, baby. I’m sorry I didn’t say it sooner.”
“Thank you, for the compliment and the beautiful flowers.”
