AllFreeNovel
Share Us
‘I can understand, though I don’t agree. She could’ve written a letter for you to forward to Mattia. My son deserved that.’ The look became suspicious. ‘Or did she, and you chose to ignore it for your own gain?’
Elene closed her eyes and swallowed the pain those acidic words wrung out of her. Fair enough. This woman had Mattia’s back. But Mattia wasn’t rushing in to defend her as he’d said he would. So he didn’t entirely trust her despite everything he’d said so far. Opening her eyes, she stared in turn at both of them. ‘I want nothing from Mattia than for him to accept my role in Aimee’s life. I am her registered guardian. Believe it or not, I am not interested in your wealth. I have a happy life and want for nothing. I will always be there for Aimee, will continue to raise her, along with Mattia. How or where we make that work is yet to be determined. But—’ she fixed her eyes on Maria ‘—Mattia and I will make those decisions.’ With that, she took her glass and headed to the door opening into the garden, to wander blindly along the narrow paths.
Behind her, Mattia was saying in a sharp tone, ‘Elene’s right, Mamma. This is for us to work out.’
So he had backed her. Yet there’d been that question in his eyes as he’d waited for her answer to what she wanted from him. After what his ex had done to him, could she blame him? Probably not, but it still hurt. What a mess. With one hand she rubbed the opposite arm, where her skin was chilled. She’d gone and made an enemy of the woman who Mattia more than likely turned to for advice on family matters. But she had been true to herself.
* * *
Mattia strolled outside to find Elene. There were things to be said, yet it wasn’t as simple as opening his mouth and uttering them. One thing he was coming to believe was that Elene had not come to Italy with the intention of getting something out of this for herself, other than to be Aimee’s mother.
Even then she was prepared to share, to accept she had no choice in the matter, and was working to make it happen in a way that suited everyone. Doing better than him at it. She’d stood up to Mamma without hesitation. Her fierce loyalty to one little girl came from somewhere deep within, no doubt because of the love her own adoptive father gave her.
At the far wall stood the woman putting his normally calm, controlled life in turmoil. Elene had the power to trip him up, to make him revisit all the plans and controls he’d put in place in his life after Sandy’s perfidy. This woman was disturbing him in the most unexpected ways. He needed to get some control back or he was lost for ever. ‘Tell me about your biological father.’
Her mouth dropped open, was quickly slammed shut. Behind the shock flaring in her eyes, he sensed her mind was racing. The glass in her hand was in danger of spilling water all over her dress. A deep breath. ‘I grew up wanting to be acknowledged by him. It never happened. When I came over here to meet my mother’s family I looked him up. It was an unpleasant meeting, and made me so glad to have my real father. I returned home with my tail between my legs, and continued receiving nothing but love from Dad.’
‘Hell, Elene. That’s awful.’
‘It was, but at the same time I have the most loving dad anyone could ask for.’ Twirling the half empty glass in her fingers, she seemed to ponder how much to tell him. ‘My mother was eighteen when she became pregnant with me. Her boyfriend immediately dumped her so she flew home and not long after met Jeff Lowe.’
A sour taste filled Mattia’s mouth. No woman should ever be treated so ruthlessly.
Her mouth twisted into a small smile. ‘Jeff Lowe is my real dad, and has been there for me all my life. When each of my sisters came along I was still daughter number one. He treats me how a father should treat his daughters.’
He couldn’t argue with the loyalty and fierceness in her voice. ‘Aimee’s one lucky little girl. You keep your word.’ Convincing Elene to move to Italy to be near him had just got harder. But they’d leave it for now, go inside and join his family. Mamma had softened towards Elene after that blunt statement earlier, saying to him that she was a gutsy lady who wasn’t afraid to state her mind. He agreed. Aimee would always be watched over, cared for, loved unconditionally wherever she was.
He wanted some of that. Hell, he wanted all of that and more. And not just with Aimee. But letting go the things that kept him on the straight and narrow wasn’t coming easily when there was so much mistrust in his past. He reached for her arm, removed the glass from her shaking hand and said, ‘Come on. Dessert and the family are waiting for us.’
Doubt filled her face and eyes, her stance. ‘Really?’
‘Really. You don’t think Sofia and Alessia would’ve dragged you off for a conflab if they didn’t want to get to know you better in the nicest possible way, do you?’
‘They were very friendly.’
‘Bet they had a hundred questions that weren’t all about why we’re here.’ Those two had formed a strong bond from the moment they’d met, as if they needed each other to keep from being swamped by his over-enthusiastic and demanding family. Elene could do worse than joining their ranks. A lot worse.
CHAPTER EIGHT
THE SUN WAS bright and her feet skipped as Elene made her way down the hill on Monday morning. The Tyrrhenian Sea was so blue it looked like something off a paint chart. Ferries were shuttling back and forth along the coast, moving the first waves of eager tourists. Mattia had offered to drive her to the unit for her first day on the job but she liked being out amongst the locals, taking in the sights and sounds of Sorrento. Being Italian.
The smell of freshly brewed coffee had her stopping at the café where locals were ordering their morning fix. She chattered to people as she waited for her cappuccino, happy to be a part of the scene. Could she do this on a regular basis? Live here, become involved with the community, raise Aimee as a local? It wouldn’t be impossible, or uncomfortable. Danielle had hinted she wouldn’t object to her daughter growing up in Italy.
The moment Elene walked onto the ward she felt at home. Nursing did that to her, no matter where she was. People in need of care were her specialty, and it didn’t matter if they were young or old, rich or poor; pain and illness affected everyone the same. Being here added to the sense of being in the right place. Sorrento was pulling her in with its promise of sun, laughter, friendly people—and Mattia. The real sticking point. Falling under his spell, she could almost believe she might be able to risk her heart again, while his mountain of distrust would take a monumental leap to get over. Might pass on that. She’d probably miss the landing spot.
‘Hi, Colleen,’ she said to the charge nurse she’d met briefly yesterday when Mattia brought her in on their way home from Naples. ‘Where do you want me?’
‘Hello, did you bring two of those?’ Colleen nodded to the take-away coffee in her hand.
‘Tell me how you have it and I’ll get you one tomorrow.’
‘Black. Let’s find you a uniform before I introduce you to our patients. I’ve rostered you to look after Gino since he hasn’t stopped singing your praises. Then there’s Joanna, who had pancreatic surgery yesterday. But how it works around here, we all keep an eye on everyone.’
‘No problem. Is Gino walking on those crutches yet?’
‘No.’ Colleen shook her head. ‘That’s another reason he’s yours this morning. You had him moving once Mattia got him out of bed so I’m hoping you’ll be able to continue with that.’
‘Why doesn’t he want to get walking?’ Most people who had hip replacements couldn’t wait to be up and about after months or years being incapacitated.
Colleen sighed. ‘Some of our patients don’t have much to go home to. Having three decent mea
ls a day can be a huge step up. Others don’t have someone at home to look after them while they recuperate.’
‘That’s sad.’ She’d never known what it was like to go without, but she had done her share of helping those who did by working in the second-hand goods shop to raise funds. ‘Everyone’s entitled to the basics.’
‘Entitled, maybe, but getting them is another story. Which is why Mattia is fierce about keeping this place going. Here, put these on.’
Another reason he’d loathe to relocate to her side of the world. The list was growing in his favour. Strange how that wasn’t tipping her into despair, instead focusing her on what was most important—Aimee. ‘How long have you worked here?’
‘Nearly two years. I was working full-time at the main hospital and decided to volunteer here instead. My husband’s a general surgeon and contributes time when required. We moved out from Ireland for the warmth and lifestyle, and have no intention of ever returning.’
‘Why would anyone when it’s so beautiful?’ Remember that in the bleak moments. Living here wouldn’t be hard. She could rent an apartment nearby, work paid hours at the hospital and put in some extra here. And miss her family. Elene’s heart squeezed. Last night she’d talked to her mother for nearly an hour, and then one of her sisters rang and it had been late when she finally went to bed. Her youngest sister was turning twenty-one tomorrow and she wouldn’t be there for the celebrations. Homesickness hit, then she remembered why she was here and pushed it away. Aimee would never know what it was like to be rejected by those nearest and dearest. Never.
‘You’re staying with Mattia, right?’
‘I am.’ That was all she had to say on the matter. ‘Right, let’s go see Gino.’
He saw her coming from across the room. ‘Buongiorno, Elene. They told me you were coming in today. I’m glad to see you.’
