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Chapter Seventeen
For the following two days, Leo and Amelia made the arrangements for her father’s funeral and went room by room in the home she’d grown up in.
“I want to donate most of it and sell the house,” she told him as they finished sorting her father’s personal effects and having them transported to a storage unit. “I never want to come back to this place.”
“You don’t have to,” he assured her. “There’s nothing left for you here. Let Dad handle the inspections, contractors, and sale. He’ll make sure it’s done right.”
She pointed at the wall of the formal living room. “You don’t think gold leaf wallpaper will be popular?”
It felt good to laugh amidst so much sadness
They talked constantly and there were ample tears. They argued more than once as Leo fought to let go of the disappointment, anger, and frustration he’d carried with him since she left.
For her, for the love he couldn’t deny still having for her, he did what he could to set his ego aside. If things were going to work, the past had no business between them.
They took time to learn about the changes in one another after so many years apart. Leo liked the changes in her.
Amelia refused to commit to a future with him and he tried not to push. She’d spent almost a decade fighting her demons alone and he had no right to make demands.
Augusta visited Leo’s house three times, begging to see Amelia. She told his parents that she wanted to make things right.
She was refused admittance at Amelia’s request.
The day of the funeral, they got dressed in Leo’s room. He wore a sleek black suit and she slipped into a dress that wasn’t meant to be sexy but was. The simple black heels, gloves, and hat with a half veil made her more stunning than appropriate for his composure.
Approaching her in the morning sunlight streaming into the window, he reached out and stroked his palm along her side.
“I find you more beautiful right now than I ever have, Amelia.” Her eyes widened in surprise. “I like that you put on weight.” He slid his fingertip over her hair that was coiled into a bun at the base of her neck. “I love what you’ve done with your hair.” Gathering her close, he smiled. “Most of all, I like the air of strength and capability you have. Like you know who you are now and aren’t afraid of it.”
She whispered, “I’m a work in progress…”
“And yet...already a masterpiece. The two aren’t mutually exclusive, Amelia. Every day, we change and grow. It doesn’t lessen the journey you’ve been on to this moment.” He rubbed the back of his fingers along her jaw. “I’m proud of you, of the person you are today. I hope I get to see what happens next.”
“Leo…”
“Not now. Let’s get through today. It will be hard enough without adding more pressure.”
“Thank you.”
Bending, he lightly kissed her lips. “You’re welcome. Before we leave this room, know that I’m paying attention. No matter what happens, I’m going to be right by your side.”
She nodded. “Augusta.”
“Augusta. You know she’ll be there. I’ll look to you for clues and back up however you want to handle her.”
Inhaling deeply, she said, “In this, I might need a support system.”
He winked. “I’m your man.”
She lifted her hand and placed it on his chest. “In my heart, no matter the miles between us, the hurt between us, the people between us...you’ve always been my man, Leo.”
They stared at each other for a long moment. He gave her the opportunity to take back the words or lighten them with some sarcastic humor.
She didn’t take the opening.
“You’re the only woman I’ve ever considered mine. The only woman I’ve ever loved, wanted, needed in my life. When I met you, when I lost you, when I saw you again. Even if you leave me, I’ll break again, I’ll hurt, and I’ll be fucking furious...but you’ll still be my woman, Amelia.”
She blinked against tears. “I don’t deserve that kind of loyalty.”
