Fidelity (Infidelity #5)

Adelaide’s smile bloomed. “You did say you took me.”

“And I’m not letting you go. There’s no amount of ransom I’ll accept.”

“But what about Alton?”

“His hands are a little full with the murder investigation and bogus marriage.”

We both turned to footsteps as Chelsea stopped at the doorway.

“Miss Moore.”

“Chelsea?”

We both spoke simultaneously.

“I’m sorry. I don’t want to interrupt,” she said, her eyes wide, one bordered by a sickening brown and green discoloration.

Adelaide’s hand went to her lips. “Chelsea… what happened?”

The young woman’s fingers went to the bruise on her cheek as her face tipped forward. “I heard voices and thought maybe Alex was awake.”

“See?” I said. “She’s here.”

Adelaide’s shoulders straightened. “Why are you here?” It was a tone I wasn’t accustomed to hearing come from her lips.

“Because she’s my best friend.” This time we all waited as Alexandria appeared behind Chelsea holding Lennox’s hand.

I took a deep breath. “Well, amore mio, this is what we’d wanted.”

Alexandria dropped Lennox’s hand and raced around the table to Adelaide. “Look at you!” she cried, wrapping her arms around Adelaide’s neck. “You’re sitting here. You’re eating.”

When the two separated, both of their eyes were moist with emotion. After Lennox pulled out a chair for Chelsea and another for Alexandria, he came forward offering his hand. “Mrs. Fitzgerald, Lennox Demetri.”

Her blue eyes scanned my son up and down. “My, my… you are the spitting image of your father.”

His lips quirked upward. “It’s very nice to meet you.”

“And you as well. Please call me Adelaide.” She turned to Alexandria and cupped her cheeks. “We need to talk.”

“We do, but right now I want to relish the fact that you’re talking.”

“You visited me?”

“I did.”

“You were in Savannah?”

Alexandria swallowed. “I was.”

“How did you know? Did Jane call you?”

It was as if they were alone in their own bubble until Alexandria answered.

“No, Momma, Chelsea told me that you needed me.”

Adelaide turned toward Chelsea, her expression souring and neck straightening as it had when Chelsea first entered the dining room. “I suppose I owe you my gratitude.”

“No, Mrs. Fitzgerald, you don’t owe me anything. Alex needed to know what was happening with her mother.”

“Thank you.”

As the women spoke, my eyes met Lennox’s. Adelaide was right. My son was the younger reflection of me, the better parts of me, the parts before I’d sold my soul. In his eyes was my prize. He’d been spared so much.

“We’re all here—” Lennox began.

“Who else needs soup?” Silvia asked. “I may have made it a little spicier than the doctor recommended and for those of you not on restrictions, we have bread and…”

“I wish,” Alexandria said. “Silvia, it’s amazing, but…” She looked to Lennox. “…Deloris just called. I need to find my handbag.”

“And Chelsea, the three of us need to head back to Savannah,” Lennox added.

“No.” The word came from nearly everyone besides Lennox and Alexandria.

“Why?” Adelaide asked.

“It would be better to give our statements and get out of Savannah before Bryce makes bail.”

Adelaide’s head shook back and forth. “Alexandria, Oren was just saying something about a marriage license?”

“I didn’t marry Bryce. Alton tried to force it. He had a judge in his office. I didn’t say yes. If there’s a license, it’s forged.”

“We can’t let him get away with ruining any more lives,” Adelaide said. She looked at me. “Too much time has been wasted.”

Alexandria sat between Lennox and Adelaide. “We have a few minutes before Deloris gets here. Momma, help me.” She motioned between Adelaide and me. “How do you two know one another?”

Silvia was still standing. I reached for her wrist. “Let’s not worry about the food yet. Sit with us. This involves all of us.”

Chelsea began to stand. “I’m intruding.”

“No, Miss Moore. You’re here because you chose to help Alexandria. Sit.” I took a deep breath as all eyes turned to me. “We have too much to discuss to ease into any of it. Let me start. I first became acquainted with Adelaide—”

She reached for my hand. “It was a Christmas party…” Her smile shone, telling me to begin our story there, not years before. She turned to Lennox. “…your father’s first Christmas as a single man.”

“What?” Alexandria said before Lennox reached for her knee, pulling his chair closer to hers.

“Let them talk. I heard this from Oren about two weeks ago and it still hasn’t sunk in. Just listen.”

She nodded, turning back toward us. “Okay. I’m sorry. Can you define acquainted?”

Pink returned to Adelaide’s cheeks. “No, dear.”