“What do you mean?” Jared sounded impressively menacing.
“Someone ran me off the road. Their headlights were too bright and I braked, but I think they swerved into me. I remember hearing them stop up on the road once I went over. Then they drove off.”
Fury tightened my husband’s expression and his grip on me almost hurt.
“You’re sure?” North asked.
I nodded. “Yeah. It was probably an accident, but they didn’t try to help. They just took off.”
“Coward.” My dad cursed under his breath. “If I find out who it was, they’re dead.”
“It doesn’t matter,” I said wearily. “All that matters is that I made it. Because you saved me.” I gave my husband an exhausted smile as something prodded at my memory. “When can we go home?”
A suspicious sheen covered Jared’s beautiful eyes and he had to clear his throat, the words husky as he replied, “As soon as you’re ready.”
Thirty-Nine
Allegra
It was an understatement to say that I did not like playing the patient. After staying in the hospital for a week after surgery, I was ready to get home and back to life. However, neither my husband nor my family would let me. Since I determinedly did not want to remain in bed, Jared insisted I plant my butt on the couch. Two days I’d been home and I was ready to lose it.
The only thing that passed the time was the visitors. Sloane, Walker, and Callie had shown up almost every day at the hospital and again when I returned home. I think Sloane and Callie might have experienced flashbacks to their own trauma years ago, and they just needed to reassure themselves that I was okay. Thattheywere okay.
They weren’t alone in visiting. The entire Adair family showed up. Not all at once (thankfully, because who had room for a clan their size?), but over the course of the next few days, they popped by with gifts and to check in. And, of course, Sarah and Theo had driven from Gairloch to stay for a while. Since they were both members at Ardnoch, they were living on the estate but spending most of their time here at the farmhouse. I knew Sarah was worried about how Jared was handling it all.
Jared was a champ.
He’d saved me.
Something I’d never forget.
But I also hadn’t forgotten that I’d twice told him I loved him and so far he hadn’t said it back.
Perhaps it was because I’d been on my way home to hash out our relationship. Maybe he wanted to wait to talk about it all when I was better. From the way he hovered over me, I couldn’t believe that he didn’t return my feelings. I remembered his emotional response when I woke up in that hospital bed.
So what was holding him back?
It was a thought for another time because today Mamma and Aria were visiting. Jared had gone to check on the farm, which he’d left in Georgie’s capable hands, and Sarah and Theo had made an excuse to leave so I could be alone with my mother and sister.
“Where’s Dad?” I asked as Mamma sat next to me on the sofa and took my hand in hers. She’d been clingy lately. And very affectionate.
Aria and Mamma exchanged a look before Mamma sighed. “I need some time, so I moved into Aria and North’s while your father is still here. He is going to visit you later today, alone.”
I covered Mamma’s hand. “I get it. I’m glad you’re taking the time you need.”
“You know …” She held my gaze and I saw shame in it. “I was so angry at you before the accident. It was easier to be angry at you than at your papà. Then when North told us your car had gone over the hillside …” Mamma sucked in a shaky breath, tears sliding down her beautiful face. “I was so scared.”
“I’m here, Mamma.”
“I know.” She cupped my cheek. “But you could have died and it would have been with a mother who put her needs before her child.” Mamma turned to look at Aria, heartbreak on herface. “I am so sorry that it has taken almost losing both my daughters to be a good mother.”
“Mamma.” Aria got up from the armchair and crossed the room to sit down on our mother’s other side.
“Maybe it is punishment for not being better.”
“What’s punishment?”
“What has happened to you both.”
