Page 64 of Singing For His Kiss

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

She’d made it last an hour, but now Madeline’s hair was braided in a long, golden ponytail and she was dressed in a light pink tulle fairy-dress with matching silk pink ballet flats on her dainty feet. Elizabeth’s heart lurched at the beautiful, innocent sight. She really was a fairy. A little sprite who had melted the wall around her heart enough to let light back inside.

“Stay still and hold your breath.”

Madeline scrunched her eyes. Her cheeks bulged as she held her breath. As quickly as she could, Elizabeth sprayed silver glitter on her hair as a finishing touch. Silver sparkles stuck to the fine strand of her hair, as well as a heavy dose on the bathroom wall.

Elizabeth squeezed her shoulders. “Finished. You can breathe again now.”

Madeline let her breath go and peered up at her with those big blue eyes she’d never forget. “Can I look?”

“Of course.” Elizabeth followed Madeline into her bedroom, where she twirled in front of the mirror on a stand. “I look like a princess fairy!”

Elizabeth couldn’t hold in her smile. A smile that was closely followed by the hot press of tears. She brushed them aside. “You certainly do.”

“What’s wrong, Liz’beth?” Madeline had stopped twirling and stood clutching the filmy strips in her little hands. The child was far too perceptive.

“Nothing, sweetheart.” She took her hand and sat next to her on the bed. “You know you’re a very special little girl, don’t you?” Her throat clogged with heat, and she struggled to work it out.

“Uh huh.” Madeline turned confused eyes to her.

She wanted to say so much to this brave little girl. That she loved her so much. That she’d never forget her. That she was the best thing to have come into her life.

That she wished she never had to leave.

Elizabeth could only hope by leaving like this, it wouldn’t emotionally scar her. She knew how Madeline felt about her. Knew how different she was because of her. Completely understood Madeline, in some way, had waited for a similar lonely soul to connect with. That together, they were so much better off.

The heaviness of her own battered soul cried with untold pain, knowing she was going to leave. How could she ever say that to a child she’d come to love as her own? She couldn’t hope to come close. She could only hope one day Madeline might forgive her.

She wound her arm about Madeline’s waist and cradled her close to her body, drinking in the way she felt, her little girls’ sweet smell, the way she clung back. When she felt as though she could speak, Elizabeth tapped her hand.

“How about we go see what Mrs. D’llessio is doing? Maybe she’s making cookies and we can have one with a cup of tea.”

Madeline beamed up at her. “I can’t drink tea, silly.”

Elizabeth tapped her nose. “Then you have can have one with milk. How does that sound?”

Madeline nodded, jumped off the bed and grabbed her hand. “Let’s go.”

She let Madeline lead her down into the deliciously smelling, bustling kitchen. She was ordering some people hired to help with the party tonight. Some chopped vegetables, pots bubbled on the stove, boxes of supplies piled on the table. It was beginning to look like a mot mess, which made what she was going to do worse.

“Maria?”

“Si, Cara?” Mrs. D’llessio turned from a pot and wiped her hands on her apron.

“Would you possibly do me a favour? I have to go to the supermarket to get some… ladies' supplies. I’ve just dressed Madeline, and it’s still so cold out there. Could Madeline possibly stay here while I duck out? I won’t be long. I promise.” She mentally crossed her fingers at the lie.

Mrs. D’llessio’s brow creased. “Is everything OK, Cara?”

She put a hand to her lower abdomen. “Just that time, I’m afraid, and I’m not prepared.”

The older woman’s face cleared. “Ah, si. I don’t have anything here to offer. Of course. Go. My little bambina can help with the preparations.”

“Thank you, Maria. I really appreciate it.” Elizabeth held back from hugging the older woman despite wanting to. She’d suspected something was up, and no one hugged a near stranger because they had to go buy sanitary items.

She headed straight to the front door, hoping like hell she didn’t look as guilty and desperate as she felt. There was no way she’d be able to leave with her backpack. That was too obvious, and she couldn’t risk James asking if he saw it. She only had the clothes on her back, but that would have to last.

The house was a hive of activity, locals having been brought in to prepare for the party. They worked as though they knew what they were doing, obviously having done something similar, which upon further introspection they had to have. No one could assemble a team at a moment’s notice.

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