Page 128

I have vivid memories of kissing her last night like I’d never get enough. I want to wake her with kisses. I almost lost her last night. And I’ll never risk that again.
When I left her in her room yesterday morning, I promised her a conversation. I'm not sure what we did last night but I don’t think much talking happened. I need to tell her all the things – all my fears, all my hopes for a future with her.
I want her. I want a shot at the life I never thought would be possible.
As soon as she wakes up I’ll tell her that.
I shift my legs, but there’s a bedpan on my lap. Please tell me I didn’t use that in front of Amelia last night.
And why are there fifteen empty Jell-O cups littering the floor? I hate Jell-O.
But apparently, I ate some because there's a big red stain on the wrap around my chest.
I close my eyes, relaxing back into the pillows. I wonder if it’s time for more pain medicine. I could ring the nurses, but I don’t want to wake up Amelia when she’s peaceful…and safe.
“Why is there a girl in Uncle Caleb’s bed?” I jolt at the voice, which causes me to wince in pain hard enough that I accidentally fling Amelia and the bedpan out of the bed.
Amelia yelps as she lands on the floor butt-first. The bedpan is the final cymbal of our circus.
“That wasn’t nice.”
I turn towards Crew’s voice. Ward is standing there trying very hard not to lose it.
“No, it wasn’t,” Amelia says and stands up. “I’m used to it though.” She looks down at her gown. “Why am I wearing this?”
“You were poisoned, remember?” I say, nodding toward her IV stand.
“I’m talking about this.” She lifts her foot, wiggling the blood pressure cuff wrapped around her calf.
I bite down hard on my bottom lip, remembering something from last night. She thought the poison was similar to a snake bite and wanted to cut it off before it reached her foot because it was her favorite foot.
“Aunt Millie!” Crew rushes forward and hugs Amelia. His little arms tug at the ties holding her gown together and I avert my gaze.
“Crew, what are you doing here?” Amelia asks.
“Ward and I are friends,” I say. “How do you know them?” I ask, but the answer is pretty obvious. Maddie.
A nurse enters the room, glaring at us. “Oh good. You two are awake. It’s not hospital procedure to allow you two to stay in the room, but the little one,” she motions to Amelia, “said you were on your honeymoon. And refused to get off the bed.”
I look at Amelia to see her fighting a grin.
The nurse looks at me. “And sir, if you want to take that bedpan home it’s going to be fifty dollars.”
“Excuse me?” I choke on air. “Why would I want a bedpan?”
“My question exactly. But you insisted it looked like your best friend.”
Ward clears his throat.
“And you.” She looks at Amelia who is laughing so hard she’s crying. “You have a sugar problem. We’ve never run out of Jell-O before. You should get that checked.”
What on earth happened last night?
She unhooks Amelia from her IV then she removes mine, and checks the bandage around my chest, the whole time muttering how grateful she is we will both be released today.
When she finally leaves, Ward comes over to the bed. “I look like a bedpan?”
I glance at the bedpan in question. “That could be anyone.”