new cat and the yoga class she was taking, they hung up.
Tess wasnât sure what was going to happen next. All she did know was that she had to see Simon again. She needed her brother back in her life. More importantly, she was determined to do whatever she could to keep him there.
That was a vow she was proud of. And a wish she hoped would come true.
Chapter 7
Friday, October 2
T he day dawned bright and sunny. As she gazed out the window from her hospital bed, Amelia decided the weather couldnât be more ideal. It suited her mood perfectly. On his morning rounds, the doctor had said that she could go home before noon. Amelia was so happy about that!
She had been worried about being in this large, sterile building. Try as she might, it held nothing but horrible memories for her.
But everyone around her was so kind. They were accommodating and patient. Every time someone walked by, they stopped in and said hello. A few times a day they brought her a cup of cranberry or apple juice. They talked about people they knew or her parents. It seemed most everyone had known either one or both of her parents.
Still, it had been difficult to be polite.
Every time she was alone, her mind would drift back to thehours sheâd spent in the waiting room, hoping and praying that the news about each of her parents would get better instead of progressively worse.
Last night, when the halls had been silent and she could only hear the faint echo of footsteps and voices from the nursesâ station, sheâd watched the hands on the clock above her bed slowly move around the dial. She didnât sleep a wink.
Now she was watching the door for a whole other reason. Simon had said heâd be back this morning. She couldnât wait to see him. The short time heâd been by her side, sheâd been either in pain, afraid, or groggy. Then heâd left suddenly. Now she was anxious to thank him for his quick thinking and care.
She was also looking forward to Lukas and Rebecca apologizing for their efforts to keep Simon away from her. Surely, after witnessing how much she needed him, her siblings would stop all the nonsense about trying to run her life.
But by ten oâclock, she was beginning to lose hope. She knew Simonâs schedule as well as her own. He had to be at work by now. Still, she sipped coffee that a volunteer had just brought her and watched the door.
When she heard the steady steps made by menâs work boots, she smiled.
Only to see her brother walk through the door.
âLukas.â
At her tone, he stopped and raised his brows. âItâs gut to see you, too.â
âSorry.â She hesitated, then decided to be completely honest. âIâve been hoping Simon would stop by. Have you seen him this morning?â she asked hopefully.
âNee.â
âCome on, Lukas. Donât you think itâs time we stopped pretending that he and I arenât seeing each other?â
Looking more uncomfortable, he nodded. â Jah . I do think we should stop pretending. Itâs past time.â
âIf you agree with me, why do you look so put out? You know Simon is a good man.â
âAmelia, Iâm sorry, but I think itâs time you stopped seeing him.â
âItâs too late for you to decide that. We already are.â Completely annoyed, she said, âLukas, for the record, I think you are being ridiculous. Iâm tired of you acting like he is good enough to work at your company but not good enough to court me.â
âIâm not acting like anything. Itâs the truth. He ainât good enough for you.â
âI think he is.â Aware that her hands were trembling with restrained emotion, she added, âSince itâs my life that weâre discussing and not yours, you need to learn to accept him.â
Her handsome older brother looked at the chair beside her, then took a step back and leaned against the wall.