Chapter 13
Adrian
A week later
I’m supposed to meet Amelia now, but I’m still stuck at the hospital after a night shift, finishing up paperwork after a new admission. I can’t just walk away mid-shift. My patients come first. That’s the reality of this job.
But the delay eats at me. We’re supposed to be a team on this. She’s counting on me. And worse, I don’t even have her number to let her know I’m running late. Stupid. Neither of us thought to exchange that one major piece of information.
My shift was meant to end at eight a.m., but by the time I finally get out, mid-morning light has settled over the town. I drive straight to Pulse Point Bridge, hoping she’s still there. But as I pull into the lot, my chest tightens. Her car is nowhere in sight.
I still check our meeting spot, clinging to the foolish hope that maybe she’s waiting. But the bench is empty, the space silent except for the distant rustle of trees and the occasional chatter of birds.
Fuck. I’ve let her down.
Guilt rolls in my stomach as I turn back toward my car. I can’t leave it like this. I need to make it right. Even if that means showing up at her home, I’m going to try.
As I pull up to her house, her car is in the driveway.
Thank God she’s home.
At least I can explain what happened instead of leaving her wondering if I just didn’t show up.
I take the steps two at a time and knock, my pulse kicking up as I hear the distant sound of kids laughing inside. The door swings open, and there she is… Amelia.
Her eyebrows lift in surprise, mouth parting slightly before she runs a hand down the front of her top. She’s in sweatpants and a white hoodie, her hair in a messy bun, minimal make-up, looking more relaxed than I’ve ever seen her.
“I’m really sorry.” I rub the back of my neck. “I got stuck at work. I couldn’t contact you.”
She crosses her arms. “I wasn’t expecting you.”
“I figured I owed you an apology in person.” I glance down at my suit, suddenly feeling overdressed. “I’m a bit out of place here.”
Amelia smiles. “At least one of us is comfortable.”
That small bit of humor eases the tension, and I let out a breath.
“Well, I’ve got a few things started for the fundraiser from donations already.” She steps back. “Do you want to come in and go over things? I probably can’t head out again.”
“If you don’t mind. I feel bad about standing you up earlier.”
“Come in, then. Ignore the mess.”
That’s it? No lecture?
I was prepared for pushback, and her forgiveness makes me feel both relieved and slightly unworthy of it.
She leads me inside. Felix darts through the hallway, his giggles filling the space. I spot her mom on the sofa, flipping through a magazine.
“Hi, Ms. Richards.” I wave.
She looks up and gives me a small smile. “Adrian, lovely to see you again. I heard all about the fundraiser. Sounds like a great thing you’re doing.”
“It is. Hopefully we can pull it off.”
We settle in the dining room, pushing aside a few scattered papers and half-finished crafts. Amelia already has supplies laid out—games that need tweaking, signs that need painting.
Did she do this at home because I didn’t show up?
Guilt fills me as I feel like I’m another person relying on her. I need to help more so she realizes she doesn’t have to do everything herself.
We dive into the work, transforming ordinary activities into Christmas-themed fun.
As we go, we make a list of bigger prizes we still need.
I plan to visit Genevive to talk to her about pies and sugar cookies.
Then head to Derek to get haircut vouchers.
As we go through the list of people, including who the volunteers are and who we still need to ask.
I remember my conversation before work yesterday.
“I talked with Dores from the grocery store. She said she can donate a gift basket and a few other things. They should be ready at the end of the week.”
“Good idea.” Amelia nods. “So maybe next week, we can meet back up, and we’ll finish them up together.”
“Alright.” I pause, then add with a slight smile, “I should probably get your number now, huh?”
She laughs. “Yeah, that’d be smart.”
We exchange numbers, and for some reason, it feels bigger than it should. Like another step toward… something.
As we wrap up, she leans back against the chair. “So… did you read Dr. Whisperer yet?”
“Yeah, I did. I knew Russell would be fine. He’s a menace.”
She grins. “He is. But he’s also kind of funny.”
“I’m honestly surprised no one’s caught him and cooked him yet.”
She gasps in mock horror. “No one would dare! Russell’s practically a town mascot.”
I shake my head, laughing. “Well, he did manage to free the rest of the turkeys. That was unexpected.”
“Oh, I don’t know.” Amelia leans against the dining table, amusement dancing in her eyes. “I think Russell’s smarter than he looks.”
I study her for a moment, and I find myself smiling. There’s something so magnetic about her leaning back, more comfortable, with her hair a little messy and faint paint smudges on her fingers from working on the signs. Which is exactly why I should leave right now.