Conception (The Wellingtons #4) - Tessa Teevan Page 0,103

Amelia wanted a clean break. That she was leaving it up to chance, fate, whatever you want to call it. You’d meet again if you were supposed it. If not, that’s life. But when it comes to women, they say one thing and mean another. As men, we’re apparently supposed to get that.”

“I wanted to come back as soon as my dad was settled, but Amelia told me not to. I thought I was respecting her wishes.”

He cocks an eyebrow. “So why are you here now?”

I don’t even have to think about it. “Fuck her wishes.”

A slow grin splits his face, and I impatiently wait for him to tell me what I want to know. “I was hopin’ you’d say that.” His brow furrows, and I wonder what’s coming next. “Listen, things for Amelia since you left…haven’t been the easiest. She missed you somethin’ fierce. I never thought I’d meet a woman more stubborn than my Sunny, but Amelia these last few months? She’s been about ten times worse.”

The hair on the back of my neck rises. “What do you mean she’s having a hard time? What the fuck’s been going on?”

Joe sighs. “Not my place to tell you. Trust me, man. I’ve got your back in this. I’m in your corner, and if she’d be honest with herself, Sunny is, too. She’s just playing momma bear to her best girl. But what’s goin’ on with Amelia? You need to hear that from her.”

“Then tell me where I can find her.”

He glances at the empty glass in front of me. “That your first one?”

I nod.

“She’s fine, but…”

My blood runs cold at that but.

And when Joe leans in to tell me where I can find her, any possible buzz I may have had dissipates. I’m stone-cold sober, and if I don’t get to Amelia immediately, I may just lose my freaking shit.

SHE’S IN THE HOSPITAL.

If I weren’t so intent on getting to her, I would wring the necks of Sunny, her grandma, and her boyfriend all at the same time. Precious time has passed since I’ve been looking for her only to find out she’s laid up in some hospital bed the next county over? Fucking pricks.

It’s late, nearly midnight, and I have no idea if they’ll even let me see her. I’m racking my brain, trying to think of ways to sweet-talk the nurses, when I walk through the doors on the third floor, where Joe told me I’d find her.

I hit registration, hoping the pretty nurse behind the counter doesn’t notice the cold sweat across my brow. I clear my throat, getting her attention.

“Hi. How can I help you tonight?” she asks in a sweet singsong voice.

“Yeah, uh, I’m here for Amelia. I know it’s late, but I just got into town and my buddy told me she was here. I didn’t know…” I trail off.

“Hmm, let me see here,” she says mostly to herself, grabbing a file from a stack to her right. She thumbs through the papers before returning her attention to me with that same sickeningly sweet smile. “And your name, sir?”

“Knox Wellington.”

“Of course. We usually don’t allow visitors after nine p.m., but there’s a note here to let you come whenever you arrive. You must be the lucky man,” she says, giving me a wink.

I have no idea what it means, but I’ll take it. If Amelia’s put me on a list so I can visit her, that has to be a good sign, right?

Except Amelia’s put me on a list so I can visit her in the hospital, which has to be an ominous sign.

She pushes her chair back and rounds the counter. “Follow me.”

I reach out and lightly touch her arm, stopping her. “Can you tell me if she’s okay? Or if…” I trail off, not wanting to voice those horrifying words.

The nurse gives me what I’m sure is supposed to be a reassuring smile.

Words would work a hell of a lot better, lady.

“She’s absolutely fine. Just resting after the excitement.”

Doubt must cloud my face, because she pats my arm.

“The first time is always as scary as it is exhilarating. Trust me—aside from sleepless nights in the foreseeable future, she’ll bounce back in no time.”

I have no idea what she’s talking about, and honestly, I don’t care to decode it. I just want to see Amelia.

When the nurse stops outside a door, she lifts a finger to her lips. “Amelia has one of the few single rooms on the floor—thanks to her grandmother,