His Southern Sweetheart

A fluffy cloud blew over the hospital. “Why?”

“Didn’t you mention something about losing your apartment?”

Did she? How soon she’d forgotten stretching the truth. She needed to keep a diary to keep track of the things she told Nate. Amelia glanced back at the sky. The cloud had now disappeared. A storm was brewing. “I don’t need you to worry about my finances.”

Nate threw his hands in the air for surrender. “All right.”

They both started walking again. “I don’t need you to walk me into the hospital, either.”

“I want to make sure you get in safe and sound,” Nate said as the automatic doors slid open, but not before Amelia caught a glimpse of his smirk.

A few seconds passed before Amelia’s eyes adjusted to the difference of the lights in the receptionist’s area. The young woman smiled in relief at the sight of her.

“Miss Marlow.” She snatched off her headset and came around the circular desk to embrace Amelia.

Amelia awkwardly patted the girl on the back. When did Southwood become such a hugging town? However, unless she was crazy, Amelia was sure the girl shuddered. “Is my grandmother okay?”

“She’s fine.” The girl sniffed and regained her composure. “Miss Helen is actually in the waiting room with a guest.”

Being part of the community, Helen Marlow had lots of friends. But she’d wanted this accident to be a secret, so Amelia was curious about who was visiting. She followed the plastered signs toward the waiting room; all the while Nate was on her heels.

“Really, Nate.” Amelia inhaled deeply.

“What?” He chuckled and captured her hand. Amelia did not pull away. “Are you afraid to be seen with someone like me?”

They fell into step together. To be honest with herself, Amelia enjoyed facing off with her grandmother with someone by her side...especially someone like Nate. With Amelia being so close to thirty and not married, Grandmamma reminded her constantly.

High-pitched laughter echoed down the hallway. Amelia rounded the corner to the open room filled with dozens of chairs, a few vending machines and a coffeemaker. Two figures sat close together by the window. There was no mistaking Grandmamma’s propped-up white cast.

“Grandmamma?”

The gentleman seated with her stood up and crossed the room to meet her. “Well, Amelia Marlow, as I live and breathe.”

“Pastor Rivers.” Amelia dropped Nate’s hand.

“Nate?” Pastor Rivers pulled back from his hug to Amelia. “This part of your community service?”

“Yes, sir.” Nate cleared his throat. “Just doing my duty and bringing the young lady to her grandmamma.”

“You don’t get to call me that.” Grandmamma maneuvered her wheelchair around in an awkward circle, knocking several of the folding chairs over. Amelia went to help but her grandmother swatted her hand away. “Who is this you brought here?”

“Grandmamma—” Amelia inhaled deeply “—this is Nathaniel Reyes, but he goes by Nate.”

“Well, Nathaniel,” Grandmamma said in a clipped tone, “don’t you own an iron or is this the new fashion?”

Nate smiled and thankfully ignored her grandmother’s gruffness. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Marlow. May I say you have a beautiful home?”

“What the hell are you do

ing in my home? Lord, Amelia, you better not have all kinds of people up in my house.”

Somewhere deep inside her, the seventeen-year-old Amelia shrank into herself. “No, ma’am. Nate’s been helping me fix things up for you,” she interjected before Grandmamma began lecturing them.

“Miss Helen,” Pastor Rivers spoke up, “Nate is an honorable young man. I can vouch for him.”

Grandmamma glared skeptically at Nate with her hazel eyes. “Well, whatever you two are doing, best get it done soon. The doc says I can finish recuperating in the next day or so.”

“Yes, ma’am,” said Nate.