Chapter Seven

" Good morning!!!" Amelia said as soon as she entered Alexander's room that morning, perky and smiling. 

She was carrying a breakfast tray and didn't wear her usual nursing pajamas, opting instead for brown booties and a floral dress that left a soft cleavage on her small breasts.

"Why the excitement? " Alexander asked as he stretched, already showered and wearing a sweatshirt.

" Because we're going for a walk. " She answered, going to his closet. "I don't know about you, but I'm a little tired of these walls. 

She returned with a button-down shirt and jeans, as well as a pair of white sneakers.

"Okay, no more sweatshirts." Amelia said, putting the pieces on the bed. 

" I like these walls. " Alexander replied as he took a sip of coffee.

" They'll be in the same place when we get back. " She replied, taking the glass of juice from him as she sat down facing him.

"What are you up to, Jones?" He narrowed his blue eyes in suspicion.

'Nothing, Mr. Alderidge. We're just going for a walk and get this color of death off. We're on the beach, it's a beautiful sunny day! ' She said exasperatedly, finishing her juice. 'I'll wait for you downstairs. 

Soon Amelia got up and left the room.

Half an hour later Alexander was ready. He wore the clothes Amelia had chosen and she imagined how handsome and charming he was.

His deep blue eyes, his square jaw and the charming dimples that appeared whenever he smiled. He really was a very handsome man.

"So, shall we go?" He asked, snapping her out of her trance.

"Yes, we are." She said, grabbing her jacket and purse while waving her keys in one hand.

" Are you going to drive? " Alex asked suspiciously.

"You should know that I drove my first truck when I was twelve! " She said, all proud of herself.

"And your parents weren't arrested for that? " he said as he picked on her.

" Not when my dad was the town sheriff. " She replied, winking at him.

Alexander was surprised by that answer, narrowing his intense blue eyes at her. He made his way to the car next to Amelia who then opened the back door and helped Alex in.

Sitting next to him in the driver's seat, Amelia stuck the key in the ignition and started the car.

"Jones, where do you intend to take me?" Alex questioned after a few minutes of driving, noticing that they were headed to the center of the South Hamptons.

" Somewhere you should have gone a long time ago. " she replied. "And this time I'm not swearing at you. " Amelia smiled as she looked at him.

The woman turned on the radio, plugging her cell phone into it when Delta by Mumford & Sons started playing. She hummed along, tapping her fingers on the steering wheel, when she realized that another voice was accompanying her.

"Do you know Mumford?" she asked in amazement.

" What do you think I listen to? Opera?" Alexander asked as he looked at her and shook his head in the negative.

"It's Ethan's favorite band. We went to one of their concerts three years ago. " He commented.

"Can I ask you a question about your brother?" Amelia looked at Alex, wondering how to say that. 

He nodded in agreement.

"Is Ethan gay?" she asked facetiously and Alex just laughed.

" Since he was born, I believe. " He replied in a quiet tone. " Why the question?

" I think he's dating Ben. " Amelia replied and noticed the confusion in Alex's blue eyes.

" And who would Ben be? " He questioned, he was visibly curious.

" My older brother. " Amelia answered. " He was the one who referred me for the job. " She explained.

" And why do you think that? " Alex asked and Amy could notice that gossipy look on Alexander, finding it funny.

"When you were admitted, Ethan showed up there with Benjamin. He made up an excuse that they were having dinner, but it was really late. " She said and the gossipy atmosphere was evident in the car.

"Interesting... Your brother is dating my brother." Alex commented, but he had no problem with that.

"We're here! " Amelia announced as she stopped the car and cut the subject. 

She parked in front of a white house with a sign in front that read: Elena Campbell, psychologist and analyst.

Alex soon understood where they were and turned to Amelia.

"You brought me to therapy?" he asked a little irritated.

"Yes. I'm leaving you here for the first session and I'm going to walk around." She spoke, not caring at all about his irritation.

"Alexander, it's necessary. And you promised. " Amelia said, resting her hand under his and squeezing gently. 

Alex returned the squeeze and begrudgingly agreed.

When they arrived at the reception, Amelia filled out Alex's initial form and as soon as the therapist appeared at the door, she smiled.

"I'm on my cell, anything you can call me. " She asked and left after Alex entered the room.

Amelia got into the car next. She hadn't had time to get to know the city in those weeks she was at Alex's house, so she wanted to enjoy the moment.

She had ice cream, bought some personal items and even a new dress at a thrift store for a great price.

Finally, she decided to stop at a bookstore that seemed to have an attached café.

Parking the car, she got out and entered the bookstore.

The smell of books soon invaded her sense of smell and she smiled. 

She walked between some shelves until she found the English literature section. There were some interesting copies and Amelia opted for The Hill of the Howling Winds. 

Going to the coffee area, she sat down in one of the armchairs and started reading. There were still a few long minutes of sitting.

Amelia was so entertained with the reading that she only realized that someone was talking to her when her attention was called for the third time.

"Miss?" The male voice snapped her out of her trance.

She looked up and soon noticed the blue eyes of the man standing in front of her. The slightly graying hair, the charming dimpled smile. He was beautiful.

" Yes? Sorry, I was distracted. " She spoke, smiling back at him.

" I was wondering if you would like something to drink. " He asked. He was wearing a blue plaid shirt with the sleeves folded up to his elbows and jeans.

" Ah, an iced tea, please. " She asked.

" You're not from around here. " The man said. " At least I've never seen you around here. 

Amelia nodded.

"I'm new in town. I came to drop off my patient at the appointment and ended up coming here to kill time. " she replied. "My name is Amelia. Amelia Jones. " She extended her hand as she greeted him.

"Welcome then, Amelia Jones. " The man spoke as he smiled, what a damn beautiful smile he had. "My name is Henry Parker, I own the bookstore. 

An attendant passed by Henry and he handed him Amelia's order.

"Can I sit down?" Henry asked, pointing to a nearby armchair.

'Sure, it's your bookshop. ' Amelia joked, and he sat down.

"Are you a doctor, Miss Jones?" he asked curiously.

" Nurse. And you can call me Amelia. ' She quickly asked.

"And what are you reading?" Henry asked, Amelia soon noticing that he was too interested.

'The Hill of the Howling Winds. ' She said as she showed him the cover of the book.

'A new girl like you, I thought you were reading something from that century. " He joked. " And maybe on a Kindle.

" I like the physical books. The smell of the pages, my nineteenth-century lady soul." Amelia joked and soon enough, she was reading something from that century. ' Amelia joked and soon her iced tea arrived.

"You're one of mine then. There's nothing better than touching, feeling and deepening the emotions inside a good book. " Henry spoke in a soft tone.

"And who is your patient? I bet I know him. It's a small town, everyone knows each other here. " He asked and the tone of amusement made Amelia relaxed.

" I'm looking after Mr. Alderidge. In the manor to the south. ' She replied, but soon noticed Henry's expression falter a little.

His forehead tensed and he took a deep breath, but his expression soon returned to its former tranquillity.

"Is there a problem? " Amelia asked.

"No." Henry smiled. "I know Alexander. I hope he is recovering. 

Amelia nodded.

"He will recover. He'll be back to his old life soon. " She said, taking a sip of her iced tea.

"Amelia, if you'll excuse me, I need to attend to the other customers. " Henry said, reaching for Amelia's hand and kissing it. "It was a pleasure to meet you. 

" Likewise, Henry. Thank you for the tea. ' She smiled, watching him walk away.

Amelia continued reading quietly, every now and then her gaze meeting Henry's and she smiled. When ten minutes were left, she got up and went to the cashier.

"Good afternoon. I'll take that book and I'd like to pay for the tea, please. " She said to the clerk.

"Both have already been paid for, ma'am. " The clerk said as he smiled and Amelia looked around, noticing Henry watching her from afar and smiling. 

"Right, thank you. " She said, knowing it would be no use complaining.

She walked out of the bookstore, waving to Henry and taking the book in hand, and soon got into her car, going to pick up Alexander.