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I blow a strand of hair out of my eyes. It would have to be a pretty good job to pay enough for assisted living and all of my own expenses. Where would I live? Another obvious downside is that I wouldn’t get to spend much time with my parents–and I would be short a kidney.

There’s a fourth option that I refuse to include in my notes, but it’s still there in the back of my head. It would solve all of these problems instantly.

Marry Madden Windell.

He said he has the means to take care of me and my parents–and judging by his car and his parents’ home in College Hill; I believe it. And he did say that we could go our separate ways after a few years. A mutually beneficial arrangement doesn’t look so bad now. Taking care of my parents is more important to me than anything.

More important than my pride? My freedom?

I stand up and stretch my arms over my head. The sky outside shows the first signs of morning, a twinge of light turning the blackness dark blue. I’ve been up all night and need some sleep. With a heavy sigh, I head back to my bedroom.

I’ll decide what to do about this in the morning.

Chapter 9

Madden

Last night, my parents found out about Mr. Hastings’ surgery from the prayer chain at their church. Ever since my dad called to tell me about it, I’ve wracked my brain trying to decide what to do. I want to reach out to Odette, but I’m pretty sure she still hates me. I also thought about delivering some food to their house, but I don’t know if anyone would be home to receive it. And I definitely don’t want Odette to think I’m just being nice to entice her to marry me.

Finally, I decide to take a card and some get-well-soon balloons to the hospital. It just doesn’t sit right with me to ignore the situation completely.

I walk into the hospital looking like a doofus, I’m sure, with my bouquet of colorful balloons. The store even had a llama balloon, and I’m pretty sure that the Hastings like llamas, so I grabbed that one, too. It’s still fairly early in the morning. I hope to sneak in and out quickly before Odette arrives.

I have to admit that a part of me will be disappointed if I don’t get to see her, though. I feel oddly drawn to her, like a mosquito to bright light. Well, maybe that’s a terrible example. That’s how mosquitoes get zapped. I should never say that to Odette.

The nurses at the front counter recognize me right away, since my dad has been a surgeon on this floor for decades. Non-family visitors aren’t allowed before 9:00 AM, but they say nothing when I ask for Mr. Hastings’ room number.

I walk into the room to find Odette’s parents awake and eating breakfast together. Their faces light up when they see me.

“Madden! What a surprise!” Mrs. Hastings gets up from the little armchair by the bed to greet me. She and her husband both have dark circles under their eyes. I should've brought coffee instead of balloons.

“I just wanted to bring a little something to cheer you up. I hope you heal quickly, Mr. Hastings.” I nod to Mr. Hastings in the hospital bed as I hand Mrs. Hastings the balloon bouquet.

Mrs. Hastings’ face lights up in excitement. “Well, aren’t you just the sweetest thing! Goodness, is this a llama balloon?!”

“I couldn’t resist.” If only I could get on Odette’s good side so easily. Then again, I didn’t ask her Mom to marry me in exchange for money.

“Well, thank you! It’s adorable. We’re so happy that you stopped by. I'm terribly sorry Odette’s not here yet. It’s unlike her to sleep so late, but I bet she didn’t sleep much last night.” A shadow of exhaustion passes over Mrs. Hastings’ face.

“That’s okay. I just wanted to stop in real quick, but please let me know if you need anything. Or, if you get tired of cafeteria food, I can be your own personal GrubHub driver.” I gesture toward their breakfast trays.

“Very thoughtful of you. I might take you up on that offer.” Mr. Hastings winks and his wife chuckles.

“I’ll let you two get back to your breakfast. I wrote my number on the back of the llama balloon if you need anything.”

We say our goodbyes and I exit the room, quickly making my way past the front desk while I try to ignore the pit of disappointment in my stomach. I didn’t get to see Odette.

I’m so enamored with my own thoughts that I don’t even notice her coming towards me down the hall. She must not have noticed me, either, because we collide, the force almost knocking her over.

“Ope! I’m so sorry!” I gently grab her arms to steady her.

“Madden!” She looks surprised to see me, and a blush creeps into her cheeks. “Sorry, I was looking at my phone and didn’t even see you.”

I stare into her eyes for a few seconds too long, trying to figure out what to say next. I clear my throat. “I heard about your dad’s surgery and I wanted to stop in and check on him.”

“Oh, thank you. That was nice.” She says with a somber expression. “I’m glad I ran into you, actually. I was going to call you later. Do you think we could get together and talk, maybe later this evening?”

My heart quickens. “I’d love that. I could bring over some dinner.”