Page 81 of Unforgiven

“No.”

The woman looked sympathetic but firm. “I’m sorry, but you’ll have to wait in one of these seats. I’ll try to have someone come out to give you updates on her condition.”

Seth nodded, but the disappointment was crushing. He needed to be there for Tabitha. She had to be in pain, and he was closer to her than her family. Plus, he wanted to be the one to comfort her. “Do you need my name?”

“Oh. Sure.” She picked up a pen and a block of sticky notes. “What is it?”

“Seth Zimmerman. And my sister, Melonie.”

The woman scribbled their names in such a way that he doubted she was going to look at them again. “All right. Like I said, someone will fill you in as soon as we have some information.” She was already looking at the person behind them.

“Thanks,” he bit out as he turned.

“Nee. Wait a minute,” Melonie said. “My brother isn’t Tabitha’s family, but he’s her closest friend.”

“I’m sorry, miss. Rules are rules.”

“Listen, Tabitha’s sister isn’t going to come here. She’s got four young boys and a stickler of a husband. Tabitha is going to want Seth. Him,” Melonie added, gripping his arm.

A bit of the woman’s harried, businesslike demeanor evaporated. “Miss, I know you’re upset, but rules are rules. They’re in place for a reason.”

“It’s okay, Mel,” he said.

“Nee, wait!” Melonie turned to him. “Seth, didn’t the sheriff call you?”

“He did.”

With a look of triumph, she lifted her chin. “See? The sheriff asked Seth to come here to the hospital so he could be with Tabitha. Couldn’t you call and ask if she’s waiting for Seth Zimmerman?”

The pair of men behind them sighed.

Just when the receptionist seemed about to threaten to kick them out, Melonie whispered, “Please? Tabitha was attacked by her awful ex-husband. She needs a friend right now. Are you really going to refuse her that?”

The woman’s eyes darted from Melonie to Seth. Whatever she saw there—combined with Melonie’s earnest speech—must have swayed her because she picked up the sticky note. “I’ll be right back.”

When the men behind them sighed again, Seth lost his patience. “You got a problem?”

Whatever one of the guys saw in his eyes made him take a step back. “What? No. Sorry, man.”

Turning back to Melonie, Seth leaned close. “When did you get so bossy?”

“You’re not the only person who’s changed a lot during the past six years.”

“I’m beginning to see that.”

The receptionist returned with a woman wearing pink scrubs. “Mr. Zimmerman, Donna will escort you to the back.”

“Thank you, ” he said.

“I’m sorry, but you’ll need to stay out here,” the woman in scrubs told Melonie apologetically. “There’s not a lot of room back there, and Mr. Zimmerman is who Tabitha is requesting.”

“That’s fine with me.” Looking like a fresh-faced Amish woman again, Melonie squeezed Seth’s arm. “Tell Tabitha that I’ll be praying for her.”

“I will. If it’s going to be a while, I’ll send word and call for a driver for you.”

“Danke, Bruder.”

Next thing he knew, Seth was walking beside the nurse.

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