In the end, Amelia still fulfilled his wish, but not as he had requested. Instead of kissing him on the clavicle, she left a slight strawberry mark, its outline resembling a red heart.
The next morning, when Amelia left, she made a special call to Mason Hawkins. She asked him to take time out of his romance to keep Daniel Cooper company in the hospital and to wait for Nathan Taylor to arrive before leaving in the evening.
Mason Hawkins flatly refused, "I don't have time."
Amelia then coolly told him, "If he doesn't have time today, then on his future visits to Ashton, he might often find Ruby Shane working overtime."
Confronted with such blatant threats, Mason Hawkins pathetically compromised.
And so, Amelia generously granted Ruby Shane a day off as well.
After spending a morning being sweet with his woman and having lunch, Mason Hawkins strolled into the hospital ward, even though his good buddy didn't seem to be expecting him eagerly.
