Chapter 129: Madison

I place my left hand on Hamilton’s bouncing knee.

He immediately stills, eyes finding mine, and whispers, “Sorry.”

I knew he would be on edge when he struggled to fall asleep last night. I tried to assure him that she’s happy, healthy, and we’ll learn how to help her at this appointment—it’s all positive and nothing to worry about.

“How long has she been back there?” Hamilton murmurs, squirming in his waiting room chair.

I look at my cell phone screen before answering. “Almost 45 minutes.” I rub my hand up and down his back. “Taylor said they’d play, talk, and read. It takes time.”

My words clearly don’t soothe my anxious husband. He rises from his chair, pacing along the back wall of the waiting room. A couple of the others in the room give me knowing smiles.

“Liberty’s parents,” a male nurse calls from the now open door.