Missing Melissa

by Pamela M. Kelley

  "These are pretty good, too," Jack said as he popped a 'naughty clam' into his mouth. They were small Manila clams steamed with fennel, orange and ham. They dove in happily, sharing both, and Melissa had to force herself to stop after a bit so she would have room for dinner.

  Her salmon and his halibut was just as good and when they finished, both of them were tired and very full.

  "Did you save room for dessert?" their waiter asked as he cleared their empty dishes.

  Jack and Melissa just looked at each other and laughed.

  "I couldn't possibly," Melissa said.

  "We'll just take the check." Jack pulled out his credit card and Melissa reached for hers as well.

  "I've got this," Jack said.

  But that didn't sit well with Melissa. "Please let me split it. I don't expect you to pay for me."

  "You can buy me a drink when we get back to the hotel. We can check out the rooftop deck. The view is supposed to be spectacular."

  "I'm happy to buy you a drink and I still owe you a dinner. Thank you."

  They made their way slowly back to the hotel. It wasn't a far walk at all and it felt good to move around. When they reached the rooftop deck of their hotel, the view took Melissa's breath away.

  "Wow, this is really something, huh?" Jack said as they gazed over the railing at the waterfront and giant Ferris wheel below. It was such a pretty view of the harbor.

  Melissa bought drinks for them both, another beer for Jack and a decaf coffee with a bit of Tia Maria, a coffee-flavored liquor. She liked the bit of sweetness it added to coffee and it was nice to sip on while they looked out over the water and chatted. It was a beautiful night, calm and warm, and Melissa sighed as a soft breeze caressed her cheek.

  "Glad we came?" Jack asked.

  "Yes, so glad. It was a great idea, and good to get away."

  "I don't do this often enough. Chris has been after me for a few years to come visit. It's been three or maybe four years since I was last here."

  "And it's really so close. I'd love to bring Melanie to Seattle when she comes to visit."

  "Is she coming soon?"

  "We don't have a date set, but she wants to get out here soon for a visit. She came with my grandmother and me for a vacation and she loved it here as much as I did.

  "You're close." It wasn't a question as much as an observation.

  "We are. Melanie's my best friend. She always has been. Maybe it's a twin thing."

  Jack nodded. "Bernie and I are, too. We're not quite a year apart."

  "Bernie told me about your parents. We lost ours in a car accident, too, but we were older. That must have been hard for you, being younger."

  "It's hard at any age. We do have that in common, though."

  "I know Bernie adores you. She talks about you all the time. She wants you to settle down but she doesn't think you're ready to yet?"

  Jack thought about for a moment. "I am pretty social. I love to go out often and enjoy meeting new people. I won't deny that I've had an active dating history. I love women, all kinds of women."

  Melissa laughed. Jack looked so earnest and enthusiastic. He reminded her at times of a lovable puppy—a very handsome one, she had to admit.

  "I'm always optimistic when I meet someone," Jack said. "And I'm still friends with most women that I've dated. I told my sister just recently that I'd get married immediately if I met the right person. I feel like I'll know it when it's right." He looked at her and smiled, and Melissa's heart skipped a beat.

  "Oops, looks like I screwed that up for you," she said.

  "Not at all. This felt like the right thing to do. Still does. We'll just take it one day at a time and have fun. I know you're not looking for anything more than friendship at the moment, right?"

  Melissa nodded. "It wouldn't be right to expect more than that from you, given the situation, too."

  A look flashed across Jack's face that Melissa couldn't read. "I'm looking forward to getting to know you better and deepening our friendship. If you decide that you want more than that, just say the word. I'd be happy to oblige." He grinned and Melissa swatted his arm.

  "I'll try to resist. Seriously, though, I'm having a lot of fun with you, Jack. You're a good friend."

  He made a face. "Firmly in the friend box, then. So be it!" He lifted his glass and tapped it against hers. "To friendship and fun times."

  Chapter 5

  Melissa fell asleep almost as soon as her head hit the pillow. They woke early, took turns using the bathroom to shower and change, and then walked to Pike's Place Market for coffee. They nibbled pastries as they walked through the marketplace and stood watching the fish tossing at the seafood market. The selection of fish was fantastic—Pacific salmon, halibut, Dungeness crab and more. People came to see the theater of the flying fish and most ended up buying something. Melissa was impressed by the creative and effective marketing.

  "I'd be so afraid I'd drop the fish," she said as a huge fish went whizzing by them and was easily caught by one of the bearded workers. They looked like they were having a good time as they laughed and joked with customers, and sold a lot of fish.

  After roaming around for a bit, they made their way back to the hotel, checked out and drove to the Space Needle. By the time they finished exploring everything there and admiring the stunning panoramic view of the city from the top of the building, they drove to Woodinville, which was just a short distance from Seattle.

  Jack had booked them a room at a bed and breakfast, a cute place near the two big wineries they were going to visit. They checked in and had a light lunch at a nearby cafe before visiting the wineries. They went to Chateau St. Michelle first, which was right across the street from Columbia Crest. Both wineries gave them tours, and showed them all around the property and explained the winemaking process.

  It was a beautiful day and the afternoon disappeared as they explored the wineries and tasted several wines at both places.

  "So what's the verdict? Would you buy any of them?" Jack asked as they made their way back to the car.

  "Yes. I loved the white wines at Chateau St. Michelle and the reds, especially the Cabernet at Columbia Crest." Melissa was familiar with both brands. They were quality wines at relatively inexpensive prices. Her favorite one, the newest Columbia Crest Cabernet, retailed for only twelve dollars a bottle.

  "We have a few hours before dinner. Want to go relax in the room, and maybe catch a movie on Netflix?" Jack asked.

  Melissa's eyes were feeling a little heavy from the wine and the warm sunshine. Being lazy for a while sounded perfect. Once they were back in the room they found a Jack Raven action movie neither of them had seen yet and settled in to watch it. It was a good movie, but Melissa missed about a half hour or so when she nodded off. She woke when Jack coughed and stayed awake to see the rest of the movie. The short nap gave her a second wind.

  When the movie ended, it was time to get ready for dinner and they took turns using the bathroom to change and freshen up. Melissa went first and when she came back into the room wearing her black dress and heels, Jack smiled in appreciation. "You look gorgeous!"

  "Thank you." It was always nice to hear that. Jack went in the bathroom to change and Melissa looked in the mirror and admired her dress. The fit was flattering and she always felt good when she wore it. It was well cut and simple, sleeveless, with a pretty v-neckline and fell in a slim line to just above her knees where it flared out in a soft ruffle.

  While Jack was changing, she picked up her phone to check her email and saw that she had a text message and a voicemail. The text message was from her alarm company saying the alarm went off and police were notified to investigate. The voice message was from Shane, who was the sheriff and Jack's boss.

  "Melissa, we went out to respond to your house alarm and found the sliding glass door to your back deck open about an inch. You have a piece of wood that keeps the door from opening all the way, but someone clearly tried to open it, and set off the alarm. We went
in through the front door and checked the entire house, and feel comfortable letting you know that no one has been inside. Just letting you know."

  Jack walked out of the bathroom as Melissa finished listening to Shane's message. He immediately sensed that something was wrong.

  "What is it?"

  "The house alarm went off again. Shane said it was an attempted break-in. I must have forgotten to lock the back slider. But I still had the strip of wood there to block it from opening."

  "Too bad we didn't have the cameras up yet. Dan will be there first thing on Monday to install them. I meant to tell you that earlier."

  Melissa sighed. "Good."

  She'd been having such a wonderful time with Jack and hadn't thought about Cooper all day, until now. It was unsettling because she'd still held on to a glimmer of hope that Melanie was wrong and Cooper was somewhere else entirely. But this just confirmed what she already knew. He was in Riston and he wasn't going to rest until he saw her. She was lost in the disturbing thoughts when she felt a gentle hand on her shoulder and looked up and into Jack's eyes, which were full of concern.

  "Are you okay? Don't let that jerk ruin your weekend."

  "I'm fine. And I won't. It just threw me for a minute." She sighed. "I have to admit that he's here now and get ready to deal with it, unfortunately. I know Cooper and he's not going to back down until he sees me."

  Jack scowled. "I don't want him anywhere near you. You have a restraining order."

  "I know. But I know Cooper, too, and it might be easier to just meet with him, update him on my marital status and send him on his way."

  "You think it will be that simple?" Jack looked skeptical.

  "Probably not. But I also don't want to sit and wait for him to come by my house again, either."

  "Forget about Cooper. We'll deal with him when we get back to Riston. Let's go have an amazing dinner."

  Melissa had never experienced a dinner like the one she had at the Herb Farm. When they arrived, Jack's friend Chris greeted him with a big hug and then gave her one, too, when Jack introduced her as his wife. He led them to one of their nicest tables, by a window that overlooked flowering gardens.

  "We grow just about everything here, herbs and produce and anything else that we don't grow ourselves is all the very best of what's in season. I think you'll enjoy it." He handed them each a listing of what the evening's menu would be. It was a prix fixe menu—nine courses, including wine pairings. Everything was chosen and planned for their enjoyment. They sat back and relaxed as the wine flowed and one exquisite course after another was placed in front of them.

  Everything was delicious and Melissa didn't think of Cooper once. Jack kept her entertained with funny stories. By the time they finished eating, several hours later, she was full and happy and sleepy. She couldn't remember the last time she'd enjoyed an evening so much.

  When the bill arrived, Jack grabbed it as Melissa was getting out her credit card. He looked at it and then shook his head. He reached into his wallet for some cash and put it under the check. It was a generous amount of money, but Melissa was pretty sure it was nowhere near what the bill would be.

  "Can we put the rest of it on my card?" she said.

  "Not possible. There is no rest of it." Jack grinned.

  "What? He didn't charge you for this?"

  "It's a long story, but it's payment for helping him out. Still too generous."

  "Well, let me leave the tip, then."

  But Jack shook his head and handed the bill and cash to the server when he came by.

  "Another time," he said.

  When Chris stopped by the table, they both thanked him and twenty minutes later, Melissa was climbing into bed. Jack beat her to it and was already fast asleep in the other bed. Melissa's last thought before she drifted off to sleep was that it was just so easy being around Jack. She'd expected there to be some awkwardness, uncomfortable silences, but so far, it was as if they'd known each other for ages.

  Melissa and Jack slept in on Sunday and went downstairs for brunch around ten. The owners of the bed and breakfast were a lively couple in their sixties, Madge and George Parsons, and they enjoyed chatting with them. The breakfast that was included was a lovely buffet brunch, a selection of Dungeness crab quiche, pastries, fresh fruit and bagels. Melissa and Jack helped themselves to a bit of everything and took their time enjoying the meal and conversation.

  "We took over the bed and breakfast five years ago. We'd both retired and were looking for a new adventure. Madge loves to cook and the place is small enough, just eight rooms, so it's not too much to manage."

  "We really enjoy it. We meet people from all over the world and I get to feed them."

  "It's a good thing we were only here for one night. Your food is so good, I think you'd fatten us up if we stayed much longer," Jack teased her.

  "It's really wonderful. This quiche is decadent," Melissa said. She'd eaten too well over the weekend.

  "That's my favorite dish. So many people ask for the recipe," Madge said proudly.

  "I'd love it, too, if you're willing to part with it," Melissa said.

  Madge beamed. "I'd be happy to share it with you. It's a basic quiche really. It's the Dungeness crab that makes it special." She got up and walked to an antique roll-top desk in the corner and returned a moment later with a copy of the recipe for Melissa.

  "Thank you. I'd never had Dungeness crab before this visit to Seattle. It's so sweet, maybe even sweeter than lobster. I'm from Boston," she explained.

  Madge nodded. "Your New England lobster is special, too. I bet that would be good in the quiche." Melissa smiled. She'd have to pass the recipe on to her sister.

  "I wish we didn't have to go," Jack said as he took his last sip of coffee. "But we should probably pack up and head to the airport."

  By a quarter to four, they were on the ground in Lewiston and a little over an hour later, pulling into Melissa's driveway. Jack stopped at Bernie's on the way home and picked up Roger, who was thrilled to see both of them. They didn't stay long at Bernie's, just gave her the highlights of their weekend and then headed home. Jack took Roger for a walk in the yard, to get him familiar to his new temporary home while Melissa went inside.

  Jack made a couple of calls while walking around the yard with Roger, too. He checked in with Dan, to confirm that he would be at Melissa's house first thing the next morning to install the cameras, and he called Shane. After exchanging pleasantries about Seattle, Jack got to the point.

  "So, have there been any sightings of this guy around town this weekend? Is everyone keeping an eye out for him? I didn't want to alarm Melissa, but there aren't a lot of break-ins in Riston. It's mostly likely her ex, I would think."

  "That was my thought too," Shane agreed. "The broken window in her basement, that could have been anything. Kids fooling around, animals, who knows. But a slider that trips an alarm, that's no animal. No signs of him yet. I pulled his picture off the net and showed it around the office, and reminded everyone that she has an active restraining order against him. It has both a no contact and stay away provision. If he violates either of those, we will arrest him."

  Jack suspected it wasn't a matter of if, but when. There was no doubt in his mind that Cooper intended to reach out to Melissa. There was no other reason for him to be in Riston.

  "Thanks, Shane. I'll see you in the morning."

  Jack thought about what Shane had said. If Cooper was in Riston, he had to be staying at one of the local bed and breakfasts or at the ranch. River's End Ranch was the only hotel in town. He doubted the guy would be so brazen as to stay there, but you never knew. He dialed Bernie and asked her to look over the reservation list in the morning and let him know.

  "You think he might actually be staying at the ranch?" she sounded horrified at the thought.

  "I don't know. I hope not. But if he is, at least we can keep an eye on him."

  "How awful for Melissa if he is. Imagine if he walked into her shop!"

>   "He can't. There's a restraining order in place." But if he was on the premises, she might see him from a distance walking to her car or to the office and Jack knew that would be traumatic for her.

  "People break those orders all the time," Bernie reminded him.

  "I know. I'm not even going to mention it to her until you check and let me know. No sense getting her upset over nothing."

  When Jack and Roger walked in the house, Melissa was standing in the kitchen staring into the refrigerator.

  "We don't have a lot of options for dinner," she said. "I usually go shopping over the weekend. There's some ground beef. We could make burgers, maybe, though I don't have any buns."

  Jack thought for a minute. "Do you have any pasta and sauce or canned tomatoes?"

  Melissa looked in the cupboard. "I have both."

  "How do you feel about meatballs and pasta, then? I make a mean spaghetti sauce."

  "Really? You don't mind?"

  "I enjoy it, actually, and I haven't made sauce in a while. Just show me where everything is and I'll get started."

  Melissa showed him around and then went upstairs to do laundry while Jack got busy in the kitchen. Making sauce was easy enough. He just diced up some onion and garlic and let it brown in a pan before dumping in a can of tomatoes and adding some Italian seasoning. While the sauce simmered, he baked up a batch of meatballs and let them soak in the sauce while he cooked the pasta.

  Melissa was impressed and went back for seconds, which was the best compliment she could have given him. She insisted on doing the dishes and cleaning up the kitchen since he did the cooking and he wasn't about to argue with that. They curled up on the sofa and watched TV for a while before Melissa started to yawn and then excused herself to head to bed. Jack wasn't sleepy yet, and clicked over to the news. He was surprised and hopeful by how well the weekend had gone and how comfortable he and Melissa seemed to be around each other. He thoroughly enjoyed her company and though he knew she wasn't thinking of him as anything other than a friend, he was optimistic that he could eventually win her over and that this fake marriage could turn real.