Melody swallowed hard and moved to the lounge chair on the other side of the older woman and Dawn followed, sitting on Melody’s left side.
Nancy turned toward her. “So what brings you to the city?”
“I’m here for a wedding for a friend from back home,” Melody answered, moving her feet to the concrete to face her directly.
“Oh, I see.” Nancy lowered her voice, the anger building in her face. “I had a private investigator look into your background and it’s not good. What are your intentions with my son?”
Melody didn’t lower her head, but proudly looked the woman in the eyes. It was obvious she had an agenda, wasting no time getting right to the point. “He’s a friend. That’s it.”
“No, mother,” John said, moving to sit beside Melody. “I want to marry her, and it’s none of your business. She’s down-to-earth and has more guts than anyone else I’ve ever met.”
“I won’t hear of it,” she almost whispered to John as she sat up to face him. “No Jenkins ever married beneath them. To the side, yes, but never beneath, and definitely not as far as this woman is. We have to get her employed with the right people if you’re going to marry her.”
Employed with the right people? Melody stared at John, astounded at the audacity of this woman.
“No,” he said, looking at Melody, then back to Nancy. “It’s her life and she’s not going to bow down to you or anyone else. I’m not a Jenkins. I’m a Spencer and Spencers marry people they love. They don’t care about social standing and don’t judge people. If they did, Dad never would’ve married you and you know it.”
“Oh, but he’s beneath my side of the family. I was saving him from himself.” She looked so smug then clicked her tongue. “You’re part Jenkins too, and if you’re going to marry Melody, then you have to get her a background that’s good for your career.”
Melody sat back slightly, unable to understand why this woman hated her so much. Dawn leaned up to her ear from behind. “We can leave any time you want. Say the word. I’m on your side.”
“Me too,” Dennis whispered, from the other side of Dawn, while Nancy and John continued to quietly argue.
“I can have her whole history rewritten in a heartbeat,” Nancy said. “I’m good at it and you know it.”
“No. Melody is who she is, and no one’s going to rewrite her history.”
“You don’t know what I found out,” she whispered. “John, are you sure you want to get involved here? You don’t know what you’re walking into.”
“Yes, I do,” he said, glancing at Melody. “I love her.”
“But you just met her, right?” Nancy said.
“Yes, but in my world, things have to happen fast. You know it, too.”
Melody felt stupid. She was sitting right beside them while they talked about her. She wished she could just disappear. She wasn’t about to be an embarrassment to anyone, and certainly not the royal Jenkins’ name. No, this wasn’t going to happen, and she was ready to go back home. She glanced back at Dawn, nodded and stood up on the other side of the chair.
The two of them began to walk away from the group, when suddenly, Nancy’s voice rose above everyone else’s. “No one walks away from me without permission!”
Melody stopped, glanced over at Dawn and smiled. “Except for me.” They started walking again, and made it almost to the end of the pool, when two security guards grabbed their arms and forced them to go back to the seats.
“Stay put,” one said. They were huge men, bigger than Dennis, and Melody could see a gun on each of their hips.
“Yes, sir,” Melody answered. She swallowed hard and glanced over at John, whose face was red with anger.
He turned toward his mother, imaginary steam coming from his ears. “Oh, that’s nice. Intimidate someone to make them bow down to you,” he said to his mother. “Is that how you got votes for Grandpa, too?”
Nancy narrowed her eyes and clenched her jaw. “Don’t ever talk about my father like that again, or I’ll write you out of the will.”
“Go ahead. I don’t need your money. You’ve spent all of it anyway, so it’s not a problem.”
Nancy turned to Melody. “Are you a voter?” Her voice was as sweet as anything, making Melody wonder if she was schizophrenic or bipolar or something.
“Yes, ma’am,” Melody answered.
“What do you think of my father? Do you think he intimidates people?”
Melody studied her face long and hard. “I’d rather not say.”
Nancy tilted her head and studied Melody’s face. “Why is that? What does middle America and the southern vote think of him?”
“Why does it matter?” Melody asked. “Is he running for President?”
“No, but he’s already been pegged to be a running-mate for the next President. He thinks he’s too old to run for President.”
“It’ll be an interesting race,” Melody answered, lowering her voice.
“Why is that? What’s wrong with Daddy?”
“Oh, nothing.” She wasn’t about to debate this woman publicly.
Nancy leaned over to Melody. “Tell me. Just between us girls.”
Melody knew better. “No, ma’am. You think I’m nothin’ more than white trash, so there’s no way I’m steppin’ into that discussion.”
“You’re not white trash, but just the lower denominator of working America.”
“Lower denominator?” John exclaimed. “Are you insane? She’s hardly the ‘lower denominator’ of anything!”
“You’re not thinking with your head,” Nancy said to John. “You’re too infatuated to look at the bottom line. If we make her Miss Middle America, it’ll bring in votes.”
“Votes for your father?” Melody said. “Do you really think I’d do that?”
“Yes, my dear,” she said with a fake smile. “It would bring in more votes than you know, because you’re beautiful. We just have to set you up with a more presentable past, and move on from there.”
Melody had had enough of this woman. She narrowed her eyes, clenched her jaw and stared the old battleaxe down. “Look.” She kept her voice low. “My past is my past, and that’s exactly what it is. My past. Not my present, and definitely not my future. I’ve worked hard to survive, which is much more than I can say for you. I don’t have any time for you or your side of the family, because your money and your diamonds are all stolen from people in the south, when your grandfather set up fake land deals for people down there. If you don’t believe it, do some research and get your head out of your silly social life. As for your father, he’s no better. He has skeletons in his own closet—literally, with people dying who have crossed him or you—and has even stolen money from various charities in the past. If you’re worried about your reputation, look into your own mirror, because we’ve heard stories down in the far-reaches of the south about how you’ve had affairs with various employees of yours. So don’t even go there with me. At least I’m honest.” She turned to Dawn. “I’m done here.” She stood up, and Dawn and Dennis came with her.
“Is that true?” John asked his mother, loudly enough for Melody to hear it. “Am I even a Spencer?”
Melody glanced behind her to see Nancy stand up and walk away. John sat, stunned, staring at Melody as she turned around.
“I’m sorry,” she said.
He stood up and followed her, his head lowered as he walked. They all left the country club and got back into the limousine, driving away as soon as possible.
“I’m so sorry,” she said. “I didn’t want you to know about all the rumors, but she pushed me too far.”
“I should’ve guessed.” He was silent for a few minutes, then faced Dennis. “Did you know any of that?”
“Yes, sir,” he answered. “It’s been rumored for years about various ex-employees suddenly disappearing after they talked, and being found dead years later.”
“And you didn’t tell me?”
Dennis sat forward. “What did you want me
to say? You’re my boss. If I talked, I could end up like them.”
“It wouldn’t have been from me,” John said. He turned toward Melody, looking defeated. “Now what do I do? My father may not even be my father.”
“Call him,” Melody said. “Tell him it’s all my fault and I’ll be leaving in the morning.”
“No. You’re the only truthful person who’s near me, and I don’t want to lose you. I’d rather you not leave.”
“But I have a ticket and I have to go. You know I do.”
He touched her hair, frowning. “I’ll come with you. I don’t even really have a home here anyway.”
“You have a house and you have a game coming up. Now call your dad.”
He shook his head. “No, I’ll wait to do that. I need to talk to him anyway, and find out what he knows.”
“About me?” she asked.
“Yes. I’m sure Mom had a private investigator look into your past and your home.” He faced her with sad eyes. “I’m so sorry I put you through this.”
She held his hand. “It’s not your fault. I’m sorry I said all I did to your mother and in front of you. I should’ve kept my mouth shut.”
His smile seemed genuine. “You put her in her place. I admire you for that. I’ve never seen anyone else do that my entire life—not even my father or my grandfather.”
“Well, it was regrettable. I shouldn’t have let her get to me.”
He glanced over at Dennis and Dawn, then back at Melody. “I really want to talk to you about your past and really want to know what she knows. I can counter things easier if I know what I’m up against.”
“It’s not important,” she said, lowering her eyes. She knew that in the morning, she’d be gone from his life, and his mother would make him see she wasn’t for him. These types of people operated that way. Out of sight, out of mind—and they made sure it stayed that way.
John put his head back on the seat and crossed his arms. “My whole life could be a sham.”
“Call your father,” she said in a low tone.
“Oh, I will, but it’ll be a private conversation. I don’t think it’ll be a nice one, that’s for sure.”
Melody thought for a moment before facing John. “Do you think she’ll hunt me down for talking to her like that?”
“I hope not.” He turned to her and stroked her cheek. “You definitely need to stay with me, now. I don’t want you out there to fend for yourself. If the rumors you’ve all heard are true, it’s not good to cross my mother or her father, and I think I need to keep you safe.”
His cell phone rang and he sighed. “I know who that is. It’s got to be one of my parents.” He pulled it from his pocket. “Dad.”
“Do you have to answer it?” Melody asked.
“Considering he may not be my father, no, you’re right.”
“But if you don’t answer it he’ll wonder what’s going on.” She hated that she put him in this predicament. She should’ve just kept her mouth shut.
“He’s going to read me the riot act,” John said. “I guess I’ll get it over with.” He flipped open the cell phone. “Hello, Dad.”
As he looked out the window, Melody faced Dawn and Dennis. “This is all my fault. I’m going to get out of town quietly, and no one will know where I am,” she whispered. “As soon as the wedding’s over, I’m going to leave.”
They both nodded.
“I can get you to the train station,” Dawn whispered.
“No, I’ll be fine.”
“No, Dad,” John said. “I just want to know if it’s true.” He laid his head back on the seat and covered his eyes. “Uh-huh. I see. So what now?”
“Do you want to take a flight out?” Dennis whispered. “I can arrange it if you want.”
“No, I have the train ticket and I’m going to use it,” Melody answered. She glanced at John. “Do you think this is going to mess up his game on Monday?”
Dennis shook his head. “I think it’ll make him stronger. He’s a fighter, and now he has to prove to everyone he’s someone who can make it on his own.”
“Sure,” John said over the phone. “Yes, I understand and I agree. You know it’ll be nasty, right?”
He listened then smiled. “I’m a Spencer and I never back down from a good fight.” He glanced over at Melody and stroked her hair. “And never lose intentionally. I’ll get what I want. Thanks, Dad.” He ended the phone call and slipped the phone back into his pocket.
“So?” Melody asked. “Are things good?”
“Better than good.” He leaned over and kissed her cheek. “Dad’s leaving Mom. He’s had it with her, and so have I.”
“But that’s not good at all!” Melody said. “They belong together!”
“No, they don’t,” he said. “Dad’s known about the affairs she’s had for years. She didn’t start seeing other people until after I was born, and he had a paternity test behind her back to make sure I was his. She called him and told him exactly what happened, and he now has a solid reason for leaving her.”
“But he couldn’t leave her before?” Melody asked. “Why not?”
John grinned. “Because he could never stand up to her before. Now that both of us have done it, he knows he’s not alone.” He took her hand and kissed the back of it. “Thank you from my entire family.”
“I didn’t do anything honorable at all.”
“Yes, you did. You spoke your mind and it was the best thing that could’ve happened.”
She couldn’t believe this. His family was falling apart and he was thanking her for doing it? “Won’t it be all over the newspapers? Won’t your career suffer because of it?”
“Nope. My opponent will feel sorry for me, but I won’t. It’s a psychological edge and very desirable in the tennis world.” He studied her for a moment. “I still have you, right?”
She couldn’t lead him on. She took her time to answer him, studying his eyes. “I’ll always be your friend.”
“Friend. That’s all?”
She kept her gaze on his face. “I have to go back. It’s for the best.” She couldn’t tell him anymore.
“But what do you feel in your heart?” he asked. “How do you really feel about me?”
She felt the tears in her eyes threatening to escape. “You know how I feel, but it doesn’t matter. We’re from two different worlds, and I can’t live in yours any more than you could live in mine. I have to go back and you know it.”
He leaned up to her, inches from her eyes. “No, you don’t have to go back and you can live in my world just like you are. You’ve been doing it for two days now, and you fit in just fine. You fit in better than most people, because you don’t let anyone walk all over you. Please don’t go? I love you and considering my parents are splitting up, you’re the only real stability I have in this world.”
“Is that the same line you’re going to use with your opponents?”
He glanced at the two bodyguards playing cards between them, then leaned up to her ear. “No, because it’s not a line,” he whispered. “I want them to think it’s the truth, because I have the strength of your love to keep me going. You’re my rock.”
What should she do? She had to go back home to her father, but feared Nancy would hunt her down. She wanted to stay with John, but knew she couldn’t live in his world, jet setting all over the place. She was stuck, and there didn’t seem to be any way to compromise.
“I have an idea,” Dennis said.
“Shoot,” John answered.
“Why not let Melody go back to see her dad, and once she can find someone to take care of him, move up here with you.”
“I like that idea,” John said. “I can get everything ready up here, and—”
“Like what?” Melody said. “What do you need to get ready? My life’s in West Virginia. I don’t belong up here and really don’t fit in. Y’all don’t get this, do you?”
He shook his head, his gaze on her face. “No, I don’t because it’s not t
rue. You do fit in, and I think Mom had the right idea. You could be a model and you’d be good at it.”
“I have no trainin’ in such things. Besides, I don’t like showing off my body parts, or lack thereof,” she answered, staring down at her chest.
John and Dennis both laughed while Melody stared at Dawn. She shook her head in disbelief, making Melody smile.
“Don’t worry about it,” John said. “Hey, I have an idea. You could become my press secretary. What do you think of that?”
“I think I’d tell them all off.”
“Great! You’re hired!”
“You’re jokin’,” she said, but his facial expression didn’t change. “You’re not serious. I have no trainin’ in that either. I have no trainin’ in anything.”
He opened his wallet and pulled out the first picture she drew of him. “You’re a natural talent, which is hard to find these days.” He brushed his lips against hers. “You’re beautiful as well. Now if I could just make you mine.”
“That’s not going to happen,” she said. “As much as it should be possible, I can’t even think about it.”
They got closer to the city and John had the driver stop for lunch. They pulled up beside a hot dog stand, John handed Dennis some money, and Dennis stepped out and got five hotdogs and drinks, one for each of them and one for the driver. He handed them all around as the driver pulled away from the curb.
“That poor guy out there,” Dennis said. “He’d never seen a stretch limo before. He thought you were a movie star.”
“I get that a lot,” John said, taking a bite of the hotdog. “Good hotdog.”
Melody took a bite and smiled. “You know all the best places to eat. Thank you.”
“You’re very welcome. If you move here, I could show you even more. There’s so much to see and do up here, you’d never get bored.”
“But I couldn’t go out alone. With your mother hunting me down, I’m afraid to even go to the bathroom alone.”
He swallowed what was in his mouth, glancing her way. “I doubt she’ll do anything to you. You’re no threat to her.”
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