Melody spun further around and saw Hank with a gun to Martin’s head.
“I swear I’ll kill you if you hurt another hair on her head,” Hank warned.
Three other people walked out of the woods behind Hank.
“Ted? Shirley?...John?” Melody whispered, feeling the tears start to well in her eyes.
“Drop your weapon,” Hank said to Martin. “I’m givin’ you to the count of three, then I’m gonna blow your brains out. It’ll hurt, too, in case you’re wonderin’.”
Martin sighed, dropped the gun and Hank forced him to the ground. Three other officers ran to help him, while Ted, John, and Shirley ran to Melody. John pulled her to her feet and wrapped his arms around her. She could hear him sniffing, hoping he wasn’t crying. “Are you okay?” he said into her ear.
“I’m fine.” She backed away from him. “But why are you here? Where’s Nadia?”
“Nadia? Why would she be with me? I never understood that last night, so I had Ted arrange for me to come down here this morning. When you weren’t at your apartment, we found that you’d been evicted and contacted your aunt to find out where you went. She called Hank to find you, and they found your car here.” He glanced over at Martin. “I’m glad we did, too.”
“He’s not really my father,” she whispered. “Hank is.”
“I know,” Shirley answered. “Your mother told me on her deathbed, but I played along, tryin’ to keep an eye on you. I called the cops every time you were hurt, but they couldn’t do anything.”
“Elise’s dad is your dad and Bobby’s your half brother?” John asked.
“Yep.”
He looked confused, glancing toward Martin. “So that man who’s been treating you badly wasn’t even related?”
“Nope. That’s why he treated me badly.”
He leaned close. “But Hank did nothing to help you?” he whispered.
Biting her lips to keep from crying, she shook her head, keeping her eyes on John. He pulled her back to him and gave her a big hug. “I’ll help you. I missed you so much and you have nothing here,” he whispered. “Now can you come back with me?”
“I can’t,” she said, backing away from him. “Ted’s been leadin’ you on so you’d play well. I can’t come back with you and you know it.”
The officers took Martin away and Hank joined the small group. “She loves you, John. She told me so herself.”
John crossed his arms, his eyes still on Melody. “I know she does, but she’s very stubborn.”
“That runs in my family,” he said with a grin. “She’s in bad shape down here, and needs someone to take care of her for a change, but she won’t let anyone.”
Melody sighed and put her hands on her hips while facing the two men discussing her. “Look. I’m right here and don’t like to be talked about. You people don’t know the half of it.”
“I do,” John said, facing her. “I know you didn’t pose nude and my lawyers are handing the greeting card company owners a lawsuit right about now at their homes. Also, the twenty-five hundred dollars for the hotel room has been erased from that bill.”
“Thank you for all of that, but what about your mother?” she asked, crossing her arms.
“My mother?” He looked completely confused. “What did she do?”
“She’s suing me for twenty million dollars for defamation of character and for makin’ your parents break up.”
“You’re kidding! My mother is doing that?” He pulled out his cell phone and put it to his ear. “I’ll be right back. Don’t go anywhere.” He walked away, but kept his eyes on Melody.
“I’m sorry,” Ted said. “I never should’ve let you leave New York. He needs you there, and you’re nothing like the other groupies we’ve had to deal with. Please come back? We’ll protect you, too.”
“I don’t know,” she answered, her arms still crossed.
“Don’t be stupid!” Shirley said. “Take the golden opportunity and don’t stay here!”
John returned to the small group with a grin. “Mom’s in trouble. She’s dropping the lawsuit.”
“Why?”
“A threat from me. That’s all you need to know.” He glanced at everyone standing near Melody. “Can I talk to her alone for a minute?”
The three of them walked away, and he took Melody back to the bench and sat down with her, looking out over the water before turning to her. “I know you don’t want to come back to New York, but can I ask you to just come with me for the last game?”
“You’re playin’ in the finals?” she whispered. “You won the semifinals?”
“Sure did,” he said, grinning. “I had to make you proud and I did. You didn’t watch the game?”
She lowered her head. “No, because you had Nadia there. I was nothin’ but a groupie.”
“You’re not a groupie and Nadia’s not with me. What did you do instead?”
“I went to bed. I had nothin’ and my life was fallin’ down around me. Then when I was evicted this mornin’—” Covering her face, she started to cry while he pulled her head against his chest.
“Melody, I promise you’ll never be in such a situation again. I promise I’ll always be there for you, no matter what. I never should’ve let you out of my sight at the wedding, and should’ve glued you to me.”
She backed away from him and wiped her eyes. “No, I had to do this. I had to grow up.”
He wiped her cheek with his thumb, smiling the whole time. “You’ve been grown up for a long time now. No, it’s time to let someone else take care of you.” He kissed her gently. “Let’s go home, my sweetheart.” He helped her to her feet and wrapped his arm around her shoulders while they walked away. “Can you come with me to New York? Please?”
She looked up into his blue eyes. “Do I have a bed to sleep in and a shower for the mornin’, and maybe something to eat?”
His grin was adorable. “You can have anything you want, as long as you say you want to join me.”
“What about my stuff down here? It’s all in my car.”
He started to laugh. “I think Ted needs to drive it to my place. He owes me for driving you to the train station.”
“Oh, nice revenge,” she whispered.
He was quiet for a moment. “I understand Dennis wanted you, too.”
She snapped her head toward him. “Who told you that?”
“Dennis did. He wanted to quit, but I wouldn’t let him. I understand why men are drawn to you, and it’s not his fault. Instead, I had Dad give him a job at the hotel starting after the U.S. Open, and we won’t be visiting very often.”
She grinned. “That’s hilarious!”
“I have to protect my girl, even if everyone does think she’s a porn star.”
Melody laughed and leaned her head on his shoulder. “I think I can finally say it. I love you, and thanks for givin’ me my life back, more than once.”
He stared at her, his mouth agape. “I can’t believe it. What happened?”
She leaned toward him and gave him a gentle kiss, staring into his eyes. “You happened. You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me. Thank you.”
He stopped walking and faced her. Putting his hand on her cheek, he leaned forward and met her lips with his. He intensified the kiss, finally wrapping his arms around her. She followed his lead and put her arms around his waist. Their tongues entwined, heating her from the inside out. Tingling filled her whole body, while love engulfed her heart. No one had ever felt so good to be with, yet so comfortable. He was her true love, her one and only.
“Do you want to stand there all day or can we finally leave?” Hank asked. “You two are worse than Elise and Chuck.”
Melody backed away from John’s face, still staring at him.
“You look like a lady in love,” Shirley whispered.
“Can we go home now?” Ted asked.
“Sure.” John turned from Melody. “Ted, I want you to drive her car back to New York.”
“
From here? Are you kidding?”
“No, I’m not. It seems that someone drove her to the train station to get rid of her in New York and I think you need time to think about your actions. It’s a perfect opportunity for you to think it over…unless you don’t want a job.”
Ted sighed. “I’d like to keep the job and I’d be happy to drive back.”
John smiled and handed him a wad of cash. “See if you can hurry. I’d love for you to be at the match tomorrow.”
“Right, boss.”
Melody walked with them to her car, removed her suitcases and put the teddy bear in the front seat. “Here’s some company for you. He kept me from fallin’ apart over the past week or so.”
“Oh, thanks,” Ted said, rolling his eyes. “I’m sure he’ll be a great conversationalist.”
She handed him her car keys and he took off in the car while they put her suitcases in John’s rental.
“Can I get a lift with you?” Shirley asked Hank.
“Yep. I’ll take you home.”
Shirley hugged Melody, then whispered into her ear. “Invite me to the weddin’? I’ve never been to New York.”
Melody looked at her like she was crazy, just shaking her head. “Good bye. Take care of my father.”
“But he’s in jail.”
“No, my real father.” She nodded toward Hank.
He smiled, then gave her a hug goodbye, leaning toward her ear. “I’d like to walk you down the aisle, too, if you’ll have me.”
She laughed. “We’ll see.” After what he hadn’t done for her during her entire life, she wasn’t sure she could let him do that.
They said goodbye, then John and she got into his rental car.
“So tell me about the game?” she asked as he pulled out onto the road.
“He was a tough opponent, but I beat him because I had to do it for one stubborn redhead in West Virginia. I promised and I don’t break my promises.” He reached over and took her hand, kissing the back of it. “Tell me where you went when you left the wedding?”
“I went to see Tony. I was really hungry, because they had fish at the wedding. Everything tasted like fish. I hate fish.”
“I agree about the fish.” He smiled as he drove. “I didn’t see you after you left the room, and I knew Dawn was with you, so I didn’t worry. Then when they threw the bouquet, and you weren’t there to catch it, I knew something was wrong.”
“What do you mean ‘to catch it’?”
He started to laugh. “I told Elise to throw it right to you.”
“Why? Because you think I’m gonna be the next one married?”
“Maybe, but you needed some flowers.”
She couldn’t believe him. He was certifiably insane. “Is that why you’ve sent me dozens of roses over the past week or so?”
“Yep. Flowers fit you, and roses are the best.” He reached up and stroked her hair. “You had a really tough week. When did you eat last?”
“Before I went to the park. I had to clean out my refrigerator.”
“What did you have?”
She looked out the window, not wanting him to see her tears. “A piece of cheese and some milk.”
“Is that what you’ve been living on? Milk and cheese?”
“And cereal. I have that packed in my car.” She turned to him with a smile. “Want to tell Ted he can eat it?”
John started to laugh. “I bet that’ll go over really well. How long does it take to drive to New York, anyway?”
“About eight or nine hours, if traffic is good. I’d have driven, but Elise sent me a ticket on the train. She didn’t want me drivin’ around New York City.”
“That was a good idea. I want to stop for something to eat, but not in town. Where do you recommend?”
“Hot dogs or pizza in New York City.”
He laughed deeply, grabbed her hand tighter and kissed the back of it again. “I missed you so much. I’m glad I’m with you again.”
“Not only that, you saved my life again. What do I owe you for all this life-savin’ stuff?”
He glanced toward her. “Just be my friend. That’s all I ask.”
“Are we drivin’ to New York too?”
“No way. I hired a jet to come down here. I couldn’t wait for the regular flights.” He pulled out his cell phone and pressed a number on speed dial. “We’re headed for the plane. Can you have two really good meals ready for us?” He glanced at Melody and winked. “For Melody and me. She’s coming home.”
It was like music to her ears. Considering she had nowhere else to go, going with John to his house was her only option. But she’d need to find her own place and a job, eventually. “You aren’t doin’ this because you feel sorry for me, are you?”
He ended the call and placed the cell phone on the floor. “Sorry? For you? No way. I love you and want to take care of you. I want to make sure you’re not being abused.”
“I’m not bein’ abused, though.”
“Not at this moment, no. But the man you thought was your father abused you, the community abused you and even the reporters abused you. I read what you said when you were in Washington.” He glanced over at her, and stroked her cheek while he drove. “You are worth it to me and you are something special. You definitely fit into my life, and you don’t belong here. You belong with me.”
“That reporter told me he just wanted us to get back together again. I had no idea he had a tape recorder until he left.”
He kissed the back of her hand. “It doesn’t matter. None of the past matters, and I want you to know that I do care about you more than you’ll ever know.”
Tears filled her eyes again and she turned to look at him. He was so sweet, deep down where it all counted. He did care about her, more than anyone.
“Did you bring your passport?” he asked.
“Sure. It’s in my suitcase. Everything I own is either in my suitcase or in the car. I don’t have anything else.” She turned toward him. “Why do you want to know that?”
“Just curious,” he said with a grin. He pulled into the rental car place and returned the car, then they both went to the airport. After they walked through security, he directed her to a man sitting in a seat at an inner wall, waiting for them.
“John, we’re ready to go whenever you’re ready,” the man said, standing.
John glanced at Melody with a smile. “We’re ready now. I don’t want anyone staring at us.”
Melody looked around the terminal. “Too late for that.” People were pointing and whispering, and a few walked toward them with paper and a pen. “I think they want your autograph.”
“Or yours,” he whispered. “Let’s get out of here.” As they walked away, John turned toward Melody. “This is Duane, and he’s our pilot.”
“Hello, Duane,” she said.
He extended his arm and shook her hand. “I know you.” He raked his eyes over her. “That wasn’t your picture, was it?”
“The head was, but the rest, no way. I’m not that type of girl and didn’t know they’d do that to me.”
“I guessed as much. John has a better head on his shoulders than that.”
“Some modeling agencies have been calling my house,” John said. “Are you interested?”
“Not really. I’m tired of that, and if they’re just gonna cheat and make me naked, then no way.”
He smiled and put his arm on her shoulders. “Good. I’d rather you stay with me anyway.”
They walked down some stairs and across the tarmac. Duane took their suitcases, and John walked with Melody up the stairs to the private plane.
She couldn’t believe it when she got onboard. “This is your plane?”
“It’s a rental. I only use it sometimes when I’m in a hurry.”
She glanced around at all the dark wood and light walls. “I’ve never been on a plane before. Are they all like this?”
He sat down on a couch and pulled her down beside him, then reached over and buckled her seatbel
t. “No, this one’s special.”
The pilot started the plane and began taxiing. Melody grabbed onto the couch in terror.
John studied her for a moment. “You’ve never flown before.”
“Well, considering I’ve never even seen the inside of a plane, no.”
“Oh yeah. I forgot.” He held onto her hand and leaned close to her face, meeting her gaze. “Don’t worry. Nothing’s going to happen. I promise.”
“Can I just ride back with Ted?”
“This is a lot faster.”
“And a lot deadlier, too,” she muttered.
“Not really. We’re in the air less than three hours, and he’s on the road more than eight hours. If you think about the likelihood of crashing—”
“Don’t go there. I think I’m gonna be sick.”
“But we haven’t taken off yet.”
She closed her eyes. “It’s the anticipation. Where’s the bathroom?”
He reached down on the side of the couch and handed her a small paper bag. “Use this.”
“To vomit in?”
“Sure. People get sick all the time on flights. The more you fly, the easier it gets.”
She sat back and took a few deep breaths. “I’m better for now.”
He chuckled while staring at her. “How did you intend to go to Europe if you’re afraid to fly?”
“I didn’t say it would be easy. This is kind of like drivin’, right?”
“All of it is, if you think about it. What would you like to do in New York? You’ll be staying with me.”
“I thought I was just gonna visit you in New York for a day, then hunt for a job and a place to stay somewhere, so I don’t get in your way. I don’t think Nadia would like me around.”
He almost started to laugh. “You’re jealous, aren’t you?”
“Wouldn’t you be?”
“No, but that’s a different issue. I’d love it if you joined me in New York…permanently.”
“Where would I live?”
“With me. You’d travel with me and be my friend. That’s the most important thing.”
She shook her head and sighed while staring at him. “Oh, I don’t know. Let me think about it. I really need to get a job somewhere and a place to stay.”
“It’s Nadia, isn’t it?”
She searched his face, but she didn’t see any deceit or anything to make her believe he loved Nadia. However, she had to press onward. “I don’t want to be a third wheel. If you’d rather be with her—”
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