Falling For the Millionaire

by Merrillee Whren

  Hudson shook that question away as they walked into the senior center cafeteria. The folks here at The Village would make a sound business decision based on the bids they received. Not on personal feelings.

  Melody introduced them to the woman who signed them in. Another layer of security. Immediately, Adam joined them and led them to a nearby table.

  “Do you have questions for me now that you’ve seen the building we want to renovate?” Adam asked.

  Hudson leaned back and steepled his fingers as he placed his elbows on the arms of the chair. “Melody has explained your emphasis on security, so will we have access to a construction entrance for our heavy equipment?”

  “I’m glad you brought up that point. When we did the first renovations, we didn’t have any residents so we didn’t have to worry about security.” Adam wrinkled his brow. “We have an emergency entrance on the road that runs along the back side of the campus. It’s there for vehicles that are unable to go through the main gate. I’m sure we can make some arrangements to use it if the need arises.”

  Melody scooted forward in her chair and frowned. “Do you think it’ll be necessary to use that?”

  Despite her frown, Hudson relished her question. At least, she was talking to him. “I wanted to cover all the bases. The logistics will figure into our bid. I know how important security is to you.”

  A little smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. “Yeah, it is. So opening another entrance worries me.”

  “I understand. If we get the bid, I’ll be personally responsible for personnel and vehicles that go through there if we have to use it.” Hudson watched her expression as she took in his response.

  “I appreciate that, and I’ll hold you to it.” The look in her brown eyes let him know that she meant business. “We can’t be too careful when it comes to the women here. They depend on us for their safety.”

  Hudson tried to put himself in the place of the women who had fled abusive situations and the fear they must feel.

  “Does that cover everything?” Adam asked.

  Nodding, Carter looked Hudson’s way as he tapped the roll of blueprints. “I’ve got everything I need.”

  “Great.” Adam stood. “You’re welcome to join us for lunch.”

  “Sounds good to me.” Hudson nodded as he glanced at Melody. He breathed a sigh of relief when she didn’t make some excuse to leave.

  Carter stood. “I appreciate the invitation, but I’ve got to get back to the office. We’ll have that bid to you by the deadline.”

  Hudson popped up from his chair. “I’ll be right back after I see Carter to the exit.”

  “Good to meet you. I look forward to seeing your bid.” Adam shook Carter’s hand, then turned to Hudson. “We’ll wait here for you.”

  “Thanks.” Hudson fell into step beside Carter. “So what do you think?”

  “We can come up with a competitive bid, but I’m not sure it’ll meet muster with that pretty blonde. What did you do to get on her bad side?” Carter gave Hudson a speculative glance.

  “Hard telling. I’m not going to worry about her.”

  Carter narrowed his gaze. “I thought you wanted this project because of her.”

  “I told you before she’s not the reason for my interest in this. Showing my dad that I can be my own man is on top of the list.” Hudson clapped Carter on the back. “We’ll talk after you’ve had a chance to crunch the numbers. Thanks for your work.”

  Hudson hurried back to the table. He didn’t miss Melody’s less-than-enthusiastic smile upon his return, but he wouldn’t let that dampen his spirit.

  As they went through the cafeteria line, Hudson took in Melody’s interaction with those around her. She had a smile for the workers and knew them by name. What did he need to do to gain one of those smiles? Maybe he should quit thinking about himself. That might be a start in the right direction.

  For too many years, he’d lived his life, never understanding the plight of folks less fortunate than himself. Even though his parents had always been charity minded, he hadn’t known how other people lived until he’d joined the army. Looking back, he could see his father’s wisdom when he’d insisted that Hudson spend time in the military. The experience had given him a new perspective on life and the world.

  Could Melody appreciate that, or would she continue to look at him as a person who was out of touch with the people she served? He’d done himself no favors the night of the fund-raiser when he’d jokingly talked about attending the event to please his father. At the beginning of the evening, he’d had no idea that he’d find Melody a very fascinating woman. Now he had to work doubly hard to undo her bad impression of him. No easy task. And if she did show an interest in him, would it be for him or the money he could contribute to her cause? When it came to women, that thought was never far from the surface.

  After they brought their food to the table, Adam offered a prayer of thanks. For a few minutes, they ate without saying anything, the sounds of lively conversation flowing around them. Hudson observed the residents of the senior center as they partook of their meals. The place radiated with joy. This was a happy place—one he wanted to help. And he wanted to help one very independent woman, but he wasn’t sure she wanted it.

  Hudson set down his fork. “The residents here seem to be having a good time.”

  Melody nodded. “We do our best to make this a wonderful place to live. Ian does a great job with the facility.”

  “That’s right,” Adam said to Hudson. “In fact, he’s got one of the most anticipated events of the year for the senior center coming up. The Valentine banquet. We can always use some volunteers for that. Would you be interested?”

  Hudson let the request roll through his mind as he watched the consternation spread across Melody’s face. She wasn’t happy about Adam’s suggestion. Was this a chance to prove to her that he was willing to help others? “What kind of volunteers do you need?”

  “Adam, Ian probably has enough helpers.” Melody wrinkled her brow. “He usually invites the youth group from his dad’s church to act as servers, and we always have plenty of people from right here. You don’t need to be bothering Hudson.”

  Adam nodded. “That’s true, but it never hurts to let other folks see what we’re doing. What do you say, Hudson?”

  “It sounds like a great opportunity. I’ll talk to Ian and see where he can use my services.” He’d love to help out where he could, and if this was another way to spend more time with Melody Hammond, then things were looking up.

  Chapter Three

  The two-story cream-colored stucco house with the stone accents spread out across the piney woods landscape like a small hotel. Hudson surveyed the structure as he parked his car in the circular drive. Melody would probably consider the residence a place of excess. He’d seen her reaction when he’d shown up in a limo. But that had been his best option. He’d thought to spare her from trying to get in and out of his sports car in a dress or having to clamber over the junk in his SUV. And after he’d seen her gown, he knew he’d made the right decision.

  Melody probably thought he lived a life of luxury and didn’t understand the plight of the people she helped every day. What would it take to convince her that having money was a good thing? Making money was something he was good at, and he intended to keep doing it. Did that make him a bad guy? He wanted to show her how his wealth could help her beyond her fund-raising.

  But first he had to convince his dad that doing the construction for The Village was a valuable thing.

  Loping toward the front porch, Hudson formulated the speech he hoped would convince his father. Hudson strode through the house until he reached the office at the far end of the first floor. Armed with Carter’s facts and figures, Hudson knocked on the dark oak-paneled door.

  “Come in.” H. P. Conrick’
s deep voiced boomed from the other side.

  Hudson pushed open the door. “Hey, Dad.”

  “Hello, son. What can I do for you today?”

  “I’ve got a project to run by you.”

  H.P. motioned toward the chair next to his cherry-inlaid mahogany desk. “Have a seat.”

  As he made himself comfortable, Hudson studied his father and tried to gauge his mood. With his silver-gray hair and trim physique, H.P. was a commanding figure, even a little intimidating. Hudson took a deep breath and then started to explain the details of his bid on the women’s shelter project at The Village. His father appeared to be listening intently but with a skeptical attitude.

  “Why is this so important to you? Does it have anything to do with a pretty blonde?”

  Hudson knit his eyebrows together. “Why would you say that?”

  H.P.’s laughter echoed through the room. “The Clarks mentioned seeing you with a lovely young lady in a red dress. They were quite impressed with her.”

  Had this information reached his mother’s ears? She would be all over it—her matchmaking antennae at full strength. Hudson couldn’t deny an interest in Melody, but when it came to women, caution was his operative word. He wasn’t about to fall into the trap of women who used him for his wealth again, no matter how appealing Melody Hammond might be. He wanted to get to know her in his own time and see what kind of person lay behind her pretty face.

  “Melody’s in charge of the women’s ministries at The Village, and this is a cause Conrick Industries can get behind—good PR for the company and a worthy cause, too.” Hudson squared his shoulders. “I want to be in charge of this endeavor.”

  H.P. wrinkled his brow. “Ridiculous. You’ve not worked on the construction side of the business for years. Why would you think you’re qualified to be in charge?”

  Doubts crowded Hudson’s mind, but he shoved them aside. “It’s true I haven’t been involved in that part of the business since before I was in the army, but it’s still my first love when it comes to Conrick Industries.”

  “I’ve nearly decided to divest the construction portion of the business. It’s too volatile and hasn’t produced substantial income in recent years.” H.P. stood and pounded his desk, his voice raised. “And now you’re asking me to practically give away our services. I won’t do that no matter how good the publicity.”

  Hudson hoped his dad wouldn’t blow up. “Do you have a prospective buyer?”

  “No, but I’ll close it down if I can’t find one. Better than pouring money into a losing proposition.”

  “What about the people who work there? They’ll lose their jobs.”

  H.P. knit his shaggy eyebrows. “Hard business decisions must be made.”

  “Let me take it off your hands.”

  H.P. sat on the front of his desk and narrowed his gaze. “You want to take over a business that’s struggling to survive?”

  The consequences of failure swirled through Hudson’s thoughts. What would he prove to his dad if he didn’t succeed? Hudson wanted to strike out on his own, and the perfect opportunity had just materialized. “I do. I’ll take it as my part of the inheritance. You can draw up the papers, and I won’t expect another thing from your will.”

  His dad pushed himself away from the desk and began pacing back and forth across the black, gold and cream colored design in the Oriental rug. Finally, he stopped, disapproval radiating from his eyes. “It can’t happen. That’s not what I have planned for you.”

  Hudson took a deep breath. “Dad, I’ve told you before. I don’t want to take over the family business—”

  “You don’t have a choice.” H.P. glared at Hudson.

  “Elizabeth wants the job. She’s worked at the company and is well qualified. She has an MBA to go along with her talent. Her kids are grown, and she could devote her time to the business. She’d be the perfect one to step into your shoes when you decide to retire.”

  “No. Do you understand me? You’re going to do as I say and take over the company. Your sister’s not as well versed as you.”

  “Only because you resisted letting her learn the ropes.” Hudson stood and went to the window that looked out on the piney woods running up to the expanse of barely green lawn. What would it take to change his father’s mind? He turned, trying to keep his cool in the wake of his father’s displeasure. “You have a few years to teach her everything you know. She’s smart, and she’s good at what she does. It’s been her dream to step into your shoes since she was two.”

  With a glower on his face, H.P. joined Hudson at the window. “What do you mean since she was two?”

  Hudson strode over to the built-in bookcases that covered a whole wall and picked up a photo frame that contained a collage. He pointed to the photo in one corner. “See.”

  A begrudging smile crept across his dad’s face as he studied the photo of his eldest daughter wearing his shoes when she was a toddler. Shaking his head, he narrowed his gaze as he looked at Hudson. “I don’t care what you say. A Conrick son takes over for the father. That’s the way it’s always been done, and that’s the way it’ll stay.”

  “If something will work better doing it a different way, don’t you change instead of sticking with the old way?”

  H.P. gave Hudson a begrudging nod. “I suppose.”

  “Dad, bring the company into the twenty-first century. Let Elizabeth take over.”

  “You’re wasting your breath if you think you can change my mind.” H.P. boomed his annoyance.

  “For now, will you at least let me run the construction division?” Hudson held his breath, waiting for his dad’s reaction.

  “If you do, I’ll expect you to make money. I won’t tolerate losses.”

  “And there won’t be any.” Hudson wished he could be sure of that statement. Was he stepping out on a limb that wouldn’t hold him?

  “Are you still involved in that skydiving stuff—a frivolous pursuit?”

  “What’s a frivolous pursuit?” Hudson’s mother walked into the room.

  “Susan, talk some sense into your son.” H.P. greeted his wife with a kiss on the cheek.

  “My son? I thought he was your son, too.” Susan gave Hudson a hug.

  “Well, right now I’m wondering about that.” H.P. looped an arm around his wife’s shoulders. “He’s bucking the family tradition.”

  “Do I need to act as referee between you two again?” Susan smiled up at her husband.

  “No, just talk some sense into him.”

  Susan looked over at Hudson. “Can you stay for lunch?”

  Hudson wondered whether his mother could help his dad see the wisdom of granting Elizabeth her wish. Maybe his dad needed a woman’s point of view. “Yeah.”

  “Excellent. We’re having some of Sarah’s chili. It’s simmering on the stove as we speak.” Susan slipped an arm through her husband’s and paraded him to the door.

  Watching his parents, Hudson followed. They were a happy couple, with a very traditional marriage where his mother, unlike his sisters, worked inside the home. Still fit for her age and still young looking thanks to the hairdresser who made sure she stayed a brunette rather than a graying matriarch, his mom was a pampered Southern belle with a housekeeper, cook and gardener. She spent her time doing church charity functions or community service, besides playing tennis and golf weekly when the weather permitted. Her charity activities should bode well for his efforts to help The Village.

  When they reached the kitchen, Sarah, his parents’ longtime cook, was busy at the stove. She turned to greet them. Her face lit up when she saw Hudson. She wiped her hands on a towel and hurried to greet him with a hug. “My favorite boy.”

  Hudson chuckled. “Sarah, you’d think one of these days you’d realize I’m grown up.”

  “Never.�
� She laughed as she returned to the stove.

  “Mom tells me you’re serving us your famous chili.” Hudson remembered many a time when Sarah would sneak him cookies when he was a little boy.

  “Absolutely, and the biggest serving is for you.” She handed him an oversize bowl, steaming with the delicious mixture.

  “Thanks.” Hudson cradled it in his hands, the heat warming his heart. “Come join us.”

  Sarah shook her head. “Thanks, but I’ve already eaten, and I need to get dinner ready.”

  After Sarah served his parents, they found seats at the round oak table in the kitchen nook. H.P. gave thanks for the food, and they began eating in silence. Hudson wanted to bring up their earlier discussion but decided to wait for his father to start the conversation.

  Setting down her spoon, Hudson’s mother broke the silence. “What were you two arguing about?”

  H.P. gave his wife an annoyed look. “We were having a discussion.”

  “True, but we’re on opposite sides of the issue.” Hudson nodded as he explained the situation.

  “H.P., this time your son’s right.” Susan patted her husband’s arm. “You can’t push your kids into doing something they don’t want to do. Give Hudson some freedom. Let him fly.”

  His father harrumphed. “What do you mean let him fly? He wants to skydive. What a waste of time.”

  “Give him wings to do what he chooses. He jumped out of planes to serve his country. He deserves to use that skill however he wants.” Susan raised an eyebrow.

  Hudson listened to his parents bicker back and forth about his future. He needed to stand up for himself rather than let his mother argue for him. “Dad, I’ve worked for you ever since I got out of the army. I’ve done your bidding. Now I’m going to chart my own path. I’d like your blessing to run the construction division, but if not, don’t plan on me taking over Conrick Industries. Elizabeth can do that far better than I can.”

  A muscle worked in H.P.’s jaw. The silence in the room shouted louder than anything his father could have said. Hudson feared he could never convince his father that his sister deserved a chance to prove herself.