“Okay, but I have to make that phone call.” The task done, Melody looked up at Kirsten. “Debra said she’d help Amy and bring her back to campus if we get her over there.”
“I’ll give you both a ride.” Hudson stepped forward.
Her pulse skittering, Melody glanced his way. Somehow she’d forgotten he was here. Or maybe she’d only tried to block his image from her mind. “Did your chauffer bring you in that limo?”
“Not today. I had to drive myself. I do that sometimes.” Hudson gave her a wry smile.
Of course, multiple cars for the multimillionaire. Melody searched her mind for some way to decline his offer, but none came to mind. Once again, he had her right where he wanted her—in need of his services.
“That would be perfect,” Kirsten replied before Melody could respond. “I’ll be right back with that ice and bandage.”
Melody sighed. “While you do that, I’ll give Amy a call.”
A little later, Melody sat sideways on the backseat of Hudson’s SUV with her legs stretched out and an ice pack atop her well-wrapped ankle. A pair of crutches lay on the floor beside her. Amy sat in the front passenger seat and chatted comfortably with Hudson about her children and her job prospects. Melody wished she could feel as relaxed with the man. She wasn’t sure why she was letting him tie her emotions in knots for absolutely no reason.
When they arrived at The Village store, Debra came out to meet them, poking her head into the SUV. “I’m so sorry to hear what happened, but I’ll take good care of Amy. Don’t worry about a thing.”
“Thanks. I appreciate your help.” Melody smiled.
Debra looked at Hudson. “You take good care of our Melody. She needs some pampering.”
“Yes, ma’am. I sure will.”
She refrained from rolling her eyes as Debra closed the door and she and Amy waved. Melody didn’t need Hudson Conrick to pamper her. As he drove his SUV onto the main road, she chastised herself for the negative thoughts. He was being kind, and she should be thankful for his helpfulness. During the drive to her house, she prayed for a more charitable nature.
“How you doing back there?”
“I’m okay.” Her ankle had quit throbbing. The ice had probably dulled the ache. “I forgot to ask if you remember how to get to my house.”
“I certainly do. It’s etched in my memory. It’s fun being your chauffeur, but you don’t have to call me James.”
So he remembered her little story, but was he making fun of her? “Okay. Home, Hudson.”
He laughed, and the sound made her heart lighter as she settled back for the ride. After he parked in the driveway, he opened the door for her and handed her the crutches.
“Thanks.”
“Do you need some help? I can always carry you again.”
“Thank you, but I’ll be able to maneuver with the crutches. You can carry this.” Melody handed him the ice pack.
“If you give me your keys, I can go ahead and open the door so you can walk right in.”
“Good idea.” She fished them from her purse, and while Hudson trotted off to open the door, Melody maneuvered out of the backseat, being careful not to put any weight on the tender ankle. She adjusted the crutches and made her way up the walk. When she reached the threshold, Hudson was there to give her an assist through the doorway. She didn’t fight it. He was here to help, and she should let him.
“I’ll stay right beside you in case you need support.” He accompanied her into the living room.
Melody sat on the couch and swung her legs up, then looked over at him. “Thanks for your help. I should be okay now.”
Staring at her, Hudson stood there with his arms crossed at his trim waist. “And I’m sticking around for a while to make sure of it.”
“Really. I’m fine. There’s no need for you to stay.”
“Who’s going to replenish your ice pack or get you a pillow to prop your leg on? If you don’t keep it elevated, your ankle will swell even more.”
Melody tried not to frown. She didn’t want him hanging around. “Is this a ploy to get another date with me?”
Hudson shook his head. “I’m only here to make sure you have everything you need. I won’t pester you for another date. You made it quite clear that you don’t want to go out with me again. So I’ll bow to your wishes, but if you ever change your mind, let me know.”
“Okay.” She’d gotten what she wanted. So why did a ping of disappointment sound in her mind and settle in her heart?
Hudson grinned at her. “You remember what you said about God using everything for good. He’s going to make something out of this, too.”
Melody gave him a helpless smile. “I had that coming.”
“I wasn’t trying to give you a hard time. I mean it.”
“Okay. We’ll see what He has prepared for me.”
“And me.” Hudson pulled his phone from his pocket. “I’m going to order you something to eat. What would you like?”
Melody shrugged, resigning herself to Hudson’s presence. He wasn’t after another date, so why did being with him bother her? “Whatever. I’m really not that hungry.”
“You need to eat something. I’ll order pizza. Pepperoni and mushroom?”
Closing her eyes, Melody nodded and laid her head back on the decorative pillow. Hudson liked her favorite kind of pizza. What did that say about him? She had to quit examining every little thing about him. Would admitting her fascination with him from the beginning help her deal with the attraction? She might as well. She couldn’t deny it, and his constant presence in her life for the foreseeable future might require more resistance to his appeal than she could muster. At some point, would her heart overrule her head? Would her good sense succumb to the charms of a kind and attractive man even though he took chances that frightened her?
“You awake?” Hudson’s whispered question made her eyes pop open.
“Yeah. I was resting as per instructions from Kirsten.” Melody smiled, glad he couldn’t read her thoughts. She gave herself a mental shake. The pain from her ankle and weariness from a sleepless night made her thinking fuzzy. She would get through today, and tomorrow she would find her fortitude again.
“You rest. Here’s a pillow and a fresh ice pack.” After she lifted her ailing ankle onto the pillow, he held up the ice pack. “Me or you? I don’t want to put it in the wrong place and cause you more pain.”
“Lay it down gently.” His concern punched one more hole in her resistance.
After he placed the ice pack on her ankle, he looked down at her. “TV, book, music or quiet?”
Melody gazed up at him. Quiet was out of the question. Too much time to think about him. “You mean you don’t want to talk to me?”
“We can talk.” Hudson settled on the ottoman next to the couch, his long legs stretched out in front of him. “What do you want to talk about?”
She didn’t know why she’d said that. Fuzzy brain again. What on earth did she have to say to Hudson Conrick? Nothing. Did they have anything in common besides liking the same kind of pizza? The pizza couldn’t get here fast enough. Sighing, she shrugged. “On second thought, I’m too tired to talk.”
“I understand. You rest. I’ve got work I can do.” Still sitting on the ottoman, he pulled out his cell phone and began tapping the screen. “And I’d better call Ian and let him know why I didn’t show up for our discussion about the Valentine banquet.”
Nodding, Melody closed her eyes again, but images of Hudson still cluttered her mind. She wanted to think about anything else, but her thoughts kept coming back to the handsome man a few feet away. She kept drifting in and out of sleep, dreams of Hudson filling her subconscious. In her dreams, he was kissing her. Which was more troubling? The dreams about the man or the reality of him sitting in her living room?
<
br /> Chapter Five
The doorbell rang, but it didn’t seem to faze Melody. She continued to sleep. Hudson cast another look at her over his shoulder as he went to answer the door. After paying for the pizza, he carried the box into the living room and set it on the ottoman. He stared down at Melody, her blond hair falling across the pillow as she slept. Her beauty captured his heart. But it was more than her appearance that captivated him. It was her spirit.
Although she didn’t seem to care much for him, she cared about all the folks at The Village. He’d meant what he’d said when he’d told her he wouldn’t press for another date, but he hoped their association over the next few months would soften her attitude toward him.
Hudson touched her arm. “Melody, the pizza’s here.”
Her eyes blinked open, and she stared at him. She blinked again and put a hand over her heart. “Oh, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to doze off, but I didn’t sleep well last night. I guess it caught up to me.”
Hudson smiled, his heart thudding as she looked up at him with those light brown eyes. “That’s okay. I got lots of work done, and you got the rest you needed.”
“What time is it?”
“It’s nearly six.” Hudson opened the pizza box. “Are you hungry now?”
Melody tried to sit up. “A little.”
“How’s the ankle?”
“Better.” She looked over at him. “Have you been putting the ice pack on and off?”
“I have.” He smiled again, his heart still thundering. “I make a good nurse.”
She laughed. “Kirsten will be impressed.”
“I’ll get some plates. And what can I get you to drink?”
“I don’t expect you to wait on me.”
“That’s why I’m here. Rest. Remember, that’s what Kirsten said. Stay off that ankle.”
“I’ve been doing plenty of resting.”
“More can’t hurt, and as long as I’m here, you might as well take advantage of my assistance.”
Melody sighed. “Okay. I’ll take a cola. Lots of ice.”
Hudson made his way into the kitchen and flipped on the light. Melody’s kitchen was a clear reflection of her. Neat—with everything in place. He suspected he could eat off her floors. He found the plates, glasses, flatware and napkins. Minutes later he returned to the living room. He handed her the cola. “Here you go.”
She sat up with her leg propped up on the ottoman. “Thanks. There are coasters in the drawer of the end table.”
Hudson got out two coasters, then served the pizza before taking a seat on the chair that sat at an angle to the couch. “Would you like me to give thanks?”
“Sure.”
“Lord, thank You for Melody and her service to those who are in need. Please heal her ankle quickly so she can be back at work in full force. We thank You for this food. In Jesus’s name. Amen.”
“Thank you. I appreciate your prayer.” Melody stared at him, a twinkle of appreciation in her eyes.
Maybe he’d just picked up a few brownie points. With the silly thought running through his mind he took a bite of pizza. He wasn’t back in grade school trying to impress his teacher, but he wanted to be on Melody’s good side. He wanted to get to know her better, but she kept her feelings close to her chest—except for her wish not to go out with him again.
He shouldn’t care. He’d told her he wasn’t going to ask her for another date. So why did he keep thinking about it? Was he already regretting it? Was it something that would come back to bite him? Maybe her rejection was crushing his ego, and he couldn’t dismiss the challenge of changing her mind.
“How’s the pizza?”
“Good. I was hungrier than I thought.” She took a bite.
“Glad you’re enjoying it.”
“Thanks for your help.”
“You’re welcome, and I believe you’ll need my help again tomorrow.”
A little pucker formed between her eyebrows. “Why?”
“Your car’s still at The Village, and you’ll need a ride in the morning.”
“Oh, yeah, but you don’t need to worry about it.” She waved a hand at him. “I’ll get someone from The Village to help me. You don’t need to go out of your way.”
“It’s not out of my way when I’ll be headed there to oversee the beginning of the construction project.”
“You’re starting already?”
“We’re going to bring in materials tomorrow.”
“But I haven’t given you the dimensions of the front entrance.”
Hudson shook his head. “We’re only bringing in smaller equipment, so we’ll be ready when the permits are in place.”
“Isn’t it out of the way for you?”
“No. I drive right by here, and even if I wasn’t going to be there for the construction project, I still have an appointment with Ian.” Hudson smiled despite the fact that she wasn’t eager to accept his help.
“Oh. Okay. I guess I’d be silly not to accept your generous offer.” Her shoulders slumped as she took another bite of pizza.
“Will you be able to drive your car tomorrow?”
Melody set down her slice of pizza. “I think so. I’ll take it easy tonight, and I’ll be a new woman in the morning.”
“I hope not too new. I kind of like the woman you are.” Except the part that wouldn’t go on another date with him.
“You do?” Her eyes grew wide.
“Why do you seem so surprised that I like you?”
She appeared to be weighing his question, her eyes focused on something across the room. When she looked back at him, she wore a doubtful expression. “You’re only trying to get on my good side.”
“Of course I am.” Hudson grinned. “You’re the boss lady, and I wouldn’t want to displease you.”
“You really are trying to chalk up brownie points.”
“I freely admit that I am, but I was being completely serious. I admire what you’re doing at The Village. In fact, I mentioned your work to my mother, and she’s going to call you about talking to one of her women’s groups.”
Again she seemed hesitant to speak. “I’m always happy to share the work we do.”
“Good.”
Melody finished her slice of pizza and leaned back on the couch while she took a sip of her drink. She seemed lost in thought, and Hudson got the feeling that she wasn’t up for more conversation.
After they ate, he took the plates and glasses to the kitchen and put them in the nearly empty dishwasher. He put the leftover pizza in the refrigerator, then came back to the living room. Melody had returned to her reclining position with her leg propped up on the pillow at the end of the couch.
“If you think you’ll be okay, I’m headed home. If you need anything, you can call me.”
He hated for the evening to end, but he didn’t want to overstay his welcome.
She looked up at him. “You know bringing me home would’ve been enough, but thank you for staying and serving me supper.”
“You’re welcome.”
“What time can I expect you in the morning?”
“Is quarter till eight too early?”
“No, I’ll be ready.” She gave him a little wave, something sad in her expression. “I’d see you to the door, but I’m a little incapacitated.”
“Good night. I’ll see myself out.” Hudson closed her front door, her soft farewell still echoing in his ears.
He walked to his vehicle while he replayed the evening in his mind. They’d shared a good time, and any doubts of her sincerity were rapidly receding. Was he right to conclude that she wasn’t another Nicole with ulterior motives?
* * *
The next morning Hudson wasn’t even out of his SUV before Melody was swing
ing down her walk on those crutches. She could even be speedy with those. He hurried around to the passenger side to open the door. “Good morning. You’re getting along very well with those things. What did you do? Practice with them after I left last night?”
She laughed as he helped her into the car. “No, they’re not that hard to use. I’m not an invalid, you know.”
“I know that for sure.” Hudson put the crutches in the back, then hopped into the driver’s seat. “I’m ready to get this project started, and I’m thankful for another sunny day, despite the cool temperature. February has started out colder than January this year.”
“I hope for the best and live for spring.” Laughing, she buckled her seat belt.
When they arrived at The Village, Hudson drove his SUV as close to the administration building as he could so Melody wouldn’t have to walk very far. He retrieved her crutches from the backseat and brought them around to her. “You know you could’ve called Jeremy to drive you right up to the door.”
“He’s got his rounds to make, and I wouldn’t want to disrupt his schedule. Besides, I can get where I want to go quite easily. Another day, and I won’t even have to use these things.”
“Don’t start putting weight on that ankle before it’s ready.”
She frowned at him. “Are you a doctor now?”
“No, I just know about sprained ankles. I’ve had a few. Take it easy.” He waved as Melody disappeared through the side door.
After Hudson parked in the nearest lot, he meandered back toward the administration building for his meeting with Ian. As he approached the reception area, he noticed Lovie was busy typing something, the keys clicking as her fingers flew over the keyboard. He stopped for a moment in front of the desk. “Good morning, Lovie.”
She glanced up, a smile forming on her lips. “Just the man I wanted to see.”
Hudson knit his eyebrows. “Why?”
“Because I just figured out why I know your name.”
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