“I still don’t care about it, but—”
“But you think I do?”
“No.” Lowering her head, Melody pressed her fingers to her forehead as she let out a big sigh. “I was wrong to say that, but I’ve been on pins and needles all day, worrying about what you’d think. Forgive me?”
“We’re almost to your house. When we get there, we’ve got some things to discuss.”
“Okay.” She didn’t miss the anger simmering beneath the surface of Hudson’s statement, and he’d never said he forgave her. Why had she opened her mouth? Her own insecurities had brought her to this point. Could she undo the mess she’d made?
When they arrived at her house, she hurried to unlock the door. Hudson remained silent as he followed her into the living room and sat on the couch. Her heart raced as she sat down beside him. Misery scrambled her thoughts as she stared at the picture on the opposite wall. Finally, she looked his way and read his unhappy expression. “All I can say is I’m sorry.”
“I’m sorry, too.”
Hudson’s response clawed at her heart. She blinked hard to keep from crying. “I don’t want you to be angry with me.”
“I’m not angry. I’m hurt and disappointed.”
“What can I say to make things better?”
He turned to her. “I don’t know. You were worried from the beginning that we didn’t fit into each other’s worlds. I thought we’d gotten beyond that.”
Melody tried to squash her heartache. “I want to tell you something, but I’m afraid it will make you even angrier.”
“We might as well get everything out in the open. Let me have it.”
“It has to do with Elizabeth and Julie.” Melody swallowed hard.
Hudson frowned. “What about them?”
Melody took a deep breath, then told him what she’d overheard the night of his dad’s birthday party. As she ended the story, she lowered her gaze. “So I let their words translate into worry about the way you’d look at my family. I know you better than that, so I have no excuse for what I said.”
In a flash Hudson gathered her in his arms and held her tight. “Now I’m the one who’s sorry. Elizabeth said much the same to me that night, but I had no idea you had accidentally heard her accusations, too.”
Not expecting his reaction, Melody drank in the warmth of his embrace. “Thank you for understanding.”
He held her at arm’s length. “Seems we both have overprotective siblings.”
Melody knit her eyebrows. “What do you mean?”
Hudson repeated the conversation he’d had with Will.
Melody covered her face with her hands. “How could he say those things to you? I’m so sorry.”
“I’m sorry I didn’t take your worry seriously after hearing Will’s warning. I can see why that old incident coupled with my sisters’ comments would make you question my thoughts.”
“Can we have forgiveness all the way around?”
Gazing into her eyes, Hudson took her hands in his. “I only have this to say to you, Melody Hammond. I love you, and I don’t want our families to come between us for any reason.”
Had she heard him correctly? “Would you say that again?”
Hudson chuckled as he pulled her back into his arms. “Gladly. Melody, I love you.”
Melody’s heart soared. He loved her. “I love you, too. You’ve made me so happy.”
“Me, too.” Hudson settled back on the couch with an arm around her shoulders.
* * *
The day of the grand opening for the women’s shelter had arrived. A wide red ribbon stretched across the entrance swayed in the gentle breeze. A jubilant crowd, including dignitaries and reporters, gathered nearby as they awaited the appearance of the skydivers who would open the festivities.
The noise of an approaching plane sounded overhead. Melody looked up as the four jumpers came into view, barely more than dots against the sky’s blue canopy.
She shaded her eyes as the first parachute opened, its rainbow of colors brightening the sky. A second one opened, then the third as the skydivers maneuvered their parachutes in a zigzag pattern, following each other toward the earth. Melody waited for the fourth one, but the diver continued to plunge earthward, his chute not opening.
She let out a little cry as her heart sank to her stomach. She didn’t want to believe her eyes. Did the rest of the crowd realize that there was a problem? She looked around, but it didn’t seem as though anyone else was concerned. When she looked back up, the fourth diver’s auxiliary chute opened—rounded and white compared to the colorful elliptical-shaped parachutes of the others.
With her heart still in her throat, Melody watched the first three divers make a pinpoint landing on the quad near the crowd. Loud cheers went up each time one landed. The odd parachute disappeared behind a stand of trees on the other side of the campus.
As the divers removed their helmets and gear, she could see that Hudson was missing. Melody wanted to scream as her stomach churned. How could she go through with the ribbon cutting without knowing he was okay?
Melody searched for Adam in the crowd. When she saw him approaching, she raced to his side. “Did you see?”
Adam nodded. “Looks as if Hudson’s main chute didn’t open. I’ve sent Jeremy to see where he landed.”
“You sent a golf cart?” she asked in a harsh whisper.
“Take it easy. Jeremy can take the golf cart into places where a car can’t go. Hudson will be okay. His auxiliary chute opened. He’s an experienced skydiver. No need to worry.” Adam patted her arm. “We’ve got to go on with the ribbon cutting.”
Melody went through the ceremony like an automaton, her mind totally consumed with worry. Why was she the only one concerned about his safety? She kept looking over her shoulder hoping to see him, but the ceremony ended and still there was no sign of him.
After Adam announced the reception in the senior center dining hall, the crowd dispersed and Melody cornered Adam. “I’m going to find Hudson.”
“No need. Jeremy called, and he’s fine. He landed on the soccer fields in the adjacent park.” Adam patted Melody’s arm again. “I know you were worried, but Hudson told me this kind of thing happens in about one out of every thousand jumps. That’s why they have backup chutes.”
“You’re right, but that doesn’t make it any less frightening.” Melody had no idea what she was going to say to Hudson when she saw him. She wasn’t even sure she could talk to him without bursting into tears. She had to pull herself together before he arrived.
After Hudson joined the activities, she found no opportunity to talk privately with him. She managed to get through the tour of the facility and the reception while he hovered by her side. She smiled, but inside she was frowning. She thought she was okay with Hudson’s risk-taking activities, but today’s incident showed her that she wasn’t. She couldn’t feign acceptance of these pursuits.
When the festivities finally ended and Melody stood alone with Hudson in the hallway of the women’s shelter, she hoped she could talk with him without crying. The smell of new construction permeated the air, but there was nothing new about her fears and the conversation she was about to have.
“That went well.” He put an arm around her shoulders as he smiled down at her.
“Everything except you.” Melody slipped out of his embrace.
“Well, other than that little incident.” He gave her a lopsided grin as he held his arms up by his sides as if nothing had really happened. “I’m all in one piece. No problem.”
“No problem?” She forced herself not to raise her voice. “It’s a problem for me. I can’t deal with it. I should’ve gone with my first instincts and never gotten involved with you, but I let you convince me that love conquers all.”
“It can if you let it.” His expre
ssion sobered.
“No, it can’t.” Melody took a deep breath. “I think it would be better for both of us if we stopped seeing each other. The construction is done. We can cut our ties since we no longer have to work together.”
Hudson shook his head, disbelief in his eyes. “Melody, please reconsider. I won’t skydive anymore. I won’t race cars. I love you more than those things.”
“No, Hudson, you can’t give up your passions for me. You would come to resent me. There’s no way we can find a compromise. Please accept this reality.”
“I don’t want to accept your reality.”
“That’s the way it is.” Melody held up a hand. “I’m sorry. I’m leaving now. Please don’t follow me.”
Melody forced herself not to run or look back as she left the building. Once outside, she sprinted to her car while tears streamed down her face. Why couldn’t love be simple? Why couldn’t life be simple? God, why did You let me fall in love with a man who likes to take chances?
Sitting in her car, she gripped the steering wheel. She squeezed her eyes shut and stifled the tears. She couldn’t blame God, and she wouldn’t cry. This was her own doing. She was the one who had ignored those doubts niggling at the back of her mind. Breaking up with Hudson was like pulling off a bandage—painful now, but the healing would come.
* * *
Two weeks later, Hudson’s heart still ached. Melody’s rejection had hurt more than he’d ever thought possible. Lovesickness—a perfect diagnosis. He’d wanted to argue with her that day, but he was wise enough to know that he would’ve been wasting his breath. This strong-willed woman didn’t easily change her mind about anything, but why couldn’t she see that he would give it all up for her?
Still, a twinge of doubt wouldn’t let him go. Was she right? Would he come to resent her? Was God trying to tell him that they didn’t belong together? He couldn’t stop asking that question, but he never came up with an answer. Now his father had commanded him to appear. What other bad news was going to drop in his lap?
Hudson walked into his father’s study. H.P. looked up from where he sat at his desk as Hudson stood there wondering what had prompted this meeting. The breakup with Melody had done nothing to improve his mood, and on top of that, he dreaded this conversation.
“Have a seat, son.” H.P. steepled his hands and stared at Hudson. “I hope you’re receptive to what I’ve got to say.”
“I’ll listen.” He sat on the edge of the chair, not wanting to get too comfortable.
“Good. I know it hasn’t been quite six months since you took over the construction division, but I don’t want to wait to talk over what I’d like to see happen there.”
Hudson wished he could walk out and never look back. But he loved his family and didn’t want to alienate any of them, even his overbearing father. “Is this some kind of ultimatum?”
“Depends.” H.P. leaned forward, a no-nonsense look in his eyes. “I’ve decided to retire. I’ve seen what you’ve done with the construction division, and I approve. You’ve demonstrated you’re a good manager and leader. When trouble arose, you developed a plan to get through it, and you were successful. Your achievement there makes me even more certain you should take the reins of Conrick Industries.”
Hudson drank in his father’s praise—a rarity in his life, but even the longed-for approval didn’t make him happy. He still didn’t want to run Conrick Industries, but was there any point in arguing? It would probably be about as successful as arguing with Melody. “So what’s your plan?”
“I’m glad you’re willing to listen.” A surprised smile curved H.P.’s mouth. “I’d like to retire by the end of the year. In the preceding months, I want you to work side by side with me. Then when I hand it over to you, I’d like you to bring Elizabeth on board. You were right. She has the qualifications and a lot of good business sense, just not the experience. You can teach her the ropes. After that the two of you can figure out whatever you’d like as to who’s in charge going forward.”
Hudson let his father’s plan roll through his mind. His dad had actually listened to him and was willing to give Elizabeth a chance. “Have you talked to Elizabeth?”
“I haven’t, because I wanted to run this by you first. I didn’t want to do anything that didn’t meet your approval.”
At his father’s statement, Hudson nearly fell out of his chair. “My approval?”
H.P. nodded. “I figured if I wanted your cooperation, I’d have to do a little compromising. What do you say?”
“I’d like to discuss it with Elizabeth.” Hudson was still trying to grasp the fact that his father had changed his mind. He was giving Hudson what he wanted without another argument. Only Melody’s change of heart would make this day better.
“You’ll get your chance.” His dad glanced at his watch. “She’ll be here in a few minutes. And I’ve come to another decision. I plan to get rid of the construction division.”
“How can you do that to Carter right after he’s just gone back to work?”
H.P. held up one hand. “Hold on. Don’t jump to conclusions. I think you’ll like my idea.”
As Hudson was ready to say something, Elizabeth walked into the room. She greeted them with a hug, then sat. “So what’s the big meeting about?”
While H.P. explained his plan to Elizabeth, Hudson watched for her reaction. Would she be on board or critical? Would she be willing to share duties and take instruction from him? Ever since his conversation with her about Melody, Hudson saw his sister through a less-favorable lens. Seeing her reminded him of Melody’s brother and his warning. He tamped down his anger while Elizabeth and H.P. discussed the plan. He wasn’t going to have a relationship with Melody, so there wasn’t any point in being upset with his sister.
“What do you think, Hudson? Are you willing to take me under your wing and teach me everything you know?”
He stared at her. Either she was very eager to get her chance at running the company, or she was actually the older sister he’d always respected and admired, not the critical one he’d encountered a few weeks ago. “Are you willing to listen and work with me without criticism?”
She gave him a crooked smile. “Are you saying I can be argumentative?”
H.P. cleared his throat. “One more thing before I go. I’m handing the construction division over to Carter. It’s his with the stipulation that he continue your policy of hiring vets. On that note, I’ll leave you two alone to hash this out.”
“Wait.” Hudson jumped up. “What do you mean?”
“I mean I’m giving it to Carter—the whole thing.” H.P. waved a hand in the air. “It’s out of my hair, and it’s going to someone who has earned it.”
“Wow! Carter never said anything to me.”
“I asked him not to until we drew up the papers. I hope you aren’t disappointed.”
“How can I be? You’ve made some excellent moves, and I can’t argue. Thanks.” Hudson shook his dad’s hand, then hugged him as he realized his father may have orchestrated a few people’s lives in his usual manner, but the wisdom of his decisions wasn’t lost on Hudson. As H.P. left the room, Hudson looked at his sister. “Do you want to do this?”
Elizabeth nodded. “If you do, I’m in.”
He extended his hand, forgiveness filling his heart. “Okay, partner.”
“I’m glad we can work together.” Elizabeth shook his hand, then let out a heavy sigh. “Rebecca told me that Melody broke up with you. I’m sorry.”
“I thought that’s what you wanted.”
“I was wrong. I misjudged her.” Elizabeth hung her head. “If you change your mind about working with me, I’d understand. I’m so sorry. Please forgive me.”
“I will only because your unkind words had nothing to do with our breakup. What you said wounded Melody, but that’s not
the reason we’re not together anymore.”
Hudson went on to explain the history between Melody and him. Rehashing their disagreement only produced a helpless feeling. He didn’t know how to change Melody’s mind. Their relationship had been doomed from the start. She’d recognized it, but he hadn’t wanted to accept it. His whole life had taken a one-eighty. He had accepted the compromise with his father to run Conrick Industries and eventually hand the reins to Elizabeth. Hudson couldn’t forget that the idea had originally come from Melody, but she wouldn’t be around to see it come to pass.
Elizabeth sighed. “I’d like to help you work things out with Melody.”
“Haven’t you interfered enough already?” Hudson smiled wryly.
His sister shrugged. “I suppose, but I’d like to make amends.”
He shook his head. “If you want to apologize to her, that’s your business. I love you, big sis, but don’t try to fix things for me.”
“No promises.”
Hudson took a deep breath. What would it take to change Melody’s mind? Could he plead his case one more time to make her see that love could conquer all?
* * *
Life went on without Hudson. Melody filled her days with welcoming the new residents of the women’s shelter, but every time she walked into that building her heart ached. She remembered how they’d worked together through the storm, how he’d saved her from the falling tree and how he’d kissed her. The memories plagued her, and she missed him so much that she was tempted to call him up and tell him she’d been wrong. But then she’d remember how his parachute hadn’t opened and how her heart had flown into her throat and she’d died a thousand deaths until she knew he was okay. She couldn’t live like that, and she’d be crazy to love a man who lived so dangerously.
Melody hurried down the hallway to the end apartment, where her new residents were gathered for their weekly Bible study. They studied the stories of deliverance in the Book of Daniel. And after their prayers, they ate and enjoyed each other’s company. She thanked God that these women focused her mind on something else besides her heartache.
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