Falling For the Millionaire

by Merrillee Whren

  When the study was over, Hannah, one of the younger women, came up to Melody. “Thanks for leading that study. I appreciate all you’ve taught me since I’ve been here. I know I have a long way to go, but I’m learning to trust God to see me through my troubles. I have this verse on my mirror, so I look at it every morning when I get up.”

  “What verse?”

  “Isaiah 26:3. ‘You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in You.’ Trusting God takes away the worry. I wanted to let you know how much you’ve helped me do that.”

  “You’re welcome, Hannah. I’m so glad.” Melody gave the young woman a hug. “If you ever need me for anything, just call. Good night.”

  Hurrying across the quad toward the parking lot, Melody couldn’t get Hannah’s words out of her mind. Trusting God takes away the worry. Melody had been telling others to have faith in Him, but she’d failed to do the same. She’d been living most of her life in fear and not relying on God. What kind of hypocrite was she?

  She’d let worry ruin a loving relationship with Hudson.

  As she got into the car, she let out the tears she’d been holding back for weeks. After she had a good cry, she wiped her eyes and nose, then prayed for strength to put her life and all her decisions in God’s hands.

  Despite her prayer, Melody wondered whether she could make amends with Hudson. Would he even want to talk to her after the way she’d shut him out? She had to believe that God would lead her in the right direction. She had to be patient enough to wait on His answer.

  As those thoughts rolled through her mind, her phone rang. She grabbed it from her purse and looked at the screen. She gasped as she viewed the name. Elizabeth, Hudson’s sister. What could she possibly want? Melody accepted the call and hoped for the best.

  “Hello.”

  “Hi. I’m glad you answered.”

  “No problem. Why did you call?”

  “First, I want to apologize for the things I said about you. Rebecca told me that you overheard my comments. I was wrong, and I’m asking you to forgive me.”

  Melody knew she should, but right now saying so would be a lie. “Is it all right if I tell you I’ll work on the forgiveness?”

  “Thanks. That’s enough for now. I appreciate your honesty.” Melody could hear the relief in Elizabeth’s voice.

  “That’s one thing I know Hudson loves about you,” Elizabeth continued. “You have to know, he really does love you, and he’d give up all those things you hate because he does. Besides, soon he’ll be too busy to race cars and skydive. Our dad’s retiring, and Hudson has agreed to take over the company.”

  “But that’s the last thing he wanted to do.” Melody couldn’t believe it.

  “They’ve come to a compromise. Hudson will take over the company, teach me the ropes, then turn the company over to me. Everyone wins.”

  “I’m glad y’all worked it out,” Melody said. Could things work out for her, too? She’d finally discovered the key to riding out bumpy times. Trust in God. So simple, but she hadn’t been doing it. She’d let fear rule instead of God.

  “Will you give Hudson another chance?” Elizabeth said, interrupting her thoughts.

  Melody’s heart raced. “I was wondering whether he’d be willing to give me another chance. After all, I was the one who ended the relationship.”

  “There’s a second chance for both of you. I want my little brother to be happy, and your presence in his life will do that.”

  “I hope you’re right.” Melody wondered how she could make amends with Hudson. Would he believe she was willing to accept him and everything he liked to do? She was determined to turn her worries over to God, even the fear of losing Hudson forever. She’d put her future in God’s hands.

  * * *

  The warm day and the cloudless sky beckoned even the most timid skydiver, and that skydiver was Melody. This was the final frontier for conquering her fears. Her stomach roiled and her heart raced as she thought about jumping out of a plane at fourteen thousand feet. But she would do this to show Hudson once and for all that she loved him and could accept whatever he wanted to do in life.

  The day after Melody’s talk with Elizabeth, she had called and made the appointment for a tandem jump and requested Hudson as her instructor. When she walked into the skydiving center, folks of every age were getting ready. There was an older woman who was celebrating her sixty-fifth birthday, an eighteen-year-old girl out for a thrill and a middle-aged couple and their two adult children on vacation. If they could do it, so could she. She took a deep breath as she put on her red jumpsuit.

  As she finished zipping it up, Hudson walked into the room with his pack. When he saw her, his eyes widened. “Why—”

  “Why am I here?”

  “Yeah.”

  “I’m doing a tandem jump with you.”

  He shook his head. “Why?”

  Melody laughed. “Is that all you can say?”

  “I can’t believe you’re here, and that you intend to skydive, and you still haven’t told me why.”

  “I don’t want your love of skydiving or anything else to stand between us.” Melody stared up at him. “I’m sorry my fears got in the way of our love. I love you.”

  “Those are the best three words I’ve heard in weeks. But this?” Hudson held out a hand. “You don’t have to prove anything to me. Your love is enough.”

  “But I have to prove it to myself. I’ve been living with fear, and I can’t continue that way.”

  “Lots of brave people haven’t jumped out of planes.”

  Melody smiled to stifle her nerves. “I know, but let me do this.”

  “Okay. I promise you’ll be in great hands.”

  Melody stood on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek. “I know.”

  Saying a multitude of silent prayers, Melody listened to Hudson’s instructions and explanation about what to expect. She absorbed the mental checklist. She prayed that her mind wouldn’t blank and forget everything. She followed Hudson to the plane, a videographer recording this momentous occasion. As the plane took off and ascended, nervous laughter and joking filled the area. Hudson sat behind her, adjusting the harness that hooked them together. His talk was encouraging, and she loved the image of them tethered together on this adventure and in life.

  When their turn came, he whispered in her ear. “You don’t have to do this if you don’t want to, but you can trust me to make this one of the best experiences of your life.”

  Trust. That one word spelled out the reason for this adventure. Melody took a deep breath, her stomach churning and her heart racing faster than the propellers on the plane. “I’m ready. Let’s do this.”

  “Okay, brave girl, here we go.”

  They stood in the open door of the plane, and the next second they were falling through the air. She had done it. They had done it. They twirled and floated. It was like nothing she’d anticipated. The view was fantastic, but her heart, nerves and stomach were on overload. The jump was frightening and fabulous all at the same time. Her stomach had that elevator moment when the regular chute opened. Then Hudson instructed her on how to maneuver it. As they came closer to the ground, he took over and brought them in for a perfect landing.

  Hudson was all smiles as he unhooked them and gathered in the chute. “What’d you think?”

  Her legs shook as she managed a smile. “That was amazing. It’s also the scariest thing I’ve ever done, and I don’t ever want to do it again.”

  Laughing, Hudson held her close. “You’re the amazing one. I can’t believe you did that for me.”

  “Does this mean everything’s good with us?”

  “Better than good.” He pulled her into his arms and kissed her.

  A smattering of applause brought them out of their world
for two. Hudson glanced at the people surrounding them. “Folks, I don’t normally kiss my tandem partners, but this little lady and I have some future plans to discuss.”

  Arm in arm, they walked back to the building. Melody felt as if she was still falling through the air. She’d met her fears head-on. She had to remember that God was with her no matter what life brought her. Right now having Hudson in her life was better than she’d ever hoped for. She looked up at him. “So what about those future plans?”

  “Are you willing to jump into this thing called love and see where it takes us?”

  “Yes. I love you. If you race or skydive, I want to be there.”

  “I love you, too, and with you by my side, life will be better than ever.” Hudson kissed her again.

  “I’m ready for this big adventure with you.” Standing in the circle of Hudson’s arms, Melody gazed up at him, prepared to trust her heart to this man she loved.

  * * * * *

  Keep reading for an excerpt from HER SMALL-TOWN ROMANCE by Jill Kemerer.

  Dear Reader,

  Thanks so much for choosing to read Falling for the Millionaire, the third book in my Village of Hope series. I hope you enjoyed Melody’s story. The Village of Hope is all about second chances. Melody and Hudson get their second chances at love, and she learns a special lesson about trusting God. It is important to remember that God’s perfect love can take away our fears if we only trust Him.

  I enjoy hearing from readers. You can contact me through my website, merrilleewhren.com, or through my Facebook page, facebook.com/MerrilleeWhren.Author. You can also write to me through the Harlequin Reader Service, PO Box 9049, Buffalo, NY 14269-9049.

  May God bless you,

  Her Small-Town Romance

  by Jill Kemerer

  Chapter One

  Bryan Sheffield scanned the parking lot as he paced under the pavilion at Evergreen Park. His students, most likely retirees and a few college kids, should be arriving any minute. He had no idea how many people would show up for the free outdoor course. Ideally, ten or twelve. If teaching this class every Saturday morning helped him land an interview at Blue Mountain Retreat, he’d gladly instruct fifty people.

  A swish of wind overhead set new green leaves in motion, and sunshine spilled through the branches to the ground. Michigan’s Lake Endwell in mid-April brought hungry squirrels dashing across the soggy grass. Robins flitted here and there. The park throbbed with pent-up energy after a long winter. Bryan could relate.

  His watch said 7:55. Had the Parks and Recreation Department listed the wrong date on the website or something?

  One tiny woman with long brown hair clutched her hands together as she weaved across the pavement. She appeared to be praying or chanting or...something. Odd. Maybe she was taking one of those prayer walks or whatever it was Aunt Sally mentioned some of the church ladies started doing recently.

  He stopped pacing. What if no one showed up?

  People would come. They had to.

  He couldn’t spend the rest of his life surrounded by his happily married siblings, not when he would never have a wife and family of his own. He loved Lake Endwell, but his heart couldn’t take it anymore. He needed the change Ontario, Canada, offered.

  Blue Mountain Retreat was interviewing outdoor instructors in June. That left less than two months to strengthen his qualifications. The director wanted an experienced leader comfortable teaching an array of professional personalities from charismatic to timid to eccentric. The ideal candidate would have expert knowledge of North American forests and a diplomatic, outgoing personality.

  Bryan had never been described as outgoing. His ex-wife had put it in less flattering terms. Boring. Lame. Hey, he might not be the most exciting person, but no local would refute his outdoor knowledge.

  Now it was 7:58. Where was everyone?

  He studied the parking lot again. A family unpacked bikes from a silver minivan. An elderly man hobbled in the direction of the bird feeders located near the pond. And the strange woman? Marched his way, albeit in a zigzag pattern.

  As she neared, he pegged her at about five feet tall and in her late twenties, but he’d never been good at guessing ages. She had rosy lips and big green eyes that didn’t seem to register her whereabouts. Streaks of cinnamon shot through her hair.

  She was pretty.

  Very pretty.

  His pulse hammered like the bill of the downy woodpecker against the poplar to his left. She could not be one of his students. He’d mentally prepared for older folks, college kids.

  He hadn’t prepared for pretty.

  Green Eyes edged into the pavilion, her chest heaving as if she’d run six miles. Her face was white, and she blinked rapidly. “Is this the survival class?”

  He widened his stance, crossing his arms over his chest. “Yes, this is Outdoor Survival 101.”

  “Good. I barely survived the parking lot, so I hope you know what you’re doing.”

  Great. His only student. Cute and probably crazy.

  Real funny, God. I ask You to get me out of my five-year rut, and You give me this?

  “I know what I’m doing.” Bryan rubbed the two-day stubble on his chin. “What was so bad about the parking lot?”

  She grimaced, a visible shiver rippling over her. “Everything.”

  He pressed his lips together. He did not encourage overly dramatic behavior. His sister Libby’s antics growing up had taught him that.

  “Bryan Sheffield.” He thrust his hand out. Her icy fingers felt fragile in his.

  “Jade Emerson.”

  The name fit her on account of the eyes. “Since you’re the lone student so far, let’s wait a few minutes before heading to the trail.”

  Jade practically collapsed on the bench of a picnic table. Her olive jacket covered dark jeans, and she wore rubber rain boots—burgundy with black polka dots. She reminded him of a princess, someone he’d read about in picture books as a kid, but her defeated posture didn’t match the images in his mind.

  He hadn’t seen her before, and in a small town like this it meant she wasn’t from around here. One of his numerous relatives would have alerted him. Aunt Sally and the ladies from work were forever trying to set him up with any single woman in the county. He always politely declined, unwilling to reveal it wouldn’t matter who they set him up with—he wasn’t interested in dating or marriage. Once was enough.

  “Are you from out of town?” he asked.

  “Yes. Just moved yesterday.”

  He didn’t know what it was like to be new in town. He’d lived here his entire life, but hopefully that would change this summer. “How did you find out about the class?”

  She gave her head a little shake. “The website. I saw the class advertised a few weeks ago.”

  At least he knew the Parks and Recreation Department listed the correct information. “So where are you from?”

  “Las Vegas.” A bit of color returned to her cheeks.

  “Sin City, huh?” Why would a pretty girl from Las Vegas want to move here?

  “I prefer to think of it by its lesser known nickname, the Capital of Second Chances.”

  Second chances? A second chance at Blue Mountain sounded good. He hitched his chin. “So what brings you to Lake Endwell?”

  “I’m opening a store.” The words pulled from her as wispy and thin as threads of cotton candy.

  “Oh, yeah? What kind?”

  “A gift shop.” She fanned herself, but the temperature couldn’t be more than fifty-five degrees. “Custom-designed T-shirts and gifts. I’m still deciding on the inventory.”

  A candy store, novelty shop and higher-end women’s clothing boutique satisfied the summer tourists. The town might not be able to support her store year-round, but Bryan kept his tho
ughts to himself. If Jade wanted to open a T-shirt shop, that was her business.

  And his business? Wasn’t looking promising, not with one student.

  He checked the parking lot again. “It looks like you’re the only one who showed up. Do you still want to take the class?”

  “No.”

  No? His chest had a slow leak or something. He should be relieved. But her no stirred up bits and pieces he’d been suppressing all week, like the sinking feeling he got when his younger brother, Sam, sneered, “You, teaching? You realize you’ll have to leave the house and be friendly, right?” As if Bryan had no social skills. He knew how to be friendly. But Sam’s words had kicked up doubts. Would his personality kill his chances with the director of the retreat?

  Jade stood on wobbly legs, and her fingertips darted to the table for support. “I don’t want to take the class, but I will. I have to.”

  He pulled his shoulders back. A part of him would prefer no students to this one. Too cute. Too out there. Too everything. “I can cancel today’s session.”

  “No!” Her eyes widened. “Don’t do that.”

  “Why not?” He suppressed a sigh. Did she want to be here or not? Maybe this would qualify him for the eccentric personalities the retreat director mentioned.

  She shook her head so rapidly her hair waved behind her. Her face paled again. She wasn’t going to faint, was she? Bryan stepped forward, but she remained standing.

  “It will ruin everything.”

  Ruin what? He didn’t know and wasn’t asking. He’d grown up with two sisters. Their way of thinking had always been two steps ahead of his.

  “Hey, it’s okay. Don’t get so worked up. We’ll go to the trail right now. No big deal.”

  “The trail?” she squeaked. “Right now?”

  “Yeah, isn’t that what you want?”

  “I... I...” Her hands twisted as if she were wringing out a wet washcloth. “I think I’m having a panic attack.” Her breaths came in short, audible gasps.

  “Here.” He took a paper bag out of his backpack and handed it to her. “Breathe into this. When you’ve got it under control, tell me what’s going on.”