“You’re kidding, right?”
Melissa sat on the foot of the bed covered with a wedding ring quilt. “Not at all.”
“Well, I don’t need a babysitter.”
“Really? So I’ll only have to look after Lauren?”
“I can do that, too.”
“Wow, that’s a relief.”
Samantha propped her hands on her hips. “If you don’t know how to babysit, why did you take the job?”
“Because I need a place to live.”
“For real?”
“Totally for real. I’m in some trouble and I can’t go home. I jumped at the chance to stay here when your uncle offered.”
Samantha sat beside Melissa on the bed. “What kind of trouble?”
“I’m not sure you’re old enough to know.”
“I’ll be thirteen in four months.”
“I guess that’s old enough. The truth is, I’m pregnant and I’m not married. Can I depend on you to help me out with this babysitting stuff? I don’t want to freeload on your family. I want to do my share. Is looking after Lauren hard?”
“She’s a pain. She’ll drive you crazy with all her questions.”
“I don’t mind that. What will I have to do?”
“You’ll have to make sure she eats her breakfast and you really have to get after her to make her brush her teeth before she leaves for school. When she’s done in the bathroom, I always check to make sure her toothbrush is wet.”
“That doesn’t sound too hard. What about after school?”
“You have to make sure she does her homework and chores.”
“You’ve been doing all this when your mother works late? That must put a crimp in your day.”
“No kidding. I can’t go over to my friend’s house. Ever since the fire, I don’t get to do anything but keep an eye on my silly sister.”
“If you don’t mind, maybe I can help you out.”
“I guess that would be okay.”
“Really? Because I don’t want to step on any toes.”
“You need a place to stay and I need a break from Lauren. This could work out good for both of us.”
“I hope you’re right. Your uncle Richard is a great guy for letting me stay here.”
“Yeah, he’s pretty cool. Some of my friends think he’s the bomb.”
Melissa leaned toward Samantha and grinned. “He is pretty cute.”
Later, after a nap that she honestly did need, Melissa joined Richard’s family at the dinner table. She felt awkward and out of place at first, but the feeling soon dissipated.
“I’m in a play at school,” Lauren said between bites of pasta salad.
“She’s not in the play, she’s the star of the play,” Samantha teased.
“I have the most lines of anybody in my class.”
“And we’ve heard them all fifty times.”
“What is your play about?” Melissa intervened before the good-natured squabble could deteriorate.
“It’s about the first Thanksgiving. I’m a Wampanoag girl and I show the Pilgrim girls how to make corn cakes and other Indian foods. Massasoit is my father and he is the leader of our tribe.”
“Do you show them how to make pecan pie?” Richard asked. “Aunt Lettie says her recipe goes all the way back to colonial times.”
“Of course not, silly. They didn’t even have pumpkin pie at the first Thanksgiving.” Lauren shook her head and rolled her eyes.
Melissa had trouble imagining the redheaded, freckle-faced girl in the part of a Native American.
Angela handed Melissa the basket of rolls. “Try some of these. Dave made them.”
Dave gave a hearty guffaw. “With my own two hands, I took the dough out of the freezer and placed them on a cookie sheet.”
“That’s my style of cooking,” Melissa replied. “I’d starve if it weren’t for the frozen food section at the grocery store. That and cereal are pretty much my specialties.”
Dave grinned and nudged his wife. “Sounds just like you, honey.”
She gave him a good-natured swat on the wrist.
Richard asked, “Are you still planning to go back to work at the paper, Melissa?”
She nodded. “I’ll be working half days for now until something full-time opens up.”
Samantha leaned forward eagerly. “What do you do at the paper? Do you get to photograph crime scenes and dead bodies and interview celebrities?”
Holding back a smile, Melissa said, “I’m a copy girl. I get files for people and hunt up background material for reporters. I answer the phone and take messages. Sometimes I’ll go out and pick up photos of people or places that the paper is featuring. I’m afraid it isn’t a glamorous job.”
Soon talk turned to the progress that was being made on their home, and Melissa listened as both the girls and Angela talked about the changes they wanted made. Dave listened and nodded and told them if they wanted the place done before Christmas, they would have to stop changing things.
Melissa realized that it was pleasant to be back in the midst of a large and happy family. She hadn’t always appreciated her own brothers and sisters, but now that they were all grown-up, she missed the fun they once shared. She glanced at Richard and found him watching her. His smile was warm and friendly and her pulse accelerated. Suddenly afraid that she might actually blush, she looked away.
What was with this sudden attraction to Richard? He had been nothing but kind to her when she was confused and lonely. There couldn’t be anything else between them.
Sure she’d had a crush on him, but that had been in high school. He was certainly good-looking enough to make any woman sit up and take notice. His large size, coupled with his gentle nature, would make anyone feel protected, and he had always treated her as an adult, something her parents and her siblings couldn’t manage to do, mainly because she was the baby of the family.
When supper ended, Lauren turned to her father. “Dad, will you help me practice my lines for the play?”
“Sure, honey. Let’s go in the den.”
Samantha looked at her mother. “Veronica Valencia invited me over to listen to her new CDs. Can I go, please?”
Angela shook her head. “It will be too late to go out by the time we get the dishes done.”
Samantha looked downcast.
“Let me do these,” Melissa offered, gathering up her own plate and silverware. “I’ve got to start earning my keep sometime. Besides, I’m sure Samantha would rather see her friends than keep me company.”
Richard spoke up. “Melissa and I can get the dishes, sis. I know you have things to do.”
Angela looked torn. “If you’re sure you don’t mind. I do have a ton of papers to grade.”
“Can I go? Please, Mom?” Samantha pleaded.
“Okay, but don’t forget to wear a coat. It looks like it might rain. Be back in an hour.”
“Thanks, Mom. Thanks, Melissa.” Samantha flashed them both a bright grin, then hurried up the stairs.
With everyone gone their separate ways, the dining room suddenly seemed unnaturally quiet. “You have a terrific family,” Melissa told Richard as they carried the plates into the kitchen and stacked them in the sink.
“Thanks. I’m sorry Samantha was rude to you earlier, but she seems to have changed her tune. What did you say to win her over?”
“We talked about a lot of things. Mostly about how unfair it is when you have to take on more responsibility than you’re ready for.”
“I don’t think I understand.”
“Samantha wants to help out. She knows how hard things have been, but she misses spending time with her friends and she resents always having to take care of Lauren.”
“She told you that?”
“Let’s just say I can read between the lines. It wasn’t that long ago that I was the baby that none of my siblings had time for. They all wanted to do things I was too young for and if they were watching me, they missed out. And boy, did I hear about it!”
Richard studied her as she rinsed the dishes and handed them to him. She’d caught him by surprise with her astute assessment of Samantha’s problem. She had known the girl less than a day and yet she was able to put her finger on the trouble that had been puzzling Angela and Dave for weeks.
“You’re amazing.”
“Why? Because I know listening to CDs with your girlfriends is more fun than doing dishes with the new sitter? It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure that one out.”
“No, I’m amazed at how perceptive you are. That will certainly help you find the right couple for your baby.”
“There is a sobering thought.”
“I’m sorry. If you don’t want to talk about it, I understand.”
“It’s not that. It’s the idea that I get to choose my child’s family. What qualifies me to make that decision? It’s not like I’ve made some first-rate choices so far.”
“I think you are being too hard on yourself.”
“With an open adoption, does that mean I get to see my baby growing up?”
“It can, but in a limited fashion.”
“What if I choose a lousy family? What if I have to watch my child grow up unhappy? Maybe it would be best not to know.”
“Melissa, it’s normal to have these doubts. I’d be worried if you didn’t.”
She nodded and handed him another pan for the dishwasher. “Do your sister and her husband know about my…problem?”
“No. I’ve kept your condition confidential. It’s up to you to share what you think they need to know.”
“Oh…” She pursed her lips around the drawn-out syllable and regarded him with wide eyes. He was struck by how kissable she looked.
Where had that idea come from? He pushed the disturbing thought aside and said, “What’s the matter?”
“I spilled the beans to Samantha, so I think we’d better let Angela and Dave know before they hear it from her.”
“Good idea.”
“Enough about me. What have you been up to? I meant to tell you that I noticed you’ve lost some weight. Samantha’s girlfriends think you’re the bomb.”
He was oddly pleased that she had noticed. “What exactly is ‘the bomb’?”
“Someone very cool and good-looking.”
“Great. I have preteen groupies.”
“I’m sure you have groupies in your own age bracket. Tell me the truth, is there someone special?”
He found he didn’t mind discussing his disappointments with her. “There was someone a few years ago, but the relationship turned out to be one-sided.”
“You fell for her but she didn’t fall for you?”
“Something like that. I fell for her and she fell for my best friend.”
“Ouch!”
“It turned out for the best. They make a great couple. Besides, I realize now that if she didn’t love me, she couldn’t be my soul mate. I guess I have to keep looking.”
Melissa scrubbed at a spot on one of the plates. “You tell yourself that, but it still hurts when you love someone and they don’t love you back.”
She was talking about Dean. Richard had the un-Christian notion that he would like to knock some sense into the man, but the thought was quickly followed by the certainty that someday Dean would regret leaving Melissa and their baby.
He said, “It hurts, but that doesn’t mean staying together would be better.”
“Maybe you’re right.”
“I get paid to be right.”
She giggled. “I forget sometimes that you’re my lawyer.”
Suddenly, she turned to him, a stunned look on her face. “Oh wow! That means I have to pay you. I never even thought about that.”
“I occasionally do pro bono cases.”
“But that isn’t right.”
“It’s for me to decide if the merits of the case outweigh the money it would earn.”
“That’s very kind of you, but I can’t accept it.”
“All right. Then you’ll have to wash dishes for months and months to pay off your debt,” he said with a smile.
“Be serious, Richard. I can accept a place to live because your sister needs help, but I can’t accept your charity.”
“If you decide to go through with this adoption—”
“I am going though with it,” she interjected with force.
“Then you won’t have to worry about my fee. The adoptive family normally pays the legal fees.”
“I see. Then it’s all right, isn’t it? Only, promise me one thing. Promise me that you won’t let my father pay for anything.”
Asking Wallace to help pay Melissa’s expenses had been the farthest thing from his mind. Suddenly, he wondered what Wallace would have to say about Melissa staying here. Of course she was properly chaperoned with his sister and her family living here, but would Wallace see it that way? Or would he think his attorney had gone behind his back to help his wayward daughter instead of sending her home to her mother where she belonged?
The idea was unsettling. He would have to go see Wallace and explain himself. “Have you thought about going to see your father?”
“I’ve thought about it, but I can’t. Maybe once he’s home. I can’t stand hospitals. They give me the creeps.”
“Are you planning a home delivery for your baby?”
“I haven’t given it much thought.”
“There’s a birthing center in Nashville that isn’t part of a hospital. You might look into that.”
She threw her hands in the air. “Decisions, decisions. That’s all everyone wants. Where will I live? Where will I work? Will I give the baby up for adoption or not? I’m sick of making decisions,” she said, sniffling.
“Okay.” He reached out and drew her into his arms. After a moment, she relaxed against him.
“I’m sorry,” she murmured into his shirt front.
“I am, too. Not another single decision tonight.”
“Promise?”
“I promise.”
“Thank you.”
She stepped out of his arms and he missed the warmth of her, missed the feeling of protectiveness she brought out. He knew she was facing the most difficult time of her life. He wanted to ease her way, but he knew that wasn’t possible. All he could offer was his friendship.
A few seconds later, Dave came into the kitchen. “Lauren wants to go out for ice cream. Would you two like to come along? The Cone Shack has twenty-two flavors to choose from.”
Richard stole a look at Melissa. The sparkle in her eyes was all it took to send him into a fit of laughter. Melissa tried but couldn’t choke back her mirth. Soon they were both laughing like fools.
Dave stood in the doorway looking at them as if they were crazy.
Chapter Six
The next morning, Melissa paused outside the Hamilton Media building, knowing that all eyes would be on her when she entered. No doubt speculation had run rampant among the employees when she had disappeared without a word. Some of the staff were sure to feel resentment that she still had a job after skipping out for five months. She would simply have to tough it out. She was a Hamilton. She could stand up to a few whispers and snide remarks. She was here to work now, and everyone, including her siblings, would soon see that she meant to do a good job.
Fighting back the urge to turn tail and run, she took a deep breath.
“One small step at a time, girl,” she whispered. Pasting a smile on her face, she pushed open the revolving front door.
Seated at their posts behind a small reception desk in the lobby were the Gordons. The elderly couple had been with Hamilton Media since ages before Melissa was born. Long since retired from their official jobs, they had become the gatekeepers of the office building. Although they were stooped and gray haired, the Gordons were nothing less than formidable. No outsider made it past their watchful eyes without an appointment.
Melissa’s heels tapped lightly on the polished marble floor as she crossed the lobby. Mr. Gordo
n rose from his seat behind the desk.
“Miss Melissa, it’s good to see you again.”
“It’s nice to be back, Mr. Gordon. Mrs. Gordon, how are you?”
“I’m fine, dear, thank you for asking.” She raised the receiver of the phone on the desk. “Will you be wanting to see Miss Amy or Mr. Timothy?”
“Tim, please.” Melissa kept moving toward the elevator. If there was one thing Herman and Louise Gordon loved more than their jobs, it was gossip. She didn’t intend to give them a chance to begin quizzing her.
“I’ll let him know you’re on your way up,” Thelma said.
Mr. Gordon crossed to the elevator and pushed the up button. Melissa thanked him, entered the old-fashioned dark-paneled lift and waited for the door to close. It took forever. Whatever the Gordons were thinking, they were too polite and too dedicated to the Hamilton family to express a negative opinion by even so much as a raised eyebrow as they regarded her with polite smiles. She smiled back. The doors finally closed seconds before Melissa thought her face would crack.
The lift jerked once, then began its slow climb. The corporate offices were on the third floor.
Step One out of the way. Step Two would be walking into Tim’s office and facing him for the first time since she had returned to Davis Landing. The brass doors of the elevator slid open at last and Melissa walked toward her brother’s office.
She paused beside the desk of his assistant, Dawn Leroux. Dawn smiled and pointed to the boardroom. “He’s waiting for you.”
Wondering why Tim had chosen the large meeting room instead of his office, Melissa nodded her thanks and pushed open the heavy walnut door. Tim was seated at the head of the long conference table in the center of the room. Around the table sat her siblings. Only Jeremy was absent. The butterflies in her stomach took a nosedive.
Chris, who was seated closest at the foot of the table, waved a hand toward a chair. “Don’t stand there gawking, come in.”
Melissa stepped into the room. “I expected to run into the others today, but I didn’t expect to see you. Shouldn’t you be out arresting bad guys?”
He rose to his feet. “I caught them all last night so I’m taking the day off.” He closed the distance between them and wrapped her in a bear hug.
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