Blinking rapidly, Melanie gaped at the older woman. “But, you don’t even know me. Are you sure you’d want to trust me with something like this?”
“Oh, absolutely! There’s no way you’d be the type of person to take advantage of an old woman. If you were, you’d never have continued a correspondence with my son for as long as you did. As I recall, he told me you sent him a care package filled with all kinds of wonderful things every single month without fail. That’s not the act a woman capable of theft by deception.”
“Well, I’d say I’d have to think about it, but the truth is, I really need the job. I don’t know what Chase told you about my situation, and at the moment I really don’t care. This is something I’d really need to relocate for, isn’t it?”
Vivian pursed her lips, thinking for a moment. “You know, I might be able to help there. We have an apartment that has recently been vacated and we’ve not yet filled it. I can set you up there if you want. I’m sure you’ll want to check it out first. It’s being cleaned in the morning, so why not come by tomorrow afternoon? You can look around and see if it suits you.” Vivian blinked then before adding, “You are staying in Lexington tonight, aren’t you? I mean, it will be well after ten before the game is over. You aren’t planning on trying to drive back tonight. Right?”
“To be honest, I hadn’t given it much thought. We packed a bag, but I hadn’t decided one way or the other. I suppose you’re right. We should stay. In which case looking at the apartment tomorrow will be the perfect option.” Melanie smiled, feeling a strange sense of belonging she’d never felt with anyone since her sister had passed away.
Lord help her, she was in way over her head. This easy acceptance and feeling of family from a total stranger hit her hard. Until this very moment, she hadn’t realized just how lonely she was.
The men chose that moment to show up, causing Abigail to squeal and run straight for Chase and his armload of goodies. Not only had they brought food, but souvenirs as well. Loads of them. Ball hats. T-shirts. The obligatory foam finger. And the freaking mascot was in tow, currently making a fuss over Abigail like she was their number one fan.
“Holy crap!” Melanie gaped. “Did you guys buy out the whole freaking place?”
“No. I’m pretty sure there’s one T-shirt left in a box someplace,” Rick supplied. “It was too small even for Dad, so we left it.”
Like Leland was a small man. He was only small in comparison to his sons. All of them seemed to be larger than life, muscle-packed, and totally devoted to their family and each other.
Leland head-slapped Rick, not saying a word. The younger man gave an exaggerated wince but winked at Abigail when she giggled.
The next couple of hours were filled with laughter. Abigail heckled the opposing team’s batter with unabashed relish. In fact, she was so enthusiastic the entire section got involved with Abigail leading it all. Even the players grinned at her antics, giving her a thumbs up every time a batter struck out. To say the child was completely into the game was an understatement, to say the least.
During the seventh inning stretch, Abigail was selected to lead the whole stadium in a rousing rendition of “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” while perched on Rick’s shoulders. Once again, she sang horribly off key, but with so much gusto she charmed every single person there, including the home-team players and the players on the opposing team. All of them shook her hand, patted her on the head, and signed her T-shirt.
Looking at the events unfolding around her, at these strangers treating Abigail like she was a beloved child of their own, everything in Melanie’s life clicked into place. These were people worthy of her loyalty and respect. Somehow, she knew she already had theirs. No questions asked. They had effectively accepted her and Abigail as one of them. None of them would ever suggest she give Abigail over to Social Services or another family to raise her.
As if her thoughts had conjured him, she saw Dan standing at the fenced barrier separating the stadium from the playing field. He casually leaned against it in a deceptively easy manner. Like he just happened to be there.
When Melanie stiffened, Chase’s attention immediately focused on her. He didn’t ask what was wrong, just took her hand in his big one and began scanning the area coolly. She knew he’d spotted Dan when a low, rumbling growl came from his chest.
Chapter Seven
Bastard! Chase immediately positioned himself in front of Melanie, trying to shield her from Dan’s gaze as much as he possibly could. As he’d known they would, his brothers sensed the threat as quickly as he had. Rick maneuvered Abigail to his mother and father, the older man looking as fierce as any one of his sons as he put his arms around the women.
Mike and Rick fanned out casually, protecting their flanks while Steve positioned himself to better protect the women and Abigail if needed. One solid family unit. One Dan Jackson did not want to fuck with. Chase felt Melanie trembling against him and squeezed her hand even as he moved her farther behind him. He would take care of this. Of her.
Just as Rick had had enough and started toward Dan, the man sent Chase a venomous smile, teeth and all, before turning and leaving. All the men watched him go, Chase returning his smile with one of his own just as menacing. If the man wanted a war, he’d come to the right place.
Vivian moved next to him, Abigail in her arms. The crowd had noticed the byplay and all eyes seemed to be on them. Melanie fairly shrank away in mortification. Chase pulled her into his arms, even as he kept his eyes on Dan’s retreating form.
“Mommy?” Abigail wiggled in between him and Melanie, wrapping her thin arms around Melanie’s middle. Chase just enveloped both of them with his bigger body, glad to have both of them within his circle of protection.
“Everything’s fine, sweetie,” she murmured to Abigail. “Why don’t you go heckle a batter?”
Abigail answered in an exasperated voice, “Cause we’re so far ahead no one cares anymore!”
Snickers rose from the nearby crowd.
“True that,” Rick said, chuckling as he moved to Chase’s side, meeting his gaze with a curt nod. “I’m so bored I think I need another bathroom break. Why don’t you help Vivian finish off the peanuts then we’ll all leave?”
“But I’m not ready to go!”
“No sweat, honey,” Mike said with all the charm and swagger he was reputed to have. “If the Legends win, all the kids get to run the bases and high five the players. Rick will be a while.” He lowered his voice to a stage whisper. “He has an overactive bladder and has to go a lot.”
Abigail smiled back at Mike. Chase had a feeling he knew what was next. Sure enough...
“Mommy, what’s overactive bladder?”
***
As much as Melanie wanted to laugh and enjoy the rest of the game with Abigail, she couldn’t get the image of Dan’s evil grin out of her mind. What was he going to do? The feeling of the other shoe about to drop plagued her the last thirty minutes of the game. When, indeed, the kids in the stadium under ten were invited to run the bases and shake hands with the players, she had to bite her tongue to keep from protesting. No way she wanted Abigail out of arm’s reach.
“Mike will stay with her. Don’t worry. He’ll protect her.” Chase’s warm breath fanned against her ear. Knowing she was worried, Chase kissed her cheek in reassurance.
Doing her best to give him an appreciative smile, Melanie nuzzled his arm with her cheek. He responded with a kiss to the top of her head, and Melanie felt tears gathering in her eyes. What a marvelous man! Caring. Attentive toward Abigail. It was almost too much for Melanie to process. Lord knew, she was in way over her head.
Much to Melanie’s dismay–and Abigail’s utter delight–the catcher for the Legends picked her up and sat her on one brawny shoulder, hailing her as the hero of the game. She was given the ball that was pitched for the winning strikeout, and season tickets for all of them right behind home plate. The child couldn’t have been happier.
Moments before s
he and Mike returned from the field, Rick jogged up the steps, Steve right behind him, their faces grave, all business.
“We need to get the women home,” Rick said, not looking at anyone other than Chase. “Mike and I will take the women home. The three of you can take care of Melanie’s car. Yours is fine, Chase. ”
“What’s wrong with my car?” It might not have been a great car, but it was all she had. If something had happened to it, she had no idea how she’d replace it.
“Nothing we can’t take care of.” Somehow, for the first time, she didn’t trust Mike’s easy smile. It was kind enough, but there was an underlying tension and seething anger beneath it.
“Tell me,” she demanded.
Mike glanced at Chase again before answering her. “Your tires are slashed.”
At her gasp, Chase hugged her closer. “Not to worry, honey. We’ll fix that up in no time.”
Melanie noticed Mike said nothing but she decided she didn’t want to know anything else. There was definitely more, but she didn’t think she could handle it.
“I got this from the back seat.” He handed her a teddy bear that had seen better days. “Figured it was important.”
She took the bear without asking how he’d managed to get it out of the locked car. Had the feeling she didn’t want to know. A small hiccup escaped her, then a stifled sob. Chase immediately turned her in his arms, enveloping her almost completely in his rock-solid body. On some level, she was embarrassed to break down, for these people to see her like this. But Dan’s betrayal was more than she could handle quietly. Had she thought she’d once loved the man?
Looking back, she realized the answer was a resounding “no.” In the short time she’d known Chase, she felt more for him than she’d ever felt for Dan. Not only that, but there was good reason for her feelings. Like this situation. Chase was so protective, it hurt. Dan had never been that way. Not to her. Not to Abigail.
Yeah. Way over her head.
“The girls can ride with us,” Vivian said, her tone no-nonsense. “They can stay at the house. It’s plenty big enough for anyone who wants to be there.”
Melanie turned her head to look up at Chase. “We can stay in a motel.”
“Oh, hell no!” Chase growled. “Not unless you want me there with you, and I think my mom would frown on that.”
“I’ve put you guys out enough. Look at all the stuff all of you bought for Abigail! I can’t–”
“Nonsense.” Vivian helped Abigail gather her cache of souvenirs, the two of them managing to carry most of it without help. What they couldn’t carry, Leland helped with, leaving the other men with their hands free in case of trouble. “You’ll stay with us. I won’t have it any other way. Chase will be with you and Abigail, and none of you will have to look over your shoulder.”
Melanie had to admit, none of them was taking this lightly. They obviously considered Dan a threat. Most men would pat her on the head, tell her how sorry they were, tell her they’d get him for this. Not this family. They were in full protection mode. Taking care of the problem, instead of just talking about it.
Yes. Way over her head...
Chapter Eight
The damage to Melanie’s car was more than he wanted her to see. Chase was definitely glad they’d sent the women home with Mike before Rick had taken him and their father to Melanie’s car. Not only had the tires been slashed, but the windows had been broken, the headlights smashed, and obscenities and racial slurs not fit for the eyes of women painted with bright red paint all over the vehicle. There was no way the car wouldn’t be totaled by her insurance company. And if it wasn’t, there was no way to fix that kind of damage and be comfortable in that car ever again.
Not that it had mattered. His father had taken one look at her car, emptied it out of everything, and called a tow truck to have it hauled off to the junkyard, all the while making arrangements to get Melanie a new car. In all his years, Chase had never seen his father so angry. He almost felt sorry for Dan if Leland Carver ever got hold of him.
With a hard look at Chase, his father had said, “You make sure Melanie never finds out about this.”
“Dad, you know I can’t lie to her.”
“Then don’t lie!” his father snapped. “Just tell her the car was too damaged to do anything with. Tell her I took care of it. That’s the truth. She doesn’t need to know the why of it.”
“She’s stronger than you give her credit for, Dad.”
“I know that, dammit.” No, his father had never been this angry that he could remember. Even the time he’d been caught with his friends drinking behind the house hadn’t compared to this. Chase had not only been drinking, but drinking heavily. Just out of high school, thinking he was a man, he’d gotten so drunk his mother had sat up with him all night, holding his head while he puked over and over. She’d cried. His father...hadn’t. Even that memory didn’t compare to this. “Just do what I tell you or they’ll be hell to pay. Do you hear me, boy?”
Definitely pissed. Only one thing to say to that.
“Yes sir. Heard and understood.”
With a sharp nod, his father had gone to Chase’s car, climbed in the passenger side, and sat staring straight ahead.
“Dad’s in a snit,” Chase said to Rick.
“Well, what did you expect? Melanie and Abigail same as saved your life, surely as if they’d pulled you from a burning building. He and Mom think of her as a daughter. Do you have any idea how protective Dad would have been over a daughter? Think about how he is with Mom and magnify it by a hundred.” Rick shook his head, scrubbing his hand over the back of his neck. “My suggestion is for you to marry that girl good and proper. You do the things to her you’re obviously wanting to do to that woman before you’re properly married, and you won’t have to worry about Mom killing you.” Mom will be the least of your worries if you take advantage of Melanie.
“Is it that obvious?” Chase felt his cheeks heating, an anomaly in itself. With each other, his brothers always bragged about their conquests. Not this time, though. Melanie was...special.
Rick gave him a ‘you’ve-got-to-be-kidding’ look before paying the tow truck driver and walking back to the car. With a sigh, Chase followed him. His brother had just handed him a very tall order. One he wasn’t certain he could keep.
Once at his parents’ house, Chase made sure Melanie got her belongings. He had thoroughly checked everything. The overnight “just in case” bag she’d packed for her and Abigail had been, thankfully, undisturbed. She’d been understandability incensed that they’d not let her see her car to make sure they’d gotten everything. Thankfully, he didn’t have to elaborate. Leland had simply squeezed her shoulder saying, “Just let it go, love. Trust me on this.” Surprisingly, that seemed to quiet her protests. Instead of arguing with his father, she’d nodded once with a heavy sigh.
His mom had fixed her famous hot chocolate for a delighted Abigail before bed. They’d told embarrassing stories of Chase as a boy and laughed until both Abigail and Melanie had tears streaming down their cheeks and they held their stomachs. Chase had looked appropriately disgruntled, especially whenever he caught Abigail’s gaze because it seemed to delight the child.
“And on that note,” Vivian finally said when Abigail stated again that she really wanted to know what a hooker was, “I think it’s time for bed.”
Vivian stood, holding out her hand for Abigail. “Come, Princess Abigail. I shall show you to your room.”
The child had happily skipped along beside Vivian to a room down the hall where both she and Melanie were to sleep. The room was spacious with two full-sized beds and its own bathroom, tastefully decorated. A reading chair sat by a window. Melanie couldn’t help but think it would be perfect to curl up with on a winter afternoon. Plush carpet massaged her feet with each step, making her sigh with contentment.
“My room is across the hall,” Chase murmured, giving her cheek a kiss as if he couldn’t help himself. “I’m there if you need
me.” The heated look he gave her left no doubt of the double meaning. Never in her life had Melanie been so thankful for her dark complexion as she was in that moment. Had she been Caucasian, there was no doubt in her mind her face would have been a bright red bacon of embarrassment. As it was, she swatted at Chase. To which he only chuckled, lunging in for another kiss as he ruffled Abigail’s hair.
“I like it here, Mommy Melanie. I think I’ll just stay here,” Abigail announced as she climbed into bed after brushing her teeth and washing her face.
“You will, huh. What about me? You think you’ll just leave me to fend for myself?”
“I’m sure Nana Vivian wouldn’t mind you staying. She said I could stay as long as I wanted.” Even as she spoke, Abigail’s eyes drooped. “I love you, Mommy.” And she was asleep almost before he head hit the pillow.
Nana Vivian? Lord, this was too much. It was enough to make Melanie pause. What would happen to Abigail if she and Chase couldn’t make a go of this? The little girl was already hopelessly lost with this family, as Melanie herself was. If they parted for good, it would crush Abigail.
Melanie sat on the edge of her bed, her short nightgown riding up her thighs as she sat. The door eased open and a man’s large frame slipped into the room.
“Melanie?” Chase’s husky whisper washed over her like warm honey. God, she wanted this man. Not just for a night. She wanted the fairytale. Wanted forever. But she’d barely known him a week. It was totally too much to ask.
“Yeah,” she said, rising and crossing to him. “I was just about to get some water. Maybe you could get me some of your mother’s leftover hot chocolate instead?”
His arms slipped around her, pulling her against the warmth of his body. He was shirtless, and the thin sleep pants did very little to hide his growing arousal. A thrill shot through her at the thought. Was it her, or would any woman arouse him? She hoped it was her. He certainly made her mind wander to places it had no business going.
A Hero to Rescue Me (Hero's Crossing) Page 4