Elmore jerked his head in a nod.
“Have you tried letting him use one of the old sows you’re going to sell to the slaughter?”
He shrugged.
“Is there any reason you can’t?”
“I guess not. Seems a lot of bother, though.”
“Not if it keeps the boar from escaping. Besides, you got no business talking like that around Melanie.” He glared at Uncle Milton. “I’ll give it a try. Now you give me my boar back. You got no right to keep him.”
“You better not come trespassing on my land.”
“Uncle Milton, give him his pig, please.”
“The next time your boar comes over here, I’m barbecuing it.”
“Not yours to barbecue.”
Uncle Milton untied the boar from the huge maple and tapped his butt to get him moving across the road. A couple of Elmore’s workers took the rope and led the pig back toward the fence. Fighting them every inch, the boar trotted in their wake.
“The kids act better than you two. This feud business has gone on too long.”
“The feud will be over when the Hickses give back the land they stole from the Carsons.”
“We didn’t steal any land. And my father didn’t kill your aunt. She fell to her death. It was an accident.”
Melanie held up her hand. “Please. They’re all dead now. There’s nothing we can do about it.”
“It ain’t over,” Uncle Milton said and walked away.
Elmore smiled at her sadly and turned toward his pens.
“Mama? Can we go home now?” Covering her mouth and nose with her hand, Courtney hung out from the open door. “I’m sick.”
Chapter 6
It was spring break for the kids, and although Melanie didn’t want to impose on Monroe, Courtney desperately wanted to spend time at the Bedford farm with Rainshadow and the alpacas. Melanie thought it would be cruel to keep her in the store all day.
“Let’s compromise. If your cousin can keep an eye on you, and if you get Monroe’s permission, you can spend the afternoon there. The afternoon. Not the entire day. It’s a working ranch, so you can’t get in the way.”
She held up a hand. “I promise.” Poor Courtney was practically bouncing from excitement and Melanie’s heart overflowed with love.
“And you have to read a book this week.”
“I get to choose?”
“Yes, you get to choose, sweetheart.” Melanie hoped she wouldn’t regret that agreement. She couldn’t take Courtney on a trip, but she wanted her daughter to have special memories of the holiday.
“Okay. I’ll call Coach Bedford now.”
Melanie nodded and Courtney ran from the room. “Your cereal will be ready when you get back,” Melanie called out. “And I want to speak to Mr. Bedford after you talk to him.”
Melanie prepared oatmeal while Courtney made the call. Then Courtney brought the phone to Melanie. When Monroe’s deep voice came across the line strong and clear, her heartbeat raced.
“It’s fine if she spends the day here. I’ll call Jewel and have her pick her up on her way in. Rainshadow needs someone to ride her. And we aren’t doing anything that she can’t be around.”
“Thank you. But I was only going to let her stay the afternoon. It’s too much for you to have her all day.”
“It’s really no bother. Let her spend the day. I’ll call Jewel now and you can pick her up on your way home from work.”
Melanie hung up. “You have five minutes to eat your oatmeal and fruit, honey. Don’t forget to pour yourself a glass of juice.”
Courtney sank into a chair and Melanie pulled one out across from her. Courtney was growing up so fast. Her hair was gathered in a ponytail behind her head, but she wouldn’t be a little girl much longer. Sometimes it seemed Melanie couldn’t keep up. If she blinked, she’d miss an important moment in her daughter’s life.
Melanie didn’t understand why Courtney’s father refused to take a more active role in his daughter’s life. She needed the unconditional male acceptance and love that only came from a father. They saw each other once or twice a year, for a day at the most. His calls were infrequent. Melanie had made more of an effort in the beginning, but she gave up when she’d drive to D.C. and he was so wrapped up in his cases he couldn’t spare the time for Courtney. It was too much disappointment for the child. Opting out on Courtney’s youth was his loss, and unfortunately, Courtney’s as well.
Melanie sighed. She could only do so much. Although she willed things to be different, she couldn’t make a grown man change his ways.
Jewel arrived ten minutes later. Melanie kissed Courtney goodbye. The girl couldn’t wait to get out of the house.
Melanie cleaned up and headed to the store around eight-thirty.
Around two, when Melanie was taking a break, Aunt Thelma visited the bookstore.
“You and Monroe seem to be getting along well. There’s a lot of talk about the game. People are getting restless.”
“I don’t know why. Monroe’s doing a marvelous job. The girls aren’t losing as badly as usual. They should be grateful for Monroe’s assistance. I know Joe is.”
“I am, too. But he doesn’t respect the feud, and people don’t like a newcomer like him coming into town and changing things.”
“Some things need to be changed. You can’t hold on to that feud forever.”
“One thing you have to learn girl, change is hard. Nearly impossible sometimes.”
“I know. Lord knows, I know.”
“Your heart’s too tender girl. Got to toughen up some. The world ain’t pretty.”
“When I look at Courtney, I see beauty. I don’t want the next generation to carry that grudge. I don’t want the kids afraid to associate with each other.”
Monroe hung up the phone. He heard Mrs. Pearl talking. When he marched into the kitchen, she was wiping down the countertops. The cleaning lady had already done that. It looked just fine to Monroe, but Mrs. Pearl always added her special touch.
“Since you’re here, would you mind preparing something for dinner?” he asked her.
She glanced up from the countertop. “You want me to fix you a steak?”
“I need dinner for three. Courtney and Connie are coming over.” Connie was the other fullback. He’d invited her over so Courtney would have a playmate. She was a Hicks, but he could teach them plays they could work together on the field.
Mrs. Pearl peered at him over the top of her glasses. “Elmore’s granddaughter?”
Monroe nodded.
“I could fix a steak for you, but the kids will probably settle for a hot dog and homemade fries.”
“I’d like a meal for all three.”
Pearl plunked a hand on her hip. “It’ll just be a waste. Kids play with food more than anything else. Courtney never eats a whole meal. She snacks. Your grandmother always keeps healthy snacks around for her.”
Monroe stopped himself from rolling his eyes. “Okay. It’s not for kids.”
“Who’s coming?”
He should have prepared something himself, but he wasn’t much of a cook. In Philly he could always order out. That option wasn’t available here. “It’s a business meeting.”
Cocking her head to the side, she regarded him suspiciously. “What time do you want it?”
“Around five, five-thirty.”
“Is Melanie coming?”
“If you need anything I’ll be outside.” He plunked his hat on his head and escaped. Nosy woman. He drove his truck to the pen where the alpacas were kept. Jewel and Courtney were there. Monroe alighted from the car and strolled to the fence.
As he watched Courtney play with the alpacas, he felt alone to his core. He realized he’d been on his own for two years now. But when he thought about it long enough, he acknowledged he’d been alone for much longer than that. He and Dorian had led very separate lives. Dorian loved to party and shop. Monroe was more the at-home or the one-on-one type.
Dorian was comfor
table around people, just as Melanie was. But there the similarities ended. Melanie was generous with her time. Have a problem, go to Melanie. Well, he had a huge problem. He wanted her. His head for her was as deep as the breath of fresh air he inhaled.
“Stop it, Joy.” Courtney fed the animal the last tidbit of food. Her voice yanked him out of his reverie. The alpaca followed her around like a puppy.
“I’ve got to get back to the office, Courtney,” Jewel said. “Someone’s coming by to look at the sweaters.” They sold sweaters, scarves and things made from alpaca fleece on an appointment-only basis. “I can’t stay out here all day. Come inside and have a glass of apple juice.”
“I’ll watch her, Jewel,” Monroe murmured. “You can go. When Connie gets here, I’m going over some plays with the girls.” He’d called Connie’s mother earlier and asked if she could come by for a couple of hours to practice. The offer had been more for a playmate for Courtney than anything else, but he’d used soccer as an excuse. The mother had been thrilled her daughter was getting extra attention.
“You be good,” Jewel said to Courtney, rubbing the child’s head affectionately.
“I’m always good. Can I ride Rainshadow again?”
“Girl, you’re going to ride that horse to death. Ask Mr. Bedford.”
“I’ll ride with you later,” he said. “Maybe Connie can join us.”
All was going according to plan. By the time Melanie arrived, dinner would be ready. The three of them would dine together. That was a start.
Monroe felt like a novice. Dinner with Melanie and her daughter. What the heck was he doing?
There was a steady flow of customers throughout the day and Melanie hadn’t a moment to spare, even for lunch. She was definitely ready to leave at five. Her assistant was closing that day.
When she arrived at Monroe’s, she was told he and Courtney were in the barnyard. Courtney was sitting on Rainshadow, rubbing her neck. Mrs. Claire, Connie’s grandmother, was standing at the fence waiting for her. Anthony took Monroe’s horse as Monroe walked toward them.
“I want to ride some more,” Courtney complained.
“Get off the horse and rub her down,” Anthony said. “That’s it for the day.”
Reluctantly, Courtney dismounted and walked Rainshadow into the barn.
“Evening, ladies.”
“I really appreciate you helping Connie with her soccer,” Claire said. “She really loves it.”
Monroe nodded. “Is it okay if she comes tomorrow afternoon around the same time? Courtney and Joe’s daughter will be here.”
“Oh, sure. I’m sure her mother won’t mind a bit. I’ll have her call you later. Thank Mr. Bedford, Connie.”
The girl did as she was told, and Claire and Connie left, leaving Monroe and Melanie together at the fence.
“Take a walk with me while we wait for Courtney.”
Melanie fell in step and they walked toward the lake. The silence between them was unsettling.
“Did she behave?” Melanie asked.
“She was a perfect angel.” Monroe stared out at the water as if he were contemplating the secrets of the universe.
Melanie laughed. “Are you talking about my daughter? I think she’s an angel, but I’m her mother.”
But Monroe wasn’t focusing on her words. He was staring at her mouth. The attention unnerved Melanie. She felt her body flame with heat. A swift breeze blew across the lake. Melanie was alert to everything about him. He smelled of cologne and horses.
Monroe traced her cheek with his finger. He bent toward her and touched her lips with a whisper-soft kiss. She felt as if she’d lost her breath. The kiss was so unexpected that Melanie returned it without thought. She liked the taste of him. Before he’d kissed her last Sunday, she had not been kissed in more than two years, but needing Monroe wasn’t like needing her husband or any other man. When she was with him, he consumed her mind.
She wound her hands inside his shirt and around his back. It had been so long, so long, that touching a man, kissing a man seemed almost foreign.
“You’re like an addictive drug in my system.” His breath was warm and moist against her face, and her heart raced. “I can’t get enough of you.”
Melanie moaned and dropped her face to his chest with a sigh of pleasure, but he cupped her chin in his hand and lifted until her eyes met his. His eyes glowed with tenderness and passion. His lips met hers again, and this time he was far from gentle and searching. He slid his tongue into her mouth and kissed her with a hunger that defied logic and common sense.
His arms encircled her, one hand locked against her spine.
Years of pent-up need exploded within her. She couldn’t remember ever being excited like this.
He moaned and kissed her cheek, her neck, leaving her mouth burning with fire. She cupped his head, directed his mouth back to hers.
A swift wind blew against them, bringing them back to reality. Courtney would come out of the barn at any minute. Monroe moaned.
“Dinner’s probably ready by now. Will you and Courtney join me?”
“Monroe, this…isn’t right.”
“It’s too late. We have to see where this leads. I can’t just walk away from what I feel.”
“And what do you feel?”
“A burning ache that won’t be appeased.”
Melanie shook her head. Monroe captured her lips once more. When they parted, Melanie sensed they weren’t alone. Courtney was gaping at them.
Melanie was speechless.
Monroe cleared his throat. “Dinner’s ready. I hope you’re hungry.”
“Mama?” Courtney asked.
“Let’s go, honey.”
Courtney glanced from Melanie to Monroe, then ran toward the car. Melanie followed her more slowly.
Monroe turned toward the lake to hide the bulge in his pants. The child didn’t need that kind of shock. Sighing, he rubbed a hand over his face and waited until his body adjusted before he followed the women.
He kept his distance, far enough away to let them talk privately. He looked on as mother and daughter chatted.
Melanie caught up with Courtney at the truck.
“How could you kiss him?” she asked. “Are you going to marry him? Everybody hates him.”
“Do you hate him?”
She shrugged. “None of the soccer players hate him.”
“Is he mean to you?”
“He’s nice to me. That doesn’t mean I want you dating him.” With a worried frown, she cocked her head to the side. “Are you gonna date him?”
“I don’t know.” Melanie drew in a deep breath. “I’m thinking about it. Would it be so bad?”
“I have friends whose moms date men other than their dads, but you belong with Dad.”
“Honey, I’m not married to your dad anymore.” Melanie had tried to shield the child. She didn’t want a lot of “uncles” marching in and out of her life.
“I know. And Dad has girlfriends.” She glanced at her mother. “Mrs. Eudora wants you to date Mr. Bedford.”
“How do you know that?”
“I overheard her talking to someone on the phone.”
“I see.”
Courtney looked past Melanie, then focused on her. “I guess it’s okay—if you date him.”
Melanie hugged her. “You’re growing up much too fast, you know that?” She kissed Courtney. “I love you.”
Monroe watched as Melanie gathered Courtney into her arms and hugged her. The gesture was free and natural. Loving had never been natural to him. His parents hadn’t been demonstrative that way.
The following day Melanie relived the heated kiss with Monroe. When they had arrived at Monroe’s house, Mrs. Pearl had still been there. She’d had dinner waiting. Had it not been for her, conversation would have been sparse.
The woman must have known something had occurred. Courtney hadn’t been her usual chatty self. And Melanie had had little to say. Only Monroe and Mrs. Pearl had acted as if everyt
hing were normal.
“Melanie?” Her uncle Milton barreled into the store just before closing. The last customer had just walked out.
“What is it?”
“You didn’t hear? The mayor’s bringing somebody around who’s interested in buying the plaza.”
“What? I thought that was over.”
“Evidently not. Thelma just got a call from somebody who talked to his secretary. He’s showing the man around town right now.”
Monroe Bedford, that traitor. And this after he’d romanced her the night before.
In less than two minutes, Elmore and his wife arrived, along with Aunt Thelma.
“You know what’s going on?” Thelma asked, squinting. She wasn’t wearing her glasses.
“I don’t have a clue,” Melanie said.
“You’ve been spending time with him. Even had dinner last night. I thought you knew something.”
Heat of anger and desire splashed across Melanie’s face. “We didn’t discuss the shopping center.”
“Well, what you been doing, girl?” Uncle Milton demanded.
Melanie ignored the question.
The anxious tenants stood in Melanie’s store like angry bees, with only the counter protecting her. She talked to them with a calm that belied her inner turmoil. The knot inside her begged for release. These people were looking to her for answers.
As if she had some. She was as baffled as they were.
“What in the world is going on?” Gail asked. Standing shoulder to shoulder, Uncle Milton and Aunt Thelma waited for Melanie’s answer, along with the Hicks who owned Hicks Carolina Hams, two doors down.
“This is all news to me. I’ll talk to Monroe. I thought he’d given up on selling,” Melanie said.
“You set him straight.” Elmore put his hat on his head. “It’s no telling what the mayor has been saying to Monroe. Look at him coming over here with his chest all poked out and that oily smile.” Everyone peered out the window.
“Who’s that with him?” asked Claire.
“Probably that city slicker who wants to throw us out of our shops.” Milton charged angrily to the door.
The mayor was all but bouncing with cheer as he crossed the street, accompanied by a tall man dressed in a navy-blue suit.
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