Sweet Southern Comfort

by Candice Poarch

  “If I were her, I wouldn’t have you.”

  “There’s no pleasing you, is there? Just go home. Do your therapy or something.” She always had to be contrary. He hugged her thin shoulders and felt guilty for fighting with her. Sighing, she got in her car. As Mrs. Pearl pulled off, Monroe heard her asking what they’d discussed.

  Monroe didn’t want to leave Eudora alone with no family around. His father was talking about retiring soon, but knowing the older man, it would be years before he actually retired.

  For the first time, Monroe realized he was in that sandwich generation he’d read so much about. More often it was women who were left with the caretaking.

  The car drove out of sight. Monroe went back into the house. Eric and Ronnie wanted to take one last walk, so Monroe took the opportunity to call Melanie before she left home for work. But before he could dial the number, Anthony, his farm manager, knocked on the back door, came in and headed straight for the coffeepot. Then Melanie arrived before the man even took a sip.

  “You’re just in time to hear good news,” Anthony said to Melanie.

  “What?” she asked.

  “One of our alpacas won first prize at the national championship. We’ve been offered eighty grand for her crias.”

  “Crias?” Melanie asked. “What’s that?”

  “A baby alpaca.”

  “You were offered that much for one little alpaca? Imagine that. Congratulations,” Melanie said. “They’re too expensive for Courtney to play with.”

  “She’s not going to hurt them,” Monroe said. He was pleased with the offer, but he wasn’t a rancher and he really couldn’t get worked up over the alpaca business. But thinking of baby alpacas made him wonder what Melanie had looked like pregnant.

  “More than triple what we usually make,” Anthony continued.

  “That’s wonderful,” Melanie exclaimed. “You must be very pleased.”

  “We had five make the top four in championship shows this year. Every championship showing increases the price of the babies.”

  “How many female alpacas do you have?” Melanie asked.

  “Fifteen dams.”

  “So what do they sell for when they don’t make championships?” she asked.

  “Twenty-two five.”

  “As in twenty-two thousand five hundred dollars?”

  Anthony laughed. “Yeah.”

  “I didn’t know their babies brought that much.”

  “It’s still a rare business in this country.”

  “Mrs. Eudora gave me a sweater and scarf made from their fleece for Christmas last year. I was amazed at how soft it is.”

  “Far different from sheep’s wool. That’s why people are willing to pay higher prices for them. We make most of our money through selling the babies, but we do a pretty good business with breeding dams from other farms and selling clothing and blankets made from their fleece. Jewel likes that part.”

  “Did you know this, Monroe?” Melanie asked.

  “He keeps me abreast of what’s going on.”

  “My granddad left me fifty acres,” Anthony stated. “Since I was the only grandchild who was interested in farming. One day I’d like to buy two or three dams to start my own business. I’m saving up for it. But it takes a while.”

  “Why don’t you get a loan?” Melanie asked. “Or will someone sell you one on a payment plan?”

  “I don’t want to start off in debt. One thing my granddad taught me was to pay as you go in farming. That’s what I plan to do. Of course I’ve saved almost enough for one already, but they’re herd animals. Not good to have one by itself. I was hoping Mr. Bedford lets me keep her here. I’d pay for her food and upkeep.”

  “That’s okay with me,” Monroe said. What was one more alpaca? Besides, anything he could do to help the younger man he would. “You want to take off on your own, hmm?” Monroe said. It wouldn’t be easy finding another farm manager. Anthony was in charge of everything on the property, including the house, since Monroe was away most of the time. When Monroe had first hired him, he’d been concerned about Anthony’s youth, but he’d proved to be worth more than his weight in gold. He was a hard worker.

  “Actually I wouldn’t need to. Alpacas aren’t a lot of work. I could handle my own as well as yours.”

  Monroe nodded. Maybe he’d sell him one at a discount or give him one as a bonus for sweeping the contest. Eighty grand for one young alpaca was more than enough to earn Anthony a dam. He’d have to get around the Carson pride first. They liked to work for what they made. He only had to look at Melanie to know that.

  Although Monroe liked to look at the animals and enjoyed the couple of alpaca sweaters he owned, he didn’t love the business the way Anthony did.

  Monroe realized that although Anthony came to the farm practically every day, he knew little about the younger man. Didn’t know his dreams or even care about why he patiently worked the farm without direction. He always took the lead when he could have done just enough to get by.

  Anthony had started out working part-time for Monroe’s grandfather. His grandfather had died a year after Anthony had finished college. Monroe knew that Anthony had been away in Peru, but he’d come home for the funeral and had taken over the farm until Monroe had hired him and literally put the farm in Anthony’s hands. He deserved more than what he was getting, just for taking the initiative. Anthony didn’t have to put out the extra work to raise prize-winning alpacas, but he had—without being told.

  Melanie patted her cousin’s arm. “Congrats on the win, Anthony.”

  By the time Eric and Veronica came back from their morning stroll, Ronnie’s cheeks were bright, her eyes lively.

  “Didn’t I see your grandmother?” she asked.

  “You missed a lot of people. Melanie came by, too.”

  “I’m going to finish packing,” Ronnie said, running to her room.

  When she left, Eric poured himself a cup of coffee. “I want to talk to you alone. But first let me tell you, there wasn’t one complaint from Ronnie during our entire stay here. Thanks, man.”

  Monroe nodded.

  “I won’t take the position at Emerson unless you do. Are you going to take it? They’ve thrown in stock options and a seven-figure salary, more than we made when we owned the company.”

  “I’m not sure.”

  “What’re you going to do, raise alpacas for the rest of your life? Is that what you want?”

  “I don’t know what I want, okay? And it’s for me to figure out.”

  “You’re a scientist. You’ve got talent most people would kill for. You’re going to let this opportunity get away? What a waste.”

  “I don’t need you telling me what to do with my life, okay?”

  “Is this going to stand between us forever?”

  “No. I realize Peter wanted to leave. And I know I went off on Aaron. So I guess the only alternative was to sell.”

  “Thanks, man. It means a lot to me. You’re my best friend. Losing your friendship hurt more than selling the business.”

  Monroe nodded.

  “At least go to the meetings. Talk with corporate before you make a decision.”

  Monroe was quiet. All those old feelings hadn’t dissipated, but he couldn’t hold on to his anger forever. “Okay.” That was the least he could do. It wasn’t all about the offer. Despite what he’d told his grandmother, he was thinking about settling down with Melanie.

  “I’m ready to go back to work, Monroe. To a job I really enjoy. I think I could make it with this one. The excitement of lazing about on a boat and taking constant trips to the islands wears thin pretty fast. I enjoyed working with you. We worked well together. We understood each other.”

  Melanie watched a little girl who looked to be around four or five lug an armful of books to the counter and struggle to put them on top. She was so cute, with two pigtails on each side of her head. She had tiny heart earrings in her ears. When her grandmother tried to help her, she refused.r />
  Melanie came around the counter. “What have you here?”

  “My grandma’s buying all these books just for me.”

  “You must be a very special little girl to get such wonderful gifts.”

  The little girl nodded. “I’m going to school next year like my brother. I get to ride the school bus.”

  “What a big girl you are.”

  The girl nodded. As Melanie rang up the sale, she remembered how excited Courtney was when she began school. They grow so fast. Every time she blinked, Courtney was going through a new stage. Melanie slipped a set of bookmarks in the girl’s bag.

  When the little girl left with her grandmother, the last person Melanie expected to see in her store was Mrs. Eudora. Leaving Mrs. Pearl to browse in the Christian book section, Melanie took Mrs. Eudora into the office and fixed her a cup of tea. It seemed like old times having the woman sitting across the desk from her.

  Mrs. Eudora seemed agitated. “I just had a fight with Monroe.”

  “What about?”

  “Him and the mayor. Just rattles my teeth the way they’re trying to take over my affairs. I’ve made a decision, Melanie. I’ve decided to sell the shops at cost to the tenants if they want.”

  The joy that cascaded over Melanie held no bounds. She brought her hands to her breasts to keep herself planted in her seat and not make an absolute fool of herself. “Do you mean it?”

  “Of course.”

  “Mrs. Eudora. This is the best news. I don’t know how to thank you.”

  “What can I do to help your campaign?” The guarded eyes that met hers were sad.

  Melanie’s first response was to tell her nothing, to tell her to go home and rest. But she couldn’t do that. Mrs. Eudora wanted to be involved.

  “I don’t know, but I’ll need all the help I can get.”

  She actually smiled. “Well, I’m ready to go anytime you need me.”

  Melanie hopped around the desk and hugged her.

  “Oh, go on with you.”

  Tears hung on Melanie’s eyes. “Thank you,” she whispered and kissed the woman’s weathered cheek.

  “I’m disappointed, you know.”

  Melanie wondered what she’d done to disappoint the woman. “Why?”

  “I was counting on you to keep him here.”

  She didn’t have to ask who “him” was. “I won’t stand in his way. I can’t. He does important work. How can I keep him from it?”

  “Don’t you love him?”

  The last thing Melanie needed was for Mrs. Eudora to go running back to Monroe telling him Melanie loved him.

  “I see it. You feel for him the way I felt for my dear husband.”

  “Mrs. Eudora…”

  “I know what love is. So don’t try to pull one over on me,” she said with a stubborn tilt to her chin.

  “I can’t use love to trap him where he doesn’t want to be. He’s still on the rebound, and he’d hate me for holding him back.”

  “Oh, pooh. He doesn’t love that woman anymore.”

  “He’s found a job he really likes. I see it. He’ll always come back. He has a home here.” Although she tried to give Mrs. Eudora hope, Melanie knew there was nothing like having family around.

  Mrs. Eudora stood. “You’re a smart woman, Melanie. He could have done a lot worse than you.” She put her purse on her arm. “I was hoping he’d stay.”

  Melanie hugged the woman and walked her to the office door. When Mrs. Eudora left with Mrs. Pearl, Melanie called all the tenants, announcing an emergency meeting for that night. She had to tell everyone that Monroe hadn’t sold.

  Melanie wanted to celebrate. She ran to the grocery store and brought fixings for hors d’oeuvres. The table was laden with food when the tenants arrived—from winglets to the deviled eggs Elmore and Uncle Milton loved.

  “What’s going on?” Uncle Milton said, filling his plate with food.

  “Celebrating something?” Elmore asked, placing a couple of deviled eggs on his plate. For the most part, the two men stayed out of each other’s way, but the feud was far from over. With the slightest infraction they’d erupt again.

  “Yes. And I’ll tell you all about it as soon as everyone has filled their plates.”

  She heard snippets about the investment group she was trying to get to hold the loan. When everyone was seated and began eating, she said, “Mrs. Eudora has offered to sell us the plaza units at cost. She will hold the loan.”

  “Merciful Jesus,” Aunt Thelma cried out. “I knew she was generous, but this—this goes beyond.”

  “She’s given so much. What can we do for her?” Claire asked.

  “I’ve been thinking. What if we named the plaza after her? Bedford’s Village Square.”

  Elmore nodded. “Good idea.”

  “And we still have to give the anniversary party in her honor,” Gail said.

  “Of course.”

  Aunt Thelma nodded. “We’re going to make it the grandest event ever, aren’t we, Claire?”

  “Yes, we are.”

  Melanie wondered if Monroe would be in town long enough to celebrate with them or if he’d return for the party once he left. She wondered what he thought of his grandmother’s generous offer, especially since he’d agreed to do the same thing. But she couldn’t accept it from him. After what he’d gone through with Dorian, she couldn’t let him believe she wanted him for his money—and that was exactly what he would have believed.

  Monroe was so close-mouthed he frustrated her. She knew he felt something for her. But she didn’t know if his distrust for women was so deep that it had scarred him for other women.

  “Did grandmother talk to you?” Monroe asked the next evening. Melanie was cooking dinner.

  “Yes.”

  “How did the tenants take the news?”

  “They’re thrilled.” Melanie could feel Monroe staring at her. “I know you made the offer, but I couldn’t accept it from you.”

  “Why not?”

  “I don’t want the man I’m dating to bail me out. When I left Bruce, I promised I’d make it on my own, just like any other single working woman. Can you understand that?”

  “It was a business deal. And I’m not Bruce.”

  “I know you aren’t,” she said. “You’re nothing like him, but mixing business with a personal relationship creates complications. I didn’t want business to stand between us.”

  Using tongs, she took the chicken out of the hot grease and laid it on a plate covered with paper towels. It seemed she and Monroe were growing apart, and he hadn’t even left town yet.

  Damn it. She was doing it all over again. She was quietly waiting on the sidelines while a man determined her future for her. She was sick of being quiet while the all-important Monroe, Mr. Scientist, made all the decisions. She put several more pieces of chicken in the pan then turned to face Monroe.

  “What happens to us when you move?”

  “What do you want to happen?” he asked.

  She turned, tossed the tongs on the counter. “I hate when you answer a question with a question.”

  He came behind her, massaged her tense shoulders. “Maybe I’m as tense as you are.”

  “Why?”

  “I’m leaving tomorrow for Philly. Eric and I are meeting with Emerson’s management. And I want to know that you’ll be here when I return.”

  Her shoulders sagged. “Where would I go?”

  “I don’t mean physically. I mean mentally. You seem distant.”

  “I don’t know what you want, Monroe. I’m hanging in limbo here.”

  “I want you.”

  “I know you enjoy going to bed with me. But is that all we are?”

  “Of course not. I hope I’m more than a bed partner to you.”

  She sighed. She’d been gearing herself up for the day he told her he was leaving, but actually hearing it was a lot worse than she thought it would be. “How long will you be gone?” she asked quietly.

  “A week
at the most.” He tried to kiss her but she pulled away. He dropped his hands to his sides.

  “Whatever I decide to do, we’ll find a way to make our relationship survive. That is, if it’s what you want, too.” He touched the side of her face lovingly. “I don’t want to lose you, Melanie.”

  She glanced at him. It was the first bit of hope he’d given her that he was ready to put the past completely behind him, that a future was possible. She turned in his arms and laid her head against his chest. “I don’t want to lose you.”

  “Come here.” His kiss was sweet and tender. It held promises he was unwilling to voice, promises she wasn’t ready to trust.

  “Do you want me to take you to the airport?” she asked.

  “I’ll drive. And I’m not sure when I’m coming back.”

  Monroe had no solution for them, yet. But he knew he couldn’t lose Melanie. She was the best thing to ever happen to him.

  “What’s eating you?” Gail asked two days later.

  “Nothing really. Or everything.”

  “I saw your husband.”

  “Ex-husband.” Melanie scoffed. “Don’t forget the ex. Big difference.”

  “Does Monroe know Bruce is here?”

  “Monroe left before he arrived. You know, Monroe calls me every night. The differences between Monroe and Bruce are so sharp. I don’t know how I thought I could compare them.”

  “Why did he come? You always took Courtney to see him.”

  “The mayor invited him.”

  “Is he supposed to scare you off from running?”

  “I think Bruce forgets that I’m not the same woman who lived with him. He doesn’t frighten me.”

  “One thing’s for sure, the mayor’s really running scared to send for him. Did you tell Monroe yet?”

  “No. I don’t want him thinking about Bruce. He isn’t part of my life any longer.”

  “You two had Courtney together—he will always be part of your life.”

  “If you put it that way.” She just wished Bruce would return to D.C. and stay out of her hair. She had enough problems.

  Every day apart from Monroe felt like a prelude to when he’d move away forever. She never dreamed she’d love a man the way she loved Monroe, or miss him so intensely. Her heart wanted to take Mrs. Eudora’s advice and beg him to stay, but she’d never do that. She’d meant what she’d said to Mrs. Eudora. She’d never hold him back from his goals, from the things that would make him happy and fulfilled.