Sweet Southern Comfort

by Candice Poarch

  Even though Monroe had said he wanted to stay in his penthouse condo, Eric and Veronica insisted he spend a few nights at their place. It made it easier for him and Eric to discuss Emerson’s offer.

  Their son had been happy to see him, and Monroe realized how much he’d missed the boy.

  But not nearly as much as he missed Melanie. Each day, his absence from her felt worse; and if it was this sharp now, what would happen when he moved away permanently? He couldn’t ask Melanie to leave what was important to her. Especially when it wasn’t just her business, but the town’s as well.

  Monroe and Eric were going over some details before their meeting the next day. Monroe had been tossing ideas around for several days now.

  “Eric, is there any reason we can’t move the company to Summer Lake?” He finally voiced his desire.

  “You want to stay there?”

  “The idea’s wearing on me. Think about it. Rush hour is nonexistent. Even though it’s a small town, the schools are good. Universities and community colleges aren’t too far away. We could talk to the city council.”

  Eric leaned back in his seat. “I’m sure Mrs. Eudora has a lot of pull with them. I can’t believe I’m even considering this.”

  “Grandma’s on the city council. Trust me. She has enormous pull.”

  “And it would boost Melanie’s political career, especially with you as campaign manager.”

  Monroe smiled. “There is that. I don’t know. The town’s grown on me. It feels like…”

  “Like home?”

  Monroe nodded.

  “I don’t know. Good colleges are one thing. But we need experienced experts to feel the same way. How do we convince them to move to the middle of nowhere? Where is the entertainment they’re accustomed to? Ronnie mentioned how lovely the town is. But it would be a drastic change.”

  “We sell it as the perfect small town for families. We tell them they can buy affordable housing without breaking the bank. They’ll have more time with their families.”

  Eric chuckled. “You’ve already done the marketing?”

  “Let’s try that angle for one of our options. We aren’t that far from Savannah. Plus as the town grows, so will the variety of entertainment.”

  “I never even dreamed of moving to a small town.”

  “Well, if we don’t consider Summer Lake, I might not be able to move to another location with the company.”

  “Melanie means that much to you,” Eric said. “All right. You know this is a team effort. Without you, they’ll have to spend more than they want to to get this project going.”

  “At least consider it. That’s all I’m asking. We can weigh it against other locations.”

  Eric shook his head. “I don’t know. But I’ll talk to Ronnie, see if she’d consider moving there. Convincing me is going to be easier than convincing her. She loves to shop. She loves the theater and concerts.”

  “She can get all that within an hour’s drive, without the traffic jams.”

  “I owe you this one, don’t I?”

  “If that’s what it takes for you to consider, then yes.”

  Chapter 12

  The last person Melanie expected or wanted to walk into her store was her ex-husband.

  “So what brings you here, Bruce?” she asked. He was six feet even and had the handsome face women fell for. Melanie had learned long ago that when the going got rough, handsome didn’t cut it. He wore the successful businessman’s attire—a Brooks Brothers shirt and linen slacks.

  “Are you trying to ignore the fact that I have a daughter here? I’m taking some time off to spend with Courtney.”

  “I haven’t forgotten, but I thought you had. It’s about time you spend time with her. Why didn’t you call to arrange it with me?”

  “What’s with the attitude? It doesn’t become you.” He perused the store in a quick glance. “Cute little place you have here.”

  “Why, thank you.”

  “So where’s Courtney?”

  “In school where most children her age are.”

  His eyes focused on her again. “How sad. You’ve become one of those mad single black women.”

  “If you mean I don’t take crap from you any longer, then you’re correct.”

  “I didn’t come here to fight, Melanie.”

  “Good. I’m sure Courtney will be happy to see you. Why don’t you find something to do until school’s over? Stop by around three-thirty.” Melanie wasn’t usually sharp, but if she relented even a little, Bruce would yank her chain in every direction. She wasn’t going to give him the opportunity, and she was due a few.

  He picked up a flyer off the counter. After he read it, he raised an eyebrow. “You’re running for mayor?”

  “As if you didn’t know. You haven’t forgotten how to read the paper, have you?” She’d finally gotten to the bottom of the purpose for his visit. Gail had called her earlier when she’d seen Bruce in Andrew’s office. The mayor had slipped Bruce into town the same way he’d gone canvassing for buyers for the shopping center. It really ticked her off that Bruce came running into town for the mayor and not for his own daughter.

  “What I’m more concerned about is Courtney. How are you going to have enough time to properly care for her if you’re running a business along with a mayoral campaign?”

  “I know the man who spends no time with his daughter—even when we were married—isn’t criticizing my parenting. I spend plenty of time with our daughter. I wasn’t the one who refused to spend time with her when I drove her to D.C. on the weekends you chose.”

  He brushed imaginary lint off his shirt. “I had cases to prepare for.”

  “There was always an excuse. I’d really love to stand in front of a judge and tell her that. You have no time for anyone but yourself and your lady friends.”

  He tightened his lips. “I don’t like your attitude.”

  “I don’t care. It really bugs me that your daughter has always craved your time and you won’t give her the time of day. Yet as soon as the mayor calls you, you’re down here to stir up trouble, and not to see your daughter, which should be the reason you’re here. You’re a piece of scum. I can’t stand the sight of you. Get out of my store.”

  The anger poured from him. Melanie thought he was going to work himself into a fit, but he didn’t say anything.

  “I don’t know why, but she wants to see you. I don’t.”

  “You can’t talk to me like that.” Melanie knew he’d reached his breaking point when his ears turned red.

  “I call it the way I see it. Now get out. You aren’t fit to be in here. You know, I don’t know what I ever saw in you.” She turned her back to him and began straightening things on the shelf behind her. When she heard his footsteps cross the floor and the doorbell tingle, she turned back around. Outside her window she saw him stride angrily to his Mercedes and climb in.

  Melanie took deep breaths to calm down. Courtney wasn’t related to Monroe, yet he coached her soccer team. He’d spent time with her on spring break so she wouldn’t be bored in the store, and he’d never complained. Yet Courtney’s own father couldn’t be bothered with her. He should have asked Courtney to spend spring break with him. Melanie could just smack him.

  Monroe called that night, and Melanie was happy to hear his voice.

  “I saw Dorian and Aaron today.”

  “Oh?”

  “I thought it best to tie up loose ends. I was bitter before and now… You’ve helped me with a lot of things.”

  “How did it go?”

  “Okay.”

  Melanie imagined that if they were going to live in the same city, and since they probably ran in the same circles, they’d run into each other, it was best they cleared the air. But she often wondered if Monroe had any lingering affection for Dorian. Intense dislike sometimes sprang from equally intense love.

  “I also talked to the mayor before I left,” Monroe said. “As my first official business as campaign manager,
I tried to get him to commit to a debate with you.”

  So that’s what frightened Andrew enough to bring Bruce to town. “Isn’t it early for a debate?”

  “We need to get things rolling if you plan to win this election. He’s been mayor for a long time. I imagine a lot of people are so settled they don’t bother to even vote. We have to motivate them to go to the polls or he’ll win again, by default.”

  “Has he agreed to a debate?”

  “No.”

  “So much for that.”

  “Not really. There are ways to maneuver him into a debate. You’ll have one before election. Trust me.”

  “He’ll focus on the low crime rate and a family-centered community.”

  “You’ll focus on lack of jobs and ability to raise families.”

  “While preserving the small-town atmosphere,” Melanie agreed. One of the things she liked most about Summer Lake was that it was a caring community. She knew everyone on her road by name. People spoke to her in the grocery store. A hearty conversation could easily get started in the post office.

  “Monroe, a small shopping center isn’t enough to solve unemployment here. It takes at least one large company that pays decent wages.”

  “We’ll see.” A beat of silence spread between them. “Melanie, I know you have a thriving business in Summer Lake. I know you like living there, but do you think you could leave? Do you think you could move to Philly?”

  Gosh. Was he asking her to consider marrying him? Or was she jumping to conclusions? Often couples moved in together, but with a daughter, she wouldn’t consider that.

  “I’ve never thought about moving,” she said, “but I could. I’d have to make a decision quickly since I’m officially running for mayor.”

  “We’ll talk when I get back. Any more incidents with the feud?” He seemed to be jumping from topic to topic.

  “There’s always a buzz going around town about that. Especially since Thelma and Claire went to the movies together the other night.”

  “I’d like to be a fly on the wall when Milton and Elmore found out about it.”

  “I know Aunt Thelma doesn’t take any crap from Uncle Milton. He might grumble, but she’s going to have her say.”

  Monroe chuckled.

  “Have you seen many of your old friends?”

  “Actually, no. I didn’t have a lot of friends here other than my partners. I spent most of my time working.”

  How sad, Melanie thought. A person should have a life outside of work.

  “So how are the meetings going?” she asked.

  “Tiring, but very productive.”

  “Maybe I can soothe you when you get back.”

  His voice lowered almost to a whisper. “Is that a promise?”

  She was quiet for two heartbeats before she responded softly. “Definitely a promise.” Melanie’s heart burned in her chest. Her voice trembled. “Hurry up and get here.” Then she hung up before she said too much. She pressed a shaky hand to her breast. Where was he going with all the cryptic messages? Hope blossomed within her, but she could very well be building herself up for the biggest letdown of her life.

  Courtney was in seventh heaven because she was going out on a boat with her father. Melanie’s happiness was only half-fold. She knew seeing Bruce would only give Courtney false hope that he would stick around. But he was in town and Courtney would feel slighted and hurt if her father paid no attention to her at all.

  “Be very careful, Courtney,” Melanie said. “Keep your life vest on.”

  “Oh, Mom. I can swim.”

  “I know you can. Just humor your mom, okay?”

  “You always treat me like a baby.”

  “I love you, sweetie.”

  “I know. Can I go now?”

  Melanie kissed her, held her tightly in her arms before she released her. “Sure. Have fun.”

  The weatherman had talked about the storm coming up the east coast for days, but it was charted to go farther out to sea. It was almost upon them when it shifted and passed straight through town. Melanie tried to call Bruce on his cell phone, but she kept getting put into voice mail.

  The wind howled, pushing against the car as Melanie drove home. She dialed Bruce’s cell phone again, but received no response. Surely he had enough sense to come in off the water when the wind picked up. She dialed the hotel. The desk clerk said he hadn’t come back yet.

  Melanie drove by the marina. Bruce’s car was still parked there, but the wind was rocking so hard, she couldn’t stay out in the open. She drove home and called around to see if anyone had seen them. Uncle Milton told her he was going out to look as soon as the storm passed through. Melanie insisted on going with him.

  Aunt Thelma told her she and Claire were going to keep calling around.

  Once the full force of the storm hit, the wind shook the house and seemed to howl forever. Trees bent, branches snapped. From the window facing the lake, Melanie saw the waves rushing against the shore.

  It had been so peaceful earlier in the day. The serene atmosphere was Courtney’s favorite thing about living in Summer Lake. Just like Melanie, she loved the water. Loved to swim in it or just to look at it.

  Melanie’s nerves were frayed to the breaking point as she walked the floor waiting for the storm to end. Her baby was out in this mess. Please let them have found shelter.

  By the time the search boats were on the water, darkness had almost completely set in. It was still raining, although the wind was nearly quiet. Melanie used one of Uncle Milton’s powerful flashlights to scan the water’s surface. Several other neighbors had taken their boats out to look for Courtney and Bruce and Melanie could see the lights from a distance. The water was so dark, she struggled to discern anything.

  Fear and anxiety burned in her chest as she scanned the water and saw nothing except the waves churning underneath. Every time she saw something bobbing in the water, a glimmer of hope soared, until it turned out to be a piece of driftwood or other debris.

  It was completely dark now, and there was no dark like the dark of a country night with clouds hovering overhead. Not a single star lit the sky.

  Due to the storm, Monroe’s plane was late arriving in Savannah. He was tired as heck after the long days he and Eric had put in, but it had been worth every minute. He had gotten what he wanted: the company was setting up shop in Summer Lake.

  Even Veronica was amenable to living in a smaller community, although she worried about missing the cultural activities she enjoyed in Philly.

  On his way home, Monroe drove over broken branches and swerved around fallen trees. He dialed Melanie’s number.

  She picked up the phone immediately. “Hello?” her anxious voice came over the wire.

  “What’s wrong, honey?”

  “Courtney went boating with Bruce and they’re missing.”

  “Are they getting a search party together?”

  “We’ve been out.” Her anguished voice crushed his heart. “He knows the lake fairly well. Except it’s dark and hard to see. I’m going out again as soon as we discuss how to continue the search.”

  “I’m almost there.”

  The search team had come in, but the patrol boat was still out there. They found a capsized boat, but no passengers.

  Melanie was frantic with worry. Her only hope was that Courtney had actually worn a life jacket. Surely Bruce wouldn’t let the child ride in a small boat without one.

  When Monroe arrived, she fell into his arms but held back tears. She had to keep her mind clear so she could think straight.

  “I’m going to get my boat and go out,” Monroe said. He gave her a quick hug. Before he left, he said a few words to Mrs. Eudora, who was worriedly handing out coffee.

  Uncle Milton got a cup of coffee and walked over to his niece.

  Elmore squeezed Melanie’s hand and left with his boys.

  “That’s a crying shame. Here you’re sick with worry and Elmore’s just gone and deserted you. After all you
’ve done for him,” Uncle Milton said.

  “I don’t want to hear about the feud. I want my baby!” Melanie said, finally bursting into tears. Aunt Thelma threw a look at her husband and gathered Melanie into her arms.

  “There, there. The men are going back out. They’re gonna check every inch of that lake.”

  Melanie swiped a hand across her eyes. “I need to go out. I can’t just sit in here.”

  “You stay right here. The men are going to take care of everything.”

  “I have to go, Aunt Thelma. It’ll drive me crazy standing around, waiting.”

  Uncle Milton came over. “Come on.” Melanie grabbed her waterproof jacket and followed him.

  Summer Lake was dark and bleak, and although on land the air was warm, on the lake it was cold. Melanie pulled her windbreaker tightly around her. Courtney was wet and cold, shivering somewhere on the water. Please let her have worn her life jacket.

  Her flashlight beaming on the water, Melanie looked out onto the inky surface, hoping to see an orange life jacket bobbing in the waves. She saw nothing but the relentless surface. They stayed out for hours. Melanie knew Uncle Milton and his sons had given up finding anything. They were there only to appease her. A few hours later, they docked the boat. Melanie’s heart was heavy with pain. Anyone who said a heart didn’t hurt didn’t know what he was talking about. She felt as if somebody had stuck a knife in her heart and slowly twisted it. They had no more than walked the deck to shore when Melanie’s cell phone rang. Grasping it from her pocket, she flipped it open. It was Monroe.

  “We found them. Courtney and Bruce are fine. But Elmore got hurt rescuing them. We’re on our way to the hospital.”

  “How bad is he?”

  “Pretty bad, Melanie.”

  “I’m on my way.”

  “They found them. But Elmore’s badly injured. They’re on their way to the hospital,” she told the others.

  Uncle Milton and his boys drove her to the hospital. There they found Courtney and Bruce wrapped in warm blankets. Courtney ran to Melanie and she closed her arms around her child, a huge weight lifting from her chest. Courtney’s hair was a mess, and she shivered in Melanie’s arms, but her baby was alive.