Falling For the Millionaire Page 11

“Good.” Melody tried to relax. Did she dare? She feared letting down her guard in any way would lead to liking this man too much. She couldn’t take a chance on a guy who liked to take chances. But she wouldn’t think about that today. Her thoughts would center on the road rally and the fund-raising that went with it.

  “You got your notebook ready?”

  “Writing utensil.” She held up her pen, then her notebook. “Paper.”

  During the morning, they worked out a seventy-mile course that would take the participants through several small towns and the wooded countryside south of Atlanta. Hudson took them down roads that Melody had never traveled, much less heard of. Some of the unusual names lent themselves to excellent clues for folks to decipher. Along the way they talked with several merchants about the rally and got donations. They found landmarks and historic markers to put on the list for photos.

  After they finished planning, they stopped for a quick lunch. While they ate they wrote out a set of instructions. Finally, they returned to the church parking lot and drove the route again. This time Melody kept the timer as they went through the instructions, which included having someone take their picture in front of several landmarks. Melody couldn’t help thinking they made a good team.

  Returning to the parking lot, Hudson pulled to a stop, then turned to her. “So what’s our time?”

  “Three hours and forty-one minutes.” The quantity of time she’d spent with this thrill-seeking man gave her pause because it had been one of the most enjoyable days she’d had lately. In fact, if she looked back over the weeks since she’d first gone out with Hudson, she had to admit that he’d brightened her life. She shoved that thought away as she looked at him. “Is that the official time?”

  He nodded. “Record it somewhere, so we can make it official.”

  “Okay.” Melody logged the time into her notes. “I’ll give Adam a full report, so he’ll have the certified time to announce after everyone has completed the course.”

  “Good. We’re set.” He smiled. “Thanks for your help. Today’s been a productive day, and I enjoyed your company.”

  And I enjoyed yours. The words sat on the tip of her tongue, but she wouldn’t say them. She wouldn’t give him the idea that they could have some kind of relationship. Her conflicting emotions about Hudson were tying her in knots. “I should be thanking you. After all, you’re helping The Village in so many ways.”

  “No thanks needed. Promoting the work you do has been good for me and made me realize I’ve been thinking too much about myself.”

  “It’s a common malady. I often have the same problem.”

  “You? I’d never have guessed.”

  Melody knew her thoughts about Hudson were self-centered. If she let go of them, would she find too much to like about him, even more than she had today? She wasn’t ready to admit she was wrong in ignoring her growing attraction to this man. “Thanks again for the help. I guess we should call it a day.”

  Hudson put his car in gear and drove out of the parking lot. “I’ve got one more place I want to stop for a donation, and I thought we’d catch a bite to eat there if you don’t have plans.”

  Putting a smile in place, Melody glanced at him. Why was he always making these invitations that bordered on asking her out, but were never actually dates? “I don’t have plans, so that sounds good.”

  “Great. Have you ever eaten at McGurdy’s Pizza?”

  Melody chuckled. “More times than I can count. It seems to be the choice for everyone at The Village. Dine in and carryout.”

  “That should bode well for my donation request.”

  As the sun danced on the treetops, Hudson pulled his car into the parking lot at McGurdy’s. The place was crowded on a Saturday evening, but he managed to snag a spot at the back of the lot. Lively conversation and the smell of spices, garlic and baking bread greeted them as they entered. Melody thought they’d have to wait for a table, but the hostess appeared and led them to a booth that the busboy was clearing.

  She slid into the booth and wondered what she should talk about while they ate. Surely he didn’t want to discuss the fund-raiser after they’d spent the whole day doing that. She certainly didn’t want to discuss his skydiving or car racing. “Should we order the same pizza I ordered when you twisted your ankle?”

  “That came from here?”

  “You didn’t recognize it?”

  “I was a little out of it that night.”

  Hudson chuckled. “Maybe just a little.”

  “Did I thank you for being so kind?”

  “You did. You don’t remember?”

  Melody shrugged. “You know, I was so sleepy. I kept drifting in and out of dreams. I wasn’t sure what was reality.”

  “So you were dreaming about me?”

  Melody hoped the dim light in the restaurant would camouflage the heated blush that crept up her cheeks. Why had she even mentioned that night? She couldn’t lie. How could she get around his question? He didn’t have a clue that she’d been dreaming about kissing him, so why was she getting all worked up about it? “Yeah, I guess I was.”

  “A good one, I hope.”

  “Definitely. You were my hero that day.”

  He gave her a thoughtful smile. “Thanks for saying that. I appreciate it.”

  “You’re welcome.” Melody hoped the whole conversation could end on that positive note.

  Her wish came true as the waitress appeared.

  After they ordered, Hudson leaned back in the booth as he looked at her. “The work on the women’s shelter is moving right along. I have a couple of guys who stepped in to take over Carter’s role. He’s doing well, too, and that’s good news.”

  “It is.” Melody realized she’d been so wrapped up with her work and worries that she hadn’t followed up with Carter and his family. That would have to change.

  “While we’re waiting on the pizza, I’m going to talk to the manager about that donation for a road-rally prize.” Hudson stepped out of the booth and strode down the aisle.

  Melody wondered what the rest of the evening would bring. Did she dare find out more about Hudson beyond his childhood dance lessons and the less-than-perfect relationship with his father?

  “We’ve got another donation,” Hudson announced, sliding back into the booth.

  “Wonderful. I know lots of people who love the food here, so that’ll be a good prize.” Now, what was a safe topic of conversation? If she asked about his time in the Middle East, it would dredge up memories of Christopher. She didn’t want to start crying like the day of Carter’s accident.

  “I forgot to tell you that I asked my dad about the window in the chapel. He confirmed that Maisy Conrick was my great-grandfather’s sister, who died when she was only twenty from diphtheria.”

  “That’s so sad. Do you know a lot about your family history?”

  Hudson laughed halfheartedly. “I know too much—most of it related to Conrick Industries. My dad never fails to inform me that a Conrick son has always taken over the family business.”

  Melody gazed at Hudson as a muscle worked in his jaw. “Are you saying your father wants you to run Conrick Industries and you don’t want to do it?”

  Hudson’s mouth curved in a lopsided smile. “That about sums it up.”

  Did she dare ask him why he didn’t want to take over from his father? Was it any of her business? Maybe Hudson saw running the company as a lot of work that he didn’t want to tackle, but that thought didn’t square with the man she’d come to know. He’d had no trouble working double duty since Carter’s accident. Besides the work on the women’s shelter, he also had volunteered to take on this road rally. He didn’t try to get out of work. He undertook more. “May I ask why you don’t want to run the family business?”

  That muscle worked in Hudson
’s jaw as he stared at her. Before he could answer, the pizza arrived. He gave thanks, then helped himself to a slice. The unanswered question hung there like an overripe piece of fruit on a low-hanging branch—so tempting to pick but not necessarily the right thing to do.

  They ate in silence for several moments, each seemingly lost in their own thoughts. Melody hoped her question hadn’t ruined the evening.

  Hudson put his half-eaten slice on his plate and took a big gulp of his drink. Setting the glass down, he looked at her. “Do you actually want to know why I don’t want to take over the company?”

  “I wouldn’t have asked if I didn’t.”

  Hudson let out a heavy sigh. “Here’s the deal. When I was in the army, I didn’t know whether I’d live to see another day. I realized I’d never figured out who I am or what I wanted. I’d always done what someone told me to do. Take this class. Go to this school or this church. I’d look in the mirror and wonder who the guy was staring back at me. What did he want? Did he know how to make a decision on his own, or did he always have someone telling him what to do? I didn’t want to live that way anymore, but when I got out of the army, my dad immediately shipped me off to work for the company overseas. He didn’t ask me whether I wanted to do it. He just told me. I promised myself when I got back that I would finally take charge of my life and quit letting my father rule me.”

  Melody couldn’t miss the determination in his eyes or the disapproval in his voice. She couldn’t imagine not being able to make her own choices. “Have you told him this?”

  “I’ve let him know I don’t want to run the company. My sister Elizabeth wants the job, and I don’t understand why he won’t give it to her.”

  “Have you ever thought about taking the job and then handing it over to her?”

  A slow smile brightened his features as he shrugged. “I’ve been so consumed with not wanting it that I never thought of that. It’s something I’ll consider discussing with my sister.”

  “I’m glad I could help.”

  “And I could kiss you, but I won’t because that might be treading on territory I promised I wouldn’t enter.”

  The thought of kissing Hudson sent little prickles up her spine. “And you wouldn’t want to do that.”

  “I didn’t say I wouldn’t want to do it, but I make a habit of keeping my promises.”

  “That’s something I’ll remember.” The promise she’d made to herself lingered at the back of her mind, but Hudson was slowly shredding it with his kindness and humor as he shared snippets of his life.

  He raised his eyebrows and gave her a mischievous grin as if he knew her thoughts. “You know if you ever want to change the way things stand, you only have to tell me.”

  “I’ll remember that, too.” How could she forget? Did he sense with every passing day that he was tearing down her resistance?

  “Good.” He finished eating his pizza and didn’t mention his promise again.

  On the drive home, Hudson mentioned his plans to visit Carter after church. Melody wondered whether asking to go with him would constitute changing the way things stood between them. She wasn’t ready to do that. Arriving at her house, Melody unlocked her door. “I’ll see you tomorrow at church.”

  Hudson nodded. “Sweet dreams.”

  “Good night.” Melody wondered whether he was referring to her admission that she’d dreamed about him. Trying to shake that question away, she watched him walk to his car, his stride confident. She’d failed to keep the promise she’d made to herself not to let this man into her heart. He’d found a place there. Now what was she going to do about it?

  Chapter Eight

  Red-and-white balloons and streamers hung from the ceiling in the senior center in anticipation of the Valentine banquet for the residents. Hudson placed the last of the pink baskets filled with red roses on one of the tables covered with white tablecloths, then joined a group of high school kids and other volunteers who were eating a quick bite before the banquet began.

  He smiled when Melody sat next to him at a table in the kitchen. Despite her somewhat reluctant acceptance of his presence, he was making headway with her. The fact that she was sitting next to him without his urging her said a lot about her possible shift in attitude. He hoped tonight would bring a big change in her perception of him. He couldn’t help smiling when she was around.

  “You look very nice in your apron.” Melody tried to hide a smile.

  “Of course I do.” He chuckled as he pointed to the front displaying numerous hearts and a printed message that said Kiss the Cook. “Are you going to follow the instructions?”

  She made a face and shook her head. “The chef’s wife might object.”

  Hudson laughed. “You don’t believe I’m the cook.”

  “Hardly.”

  “Even though you won’t kiss me, I’ll still tell you what a perfect Valentine you make in your red sweater. You look good in red.”

  Melody looked down at her sweater, then back up at him as if she wasn’t quite sure what to say, but a little smile lingered at the corners of her mouth. “Thank you, but flattery still won’t get you a kiss.”

  “I tried, but it wasn’t flattery. I meant it.” Smiling, Hudson shrugged as he relished the little bit of flirting. She was definitely warming up to him.

  As the seniors gathered in the dining hall, he took in the joy permeating through every corner of the room, not only with the residents who were gathered for the banquet but with those who were there to serve them. He looked over at Melody as she motioned for the volunteers to gather around her.

  “Okay, everyone, do you know your assignments?” she said as she surveyed the group.

  As the workers nodded, he couldn’t help thinking that his task was to make this woman happy. He was growing fonder of her with every passing day. He wondered how he could ever have thought she might be like Nicole. Their “nondate” to plan the road rally had proved better than any real date he’d had in years. She deserved happiness, and somehow he wanted to fit into that picture. He hoped tonight’s surprise would be only the beginning.

  Melody showed the young waiters how to place the plates on the table. Hudson had a suspicion that at least a few of the high school boys had a crush on her. He couldn’t blame them.

  He spied Ian motioning to him from the kitchen doorway. Hudson tried to be nonchalant as he joined his friend. “Is everything ready?”

  Ian nodded. “We’re set. You’ve got a perfect night with above-average temperatures for your surprise.”

  Hudson stood with his back to where Melody was still giving instructions. “So the plan is to invite everyone outside after the meal’s over?”

  “Yes, and I still can’t believe the Hudson Conrick I used to know has turned into such a romantic.”

  “Not necessarily a romantic. I just want to make her smile.”

  “You will.” Ian clapped Hudson on the back. “Now we should get this dinner started.”

  “Yeah. I’m all for that.” He turned back toward the preparation area as Ian went into the dining hall.

  After Ian said a prayer, the servers brought salads to all the tables. Hudson worked alongside Melody, Kirsten, Brady and some of the other day-shift workers from the nursing home. They made quick work of getting the chicken Parmesan, angel-hair pasta and garlic bread on the plates. While the diners enjoyed the main course, Melody and her crew put the red-velvet cake on plates and set them out for the servers. During dessert, the praise band from the Chapel Church sang and played some romantic songs. Melody mouthed the words to “Close to You” originally sung by The Carpenters, a song he’d heard his mother listen to numerous times.

  Hudson had to force himself not to stand next to her and put an arm around her shoulders. Despite all these romantic feelings about her, he had to caution himself against the
tendency to jump into a romance like he jumped out of planes. He’d done that with Nicole because he’d thought she was perfect, but she’d been just the opposite. Although he knew with certainty that Melody was nothing like his ex, he still wondered whether he was taking a romantic leap he wasn’t ready for.

  Thankful for the ending of the song, he joined Ian, Brady and Adam as they sang a barbershop quartet rendition of the Beatles song “When I’m Sixty-Four.” When they finished, the place exploded with applause. The four men took a bow, then Hudson returned to the kitchen for the cleanup.

  Melody smiled at him. “I didn’t know you could sing. You should do that more often.”

  Hudson shrugged. “It was kind of a last-minute thing that Adam decided we should do.”

  “It was very good.”

  “Thanks.” He could hardly wait to see her face when she witnessed his surprise.

  After the entertainment ended, Ian came to the microphone. “Ladies and gentlemen, we have a special event for everyone tonight if you’d like to join us on the quad. The evening is warm for February, but some of you may still want to grab a jacket before you venture out. Our barbershop quartet will sing another song while everyone gathers near the fountain.”

  A buzz of conversation filled the hall as folks got up from their chairs or moved their wheelchairs toward the door. Melody looked over at Hudson. “Do you know what this is about?”

  “I do.”

  “Tell me what’s going on.”

  “I can’t. It’s a surprise.” He grinned, his heart pounding with excitement. “You’ll find out along with everyone else. Do you need a jacket?”

  “I’ve got one right here.” She snagged one from the back of a nearby chair. “I’m eager to see what’s happening.”

  “Join the crowd.” He gestured for her to go ahead while he stepped behind her.

  Stars sparkled in the darkened sky, and a sliver of a moon graced the treetops. He took a deep breath as he tried to calm himself. He didn’t think he’d be this nervous. Surely, she would love this.

  “It’s a beautiful night.”