Falling for the Millionaire(11)

     



 

Even though she said she didn't collect brownie points, his had just hit  zero. All the goodwill he'd garnered over the past hour had sunk into  one of the ruts in the road. "That's what I should've said."

Grimacing, Melody placed a hand over her heart. "I'm sorry. I didn't  mean to come across as a pious know-it-all. I just know how so many good  things came out of that fire and that God's hand was in it."

"I'd like to hear about them."

Melody slowed her pace as they traversed the uneven road, then began to  share. "We had to find places for everyone to stay, and that resulted in  two brothers, Zach and Tyler, being housed with Adam Bailey. At the  time, Brady was renting a room from Adam. That whole mix of folks  resulted in Brady and Kirsten falling in love and deciding to adopt Zach  and Tyler. They're getting married in the chapel in April, and the  adoption will follow soon afterward. More kids got to move into the  newly renovated house."

"You're right. God made good out of bad." Hudson took in Melody's joy as  she talked about these wonderful things. Her happiness in serving God  here made him more convinced that he'd done the right thing in going  after the bid. He would make it work, even though their budget would be  tight.

"It's wonderful to see God's hand in things that happen."

Hudson let Melody's elation over her work wash over him. Would his work  here give him that kind of joy? Would she ever give him a chance to get  to know her better, or would she hold him at arm's length forever?

They continued on the path until they came to the gate. Melody glanced  over at him. "Will this entrance be big enough for your equipment?"

"It should be." Hudson put a hand on the top of the metal gate. "How does this work?"

"It's triggered with this siren-operated sensor for big fire engines  that can't get through the front gate like ambulances and police cars  can. That's why this one is rarely used."

"Since we don't have sirens, how can we use it?"

"I'll give you an access code, but I want you alone to have it." She  eyed him as if she was gauging his ability to keep the code to himself.  "We can't be too careful. Ever."

"I understand, and I won't let you down." Hudson nodded. "Can you give  me the dimensions of the vehicles that can go through the front gate?"

"I can't right now, but I'll get you that information."

"Good. I won't use this unless it is absolutely necessary." Hudson pushed himself away from the gate. "Thanks for the tour."

"You're welcome." She smiled up at him. "I enjoyed it."

Her smile made his heart race. He hated for their time together to end. "Do you have time for a cup of coffee?"

She didn't answer right away, just stared at him as if he'd ask her to  skydive with him. Finally, she shook her head. "Sorry. I've got a  meeting with one of my ladies this afternoon. We're going to The Village  store to pick out some clothes for her job interview."

"Okay, maybe another time." Hudson held his breath as he waited for her response.

Melody shrugged. "We'll be too busy in the coming days. Coffee will have to wait."

"Sure." So she wasn't going to turn him down outright, but it seemed she  would always find some excuse to avoid him. He reminded himself again  that patience was his friend.

It was probably for the best. He'd pursued Nicole with abandon and she'd  been all too willing. Melody's reluctance reminded him that he should  take his time to get to know her. Although he'd still like a real date,  working together would help him determine her sincerity.

They fell silent as they made their way back toward the quad. Melody  loped ahead at her usual clip. Suddenly her foot went down into one of  the ruts, and she stumbled forward. Before Hudson could grab her, she  landed hard on the dusty, gravel-covered ground. Her right shoe flew  into the air along with her purse.

He hurried to her side. "Are you okay?"

She didn't answer, her expression dazed. Then she shook her head, her  look turning to one of pain as she rubbed her right ankle. "I did  something to my ankle."

"Can you stand?" He placed a hand under one of her elbows.

Melody nodded, but grimaced as he helped her up. "I can't put any weight on my foot, and my poor shoe lost its heel."

"Lean on me, and let's not worry about that." Hudson reached over and  retrieved her purse and the shoe. He held up the black pump, its heel  hanging on by a thin piece of leather. "No wonder you took a spill and  twisted your ankle. Let's hope it's not broken."

"How will I keep my appointment?" Misery painted her face.

Hudson stuffed the shoe into his jacket pocket. "There's only one way. I'll carry you."

Melody's eyes opened wide. "I can't let you do that."

"Sure you can."         

     



 

"I'll call security. They'll come get me with the golf cart." Glancing  over at him, Melody stood on one leg while she leaned on his arm. "My  phone's in my purse. Can you get it?"

"Okay." Still holding Melody up, Hudson reached into her purse and retrieved her phone. "Here."

"Thanks." She immediately punched in a number.

Hudson listened to her one-sided conversation with someone name Jeremy,  who was obviously on his way to rescue her. Hudson tried not to be  disappointed that he couldn't be her knight in shining armor. Instead,  his request to see the emergency entrance had caused all the trouble.  "So security's on the way?"

Melody nodded as she continued to lean on him. "It should only take a few minutes for them to get here."

"Are you sure you're not getting tired of standing on one leg?"

"I'm okay. Really."

Before Hudson could make another comment, her cell phone rang. She  glanced at it before accepting the call. "Jeremy? What's going on?"

Again Hudson listened while she talked, her face a picture of worry. "Okay. I'll be fine."

"What's wrong?" Hudson asked as soon as she ended the call.

She blew out a harsh breath. "The golf cart has stalled. Jeremy thinks the battery's dead."

Hudson studied her expression. Did he dare make his suggestion again?  She didn't have much choice this time. No one else was coming to get  her. "Guess you'll have to let me carry you if you want to go anywhere."

She gazed up at him, anxiety and pain painting her face. "Seems that way."

"Don't worry. I won't drop you."

She laughed halfheartedly. "Let's hope not."

"Put an arm around my neck, and then I'll pick you up." Hudson leaned  over slightly and smiled. Maybe he would get to be her hero after all.

* * *

Melody held her breath as she put her arm around Hudson's neck. She  hoped she wasn't too heavy. What a silly thought! He'd volunteered, so  he'd better have a strong back. He put an arm under her legs at the knee  and lifted her off the ground with apparent ease. She breathed a sigh  of relief.

"Off we go." He grinned at her again. "Where do you want me to take you?"

"The nursing home, where I can get a wheelchair."

"Are you sure you don't want to go straight to my car so I can drive you to your doctor's office?"

"Let me talk to the nurses and see what they think."

As Hudson strode down the road toward the quad, Melody endeavored to  concentrate on something other than how being in his strong arms made  her pulse thunder. She didn't know which was worse. Her throbbing ankle  or her racing heart. She tried not to think of either one, but she  failed, especially when he looked down at her with that half smile that  told her he had her right where he wanted her.

"You doing okay?"

She nodded, not trusting herself to speak. When Hudson was about halfway  to the nursing home, the whirring sound of an electric golf cart  reached her ears. She looked toward the sound. "Jeremy must've gotten  the engine started again. He's headed our way. You can put me down."

"But I was having so much fun holding you in my arms."

Melody didn't know whether to laugh or be annoyed. "The fun can't last forever."

"Now you tell me." Hudson set Melody back on her feet, still supporting  her by the elbow. "You can still lean on me until the cart arrives."

Melody looked up at him. Lean on him. She hated the thought of leaning  on anyone. She wanted to depend on herself, not some man. Christopher  had understood that about her. He'd loved her independence. Macho types  like Hudson wanted to be a protector. Another thing to remember when she  gazed into those maple-syrup eyes and let him tempt her to disregard  her caution about men who took chances. "I'll be fine. Jeremy will be  here in seconds."

"Suit yourself." Hudson released her elbow and stood there with his arms crossed.

As soon as he let go she tried to put weight on her sore ankle. It hurt,  but she wouldn't let him see her grimace. "Good. Everything will be  okay."