Falling for the Millionaire(13)

Melody gazed up at him. Quiet was out of the question. Too much time to  think about him. "You mean you don't want to talk to me?"

"We can talk." Hudson settled on the ottoman next to the couch, his long  legs stretched out in front of him. "What do you want to talk about?"

She didn't know why she'd said that. Fuzzy brain again. What on earth  did she have to say to Hudson Conrick? Nothing. Did they have anything  in common besides liking the same kind of pizza? The pizza couldn't get  here fast enough. Sighing, she shrugged. "On second thought, I'm too  tired to talk."

"I understand. You rest. I've got work I can do." Still sitting on the  ottoman, he pulled out his cell phone and began tapping the screen. "And  I'd better call Ian and let him know why I didn't show up for our  discussion about the Valentine banquet."

Nodding, Melody closed her eyes again, but images of Hudson still  cluttered her mind. She wanted to think about anything else, but her  thoughts kept coming back to the handsome man a few feet away. She kept  drifting in and out of sleep, dreams of Hudson filling her subconscious.  In her dreams, he was kissing her. Which was more troubling? The dreams  about the man or the reality of him sitting in her living room?





Chapter Five

The doorbell rang, but it didn't seem to faze Melody. She continued to  sleep. Hudson cast another look at her over his shoulder as he went to  answer the door. After paying for the pizza, he carried the box into the  living room and set it on the ottoman. He stared down at Melody, her  blond hair falling across the pillow as she slept. Her beauty captured  his heart. But it was more than her appearance that captivated him. It  was her spirit.

Although she didn't seem to care much for him, she cared about all the  folks at The Village. He'd meant what he'd said when he'd told her he  wouldn't press for another date, but he hoped their association over the  next few months would soften her attitude toward him.         

     



 

Hudson touched her arm. "Melody, the pizza's here."

Her eyes blinked open, and she stared at him. She blinked again and put a  hand over her heart. "Oh, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to doze off, but I  didn't sleep well last night. I guess it caught up to me."

Hudson smiled, his heart thudding as she looked up at him with those  light brown eyes. "That's okay. I got lots of work done, and you got the  rest you needed."

"What time is it?"

"It's nearly six." Hudson opened the pizza box. "Are you hungry now?"

Melody tried to sit up. "A little."

"How's the ankle?"

"Better." She looked over at him. "Have you been putting the ice pack on and off?"

"I have." He smiled again, his heart still thundering. "I make a good nurse."

She laughed. "Kirsten will be impressed."

"I'll get some plates. And what can I get you to drink?"

"I don't expect you to wait on me."

"That's why I'm here. Rest. Remember, that's what Kirsten said. Stay off that ankle."

"I've been doing plenty of resting."

"More can't hurt, and as long as I'm here, you might as well take advantage of my assistance."

Melody sighed. "Okay. I'll take a cola. Lots of ice."

Hudson made his way into the kitchen and flipped on the light. Melody's  kitchen was a clear reflection of her. Neat-with everything in place. He  suspected he could eat off her floors. He found the plates, glasses,  flatware and napkins. Minutes later he returned to the living room. He  handed her the cola. "Here you go."

She sat up with her leg propped up on the ottoman. "Thanks. There are coasters in the drawer of the end table."

Hudson got out two coasters, then served the pizza before taking a seat  on the chair that sat at an angle to the couch. "Would you like me to  give thanks?"

"Sure."

"Lord, thank You for Melody and her service to those who are in need.  Please heal her ankle quickly so she can be back at work in full force.  We thank You for this food. In Jesus's name. Amen."

"Thank you. I appreciate your prayer." Melody stared at him, a twinkle of appreciation in her eyes.

Maybe he'd just picked up a few brownie points. With the silly thought  running through his mind he took a bite of pizza. He wasn't back in  grade school trying to impress his teacher, but he wanted to be on  Melody's good side. He wanted to get to know her better, but she kept  her feelings close to her chest-except for her wish not to go out with  him again.

He shouldn't care. He'd told her he wasn't going to ask her for another  date. So why did he keep thinking about it? Was he already regretting  it? Was it something that would come back to bite him? Maybe her  rejection was crushing his ego, and he couldn't dismiss the challenge of  changing her mind.

"How's the pizza?"

"Good. I was hungrier than I thought." She took a bite.

"Glad you're enjoying it."

"Thanks for your help."

"You're welcome, and I believe you'll need my help again tomorrow."

A little pucker formed between her eyebrows. "Why?"

"Your car's still at The Village, and you'll need a ride in the morning."

"Oh, yeah, but you don't need to worry about it." She waved a hand at  him. "I'll get someone from The Village to help me. You don't need to go  out of your way."

"It's not out of my way when I'll be headed there to oversee the beginning of the construction project."

"You're starting already?"

"We're going to bring in materials tomorrow."

"But I haven't given you the dimensions of the front entrance."

Hudson shook his head. "We're only bringing in smaller equipment, so we'll be ready when the permits are in place."

"Isn't it out of the way for you?"

"No. I drive right by here, and even if I wasn't going to be there for  the construction project, I still have an appointment with Ian." Hudson  smiled despite the fact that she wasn't eager to accept his help.

"Oh. Okay. I guess I'd be silly not to accept your generous offer." Her shoulders slumped as she took another bite of pizza.

"Will you be able to drive your car tomorrow?"

Melody set down her slice of pizza. "I think so. I'll take it easy tonight, and I'll be a new woman in the morning."

"I hope not too new. I kind of like the woman you are." Except the part that wouldn't go on another date with him.

"You do?" Her eyes grew wide.

"Why do you seem so surprised that I like you?"

She appeared to be weighing his question, her eyes focused on something  across the room. When she looked back at him, she wore a doubtful  expression. "You're only trying to get on my good side."

"Of course I am." Hudson grinned. "You're the boss lady, and I wouldn't want to displease you."         

     



 

"You really are trying to chalk up brownie points."

"I freely admit that I am, but I was being completely serious. I admire  what you're doing at The Village. In fact, I mentioned your work to my  mother, and she's going to call you about talking to one of her women's  groups."

Again she seemed hesitant to speak. "I'm always happy to share the work we do."

"Good."

Melody finished her slice of pizza and leaned back on the couch while  she took a sip of her drink. She seemed lost in thought, and Hudson got  the feeling that she wasn't up for more conversation.

After they ate, he took the plates and glasses to the kitchen and put  them in the nearly empty dishwasher. He put the leftover pizza in the  refrigerator, then came back to the living room. Melody had returned to  her reclining position with her leg propped up on the pillow at the end  of the couch.

"If you think you'll be okay, I'm headed home. If you need anything, you can call me."

He hated for the evening to end, but he didn't want to overstay his welcome.

She looked up at him. "You know bringing me home would've been enough, but thank you for staying and serving me supper."

"You're welcome."

"What time can I expect you in the morning?"

"Is quarter till eight too early?"

"No, I'll be ready." She gave him a little wave, something sad in her  expression. "I'd see you to the door, but I'm a little incapacitated."

"Good night. I'll see myself out." Hudson closed her front door, her soft farewell still echoing in his ears.

He walked to his vehicle while he replayed the evening in his mind.  They'd shared a good time, and any doubts of her sincerity were rapidly  receding. Was he right to conclude that she wasn't another Nicole with  ulterior motives?

* * *

The next morning Hudson wasn't even out of his SUV before Melody was  swinging down her walk on those crutches. She could even be speedy with  those. He hurried around to the passenger side to open the door. "Good  morning. You're getting along very well with those things. What did you  do? Practice with them after I left last night?"