Falling for the Millionaire(25)

As they sang, Hudson glanced around the table at the happy faces of his  family. When they finished singing, his gaze stopped on Melody, and his  pulse pounded as he swallowed a lump in his throat. He'd been telling  himself for weeks that he should be cautious where she was concerned.  But it hadn't mattered. His heart couldn't resist the onslaught of her  beauty, her giving nature and her love for people of all kinds.

But he couldn't break his promise. He had to let her take the lead or convince her to change her mind about that second date.

* * *

Melody fought back the emotions that bubbled to the surface as she took  in the joy in the room. Hudson's dad reminded her so much of her own-the  way he'd grumbled about the food restrictions. She still missed him all  these years after he'd died and wished that he could have lived to see  his sixty-eighth birthday.

She'd been wrong to tell Hudson to take over the company and then give  control to his sister. It would be deceitful unless Hudson told his dad  up-front. Melody could see that H.P. doted on his son, whether Hudson  could see it himself or not. She also understood why they didn't always  get along. They were both strong personalities who had their own way of  thinking. Even though Hudson didn't always see his father's point of  view, she surmised from their interaction that he respected the older  man and wanted to please him. That was probably why it had taken Hudson  so long to strike out on his own. She wanted to help.

After everyone had finished dessert, Susan stood and clanged her glass  again. "We're going into the solarium and have coffee if you'd like, and  while we do that, Melody will tell us about The Village. The younger  kids may go to the playroom, but I'd like the older ones to stay and  hear what she has to say. I believe there are opportunities for  community service there."

"But, Susu, when will Grampy open his presents?" Maddie asked.

"He'll do it after the talk." She patted them each on the head. "I'll call you when he's ready to open his gifts."

Satisfied with their grandmother's answer, the younger children raced  off, and Susan smiled. "Such energy. I wish I could bottle it."

H.P. put an arm around his wife. "You have plenty of energy. If you had any more, I couldn't keep up with you."

Susan laughed, and the two walked arm in arm as they led the way to the solarium.

Hudson came up beside Melody as the group followed behind his parents. "So are you having a good time?"

"Yes. The food was amazing. I can understand why your dad complained about not getting to eat it often enough."

H.P. stopped and turned to Melody. "I heard that, young lady. You should  talk to my wife and convince her that I shouldn't be on such a  restricted diet."

Melody shook her head. "I couldn't do that. I think your wonderful wife  loves you and wants to keep you around for a while longer. That's why  she makes you watch what you eat."

H.P. nodded. "Yeah. That's what she tells me all the time."

"Listen to her. I lost my granddaddy to a heart attack because he didn't  do the things he was told." Melody took in H.P.'s frown and wondered if  she'd overstepped. The statement had popped out of her mouth before  she'd had the chance to really think it through.

"I am so sorry, my dear." H.P. sighed. "I guess you're right. I should listen to my wife."

She breathed a sigh of relief. Now she could give her talk without that worry.

While everyone jockeyed for a seat, Susan pointed to a chair with a flaming red cushion. "Melody, please sit here."         

     



 

"Thanks." Melody wasn't sure what Susan expected from this talk and said a silent prayer for God's guidance.

Hudson immediately grabbed a spot at the end of the sofa next to her  chair. When he smiled, her insides scrambled. How could she keep her  mind on her talk when he was sitting there smiling at her? She had to  focus on his family and not on him, but he kept coming into her line of  vision. After everyone was settled, Melody figured she might as well put  Hudson front and center since she couldn't get him off her mind. She  started her talk with his undertaking at The Village and asked him to  give them more details.

Hudson grinned as he looked her way. "She warned me that she planned to  put me on the spot, but I'm happy to report that we're halfway finished  with the project. Despite Carter's absence, we've been able to maintain  our original timeline."

As Hudson continued to talk about his work, Melody believed he was not  only sharing with his family, but he was making sure his dad knew what  was happening. After Hudson finished, she thanked him and praised his  work. She wanted to let him know how much she appreciated what he was  doing. She continued her talk by mentioning the different facets of the  ministry and put an emphasis on areas where they needed volunteers.  Finally, she put in a plug for the road rally.

That topic created a cacophony of conversation throughout the room.  Finally, H.P. rapped his knuckles on the nearby table. "We should  participate in this fund-raising endeavor."

His pronouncement started another round of conversation. Melody liked  the lively interaction between the members of Hudson's family, and she  was happy that his dad approved of the idea.

While she watched the commotion, Hudson leaned closer. "You're a hit with my dad. I knew he'd like you."

"The road rally is a hit, and that was your idea."

"True, but I still say he's eager to participate because he likes you."

Eventually, the talk died down and H.P. took over the floor as he  gathered commitments for the rally from his children and grandchildren.  Melody passed out the forms she'd purposely brought with her. Soon  someone from each family group was filling one out.

Hudson leaned an elbow on the arm of the sofa. "I should've known my dad would eventually take over this event."

"That's okay. It's his birthday."

Hudson laughed. "Yes, we must indulge the birthday boy. At least his declaration didn't involve me this year."

Melody wrinkled her brow. "Does it usually?"

Hudson gave her a crooked smile. "Too often."

"And what does he say about you?"

Hudson laughed again. "He tells me what I'm to do next with my life. But  that won't happen this year, even if he eventually gets around to such a  decree."

Melody wasn't sure how to respond to his statement. Despite the  congenial nature of the evening, the conflict between father and son had  not subsided. Melody wished she could smooth away the troubles between  Hudson and his father, but she would be asking for trouble of her own if  she did.

As the leaders of each group finished filling out the entry forms, they  handed them to Melody and expressed their excitement about the event.

H.P. handed her his form, then motioned her toward the door. "Since  you're here, come with me to my study. I'll write a check for our entry  fee."

"If you'd like to open your gifts in the study, we can bring them in there," Susan said.

"Whatever you'd like, my dear."

Again, Melody tried not to gawk at the affluence surrounding her. These  folks took for granted the wealth that was an everyday part of their  lives. She immediately shut down her negative thoughts. Hudson's family  had shown her today that they were willing to help The Village, not only  with their money, but with their time. She should have only good things  to think about them. After spending so much time with Hudson, shouldn't  she know by now that his wealth wasn't what defined him or his family?

When they reached the double doors that opened into the study, H.P.  stood aside to let his wife, daughters and Melody go first. She glanced  around the room at the hundreds of books in the built-in bookcase.  Dozens of family photos were on display while a massive desk dominated  the floor space.

Before Melody finished looking around, H.P. handed her a check. "Here you are."

"Thanks so much. I hope you enjoy the rally." Melody looked up at H.P.  "Hudson told me that one of the windows in the Chapel Church at The  Village was dedicated to one of your relatives, Maisy Conrick."

"Yes, that's right." He motioned for her to follow as he moseyed over to  an old black-and-white photo on one of the walls. "Maisy was my  great-aunt. I never knew her because she died before I was born, but  family stories are full of her charity and bravery. She went to work  among the poor immigrants in New York City. That's where she contracted  the diphtheria that killed her. The vaccine for the disease was only in  development at the time."

Susan stepped toward them. "The Conrick family history is filled with  folks who have been eager to help those who are less fortunate. You  should have Hudson tell you about them."         

     



 

Hudson frowned. "Mom, that would be a little over-the-top. Like, ‘Hey, look at us and all the good stuff we do.'"

Susan gave her son an indulgent smile. "I didn't mean it that way."