Falling for the Millionaire(3)

Hudson stood as she turned to him and introduced him to Ian's parents,  Doreen and Jordan Montgomery, and to Adam Bailey, the administrator of  The Village, and his date, Debra McCoy. After the two couples left,  Melody greeted the folks who would share their table, an advertising  executive and his wife, a couple who owned a printing business and a  couple who were both doctors.

The laughter and conversation that buzzed through the ballroom came to  an end as Adam Bailey greeted everyone from the podium at the head  table. After Adam's greeting, Jordan Montgomery gave a blessing for the  event. Immediately following the prayer, the waiters and waitresses  served the food.

The discussion during the meal centered on the ministries of The  Village. Hudson admired the way Melody maneuvered their talk toward  supporting The Village without being pushy. Thankful that she controlled  the conversation, he sat back and watched. He didn't have to say a  thing, and he appreciated that. Best of all, no one asked him about his  family connections. That made for a perfect dinner.

While the servers removed the plates and brought out the desserts, Adam  Bailey came to the podium once again and gave a quick talk about The  Village. Jordan Montgomery followed with a short but motivational speech  that encouraged people to look beyond themselves and help those in  need. Soon after, they began the auction of donated items, as well as  the silent auction that would be going on during the evening.

The auctioneer entertained the crowd as he moved each article along.  Hudson watched Melody's joyous reaction as a quilt made by Lovie  Trimble, the receptionist at The Village, garnered five thousand  dollars.

When the auction concluded, Adam came back to the podium. He thanked  everyone for their participation, then turned and picked up something  from a nearby chair. "Ladies and gentlemen, I'd like to honor someone  tonight who deserves a lot of credit for this evening's activities.  She's the dynamic force behind this project. Please give a huge round of  applause for Melody Hammond." Adam looked down at their table. "Melody,  come on up here."

The surprise on Melody's face as she stood made Hudson smile. He'd  learned from the discussion tonight that her whole life revolved around  the women's and children's ministries at The Village. She obviously  deserved this award. While she made her way to the stage, the applause  grew louder.

Adam gave her a hug and handed her a plaque when she reached the podium.  "Considering all the work you do, this isn't much, but we wanted you to  know we appreciate everything you've done for The Village."         

     



 

Taking the plaque, she wiped a tear from her cheek as she faced the  audience. "This is certainly a surprise. I want to thank everyone who  came out tonight. Thank you for your support of this very important  project. You're helping women and children have a better life. I want to  especially thank my coworker, Annie Montgomery. Thanks again."

People stood and more applause filled the ballroom as Melody made her  way back to the table. Hudson resisted the urge to give her a hug. He  didn't know how she would take it. Despite her giving nature in regard  to The Village, she seemed personally guarded. He wanted to find out  why.

After Melody resumed her seat, Adam announced the dance portion of the  evening. When two of the couples from their table went to the dance  floor, Ian and Annie came over, sat down and congratulated Melody on her  award.

Melody picked up the plaque and looked at Annie. "Did you know about this?"

Annie shook her head. "Adam said he wanted to do something for you, but he never said what."

Melody put the plaque back on the table. "It wasn't necessary."

"Yeah, but it's always nice to get some recognition." Ian nodded his  head. "The auction went very well. It brought in a lot of funds."

"I wish Lovie could've been here to see her quilt produce so much  money." Melody rubbed a hand across the shiny face of her plaque. "She's  attending a grandchild's birthday tonight."

Hudson took in the discussion, his admiration for Melody growing. She'd  rather have recognition for a coworker than for herself. He'd been  hanging around the wrong kind of women.

"So what are you doing with yourself these days?" Ian looked at Hudson.

"Not much." Hudson shook his head.

"You could join us at The Village. We could use another attorney now that our financial situation has improved."

"Ian, I've never used that law degree. I wouldn't be of much help."  Hudson wished he had a better plan for his life, but he wasn't  interested in being a lawyer or a corporate executive. He wasn't sure  where he belonged, but he wanted an adventure of his own, not one his  father had planned for him. "When the weather gets warmer, I intend to  do some skydiving instructions with an outfit near here that does tandem  jumps. Anyone want to give it a try?"

Melody's look slipped from astonishment to fear. "You skydive?"

Hudson nodded. "I was a paratrooper in the army. Since I left the  service, I've become a certified skydiving instructor. I missed doing  that when I was working overseas, so I aim to get back into it. And I  have plans to do some race-car driving."

"Wow! Impressive, but I'm not sure I'm that brave." Annie chuckled.

"Enough of this discussion." Standing, Hudson waved a hand toward the  dance floor, hoping Melody didn't think he sounded like a spoiled rich  kid. But he probably was. "There's some good music playing, and I've got  a beautiful woman to dance with."

"I'll definitely take the dancing over the skydiving or racing cars." Melody stood.

Hudson chuckled as he held out his hand. "While we dance, maybe I can  change your mind." When Melody put her hand in his, the rush he felt was  as good as skydiving or speeding around an oval track. How had this  woman triggered his interest in such a short time? He'd better be  careful or he'd be jumping without a parachute. His experience with  Nicole had taught him caution when it came to women.

"Hardly. I don't have to leave the ground when dancing."

"Then, you've never danced the jitterbug with me."

"Not something I plan to do in this evening gown."

"Probably not." Hudson put an arm around her as they joined the other couples dancing to a slow romantic tune.

She looked up at him. "I have to let you know the last time I danced was at Ian and Annie's wedding."

"Never fear. Just follow my lead."

"Easier said than done. I'm not used to following."

"Somehow I knew that." Smiling, Hudson guided Melanie across the dance floor.

"You do dance very well."

"I should. I had enough lessons when I was a kid. While the other boys  were out playing ball, I was gliding around Miss Smithers' dance studio  with some girl I didn't like and hating every minute."

Melody laughed. "Must've been rough being you."

Happy to make her laugh, Hudson let the sound wind its way into his  heart. "It's always been tough being me. I was the youngest kid with  three older sisters. Three. They ganged up on me constantly."

"But they must've been a window into the lives of women."

"I never thought of it that way." Hudson shook his head. "I should've  taken notes, but sadly I didn't. I was too young to appreciate the  knowledge I could've gained. I was merely a nuisance to my older  sisters."

"I can see that."

"You wound me, and here I thought you were a kind person."         

     



 

She laughed again, and the sound filled his chest with warmth. He pulled  her a little closer as another slow number started. For a few moments  they danced without talking. He hadn't felt this unguarded in years.  This was one date he wished didn't have to end.





Chapter Two

Nothing had prepared Melody for her attraction to Hudson Conrick. Did  she believe in love at first sight? Never. How had that crazy question  popped into her mind? With everything she had to think about tonight,  her mind must be playing tricks on her. Sure he was handsome, a good  dancer and a gentleman, but he also liked to skydive and race cars. Who  knew what other crazy things he liked to do? No way could she be having  romantic feelings about a man she'd met only a few hours ago.

Attraction at first sight was plausible but not love.

The music faded, and Melody gazed up at him. "I apologize, but I have to check with Adam about the silent auction now."

"I'll tag along if you don't mind."

"Sure." Melody found it difficult to concentrate with Hudson by her  side. Thankfully, the meeting with Adam lasted only a few minutes. As  Melody and Hudson returned to their table, they received a few  speculative glances from a couple of her coworkers, but she ignored  them. She didn't want to add to the conjecture.

While the band played a lively number, Hudson tapped his foot. "Can I  convince you to dance again, or do we have to stick to the slow dances?"