Falling for the Millionaire(35)

Hudson let his father's plan roll through his mind. His dad had actually  listened to him and was willing to give Elizabeth a chance. "Have you  talked to Elizabeth?"

"I haven't, because I wanted to run this by you first. I didn't want to do anything that didn't meet your approval."

At his father's statement, Hudson nearly fell out of his chair. "My approval?"

H.P. nodded. "I figured if I wanted your cooperation, I'd have to do a little compromising. What do you say?"

"I'd like to discuss it with Elizabeth." Hudson was still trying to  grasp the fact that his father had changed his mind. He was giving  Hudson what he wanted without another argument. Only Melody's change of  heart would make this day better.

"You'll get your chance." His dad glanced at his watch. "She'll be here  in a few minutes. And I've come to another decision. I plan to get rid  of the construction division."

"How can you do that to Carter right after he's just gone back to work?"

H.P. held up one hand. "Hold on. Don't jump to conclusions. I think you'll like my idea."

As Hudson was ready to say something, Elizabeth walked into the room.  She greeted them with a hug, then sat. "So what's the big meeting  about?"

While H.P. explained his plan to Elizabeth, Hudson watched for her  reaction. Would she be on board or critical? Would she be willing to  share duties and take instruction from him? Ever since his conversation  with her about Melody, Hudson saw his sister through a less-favorable  lens. Seeing her reminded him of Melody's brother and his warning. He  tamped down his anger while Elizabeth and H.P. discussed the plan. He  wasn't going to have a relationship with Melody, so there wasn't any  point in being upset with his sister.

"What do you think, Hudson? Are you willing to take me under your wing and teach me everything you know?"

He stared at her. Either she was very eager to get her chance at running  the company, or she was actually the older sister he'd always respected  and admired, not the critical one he'd encountered a few weeks ago.  "Are you willing to listen and work with me without criticism?"

She gave him a crooked smile. "Are you saying I can be argumentative?"

H.P. cleared his throat. "One more thing before I go. I'm handing the  construction division over to Carter. It's his with the stipulation that  he continue your policy of hiring vets. On that note, I'll leave you  two alone to hash this out."

"Wait." Hudson jumped up. "What do you mean?"

"I mean I'm giving it to Carter-the whole thing." H.P. waved a hand in  the air. "It's out of my hair, and it's going to someone who has earned  it."

"Wow! Carter never said anything to me."

"I asked him not to until we drew up the papers. I hope you aren't disappointed."

"How can I be? You've made some excellent moves, and I can't argue.  Thanks." Hudson shook his dad's hand, then hugged him as he realized his  father may have orchestrated a few people's lives in his usual manner,  but the wisdom of his decisions wasn't lost on Hudson. As H.P. left the  room, Hudson looked at his sister. "Do you want to do this?"         

     



 

Elizabeth nodded. "If you do, I'm in."

He extended his hand, forgiveness filling his heart. "Okay, partner."

"I'm glad we can work together." Elizabeth shook his hand, then let out a  heavy sigh. "Rebecca told me that Melody broke up with you. I'm sorry."

"I thought that's what you wanted."

"I was wrong. I misjudged her." Elizabeth hung her head. "If you change  your mind about working with me, I'd understand. I'm so sorry. Please  forgive me."

"I will only because your unkind words had nothing to do with our  breakup. What you said wounded Melody, but that's not the reason we're  not together anymore."

Hudson went on to explain the history between Melody and him. Rehashing  their disagreement only produced a helpless feeling. He didn't know how  to change Melody's mind. Their relationship had been doomed from the  start. She'd recognized it, but he hadn't wanted to accept it. His whole  life had taken a one-eighty. He had accepted the compromise with his  father to run Conrick Industries and eventually hand the reins to  Elizabeth. Hudson couldn't forget that the idea had originally come from  Melody, but she wouldn't be around to see it come to pass.

Elizabeth sighed. "I'd like to help you work things out with Melody."

"Haven't you interfered enough already?" Hudson smiled wryly.

His sister shrugged. "I suppose, but I'd like to make amends."

He shook his head. "If you want to apologize to her, that's your  business. I love you, big sis, but don't try to fix things for me."

"No promises."

Hudson took a deep breath. What would it take to change Melody's mind?  Could he plead his case one more time to make her see that love could  conquer all?

* * *

Life went on without Hudson. Melody filled her days with welcoming the  new residents of the women's shelter, but every time she walked into  that building her heart ached. She remembered how they'd worked together  through the storm, how he'd saved her from the falling tree and how  he'd kissed her. The memories plagued her, and she missed him so much  that she was tempted to call him up and tell him she'd been wrong. But  then she'd remember how his parachute hadn't opened and how her heart  had flown into her throat and she'd died a thousand deaths until she  knew he was okay. She couldn't live like that, and she'd be crazy to  love a man who lived so dangerously.

Melody hurried down the hallway to the end apartment, where her new  residents were gathered for their weekly Bible study. They studied the  stories of deliverance in the Book of Daniel. And after their prayers,  they ate and enjoyed each other's company. She thanked God that these  women focused her mind on something else besides her heartache.

When the study was over, Hannah, one of the younger women, came up to  Melody. "Thanks for leading that study. I appreciate all you've taught  me since I've been here. I know I have a long way to go, but I'm  learning to trust God to see me through my troubles. I have this verse  on my mirror, so I look at it every morning when I get up."

"What verse?"

"Isaiah 26:3. ‘You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are  steadfast, because they trust in You.' Trusting God takes away the  worry. I wanted to let you know how much you've helped me do that."

"You're welcome, Hannah. I'm so glad." Melody gave the young woman a  hug. "If you ever need me for anything, just call. Good night."

Hurrying across the quad toward the parking lot, Melody couldn't get  Hannah's words out of her mind. Trusting God takes away the worry.  Melody had been telling others to have faith in Him, but she'd failed to  do the same. She'd been living most of her life in fear and not relying  on God. What kind of hypocrite was she?

She'd let worry ruin a loving relationship with Hudson.

As she got into the car, she let out the tears she'd been holding back  for weeks. After she had a good cry, she wiped her eyes and nose, then  prayed for strength to put her life and all her decisions in God's  hands.

Despite her prayer, Melody wondered whether she could make amends with  Hudson. Would he even want to talk to her after the way she'd shut him  out? She had to believe that God would lead her in the right direction.  She had to be patient enough to wait on His answer.

As those thoughts rolled through her mind, her phone rang. She grabbed  it from her purse and looked at the screen. She gasped as she viewed the  name. Elizabeth, Hudson's sister. What could she possibly want? Melody  accepted the call and hoped for the best.

"Hello."

"Hi. I'm glad you answered."

"No problem. Why did you call?"

"First, I want to apologize for the things I said about you. Rebecca  told me that you overheard my comments. I was wrong, and I'm asking you  to forgive me."

Melody knew she should, but right now saying so would be a lie. "Is it all right if I tell you I'll work on the forgiveness?"         

     



 

"Thanks. That's enough for now. I appreciate your honesty." Melody could hear the relief in Elizabeth's voice.

"That's one thing I know Hudson loves about you," Elizabeth continued.  "You have to know, he really does love you, and he'd give up all those  things you hate because he does. Besides, soon he'll be too busy to race  cars and skydive. Our dad's retiring, and Hudson has agreed to take  over the company."

"But that's the last thing he wanted to do." Melody couldn't believe it.

"They've come to a compromise. Hudson will take over the company, teach  me the ropes, then turn the company over to me. Everyone wins."

"I'm glad y'all worked it out," Melody said. Could things work out for  her, too? She'd finally discovered the key to riding out bumpy times.  Trust in God. So simple, but she hadn't been doing it. She'd let fear  rule instead of God.