Falling For The Millionaire. Merrillee Whren
she raised her head, she tried to analyze why she was on pins and needles. The answer wasn’t hard to find. Hudson represented a temptation she wasn’t sure she could resist, despite her fears. She would be strong and determined. She wouldn’t succumb to his appeals no matter how attractive. Now she had things to do and didn’t have time to worry about Hudson’s presence on campus.
An hour later, completely absorbed in her paperwork, Melody jumped when a knock sounded on the door. “Come in.”
Ian poked his head around the door. “I need a witness while Hudson signs the papers.”
“Sure.” Melody moved with deliberate slowness as she prepared to meet Hudson. When she walked into Ian’s office, her calm preparation fled. Hudson’s handsome face and lazy smile made her pulse thunder just like the night of their date.
“Hello, Melody.”
She took a deep breath. “You got here quickly.”
“Would I be in trouble if I told you I was in a hurry to see you?”
“You would probably be better off if you told me you were in a hurry to sign the contract bond.”
His smile spread into a grin. “That, too.”
Not daring to look at Ian, Melody headed toward her desk and wondered what he thought of Hudson’s comments. “Okay. I’m ready to witness.”
Hudson looked so at ease, and she was tied in knots for no reason at all—at least, any reason that made sense. Why was she letting him make her so nervous?
In a matter of minutes he’d put his signature on the front page and initialed the remaining ones. She signed, and Ian put his notary seal on the document.
“We’re official.” Ian shook hands with Hudson. “Congratulations again.”
Ian pulled his cell phone from his pocket and looked at the screen. “It’s almost time for lunch. Join me, and we can discuss the Valentine banquet.”
“Sounds good.” Hudson glanced in her direction. “You’ll be coming, too, won’t you?”
Melody let the invitation roll through her mind. She would look bad if she declined. She couldn’t avoid interacting with Hudson in the days to come, so she might as well get used to having him around. Thankfully today Ian would act as a buffer. “Certainly. Let me get my purse and jacket in my office.”
As Melody met the two men in the hallway, she said another prayer for peace of mind. When she looked up, Hudson was smiling at her as if he knew this lunch meeting wasn’t to her liking. Or was that her imagination? The future was going to be filled with a lot of prayer if today was any indication. “I’m ready.”
Hudson fell into step beside her as she headed for the door. “Are you a runner?”
“No. Why do you ask?” She scooted through the door he held open.
“You’re always in a hurry.” He gave her a wry smile.
“I’m usually racing from one part of the campus to another. So I tend to walk fast.”
“Yeah, I can hardly keep up with her.” Ian chuckled. “Lovie’s nicknamed her the Roadrunner.”
“Do you like hiking?” Hudson asked.
“I’ve never hiked.”
“You should try it.”
“No time. We’ve got a women’s shelter to build.” Melody wondered whether Hudson was trying to draw her into some group activity that she couldn’t bow out of gracefully. She kept hearing his words. I won’t press you anymore tonight, but you haven’t heard the last of me, Ms. Hammond. He was true to his word. Could she be true to hers? Hudson pointed toward the fountain as they walked by it. “What’s the deal with the green water and balloons?”
“We have a sponsor for the fountain today.” Melody stopped and looked up at the purple balloons waving in the breeze.
“What does that mean?” Hudson asked.
“Last year when The Village was in financial distress, we decided to offer people the opportunity to make a donation in order to decorate the fountain for a special occasion.” Melody started walking again. “Today’s sponsor is Brady Hewitt. You met him at the fund-raiser. He’s engaged to Adam’s daughter, Kirsten.”
Hudson nodded. “I remember them.”
“It’s his grandmother’s birthday. She’s a resident in the assisted living facility, and she loves green and lavender.”
Opening the door to the senior center, Ian eyed Hudson. “You should get to know Brady. You two have a few things in common. He was in the army and is a big car buff.”
“Yeah, good to know another army guy. I could arrange a guys’ night out—maybe a Hawks game.”
Ian nodded. “I could go for that.”
Melody took in the men’s conversation with interest. Ian treated Hudson like any other guy he knew—not like someone who came from wealth and privilege. She ought to take a lesson from her friend and remember that God looked at the heart, not on the outward appearance or one’s bank account.
“So I could sponsor this fountain if I wanted to?” Hudson looked her way, a twinkle in his eyes, as they made their way to the registration desk.
“Sure. Make a donation and one of the maintenance staff will decorate the fountain per your instructions.” Melody refused to speculate about Hudson’s thoughts. “You have something in mind?”
“I might. I’ll think about it.”
After the threesome signed in, they made their way through the cafeteria line, the two guys talking about cars and sports. When they reached the table, Hudson set his tray down, then pulled out a chair for her and helped her out of her jacket. Was he working to impress her? No. She already knew the answer.
He was a gentleman. She’d seen the evidence during their date. He didn’t have to impress anyone. When he walked into a room, people took notice. The cafeteria ladies couldn’t wait to serve him. Even the senior ladies smiled at him as he went by. Well, he could bask in the admiration of those other women. He didn’t need hers.
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