Page 24 of Love's Home Run

“Thanks,” said Ross. “I know that, and I appreciate all you’ve done for me.” He beckoned her to come closer, and then he squeezed her hand and gazed up at her with a look of tenderness that weakened her knees.

Fighting for composure, she looked away. When she faced him again, his expression was neutral.

Mike stood and walked her to the door. “We’ll be home tomorrow or the next day. I’ll let you know.”

“Thanks. I’ll have the house ready.” She held up the keys to Ross’s house. “I’ll keep these for a while.”

“Yes. You should just keep them.”

“Okay,” she said. It made sense. She was his next-door neighbor.

###

On the way home, Melissa mulled over her time with Ross. There was a definite connection between them for a few brief moments. But, in reality, their relationship was more like brother and sister than anything else. She reminded herself that she and Dirk had more in common, which was important to any future relationship with him. She knew she made it seem like it was all about being logical. But the one time she’d thought she had a future with another student at culinary school, her heart had been wounded as deeply as if it had been burned by one of the kitchen stove’s open flames. While she’d been dating him, he’d been sleeping with someone else.

Pushing the past away, Melissa called her mother to tell her she’d be in to cook tomorrow and was pleased by her reaction. “Thanks. It makes such a difference to have you in the kitchen. How’s Ross doing?”

Melissa gave her an update and said, “I’ve agreed to take him to rehabilitation when it’s time. He’ll set up morning appointments, so it won’t disturb my work schedule.”

“I know you feel guilty about the accident, but you have responsibilities here too.”

“Of course. But I’m happy to drive him. As I said, I won’t come to the restaurant tonight. I have to take care of some things. Then I’ll be on my regular schedule tomorrow.”

“That’s fine, dear. See you tomorrow.”

###

After she got settled back at her home, she decided to go over to Ross’s house to see what needed to be done to make it comfortable for him.

Melissa felt awkward unlocking his door and stepping inside, but she wanted to make sure he’d have everything he needed when Mike brought him home, hopefully the next day.

She stood in the front hallway and gazed around. Even with Whitney’s help decorating his home, it felt like a bachelor’s pad. She walked into the open living area and noted the lack of photographs and other finishing touches that turned a house into a home.

Feeling as if she was snooping, she checked the other rooms on the main floor. A guest suite sat at one end of the house, away from the master suite. A third bedroom sat next to it and held unpacked cardboard boxes.

She went into the kitchen, automatically rinsed the dishes in the sink, and put them in the dishwasher. She opened the refrigerator and sighed at the lack of nourishing food. She’d go to the grocery store and shop at Collister’s Farm Stand to take care of that problem. Making a note of what groceries to buy, she shook her head. No wonder Ross had told her that Dirk would appreciate a homecooked meal. So would he.

After completing her grocery list, Melissa walked into the master suite on the first floor in a wing of its own. This is where Ross would recover.

She stood a moment, inhaling his spicy aftershave, the one she thought was so sexy. The bed was unmade. She hesitated and then went ahead and made it up, imagining Ross sleeping there. Unsettled, she checked the master bath, picked up the terry robe he’d left on the floor, and straightened up.

Not wanting to linger, she left and went to the grocery store. She was selecting orange juice when Dani walked up to her. “Hi, Melissa! What are you doing here? Is Ross home?”

Melissa turned to her. “No, but he’s hoping to come home tomorrow. If not, then the following day. Mike is staying with Ross and will bring him back to Lilac Lake.”

“Oh, that makes sense with your job and all,” said Dani. “How’s he doing?”

“He was pretty out of it this morning but seemed to be doing well this afternoon. I’ve already made plans to drive him to the sports rehab center in Concord when it’s time, and he told me Crystal will take care of his meals for a while.”

Dani smiled. “That’s what I love about this town. Everyone is willing to help. Please let me know if you need me to take Ross to rehab.”

“Thanks. I will.” Melissa quickly gathered the things on her list, added ice cream for a treat, and checked out.

She returned to Ross’s house, stored the food she’d bought, and left to go to the Collister’s farm stand for fresh fruit and vegetables. The owners, Mary Lou and Joe Collister, were well-liked in the community. A stop at their farm market was as much about catching up with them and others in the area as it was about buying fresh fruit, vegetables, and other things foodies like her loved.

###

As soon as Melissa had parked her car and entered the red barn used for the farm stand, Mary Lou hurried over to her.A heavy-set woman with pretty hazel eyes and brown hair, Mary Lou was the type of woman you wanted to hug. She was always pleasant and was an eager listener. Her pet pig, Pansy, was never too far away.

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