Page 31 of Love's Home Run

“Brothers, I’m sure, are special, but women need sisters, even if they’re just sisters of the heart,” said Crystal, more serious now.

Looking at her female friends sitting with her, Melissa thought how true it was. She glanced at Dirk and smiled.

While she talked to Emmett, Dirk rose. “I’ll see you guys later. I have to go.”

Melissa waited for him to say something to her, but he turned and walked away. Embarrassed, she sat silently, wondering what was going on.

CHAPTER TWELVE

The next morning, Melissa did her neighborly duty and crossed her lawn to Ross’s house. He’d put on a brave face yesterday, but she could well imagine the pain he must be in. A hot breakfast might make a difference.

When she knocked on the door, Mike answered it. “Good morning! Come on in.”

Melissa smiled. “I thought a healthy, hot breakfast might be welcome.”

“A definite yes from me,” he responded. “Let me go find Ross. He’s just getting up.”

He left her and quickly returned. “Ross is all for it. He says it sounds great.”

“Give me a few minutes, and I’ll whip up bacon, eggs, and English muffins. Ross needs to eat well following surgery.”

Melissa went to the kitchen, comfortable with where everything was, got coffee going, and started to cook bacon.

She was mixing seasonings into a bowl of eggs when Ross appeared, making his way slowly to the kitchen table with his walker. “Something smells good.”

“Nothing like bacon to win a man’s stomach,” she said.

He chuckled. “I thought the saying was ‘cooking is the way to win a man’s heart.’”

She laughed, too. “Test it out. Then we’ll talk about it.” She handed him a strip of crisp, cooked bacon.

He ate it and then patted his stomach. “I liked it. Thanks.”

Melissa continued cooking the meal, pleased she could do this for them.

After serving them each a plate of food, she helped herself to an English muffin and joined them at the table with a mug of coffee.

“When do you start rehab?” she asked Ross.

“I have someone coming to the house to do some exercises for the next four days. Then, as long as you’re still willing, I’ll need you to start taking me to the Physical Therapy Center outside of Concord.”

“That’s a definite yes,” said Melissa.

“Good,” said Mike, “because I’m leaving for Florida later this afternoon. I have to check in on my tennis clinic. I’m running a tennis camp there for the next four weeks.”

“No worries. I’ve already scheduled my mornings to do this,” said Melissa. “Now, I’m going to go home and work in the garden before heading into the restaurant.”

She got up from her seat, bussed the dirty plates and silverware to the sink, and turned to Mike. “Will you load the dishwasher?”

“Sure,” he said. “I’m used to ‘batching’ it and keeping my condo clean.”

She smiled with approval, gave him a little salute, and left. “See you tomorrow. Crystal is fixing your dinner. Right, Ross?”

“Yes, Ma’am. My dinners are taken care of for the next week or so.”

“I love our little town and the people in it,” said Melissa. “Safe trip home, Mike.”

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