Page 38 of Love's Home Run

“While it’s a wonderful gesture, it leaves me trapped in a sense,” she said. “I’m trying to decide on my personal life right now. I like living here in Lilac Lake, but maybe it’s not meant to be. I still don’t have a special person in my life.”

“What about Ross?” her mother said. “You couldn’t find a better man.”

“It takes two people to make a relationship, remember? We’re friends. Great friends. But that’s as far as it’s going to go. As you said, he’s a decent man, but he’s not interested in me.”

Her mother emitted a long sigh, and Melissa was taken back through the years to the days of high school when she was the same dateless person she was now. Unable to handle her mother’s disappointment, she got up from the dinner table.

“I’m sorry, but I’m not feeling well. It’s all too much to think about. I’m going home.”

Her mother gave her a sad look. “We love you, Melissa.”

Recalling how her mother had always said that on dateless high school nights, Melissa wanted to weep.

She kept herself together as she drove her car to her home. But when she pulled into the driveway and saw one lonely light on in her empty house, she let the tears she’d held back roll down her cheeks.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

After a restless night during which she fought feeling insecure and helpless, she got up, determined to have a better day. She was delighted to have the opportunity to drive Ross to his rehab clinic. The task would fill the morning.

Melissa showered and dressed, leaving her long auburn hair down to dry. Working in the kitchen, she wore it either in a bun, tied back in a ponytail, or woven into a pigtail. Her mother had told her that her hair and her eyes were her best features. Now, staring into a mirror, Melissa realized she wasn’t as ugly as her mother sometimes made her feel, even though she had her father’s strong nose and chin. She brushed away hurts from the past and left.

In the kitchen, she fixed a cup of coffee and carried it out to the screened-in porch. It was going to be a scorcher of a day. Cicadas were already making their high-pitched noises as if knowing it would be too hot to do much later.

Melissa loved her house and enjoyed the independence it gave her. Gazing out at the tall pines and hardwood trees lining the woods behind her lot, she looked for the telltale red of a cardinal, her favorite bird. She listened, and though she didn’t see it, she heard its distinctive cry. Gratefulness for all she had filled her, pushing aside darker emotions. Somehow, she’d get through this next phase of her life.

By the time she picked up Ross for the trip to Concord, Melissa was in a better frame of mind. Considering all that could’ve happened with the fire, she and her parents were lucky. No one had gotten hurt.

Ross was equally upbeat as he got into the car. “Another beautiful hot day. Thanks for the ride.”

“You’re welcome. I’m delighted to have something to do. After I drop you off, I’ll visit one of my favorite cooking stores to see what’s new. I’m not sure what I want to do in the future, but I might as well check it out.”

“Seems like you’re missing the restaurant,” said Ross.

“Yes and no,” she answered truthfully. “I just need to keep busy. No matter what, I’m going to have some free time on my hands while things get sorted out relating to the fire.”

After a moment, Ross said, “I talked to my dad last night. He’s not doing as well as I’d hoped. I intend to drive to New Jersey as soon as I can. I talked to my doctor, who said I must wait for at least four more weeks before considering such a trip, and I’d need someone to accompany me. Something about not sitting for too long and the risk of blood clots. Is there any way you’d consider helping me drive there? I know how you feel about us being just friends. We’d make that clear to everyone. I know you’re hoping to get together with Dirk.”

She turned and smiled at him. “Friends … and good neighbors. I don’t even have to think about it. Of course, I’ll do it. We’d drive down there and back?”

“Well, we might have to spend a night there, maybe two. But I’d get a nearby hotel room for you, and, if necessary, one for me. I’ve hired live-in help for Dad, so I’m not sure what the space allocations are like at home. He’s still living in the house I grew up in, and we didn’t have much room. But my brothers and I can’t convince my father to move.”

“What about the trip to Florida that you told me about?” she asked. “Would I help you get there too?”

“That’s up to you and how well I’ve recovered. We could continue to drive to Florida, spend some time there while I looked at what Mike wanted me to see, and I could fly you home, or you could drive back with me. It depends on how much time you want away from the mess in Lilac Lake.”

“Could we make a lot of stops on the way? See things I’ve read about but haven’t seen?” she asked, becoming excited about the idea.

He shrugged and said, “Why not? We’ve both got the time.”

“Okay,” said Melissa. “We’ll call it a neighborly road trip. We seem to be compatible, but we’d have to set up some rules.”

He raised an eyebrow. “And what would they be?”

“I’ll work on them while you do your exercises,” Melissa said, grinning.

He laughed. “Okay. I might have a few of my own.”

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