Page 52 of Love's Home Run

Ross came up behind her and nuzzled her neck. “Need any help?”

She turned to him, and when he drew her closer, she opened her lips to his kiss.

When they pulled apart, he helped her out of her dress. Overcome with shyness, she stood before him in her panties and nothing else.

“I know you don’t believe it, but you’re beautiful, Melissa.”

Her eyes filled. She’d spent her life thinking she’d never meetthe beauty standards her mother had set for her.

Ross kissed her and led her to bed, where he made her feel as beautiful as she’d always wanted to be.

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

The chiming of her phone pulled Melissa from sleep. She groaned and reached for her cell phone on the bedside table, wondering who would be calling at such an early hour. She checked caller ID and sat up—her mother.

“Hello, Mom? What’s up?” she said, startled.

“It’s your father. He’s had a heart attack and is in the hospital in Portsmouth. It’s serious. I think you should come home.”

Melissa heard the fear in her mother’s voice and said, “We’re in Charleston, but I’ll see what flights I can get and be there as soon as I can.” She paused. “Daddy is going to be all right, isn’t he?”

“I certainly hope so, but I’d be lying if I told you I’m not worried about him. He’s in surgery now to clear some arteries.”

“Okay. I’ll let you know what flight I’ll be on,” said Melissa, brushing tears from her cheeks. After seeing Ross’s pain over his father dying and the support he had from his family, she realized that as an only child, she was her mother’s sole family support.

“What is it?” Ross asked, sitting up beside her.

Melissa explained the situation to him, and he immediately started researching airports and flights.

A short while later, Ross said, “I’ve found a flight that leaves from Columbia late morning to Boston. It’ll take us approximately two hours to get to the airport. Why don’t you let me call to see if we can get on that flight? If we can, I’ll arrange for a driver in Boston.”

“We? You’d do that for me?” asked Melissa, still shaken by the call.

“Sure. You’ve been here for me, dealing with my father,” said Ross. “It’s my turn to help you.”

Melissa threw herself into his arms. “Oh, Ross. Thank you! I’m so worried. I don’t think I could get through this without you.”

###

A few hours later, Melissa and Ross boarded a plane for Boston. Ross left his car in long-term parking, hoping they could continue their trip at some point.

Sitting together, Melissa was grateful for Ross’s solid presence beside her. She’d always prided herself on being self-contained, but now she could hardly keep her emotions in check. The thought of losing her father was devastating. They were more than father and daughter; they were a working team. She prayed he’d survive.

Ross reached over and clasped her hand. Against her cold fingers, his own felt hot.

She stared out the plane window and gazed down at the scene below. Rolling hills and houses seemed miniature. She couldn’t help wondering if her father’s heart attack meant the end of Fins or any restaurant that might follow. She still hadn’t made up her mind about returning to the life of owning a restaurant.

“Are you okay?” Ross asked gently, and Melissa realized her cheeks were wet with tears.

She took a tissue from her purse and wiped her face. It was best to get the tears over with now so she could be strong for her mother.

###

When they arrived in Boston, they went to the limousine Ross had waiting for them.

Less than two hours later, they were taking the elevator to the cardiology unit at the Portsmouth Hospital. The Heart & Vascular Institute was known for providing excellent care anda reputation for meeting national standards for speedy handling of heart attack patients.

When Melissa’s mother saw them enter the waiting area, she burst into tears.

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