Page 67 of Love's Home Run

“Okay, then. You’re pushing things a bit during a tense several days for both of you,” said Crystal sweetly, putting her arm around Melissa. “What’s going on with you? Why do you think your relationship with Ross won’t last?”

Melissa hesitated.

“You can speak freely. I promise I won’t discuss it with anyone else.”

Melissa closed her eyes and drew a deep breath. When she opened them, Crystal’s look of concern encouraged her to be honest. “As my mother says, I tend to ruin things. If someone gets too close, I push them away before they can hurt me.” Melissa forced herself to go on. “Growing up, I was always being compared to other girls by my mother and coming up short. In some ways, I can’t believe Ross is truly interested in me. I can’t help wondering if what we’ve shared is just a nice … interlude … for him.”

“I’m not as wise as Genie Wittner, but I know what she’d say because I understand what it’s like to grow up feeling you aren’t equal to others. She’d tell you the same thing she told me—you are your own person, warts and all, and you owe it to yourself to be true to who you are inside, not what other people want you to be. And you need to allow others the same opportunity.”

Melissa kept quiet. Gazing at Crystal, she was thrilled she’d had the nerve to approach her. Crystal was a lovely, sensitive woman.

“Ross is a good man. Give him and yourself a chance,” said Crystal. “You’re looking for problems that don’t exist. You’re an attractive, accomplished woman. Any man would be lucky to have you. Stop short-changing yourself.”

“Thanks,” said Melissa. “I’ve never told anyone else what I’ve just said to you.”

“Just give it time. It’ll all work out the way it’s meant to be. Another of Genie Wittner’s sayings,” said Crystal.

“Thanks for listening to me,” said Melissa. “It means a lot. I wanted to talk to you about an idea I have.” She straightened in her chair, more in control. “I can’t simply walk away from a career that I love. My parents and I have no desire to rebuild the restaurant or to run a restaurant full-time. But I thought there might be a way I could still do some professional cooking. What would you say to my using the café once a month to put on a gourmet dinner? You have the perfect setup.”

Crystal’s eyes lit with excitement. “So, you’d use the restaurant, dress it up a bit, work in the kitchen, and put on a gourmet dinner?”

“Exactly,” said Melissa. “I’m also thinking about doing some catering. I don’t want to work full-time. I just want to do enough to keep my hand in while I have time to do something other than work and pursue other interests.”

“What are you thinking? Who would you get to help you?” asked Crystal.

“I’m still working on those details. I thought I’d talk to some of my staff from Fins,” Melissa said.

“What about me? I’d love to cook with you. I’m thinking of selling the café and love the idea of cooking gourmet dinners from time to time.”

“Maybe you could make gourmet dinners part of the sales deal,” said Melissa excitedly. A sudden thought struck her. “I know someone who might be interested in buying the café. A friend from culinary school and her fiancé. I stayed in her apartment in Boston when Ross had surgery on his knee.”

“Really? I haven’t even put together figures, but have your friend come to Lilac Lake to see the operation, and we can all talk about it.”

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Heart pounding with enthusiasm, Melissa left the café and headed for her car, which she’d parked at the restaurant.

She walked along the street, enjoying the opportunity to exercise. She saw Dirk walking with an attractive woman and waved.

He led the woman across the street. “Hi, Melissa. I’m glad to see you, and I want to introduce you to my ex-girlfriend, Samantha Waters. We’re together again. Sam, this is Melissa Hendrickson, a friend and wonderful chef in town.”

Melissa chuckled and shook hands with Samantha. “An ex-chef since the family restaurant burned down. But I’m coming up with lots of ideas for future events. I’ll let you know all about it when the time comes.”

“Guess you and Ross are back in town for a while,” said Dirk.

“Yes, for a few days only. His father’s funeral is this weekend, so we’re flying back to New Jersey for it,” she said. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Samantha. I’m sure I’ll be seeing you around town. Welcome to Lilac Lake.”

As Melissa continued on her way, she burst out laughing. Like Genie Wittner told Crystal, “Just wait, and things will work out.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

When Melissa got home, she called Nettie Mancini, her friend from school. When she was in Boston with Ross’s hospitalization, it had been wonderful to reconnect. Melissa felt Nettie and her fiancé, Jason Rockwell, might be open to something new. Nettie had mentioned in a recent text that commercial leasing rates were skyrocketing in Boston, particularly in the North End.

Nettie gave her a cheerful hello and said, “How are things going with your family and the restaurant issue?”

“That’s why I’m calling,” said Melissa. “My father had a heart attack, and though he’s recovering, there’s no way my mother and he want to go back to running a restaurant. They’re going to sell what remains of it, including the liquor license and land.”

“I’m happy to hear he’s alright, but there’s no way Jason and I could afford to buy the restaurant,” said Nettie.

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