Page 80 of Love's Home Run

“No, I trust you to be honest with me,” she said.

“It’s why I waited to see how you and Dirk were doing together before letting you know I was interested.” He grinned. “Iaminterested, you know.”

“Really?” She gave him a saucy smile, and he lowered his lips to hers.

They both got into their bathing suits and headed downstairs.

Jenn greeted them with glasses of iced tea for each. “Time to relax and enjoy ourselves after a grueling day. Later, we can have a light supper. I know you’re getting up early to catch a flight home.”

“Friends of mine are coming to Lilac Lake to talk about a business prospect, and Mondays and Tuesdays are the easiest days of the week for them to get away.”

“Melissa wants to be able to offer some gourmet dinners from time to time or do some catering. Anything to keep her hand in cooking,” explained Ross.

“Hey, all! Come on in! The water’s great,” called Jack from the pool.

Ross turned and jumped into the water.

Jenn took Melissa by the arm and led her away from the water. “What’s going on with you two?”

Melissa sighed, unable to hide a note of frustration. “I’m not sure. We know we’re interested in each other. That’s as far as it’s gone.”

Jenn frowned. “I don’t know why I should be anxious about it, but Ross has had other relationships that went nowhere, and I think you and he are perfect together.”

Was that what was happening here? A relationship going nowhere?Rather than fall back into her old insecurities, Melissa observed Ross and Jack horseplay in the water and remembered Crystal’s advice.

Jenn put an arm around her. “Don’t pay any attention to me. Jack tells me to mind my own business. I’ll just stay out of it.”

Melissa smiled at her, even as her thoughts spun.

Ross called to her, and Melissa approached the pool's edge. “How’s the water?”

“Fantastic. Come on in,” said Ross. “Jack and I won’t splash you. I promise.”

Melissa went to the steps at the shallow end and walked into the pool, gasping when the cool water covered her. Then she settled on a step, letting the air dry her off.

Ross sat down beside her. “I’m happy you’re here. It meant a lot to have you support me as I was speaking about my father. The fact that he liked you so much made it all seem natural. You know what I mean?”

“I do, and I’m glad to be here with you.”

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Later, as she and Jenn made sandwiches in the kitchen, they found a lot to talk about.

“Jack and I will try to come to Lilac Lake for a visit. Maybe in the fall when all the colors are out on the trees,” said Jenn.

“A leaf-peeper, huh?” said Melissa, chuckling with Jenn. She hoped that if anything tore apart her relationship with Ross, she and Jenn could somehow be friends. Jenn was like the big sister she’d always wanted.

They carried the tray of sandwiches, chips, pickles, and cookies out to the patio.

“Enjoy, everyone,” said Jenn, setting her food tray on the large round table where they had gathered.

Though Melissa liked the idea of being part of this family, she understood she’d have to wait to see if or how she fit in. As Crystal had suggested recently, time would give her the answer.

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

Back in Lilac Lake, Melissa felt on firmer ground thinking of her career and what she hoped to do in the future. She met with Crystal and reviewed the pros and cons of Crystal selling the café and forming a partnership with her. They had no idea if Jason and Nettie would agree to their idea.

“Selling the café to be something other than it already is doesn’t work for me,” said Crystal. “I feel as if I owe it to everyone in town to keep providing them with breakfast and lunch and tea for all their support over the last several years.”

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