Page 43 of A Family Affair: The Ring
“So, this is just about a hookup?”
“Don’t say that.”It was more about satisfying a hunger that had been plaguing him for eight years.A hookup was impersonal, usually unplanned, at least that’s how he saw it.What he wanted to do with Melanie was very personal and he’d been thinking about it for a long time…probably years…
“Why not call it that?You aren’t going to give us another chance.You just want to have sex with me.”She stood, crossed her arms over her chest.“Nice play, Will.Very enticing.I’m sure those lines do the trick every time.”
“Stop it.”He wished just once he didn’t have to explain himself to her.Why did she always have to question and dig until she ferreted out the truth?She wanted the truth?Sure, he’d give it to her, but she might not like it.“I came here tonight because I figured it was time to stop playing games.There’s still this thing between us and it’s real whether you want to admit it or not.”He waited for her to deny what he’d said and when she didn’t he added the rest, the part she probablydidn’twant to hear.“But as for picking up where we left off and starting over, having a night or two together turn into anything more?I’m not your guy.”
“Get out.”Melanie pointed toward the door, hissed.“Get out now and stay away from me.”
Melanie hadn’t seenWill in two days.Had she really expected him to forgive her and give them another chance?Open up and pick up where they’d been years ago…only better?Yes, part of herhadwished for that, hoped and wondered, but now she knew.He might want her, and he probably would have slept with her if she hadn’t said anything about trust and another chance.But to trust her?To give her his heart again?No, that was not going to happen, and it was time to accept it.
There’d always been life before the breakup and life after.The life after had been consumed with regret, sadness and a refusal to acknowledge he’d never be a part of her world again.Well, it wasn’t happening and while she wanted his forgiveness, that probably wasn’t going to happen either.Still, she’d accomplished what she’d come to Magdalena to do: apologized, attempted to make amends, practically begged his forgiveness and admitted how wrong she’d been.
What happened now was not on her.Grandma Esther had once saidyou can’t control another person’s actions.You can only control your own.It was time to move on because to remain in this limbo would only make her continue to destroy any possibility of a decent future.
A future that did not include Will Callahan, no matter how much she may have secretly hoped it would.
Tess stopped over a few times, noticed Melanie’s quietness.Are you okay?she’d asked.Not yet, but I will be.It hadn’t been necessary to add Will’s name to the reason for her subdued state because Tess knew all about heartache and had no doubt surmised an ex-fiancé was involved.
If Melanie were going to look at her future without the existence of the only man she’d ever truly loved, then it was at least good to know he didn’t feel the same way about her.And if by some unlikely chance hedidfeel the same, he wasn’t going to risk getting hurt again.There was a certain comfort and peace in that knowledge.Now she could continue to sort through her grandma’s belongings and decide what she wanted to do with the rest of her life.Tess had mentioned several times that she’d love to have Melanie as a neighbor.Wouldn’t it be great if we were just a yard away?You’ve got such a sense of humor and Cash does love knowing there’s a nurse next door.Would you consider buying your grandmother’s house?
Oh, yes, she’d thought about it, but that was when she’d also hoped Will might be a part of her life.Deep in her soul, she’d pictured them in a remodeled version of this house, with a swing set in the backyard, a flower pollinator garden with zinnias, cosmos, bee balm, and a life filled with joy and promise.But that was never going to happen, at least not with Will Callahan.Could she live in this house and remain in Magdalena knowing that one day she’d walk into Lina’s Café or Barbara’s Boutique & Bakery, maybe the park, and see Will with another woman.And if she tormented herself further, the woman wore a wedding ring, her belly swollen with his child…
It was too much and while he would no doubt eventually marry and have children, she did not have to witness it.City life had lost its sparkle years ago.The rush and excitement of the emergency room had dimmed, and after weeks of quiet she realized she wanted a slower pace.Neededa slower pace.There were many opportunities and not just in her profession, but in her choice of a place to settle down.Small-town living might appear boring and lackluster and at first it might not appear as though it offered much, but why did a person always need more when they could open their eyes and realize they had enough?
Renova was a short distance away and past that was another town, a bit larger with a hospital that had just added a new pediatric ward.Maybe she’d drive there tomorrow and check out the town.If she liked it, she could contact the hospital about job openings.Why not?It was worth a look, wasn’t it?The upside of working so much and playing so little meant that she still had a sizable savings and time to figure out where she wanted to be.One place she couldn’t live was in Grandma Esther’s house and the sooner she finished her work here, the sooner her father could sell the house.
Once Melanie realized Magdalena and Will Callahan would not be part of her future, she began to organize Grandma Esther’s house with the intent to donate, clean up, and gift her belongings.She’d contacted Mimi Pendergrass and asked if the Bleeding Hearts Society might need furniture, household items, pots and pans, blankets and sheets as well as clothing.We’ll take whatever you have to offer,Mimi had said.There are always those who can use a hand during a difficult time.
Melanie had just delivered a box of books to the library—inhercar since she’d had Cash return Will’s yesterday—and was about to load up more bags for the Bleeding Hearts Society.This time, she’d offered up Grandma Esther’s clothing items: shoes and coats, boots and sweaters…This is so kind of you, Mimi had said when she’d begun making drop-offs to the group.Your grandmother would be so happy and if you ever want to attend one of our meetings, you’re always welcome.Her blue eyes had misted, and she’d clasped Melanie’s hands.For however long you’re here.We sure are going to miss you.
Melanie would miss these people too.Friends she hadn’t known she had or had inherited from her grandmother’s good deeds.In Pittsburgh, there were work friends and the neighbors on either side of her who said hello and occasionally picked up her packages when she wasn’t home.But other than that?She didn’t have conversations with the grocery store clerk or dry cleaner, and never the delivery person.What was the name of the stylist who cut her hair?Tina?Tawny?
Conversations were casual, surface talk not meant to elicit curiosityoremotion.Don’t ask personal questions and others won’t ask personal questions about you.That had been her philosophy, yet it had done nothing but alienate her from the city that could be brimming with potential friendships as well as acquaintances.Would it have been so horrible to ask about the magnetic photo of the little boy on her hair stylist’s mirror?Or how old the schnauzer next door was when it was obvious the owner adored the dog?Alec had tried to introduce her to friends in his neighborhood, even wanted to take her to the small town in Ohio where he’d grown up...but she’d refused.Too busy.Too soon.Too personal.
She would miss Tess and Cash, Harry and Pop, Mimi and...everyone.
Especially Will Callahan.
Melanie had loaded three bags of Grandma Esther’s belongings when the man who’d haunted her for eight years pulled into her driveway, hopped out and strode toward her, his expression grim.
“Going somewhere?”
“What are you doing here?”
Will Callahan ignored the question, pointed to the backseat of her car.“What’s all this?”
“I’m donating some of my grandmother’s belongings to the Bleeding Hearts Society.Mimi said they can always use the donations.”
The brackets around his mouth deepened, his jaw twitched as though he didn’t like that answer.“I hear you’ve been unloading the place.I thought you were going to take your time?”That blue gaze narrowed on her, the tone accusing.“Honor your grandmother?”
The man had avoided her for days and now he showed up and thought he had the right to question her?“Iamhonoring her in a way I think she’d want.I’ve donated books to the library, I’m delivering clothes and household items to the Bleeding Hearts Society as well as anything else that might help someone.Mimi has the names of two families who could use a bedroom set, so...”She fisted her hands on her hips, stared at him.“I’ve accomplished what I set out to do, which is honor my grandmother and have closure with you.”Melanie didn’t try to hide the annoyance surging through her.“And I see no point in staying longer than necessary.”
“You think we have closure?”He moved toward her, stopped when he was a touch away.“You think we’re done?”
Melanie stepped back, out of reach.“I think we’ve been done; I just needed to understand it.”
He muttered a curse under his breath, rubbed the back of his neck.“I have something to say to you and I prefer not to spit it out in the driveway.”
