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      “Maybe you should find out. People are people. How can you make a judgment without getting to know me?”

      “I don’t want to go down a road that wouldn’t be good for either of us. Tonight was wonderful, but this has to be it.” Melody gritted her teeth, wishing he would listen to reason, but his mentioning her judgment went right to her guilt. Was she too critical? But this wasn’t all about his money. She couldn’t forget his love of skydiving and car races—dangerous activities that took lives. She couldn’t be with a man who took such risks.

      “I won’t take no for an answer.”

      “Please don’t make this difficult. It’s not just because you come from wealth and I don’t. You like to live on the edge and I like to play it safe. How can that be a good combination?”

      “It might be fun to find out.”

      Melody let out an exasperated sigh. “You don’t give up, do you?”

      “Not when I want something.” Hudson’s look could cut steel. “I won’t press you anymore tonight, but you haven’t heard the last of me, Ms. Hammond.”

      “I’ll take that as a warning, Mr. Conrick.”

      “James, I’ll be walking Ms. Hammond to the door.”

      Again the driver seemed to materialize out of thin air. He opened the door. Hudson stepped out and extended his hand to Melody. She braced herself against her reaction to his touch as she took his hand. She didn’t want to like the way her hand felt in his, but she did. She didn’t want to like anything about tonight, but she did. She didn’t want to think about Hudson kissing her good-night, but she did. She couldn’t let that kiss happen, no matter what she wanted.

      When they stepped onto her porch, Melody quickly snatched her keys from her purse and unlocked her door. She turned to look up at him, another lump forming in her throat. Her head was telling her to run and run fast, but her heart told her to take a chance. She couldn’t listen to her heart. “I can’t thank you enough for being my escort and for your support.”

      That lazy smile reappeared. “Sure you can. You can go out with me again.”

      Melody clenched her fist around her purse strap. She would not give in. She would stand her ground no matter how captivating his smile was. She would not take a chance on another man determined to pursue something dangerous, especially when it had no redeeming value. “I’m sorry, Hudson. The answer is no. Please don’t ask me again.”

      “I’m not going to make promises I can’t keep.” Hudson leaned closer, almost close enough to kiss her.

      “Thanks again. Good night.” Her heart pounding, she ducked inside as his good-night was lost in the closing of her door.

      Melody watched through the sidelight window while Hudson strode away without a backward glance. Her wobbly legs failed to move an inch. She put her fingertips to her lips where he’d almost planted a kiss. Her pulse raced as she stood there until the taillights of the limousine faded from her view. She couldn’t let his persuasive words, his handsome face or his generous nature change her determination not to go out with him again.

      * * *

      The redbrick buildings of the former college gave a stately air to The Village of Hope campus. Even the grays of winter didn’t take away from the beauty as Hudson parked his car near the administration offices. How would Melody react when she saw him? He’d spent the past four days trying not to think about her, but her image plagued his thoughts.

      Maybe his ego had taken a hit when she’d refused to go out with him again. He wasn’t used to women turning him down. But he was wary of female motives no matter the circumstances. Too often they were looking at his bank account and not at him. Melody certainly had reason to see him as a dollar sign even if her interest wasn’t personal.

      He wanted another date with her, and he would find a way to get one. But first, he had other things to accomplish. After a little research, he’d discovered that they were still taking bids for the women’s shelter project. Winning that bid was his goal.

      Hudson and Carter Duncan, the general manager and numbers guy from the construction division of Conrick Industries, walked into the impressive reception area with its shiny marble floor and the two-story ceiling. A smiling silver-haired woman sat behind the massive reception desk. “Good morning. May I help you?”

      “Good morning, Lovie. I’m Hudson Conrick, and this is my colleague, Carter Duncan.” Hudson motioned toward the short stocky man with the thinning brown hair who stood nearby. “We have an appointment with Adam Bailey and Melody Hammond.”

      Lovie’s brow wrinkled. “How do you know my name?”

      Hudson pointed toward the little gold bar pinned to her jacket. “It says so right there on your name tag.”

      Lovie shook her head. “You can’t fool me. You said my name before you were close enough to read it.”

      “Okay. You’ve got me.” Hudson chuckled. “I heard about you and your quilt the other night at the fund-raiser.”

      Clapping her hands together, Lovie beamed. “So wonderful what the Lord can do with a little bit of nothing.”

      “I saw your quilt. That wasn’t a little bit of nothing. It was a lot of work. A true work of art and love.” Hudson leaned on the raised counter of the reception desk.

      “Thank you. I am proud of it and so happy I was able to help The Village.” Lovie blushed as she reached for the phone. “I’ll let Adam know you’re on your way to his office, which is down the hallway to the left.”

      “Thanks.” Hudson nodded, then fell into step with Carter as they made their way around the corner.

      “I sure hope you know what you’re doing. I wouldn’t want to make your father unhappy with this venture.” Carter frowned as he slowed his step and turned to Hudson.

      Hudson stopped, taking in the worry in Carter’s eyes. “I told you this project will be mine. I’m prepared to take this whole endeavor on my shoulders. You don’t have to be concerned about a thing.”

      “I’ll hold you to that.”

      “Your part is to help me get the numbers I need. I want to be armed with as much information as possible when I confront my father.”

      Carter shook his head as they continued on their way. “Better you than me. Besides, I’d sure like it if this project saved my job.”

      Their footsteps sounded loud in the quiet hallway as Hudson tried not to think about his dad’s reaction to this undertaking. He had heard rumors that the construction side of the business wasn’t doing well. Carter’s statement made it a certainty. Hudson would like nothing better than to save the jobs of all those involved. Before they reached their destination, Adam stepped into the hallway. “Good to see you again, Mr. Conrick.”

      Hudson shook hands, then made introductions. Adam ushered them into his office. Hudson glanced around the Spartan space until his gaze rested on Melody. Although she smiled as she greeted them, she didn’t look happy to be there. Was she still wishing to avoid him?

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