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СКАЧАТЬ question.” Hudson jiggled the ice cubes in his glass as if he would find an answer there. “I work wherever he sends me. I’ve spent the last year in the Middle East looking out for our oil interests. I’ve only been back in the States for a few weeks. My mother insisted that I come home for Christmas.”

      Melody’s stomach roiled at the mention of that region of the world. So much trouble. So much misery. So many deaths. “I’m sure your mother was happy.”

      Hudson nodded as he smiled wryly. “Yes, and I managed to stay on my father’s good side for all of Christmas Day. You might as well know that my presence at your fund-raiser tonight is all about pleasing him.”

      There it was—the ulterior motive. Pleasing his daddy. As reasons went, that one wasn’t all bad. At least Hudson was honest about why he was her escort. She realized she was judging the man again. Maybe his daddy was a real reprobate and staying out of his way was a matter of wisdom. She stared at her glass of ice water. Why couldn’t she put her critical attitude on ice? “I’m glad you could join us this evening.”

      “Me, too. It’s been a while since I’ve had the pleasure of going out with a beautiful woman.” Hudson’s gaze didn’t waver as he looked at her.

      Melody produced another smile that she feared came across as pretentious as his flattery. How did she acknowledge it? Believe he was sincere? “Thank you for sharing your evening with me and contributing to this very worthy cause.”

      He set his glass in the cup holder. “Tell me more about The Village of Hope.”

      “Sure.” Melody took a deep breath, wondering whether a wealthy man could begin to understand what it was like to be poor or down on your luck and without resources. “It’s a multifaceted ministry. We provide shelter for women who have fled an abusive situation or women who need a helping hand while they recover from addictions. As you know, we provide legal help for those who can’t afford it. We have a dozen children’s homes for abused, neglected or orphaned children. The Village has a nursing facility and an assisted living center. We also have job counseling and job training.”

      “Amazing. I had no idea The Village had so many programs. My father only told me about the women’s ministry.” Hudson laced his fingers behind his head. “Do you have a rehab center?”

      Melody shook her head. “We help folks after they’ve been through rehab to get back on track with their lives. Many facilities send their clients to us after they’ve completed their program.”

      “Looks as though we’re at the hotel.” Hudson slid toward the door.

      “The dinner’s in the main ballroom.” Melody wrapped the pashmina around her shoulders.

      After the limo stopped, a doorman immediately opened the door. Hudson stepped out and extended his hand to her. “Ready for a wonderful evening?”

      Her heart racing, she placed her hand in his as he helped her out. The callouses on his palm surprised her. She had expected to feel no signs of physical work. “I’m looking forward to it.”

      Hudson tipped the doorman, and Melody guessed from the expression on the doorman’s face that the tip had been very generous. As they entered the lobby, he smiled down at her. That and the warmth of his hand sent a little shiver up her arm and down her spine. Attraction. Should she be feeling it? A sedan, not a sports car. That was what she wanted, but maybe she should enjoy the sports car just for tonight.

      While they walked through the lobby toward the ballroom, Hudson slipped her arm through his. For a moment, Melody felt like a princess on the arm of her prince. People turned to look at them. She glanced up at him. Gorgeous didn’t begin to describe the man. No wonder people stopped to stare. He seemed oblivious to their interest. Did he expect the attention, or was he really a down-to-earth, modest guy?

      There was a lot to learn about Hudson Paine Conrick, the Fourth. So far she’d only scratched the surface. Did she want to know him better? What did it matter? After tonight his obligation would be over, and she would probably never see him again. Their circles didn’t intersect.

      Surveying the area, Melody hoped to see someone from The Village, but few people had arrived yet. As the chandeliers sparkled overhead, she wished Ian and his wife, Annie, could be at their table to help with the date Ian had arranged for her, but folks who worked at The Village would be scattered throughout the ballroom in order to talk to the donors.

      Melody glanced at her ticket. “We’re at table four.”

      Hudson raised his eyebrows. “I thought a very important person like you would be at table one.”

      “We’re right in front of the speakers. So we’re at a VIP table.” Melody waved a hand toward the front.

      As she made her way across the ballroom, she stopped to introduce Hudson to folks she knew from area churches. With great ease, he engaged them in conversation. He seemed to know someone or something that related to every person he spoke to. He should be the fund-raiser instead of her.

      After they found their seats, Melody set her wrap on her chair. “I hope you don’t mind if I leave you here while I check on a few things.”

      “Trying to get rid of me already?” He grinned as he pulled out his chair.

      “No. I wouldn’t want to miss another ride in that limo.”

      He chuckled as he waved her away. “Do what you have to do. I know this evening is more business than pleasure for you.”

      “Thanks. I won’t be long.” Striding toward the doors at the back of the room without a backward glance, she hoped his jovial manner meant he was teasing. Despite their congenial conversation on the ride over and his seemingly pragmatic attitude, being with him put her nerves on edge. She didn’t want to do anything to alienate the man. Although the folks in attendance tonight had already made a substantial donation, the object of the event was to convince many of them to make their support ongoing.

      Melody hated fund-raising—begging people for money. She struggled with that part of working for a nonprofit entity. Doing cartwheels across the ballroom might be easier. A smile and a prayer would get her through the evening.

      * * *

      Hudson had never met a woman who could walk in heels and an evening gown as fast as Melody. She’d raced away as if some evil force was chasing her. Despite her statement to the contrary, maybe she really was trying to get away from him.

      What was it about her that had him second-guessing himself? He usually had to fight women off, although most of them were only interested in his money and the status a relationship with his family would bring. During college, he’d fallen hard for one of those women. Nicole Griffin had fooled him into thinking she loved him, but she’d only wanted to marry a man with influence and wealth. Thanks to his sister Elizabeth, he’d found out before he’d made a big mistake and married Nicole.

      Sometimes he wished he could be anonymous. He wanted to be liked for himself and not his connection to the Conrick millions.

      Hudson had promised himself that his presence here tonight would end the bowing and scraping to his father’s wishes. He wanted to prove to his dad that he could be his own man and not have to depend on the family business. How could he make his father understand? He could thank his money and Ian for one thing. Melody Hammond. When he’d knocked on her door and found a beautiful СКАЧАТЬ