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СКАЧАТЬ auction went very well. It brought in a lot of funds.”

      “I wish Lovie could’ve been here to see her quilt produce so much money.” Melody rubbed a hand across the shiny face of her plaque. “She’s attending a grandchild’s birthday tonight.”

      Hudson took in the discussion, his admiration for Melody growing. She’d rather have recognition for a coworker than for herself. He’d been hanging around the wrong kind of women.

      “So what are you doing with yourself these days?” Ian looked at Hudson.

      “Not much.” Hudson shook his head.

      “You could join us at The Village. We could use another attorney now that our financial situation has improved.”

      “Ian, I’ve never used that law degree. I wouldn’t be of much help.” Hudson wished he had a better plan for his life, but he wasn’t interested in being a lawyer or a corporate executive. He wasn’t sure where he belonged, but he wanted an adventure of his own, not one his father had planned for him. “When the weather gets warmer, I intend to do some skydiving instructions with an outfit near here that does tandem jumps. Anyone want to give it a try?”

      Melody’s look slipped from astonishment to fear. “You skydive?”

      Hudson nodded. “I was a paratrooper in the army. Since I left the service, I’ve become a certified skydiving instructor. I missed doing that when I was working overseas, so I aim to get back into it. And I have plans to do some race-car driving.”

      “Wow! Impressive, but I’m not sure I’m that brave.” Annie chuckled.

      “Enough of this discussion.” Standing, Hudson waved a hand toward the dance floor, hoping Melody didn’t think he sounded like a spoiled rich kid. But he probably was. “There’s some good music playing, and I’ve got a beautiful woman to dance with.”

      “I’ll definitely take the dancing over the skydiving or racing cars.” Melody stood.

      Hudson chuckled as he held out his hand. “While we dance, maybe I can change your mind.” When Melody put her hand in his, the rush he felt was as good as skydiving or speeding around an oval track. How had this woman triggered his interest in such a short time? He’d better be careful or he’d be jumping without a parachute. His experience with Nicole had taught him caution when it came to women.

      “Hardly. I don’t have to leave the ground when dancing.”

      “Then, you’ve never danced the jitterbug with me.”

      “Not something I plan to do in this evening gown.”

      “Probably not.” Hudson put an arm around her as they joined the other couples dancing to a slow romantic tune.

      She looked up at him. “I have to let you know the last time I danced was at Ian and Annie’s wedding.”

      “Never fear. Just follow my lead.”

      “Easier said than done. I’m not used to following.”

      “Somehow I knew that.” Smiling, Hudson guided Melanie across the dance floor.

      “You do dance very well.”

      “I should. I had enough lessons when I was a kid. While the other boys were out playing ball, I was gliding around Miss Smithers’ dance studio with some girl I didn’t like and hating every minute.”

      Melody laughed. “Must’ve been rough being you.”

      Happy to make her laugh, Hudson let the sound wind its way into his heart. “It’s always been tough being me. I was the youngest kid with three older sisters. Three. They ganged up on me constantly.”

      “But they must’ve been a window into the lives of women.”

      “I never thought of it that way.” Hudson shook his head. “I should’ve taken notes, but sadly I didn’t. I was too young to appreciate the knowledge I could’ve gained. I was merely a nuisance to my older sisters.”

      “I can see that.”

      “You wound me, and here I thought you were a kind person.”

      She laughed again, and the sound filled his chest with warmth. He pulled her a little closer as another slow number started. For a few moments they danced without talking. He hadn’t felt this unguarded in years. This was one date he wished didn’t have to end.

       Chapter Two

      Nothing had prepared Melody for her attraction to Hudson Conrick. Did she believe in love at first sight? Never. How had that crazy question popped into her mind? With everything she had to think about tonight, her mind must be playing tricks on her. Sure he was handsome, a good dancer and a gentleman, but he also liked to skydive and race cars. Who knew what other crazy things he liked to do? No way could she be having romantic feelings about a man she’d met only a few hours ago.

      Attraction at first sight was plausible but not love.

      The music faded, and Melody gazed up at him. “I apologize, but I have to check with Adam about the silent auction now.”

      “I’ll tag along if you don’t mind.”

      “Sure.” Melody found it difficult to concentrate with Hudson by her side. Thankfully, the meeting with Adam lasted only a few minutes. As Melody and Hudson returned to their table, they received a few speculative glances from a couple of her coworkers, but she ignored them. She didn’t want to add to the conjecture.

      While the band played a lively number, Hudson tapped his foot. “Can I convince you to dance again, or do we have to stick to the slow dances?”

      Melody gripped the back of her chair as if it was a lifesaver in the sea of her own uncertainty. Would she encourage his interest if she agreed? This date contained no future commitment, and he certainly expected to dance with his date. Enjoying this time was what she needed to do, but she couldn’t let her attraction to Hudson show.

      “You seem dubious.”

      Melody’s halfhearted smile skidded into a grimace. Did she dare say what she was thinking? “Most of the men I know, including my brothers, don’t like to dance.”

      Hudson held out his hands. “Hey, what can I say? I have to make use of those lessons.”

      Melody couldn’t help laughing. “Okay. I wouldn’t want them to go to waste.”

      Hudson grabbed her hand. “And we wouldn’t want to waste this good music, either.”

      Letting the music and Hudson whirl her away, she focused on the here and now. She wouldn’t think about the future, and she wouldn’t think about the past. Tonight she would live in the moment and relish every aspect of it.

      The time with Hudson sped like one of his race cars. When the band announced the last dance, she couldn’t believe the evening was about to end. Despite her vow only to think about the present, had she let herself get too involved?

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