I’m scared.
She could admit it to herself. Melvina lay in bed staring into the darkness with Humphrey at her feet and Leo at her head. She thought about Riley’s words. They’d had a great day and she really enjoyed her time with him. On the other hand, she’d liked Manny for so long….
She recalled when she was a teen, a friend of Pop’s said women are like monkeys because they couldn’t let go of one man until they had a hold of another.
At the time it had made her so mad….
Isn’t that exactly what I’m doing?
She was holding onto both men until she’d worked out her own feelings. Riley was handsome, sexy and dynamic and yet he was also loving and caring about his family. But all the excitement he’d brought to her life was overwhelming. Then there was Manny—good looking, grounded, salt-of-the-earth. She’d pined after him for years. She’d known him forever and knew where the future would take her. Manny was everything she’d ever wanted in a man—until Riley snuck into her life.
What am I going to do?
Melvina tossed and turned for hours until Humphrey finally got off the bed with a huff. She slept in patches until five a.m. and got up to make tea and take a shower before work. She needed to bake rolls today and make sure she brought her A game on Sunday night. The contest was just a week away and Melvina was determined to nail it. The Magnolias were putting up a prize, but since she was a Blossom, technically she couldn’t win cash. She would designate a charity to receive the money, which would be split between the library and the mentor program she wanted to develop.
She also needed to carve out some time to see Stanley. She needed an affidavit from him stating that the documents she submitted to the IRS for the Blossoms were the same ones that she’d checked figures for and that anything filed after that was added by a third party and didn’t reflect on her accounting or the Magnolia Blossoms. She also wanted him to look over her own account figures and see what he thought about her investment portfolio. She had been putting ten percent of her checks away for twenty years. She never touched it and acted as if it didn’t exist. It must have amounted to something by now. She should look at her quarterly statements, but she usually tossed them in a cubbyhole in her desk and forgot about them. If it was enough for a down payment, maybe he could help her draft a business plan for a bakery.
Pop was in his office when she arrived. “Early morning for you, Melvina.”
She sat across from her father’s desk in the tattered chair with its peeling upholstery around the arms. “I couldn’t sleep, and I wanted to put some bread in the oven early. We’ll have a bunch of rolls today, so you may want to tell Darcey to add it to the specials.”
He lowered his reading glasses, looking at her with concern. “What’s got you up at night? Is your back still hurting you?”
Melvina thought about it. “Actually no, I’ve never felt better. Maybe that pill Mona gave me did the trick.” Melvina tried not to smile as she thought of the other pill Mona had given her, leading to the hot night she shared with Riley.
Pop nodded. “Good. Glad to hear it. Well, the customers will be happy today. The whole town loves your fresh dinner rolls. Does this have anything to do with that Hot Buns Competition?”
Melvina couldn’t suppress a grin. She put her hands up. “That was not my idea. That was all Celia’s, or wait, maybe it was Riley’s. Celia wanted to do the calendar, but I think it was Riley Nash who challenged me to a bake-off. The buns part seemed like a perfect fit for the contest.”
“Naturally.” Pop grinned, holding his chin between his thumb and index finger.
Melvina waved a hand at him as she got up from the chair. “I don’t have time to play Tease Melvina,” she said in an airy voice. “I’ve got work to do.”
Her father’s chuckle followed her down the hall on her way to the kitchen. She stepped into the cooler to grab the necessary ingredients: butter, yeast culture, milk, eggs. The live culture needed to be fed and then come to room temperature. She loved its beer-like smell. It was her secret ingredient. Her homegrown yeast had been fermenting more than fifteen years.
As the second batch of rolls came out at lunchtime, Melvina put the five trays in the warmers except for two dozen rolls that she placed in breadbaskets and carted out to the guests. With a pair of metal tongs, she placed a free roll on every plate that wanted one. Everyone wanted one. She saw some of the guys from the fire station and walked over to say hello.
“Do any of you men want hot dinner rolls?” She smiled at the eager pleas that ensued.
“Melvina, you are going to wipe the floor with that fancy city-boy chef,” one called out after taking a big bite of the butter-laden roll.
“I might take offense to that,” a voice said behind her. Melvina’s heart did a flip-flop as she recognized the smooth baritone of the fancy city-boy chef himself. A zing of excitement played with her emotions as she turned to see Riley’s smiling face.
“You guys know my brother is a fireman, right? I’m a supporter of the cause, so go easy now. I love the pretty lady’s baked goods as much as the next patron, but let’s just have a taste and see.”
Melvina held out the tongs and dropped a roll in his proffered hand.
Riley moaned with pleasure. “Well, gentleman, I clearly have my work cut out for me, but don’t count me out just yet. My great-great-grandma’s recipe has been passed down for generations and I have a secret ingredient in mine that I bet Melvina doesn’t.”
Guffaws and different renditions of no-way and not-gonna-happen flew up from the table of firefighters.
Melvina laughed. “I love you guys. Feed hungry men every day and they will always have your back.”
Riley chuckled. “Well I can’t argue with that. I’m a bit the same. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for a good woman who’s beautiful and cooks like an angel.” His comments were followed by a lot of “that’s right,” and “Amen.” Riley shook a few hands, did a high five and one fist bump to the youngest guy at the table.
Melvina’s cheeks flamed with all the praise. “Why, thank you. I guess I better get on to serving the rest of these rolls before they get cold. She laid one basket in the center of the table for the firemen before making a round of the remaining tables. Riley took a seat at the counter. Melvina grabbed the coffeepot and a pitcher of sweet tea, making her way to where he sat. Darcey was busy taking orders at the other end of the restaurant, and the new girl was on break.
Melvina held up the carafe. “Coffee, tea?”
“You’re missing the or me in that sentence.” Darcey returned, swinging behind the counter and bumping Melvina with her hip. The saucy waitress bent over, looking for a pack of straws to fill her apron pocket. Darcey winked at Melvina as she stood, then spun around before Melvina could chastise her.
Riley choked back a chuckle. “Don’t be mad at her. I was thinking it, but too afraid to ask, but since she brought it up.” He motioned to Darcey making her way to retrieve orders at the window. “I didn’t come for lunch. I want to take you out.”
“Say yes!” Darcey called back before Melvina could find her voice.
Melvina rolled her eyes at the constant interruptions, whispering low. “I swear one day I will fire her big mouth.” Turning her attention back to Riley’s expectant expression, she said, “You mean now?”
Riley smiled. “Whenever you are ready, willing, and able. I can help bus tables if it gets you out of here sooner.”
Melvina looked around at the full restaurant and shook her head. “There’s no way I can get out of here. The new girl isn’t ready yet and I’ve got rolls in the oven.”
“I can help with that too. What do you want me to do?”
Melvina sighed with exasperation. “You know, if I didn’t know any better, I would think you were trying to steal my secret roll recipe. There is no way I’m letting you into my kitchen,” she teased, smacking a towel down on the counter to wipe an empty space for the next guest.
Riley made a mock face of shock. “What? I showed you mine, and now you refuse to show me yours.” The patrons in the near vicinity chortled.
Melvina wondered how to get him out of her hair so she could get back to work. She couldn’t think straight when she was in his too-handsome presence.
“Oh, for the love of God, show him yours, before I show him mine,” Darcey hooted as she saddled up beside Melvina, putting her elbows on the counter, which pushed her cleavage up in the deep V of her uniform top. The cheeky waitress smiled at Riley with a bold wink. Looking up at Melvina from her bent position with an innocent bat of her lashes, she added, “We got it here. Ginny is doing great and the guys love her North Carolina accent. What are you waiting for, Melvina, a marriage proposal? Take this man to the kitchen or better yet, bed.”
Melvina stared daggers at Darcey for the scene she was causing. Untying her apron, Melvina threw it under the counter. “I’m taking an hour break, but when I get back, this place better be runnin’ tiptop or I’m making you work Friday and Saturday night, ya hear?” As she came out from around the counter, she motioned for Riley to follow her out. A grand cheer went up from the restaurant.
For a moment, he thought stopping by Pop’s was a lost cause. He hadn’t really wanted to see the kitchen. He had worked in dozens of cafés like Pop’s growing up. He just couldn’t quit thinking about Melvina. Though he knew he should step away and let her decide who she wanted, there was a part of him that saw a great thing and didn’t want to lose it.
He picked up his pace, rushing to hold the door open for Melvina as they exited Pop’s. He always held the door for ladies, even the ones who bristled about it.
“Where to?” Melvina sounded matter of fact as he led her to his black Infiniti parked behind the café.
“Do we really only have an hour?” he asked, closing the passenger door for her.
She looked thoughtful, then asked. “That depends. Are we going someplace fun?”
He nodded with sage authority as he slipped into the driver’s seat. “Oh yeah, It’s more than fun. It’s soulful, and if you don’t like it, well then I have obviously picked the wrong woman.”
Melvina laughed. “Then drive on, Mr. Nash. I am dying to see what you call soulful, but I’ve got to warn you. I’ve never considered church fun.”
“Who said anything about church?”
He hit the gas as they sped out of the lot and made their way to the two-forty-nine. Riley activated the GPS on his phone and then they exited, turning toward Austin on the backroads.
“Somehow, I think I’ll be calling Eli to go check on the girls. This seems like it might be a long way. Should I have brought my overnight bag?”
“Naw, we’re almost there, but what a great idea. Ran’s band plays up in Austin a lot. We could make a night of it and stay at the Driskill, grab dinner at the Salty Sow.” He grinned at her, hoping to entice her to say yes.
Melvina scrutinized his profile, trying to see if he was teasing. “Is that really a restaurant?”
“Hell yeah, best duck fat French fries ever. I love that place. White tablecloths, champagne, braised pork belly, and they make the best chocolate cake you’ve ever had outside of my momma’s Christmas recipe.”
She held her hands to her ears. “Stop, you’re making me drool.”
“Don’t worry. If you like, I’ll take you there one night.”
“Well, you haven’t told me what this is. Will I survive it? You aren’t taking me out in the middle of nowhere to leave my dead body in a shallow grave, are you? Seems like we’ve come a long way.”
He reached over and patted her knee. “Almost there, I promise.”
They pulled down a gravel drive and through a massive iron gate that stood open. The bronc horse over the entrance boasted Remington Ranch. Melvina looked out the window and her expression was one of pure joy. Riley thought of her reaction when she saw all his horses. He knew she loved animals. He had met Humphrey and Leo. Riley remembered Humphrey carrying around the lingerie in his mouth and smiled. He really liked that dog.
He stopped the car in the large circular drive, and a woman about his grandmother’s age stepped onto the porch. She was dressed in country casual, but the press of her clothes said dry clean only rather than barn work worthy. It was a working ranch, but at her age, someone else was doing most of the work.
Riley moved around to open Melvina’s door when a slew of basset hound puppies poured out of the front door along with a boy of about nine or ten. Melvina’s breath caught in audible surprise and it was just the reaction Riley had hoped for. She squealed a little bit as she bent down to rub all of their downy heads. They clamored around her, a few nipping at her feet and the tail of her shirt.
“Oh my, they are beautiful! Can I hold one?” She looked up at the boy standing over the litter.
The freckle-faced imp nodded with an irresistible grin. “You can take ’em all home if you want. They’re tearing up everything ‘round here. Except this one. He held up the smallest pup. “He’s gonna stay with me. He’s the littlest like my baby brother, Todd, and my dad says we little guys got to watch out for each other.”
Riley’s heart tripped as he watched Melvina smile at the boy with warmth and understanding.
Melvina held the fattest female in her arms, kissing its head and cooing. She looked up at Riley with pretend anger. He knew it was fake, because she couldn’t quit smiling. “Riley, you don’t fight fair. I don’t need another dog. Humphrey will be jealous.”
He bent down next to her, petting the lemon-colored female pup she was holding. “Well, see, I talked to Humphrey the other day and he told me he wanted a friend. Someone he could dress up in those strings you got from your pal, Mona,” he chuckled.
Melvina shook her head. “Oh no, then we would have puppies!” she exclaimed.
Riley smiled at her use of we. “Well, what if I’d like to share a house full of basset hound puppies with you?”
Oh lordy! What do I say to that?
The woman on the porch hollered for the little boy to come inside and then called out to them, “We’ll be inside filling out the papers, so you guys come on in once you’ve picked the ones you want.”
“Ones?” Melvina looked at Riley, wide eyed.
“Yeah, I figured Humphrey would like a buddy, but I wanted you to agree first and then I also wanted to pick one out for the boys. Though if my sister raises hell over it, I might just take the puppy myself, but I don’t think it’ll happen. Those boys need a dog. It’s been two years since their old Blue Heeler passed, and it’s time they had a pup.”
Melvina smiled, holding the sleeping pup to her chest. “Well, I’ve picked mine, so I guess you need to pick out one for the boys. You truly are a wonderful uncle. I hope Lexi doesn’t tan your hide.” She shook her head with doubt.
He nodded, stood and walked over to a grassy area where the other pups had scrambled to play and roll around. Bending down, he scooped up a mostly black with a touch of white male and held him up for inspection. “Buddy, you are one lucky pup. Those kids are gonna love you to pieces. Lexi, too.”
Melvina held one puppy on her lap while the other snoozed on a blanket in the box at her feet. They drove out to deliver the male pup to Lexi and the boys together. She was touched Riley wanted to include her in this moment with his family, but worried she was intruding. Her heart did a flip-flop when they pulled up to the house and the boys tumbled out the door. Riley had called ahead to warn his sister they were coming and that he had a gift for the boys, but that’s all he divulged.
Melvina laughed as the boys swung the passenger side door open, squealing with delight. The poor puppy she had named Lulu squealed a little herself, afraid of all the excitement. The male Riley had picked shot out of the box, and the boys were rolling in the grass with him instantly. Melvina calmed Lulu with soothing endearments then set her down on the grass. She chuckled as she watched the pup lope toward her littermate.
“Riley James Nash, you didn’t!” Lexi stood at the door in her favorite pink sweats, one hand on her hips and the other waving a wooden spoon.
Melvina made an O with her mouth, looking at Riley to gauge his response. “Looks like you’re in trouble now,” she whispered.
“I know. She’s armed for battle, and trust me, I’ve been on the receiving end of that spoon before.”
Melvina whistled and shook her head as she envisioned Lexi tearing after him.
Riley scratched his brow, looking like he was planning his defense. “Lexi, you know it’s past time, and if I waited for you to say yes, these kids would never get a dog.”
“That’s not true, Riley. Who’s going to potty train this dog, feed it, pick up after it? I’ve got my hands full enough as it is, and you know how hard it was losing—” Lexi’s words broke off as she watched the boys play. She looked like she was going to cry, but Melvina wasn’t sure if it was over the memory of their dog, Captain, that died, her deceased husband, Jack, or the look of pure joy on her children’s faces. Maybe it was all three.
Riley used the moment to drive his point home. “Look at them. They need a dog. It will teach them responsibility, kindness for animals and they’re big enough to help. I’ll stay on them if they don’t. Ain’t that right, boys?”
They all clamored around their mother, holding up the puppies to show her.
Little Damien wrung his hands. “Please, Momma!” he whined while Gus and Bert rambled on that one of the pups was for Melvina and they would only keep the other one.
Lexi’s shoulders slumped and she shook her head in defeat. “Now that there’s no way to say no, you get to come in and finish dinner and bathe the boys. I’m going to go take a hot bath and try to ease the migraine you’ve given me. I hope you brought puppy chow and lots of newspapers!”
Lexi waved them into the house before leaving them all in the kitchen.
Melvina looked at Riley, “Is she okay?”
Riley blew out a breath, “She will be. I didn’t think she would get this emotional about it, but I know Lexi. She’ll come ‘round.” Looking at the boys he said, “Y’all get in the bath and get washed up. I’ll be around to check on you in a minute. Then I’ll see if there’s something good in the cupboard for dessert!”
Gus looked at Riley, crestfallen, “What about the puppy, Uncle Riley? We haven’t even named him yet.”
Riley leaned against the counter. “There’ll be time enough for namin’ later. Bath time first, then dinner. Trust me.” He bent down to scratch the black and white male behind the ears. “This puppy’s gonna be ‘round for a long time. So take time coming up with the best name you can.”
That got the troops moving. All three heads bobbed as they made their way down the hallway spouting out names as if it were a game they could win. Both pups sat staring up at Melvina as Riley herded the boys into the bathroom and got the water running.
“Don’t look at me. I named you already,” she said to the lemon-colored female, then looked at the dark male. “You better hope those kids are past the Sponge Bob phase, or you might end up being named after a pet snail.” The small basset made a timely whimper, prompting Melvina to scoop him up. “Oh, now don’t you fret, I’m sure they will give you an honorable basset name.”
Riley made a batch of fresh chicken tenders and homemade French fries that Melvina had helped peel. The boys gathered around the table in their pajamas and Melvina began to worry when Lexi didn’t re-surface. Eventually, she joined them for dessert.
Lexi’s pale, drawn face looked like she’d cried buckets in the bath while Riley’s eyes exuded both sorrow and guilt. Without waiting for an awkward silence, he cleared his throat. “Why don’t you boys take your sundaes into the TV room and watch a little boob tube until bed.”
The boys squealed, “Boob tube,” in unison as they skedaddled with their desserts.
The chocolate brownies topped with vanilla ice cream and chocolate syrup tempted Melvina, but she’d declined a bowl. The fried food she’d indulged in was enough to put her in the doghouse with her conscience for quite a while.
What am I going to do about this sexy man who loves puppies, family and cooking?
Riley made her heart melt, her loins flame, and her willpower nonexistent. Admittedly, not the best combination for a woman who counted calories. The man was downright dangerous to her peace of mind.
Lexi was silent as she placed a few cold fries on a plate and squeezed ketchup over the top.
“I’m sorry, Lexi,” Riley said softly. “I should have asked you first. Can you forgive me?”
Lexi stared at her plate for a few moments longer, then blowing out a breath, she looked up at her brother. “You were right to get the boys a dog. They’ve been asking forever, and I probably would have never done it on my own. It’s not realistic never to get a dog again because the last one passed away. They need to learn about those kinds of things—birth, life, death, loss—because it’s gonna happen….” A tear slid down her cheek. Riley reached across the table and put his hand over his sister’s.
“I’m okay, really, I am. But next time, please talk to me first. I needed to be prepared.” She turned her attention to Melvina. “I’m sorry for all the drama. I hope this hasn’t dampened the excitement of getting your own puppy.”
Melvina shook her head. “No, Lexi, I understand. I was just as surprised as you, but Humphrey could use a friend. I’d been thinking about it for a while but hadn’t acted on it because of all the hours at work. I’m due some vacation time and I had thought about going to a spa, but now maybe I’ll just stay home and play with Lulu.” She smiled at Lexi, who nodded.
“This has been a great dinner,” Melvina said. “I loved seeing the boys with their new family addition, but it’s time for me to get Lulu settled. Can you drive me home, Riley?”
Riley nodded, stood and grabbed his car key from his pocket, handing it to Melvina. “I’ll meet you in the car.”
Melvina offered to clear the table, but Lexi wouldn’t hear of it. There were murmured apologies from all parties, and the boys called out goodbye from the living room as Melvina gathered Lulu from the laundry room. She waited outside, letting Lulu tinkle and then praised her. Riley was only a few minutes behind.
They drove in silence back to her place, and Humphrey bolted out onto the porch with a long bay. Melvina felt the tension rolling off Riley in waves. He’d said very little on the drive back, and she wondered what he’d talked about with his sister after Melvina had gone outside with Lulu.
Melvina reached for the car door and looked at Riley. “Do you want to come in and see the introduction?”
He suddenly smiled and seemed like his usual self. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
As she exited the car, Eli and Mona walked out on the porch. Mona’s face was tear-stained and her drawn-on lips were smeared.
Melvina turned to Riley.
He seemed to feel her thoughts. “Maybe now’s not the best time. Should I take a rain check?”
Melvina nodded and said her goodbyes to Riley, then made her way to her brother and best friend. As she approached Mona and Eli, another fresh round of wails began, and Eli took the puppy from her as she wrapped Mona in her arms. She heard Eli gushing over the puppy and Humphrey baying with excitement as she took Mona into the house.
“What happened?” Melvina waited for a response, but Mona’s mouth made an O then pressed into a frown before releasing another loud wail. Melvina patted her shaking shoulders. “Is it Jorden?”
Mona nodded, wiping her nose with the paper towel that Eli handed her. “He, he—” she hiccupped her way into another crying jag.
Melvina looked at Eli, who murmured, “He went back to his ex-wife.”
Melvina winced. “Oh honey, I’m so sorry. I know that must suck, but you didn’t know him that long. I thought he was just a bootie call. Were you in love?”
Mona blew her nose hard, then winced at the rough paper towel. “Don’t you have any Kleenex?”
“Eli, go get the box from my bathroom.” She looked at her friend, taking Mona’s hand that was free of paper towels. “Now tell me all about it.”
“You’re right, I wasn’t in love with him, but he sure was a good time. I was lonely before I ran into him. We did everything together these last few weeks, and then he went to see his kids…and I knew it was all over. He hated being separated from his boys.” Mona snuffled, then dried her eyes. It looked like the waterworks might be over. “What am I gonna do for fun now?”
Melvina chose her words carefully. “Mona, if you weren’t in love with him, and he missed his kids, don’t you think that it’s really best he go back with his ex to make amends? You can hang out with me. I am your best friend.”
Mona snorted. “No offense, but I can’t do the things with you that I did with Jorden.”
Melvina shook her head. “There are more things to life than sex, Mona.”
Her lifelong friend looked at her with a deadpan expression. “Like what? I mean, it’s all downhill after forty. My ovaries are drying up and I’ve had two hot flashes this week!”
Eli dropped the tissue box on the kitchen bar between them and headed for the TV room, his hands in the air. “I’m out of this one.”
Melvina laughed. “He never could handle too much girl talk. Remember that time you got your period at that volunteer job you had, and I didn’t answer the phone, so you had to call Eli to go buy tampons?”
Mona nodded, then snorted with laughter again before reaching out to Melvina. “You’re right as usual. Jorden was just another notch in my bedpost, and he needs to be with his kids. Besides, if you’re all hot and bothered by Riley, then I’m setting my sights on the chief. There is no way I’ll let that skinny bitch, Celia, have him.”
Melvina’s eyes widened in surprise. “Are you teasing me, Mona? Really?”
Mona looked at her with a serious expression. “If you still want him, of course I wouldn’t dare, but you look like you have your eye elsewhere. You didn’t sleep with the chief, did you?” Her brows rose in question.
Melvina shook her head, baffled. “No, I didn’t, but I didn’t even know you liked Manny.”
Mona chortled, “Hell, every woman who has a pulse in Montgomery County lusts after Manny Owens. I was just giving you the room you needed to tag and bag ’im. Now that you’ve moved on, I think he’s fair game. At least, that’s if you give me the go-ahead.”
Melvina nodded. What else could she say? Mona was right. She’d had the choice to sleep with Manny and she didn’t. She’d chosen Riley. Despite her long-time crush on the chief, her feelings for Riley had packed a wallop.
Now that Manny had started dating seriously, he wouldn’t be on the market long, and who better to have Manny than her best friend, Mona? Melvina nodded with sincerity. “Sure, you have my blessing.”
Mona’s energy seemed renewed as they shared a cup of tea and played with Humphrey and Lulu. Eli made a bed on the foldout couch and they all three lay propped up on pillows watching a comedy to lighten the mood. They’d watched movies that way since grade school.
Melvina found it hard to concentrate while she picked through the events of her day and filed away her emotions.
When Mona stood after the movie, making her way to the front door, Melvina stopped her with a light touch to her shoulder. “You have my blessing, Mona, but please don’t use Manny as another notch in your bedpost.” She emphasized Mona’s earlier expression. “Don’t be afraid to give your heart this time. Manny’s worth it, and he will be lucky to have all of you. You hear me? You Are Worth It!” She tugged on Mona’s arm for emphasis.
“You and your motivational crap.” Mona made a funny face, sticking her tongue out while tilting her head.
Melvina scowled at her playfully, balling up her fist.
Mona sobered and hugged Melvina. “Thanks for everything.” With a quiet goodnight, she clattered down the wooden steps in her four-inch pink stilettoes.
“Hey Mona,” Melvina called across the yard to the driveway where Mona stood by her car. “If you give him one of your pills, make sure he knows beforehand. You might give him a heart attack.”
