Chapter EIGHTEEN
Ross drove them to a chain hotel nearby, and Melissa got checked into her room, grateful to have the opportunity to freshen up before returning to his father’s house for a simple meal with him.
After meeting some of his family and seeing the neighborhood Ross grew up in, Melissa had a better idea about Ross’s childhood, and she thought it was no wonder he was one of baseball’s favorites. His story was one of a typical kid loving the sport and growing up to become a professional.
She lay on the bed and waited for Ross to call her to tell her he was ready. So far, the trip with him had been pleasant, without any need to talk constantly. She liked that about him and hoped it would continue for the next several days.
###
The chiming of her cell phone awoke her. It took her a moment to realize where she was. She sat up. “Hello?”
“Are you ready to go back to Dad’s house?”
Ross asked her. “I’ve talked to my brothers and the two who haven’t met you, Jack and Dennis. They may drop by to say hello to Dad and to meet you.”
“That’s fine with me. I enjoyed meeting Dewey.”
“Good. I’ll meet you in the lobby, and we’ll go from there,”
Ross said, ending the call.
Melissa grabbed her purse and left the room.
Downstairs, she discovered Ross had already retrieved the car and had pulled it up to the front entrance for her.
She got in the car, and they took off.
Ross took a side trip past the local high school to point out the field where he’d spent many hours as a kid. “Bill Carter, the high school baseball coach, spent a lot of time with me and a couple of my friends, helping each of us. He’s gone now, but I’ll always be grateful to him,”
said Ross.
They continued for a few blocks to Ross’s father’s house. A gray Mercedes was in the driveway.
“Looks like Jack is here,”
said Ross. “He’s the oldest of my brothers, named John after my father, and is a successful lawyer in the state. He and his second wife have two kids. Both girls.”
“So, you have lots of nieces and nephews,”
said Melissa, thinking how lucky he was.
Ross grinned. “Yeah, it can get pretty wild when we all get together, which isn’t often lately. But for years, when my mother was alive, and she and Dad were both healthy, Sunday dinners were a must.”
“A true family event,”
said Melissa, getting out of the car.
Ross led her inside, and a tall, well-built man with sandy hair gray at the temples walked over to them.
“Hey, little bro.”
The two men clapped each other on the back, and then Ross introduced Melissa to him.
“Pleased to meet you,”
she said, noting the remarkable resemblance between the two men.
“It’s my pleasure,”
Jack said. “I understand my brother and you are neighbors in New Hampshire. It’s a very pretty part of the country. My family and I ski at Waterville Valley.”
“It’s beautiful there,”
said Melissa, aware of how Jack was politely assessing her and thinking he must be a formidable foe in the courtroom.
“Would you like to say hello to my dad?”
Jack asked. “Do you mind giving me a moment with Ross?”
“Certainly,”
she said, leaving the front entry to go into the living room to see Ross’s father.
He smiled at her when she approached him. “Well, I get to talk to a pretty lady while two of my sons collaborate, huh?”
She grinned. “I don’t know what they’re up to, but I’m happy to have some time to talk to you. How are you feeling? Is there anything I can get you? Do for you?”
“Please sit,”
he said, indicating the chair beside him. He studied her for a moment. “The only thing I have to ask of you is that you keep an eye on my son. He trusts and cares about you. He’s had a heartbreak or two in the past, but I think he finally has met the right woman.”
“Oh, but …”
Ross’s father held up a hand to stop her. “I know the two of you think you’re both simply friends and neighbors, but I see it’s more than that.”
Stunned that Ross’s father seemed so sure, Melissa was relieved to see Ross and Jack walking into the room. Saved from having to respond to him, she got to her feet.
“Go ahead and sit,”
Ross said to her. He stood on the other side of his father, leaned down, and gave him another hug. “Mrs. Barnard has agreed to a picnic supper right here. Sound okay to you?”
Ross’s father flashed a smile. “Anything to spend time with you and your girl.”
Melissa witnessed how Ross’s eyes rounded and knew he was as surprised as she’d been by the idea of them being together. But she understood his father might want to see Ross settled before dying.
“I’m going to help set up a table in here,”
Ross said. “Mrs. Barnard will dish up the food, and we can eat here in the living room at the card table.”
“I’m staying too,”
said Jack. “Jenn and the girls have a party to go to.”
“It’s always delightful to have my boys around. And a beautiful woman is always a plus.”
Ross’s father smiled at her. “You remind me of my wife, Betty. A true partner.”
Melissa didn’t know what to say and was grateful when Jack piped up, “He compares any woman to Mom.”
“And rightly so,”
said Ross’s father.
Sensing Melissa’s discomfort, Ross said, “I’m hungry. Let’s eat.”
He left to go to the kitchen.
Jack winked at her, and then the conversation turned to his daughters, who were now teens.
Halfway through dinner, Ross’s father fell asleep after eating almost nothing. Melissa exchanged worried glances with Ross and Jack. Their father had put forth an effort to become part of the group, but it was obvious that he was too ill to continue.
Not long after the meal ended, Jack announced he was going home.
Ross and Melissa walked him to the door and said goodbye.
Ross turned to her. “I’ll say goodbye to my father, and we can return to the hotel. It’ll be an early start tomorrow if you want to get down south to do some sightseeing.”
“Okay, I’ll say goodbye too,”
said Melissa.
She walked over and took hold of his father’s hand. “Goodbye, Mr. Roberts. I’m so happy I met you. I’ll do as you asked.”
“Thank you,”
he said, patting their clasped hands and studying her with his blue eyes.
She felt the sting of tears and turned away as Ross took her place beside his father.
Wanting to give them privacy, she walked into the kitchen to thank Mrs. Barnard for her hospitality.
“Perhaps we’ll meet again,”
said Mrs. Barnard. “I don’t like to say much, but though John has put on a positive front for you, he’s growing weaker every day.”
She let out a sad sigh. “Such a decent man.”
“I know they’re grateful for your help. I’ll go outside to wait for Ross. I want him to take whatever time he needs with his father.”
She left the kitchen, went outside to the front entry, and sat on the narrow bench there.
Children were playing kickball on the quiet street, and Melissa could feel herself being taken back to Ross’s childhood.
She looked up as Lanie walked toward her.
“Hi,”
Lanie said. “Is Ross inside?”
“Yes. He’s saying goodbye to his father,”
Melissa said. “I’m giving him some privacy.”
Lanie studied her and twisted her hands. “So, are you and Ross a thing? I didn’t know he was dating again.”
“Ross and I are just friends, like we said,”
Melissa said and stopped. She didn’t owe anyone an explanation. And besides, she was confused, especially after what his father had said. From the beginning, Ross had been very clear about his willingness to help her with Dirk, so she didn’t understand why people would think they were a couple.
“Hi, Lanie.”
He turned to Melissa. “Ready to go?”
Melissa could see how upset Ross was and jumped to her feet. “Sure, let’s go. Nice to see you, Lanie.”
“Anything I can do?”
Lanie asked Ross.
“There’s nothing anyone can do,”
he replied softly. There was such sadness in his voice that a lump formed in Melissa’s throat.
She followed Ross and, without saying a word, climbed into the car feeling as helpless as she ever had.
###
As Ross drove to the hotel, he stared straight ahead, visibly disturbed.
He pulled into the parking lot near their guest room’s entrance and turned off the engine, leaving silence behind.
Melissa reached out and touched Ross’s arm. “I’m sorry. Anything I can do for you?”
Ross leaned his brow against the steering wheel. “I offered to stay another night, but Dad said I should continue my trip to Florida. He likes you and thinks it’s great that we’re traveling together. After you and Jack left the room, he seemed to collapse into himself, and I know the end is near.”
Ross’s shoulders began shaking.
Melissa unbuckled her seatbelt and wrapped her arms around him.
He turned into her shoulder, careful to keep his face hidden.
Melissa rubbed his back in comforting circles and wished she could take away his pain. She’d seen how close Ross was to his father and knew his distress was real.
“I’m glad I got to meet your father,”
she said. “He’s such a wonderful man, beloved by all his sons.”
Ross quieted and looked up at her. “He’s the best. Jack pulled me aside to tell me he’s taken care of all the details from now on. Mrs. Barnard will stay through to the end and beyond as they get the house ready to sell. My father insisted that these things be worked out while he was still alive.”
Melissa knew now why Ross’s father had been so outspoken about Ross and her being more than friends. She thought it was sweet that he wanted to see Ross happily situated like his brothers. Not that she was going to mention this to Ross. She was still trying to come to terms with the idea of being with Ross.
Ross swiped at his face almost angrily. “Sorry to break down like that. Let’s go inside, and if you don’t mind using one of the mini bars in our rooms, I’m ready for a nightcap.”
“Why don’t you come to my room,”
she said. “I’ve got a small balcony where we can sit.”
###
Her room, a standard suite, had a living area separate from the bedroom. Melissa set down her purse and went to the mini bar.
“What would you like?”
she asked Ross as he headed for the balcony.
“A cold beer, thanks.”
Melissa pulled out two cans and carried them to the balcony, where Ross had seated himself in one of the two chairs.
She handed him his beer and sat in the chair next to his. “Do you want to talk about it or just sit quietly?”
“I want to have this time to think things over,”
he said. “Thanks for being so understanding.”
“Of course.”
Melissa sipped her beer and looked out over the landscaped space. She, herself, was shaken by all that was happening to Ross and his family and considered herself lucky she hadn’t had to face health issues with her parents.
She got Ross another beer and said, “Are you hungry?”
A smile crossed his face. “Starving. Like you, I didn’t eat much for dinner.”
“There’s a pizza place down the road. Why don’t we order some?”
said Melissa. “What do you like?”
He gave her a sheepish smile. “I like Hawaiian pizza, with bacon instead of ham, if you can get it.”
He raised his hand. “I know, I know. It’s as far from authentic as possible but impossible to resist.”
“I have to admit I’ve never tried it,”
said Melissa, grinning. “But maybe now is the time. I like experimenting with food. I’ll place a call and have it delivered.”
“Thanks,”
Ross said.
###
Later, after scarfing down the pizza and sharing beer, Melissa stood. “It’s late. I’m going to bed.”
“I need to get to bed, too,”
said Ross. “Do you mind if I stay in your room on the couch? I don’t want to be alone tonight. My father and I had a serious talk, and I know I won’t sleep well.”
“It’s not a problem for you to stay. I understand.”
Melissa walked over to him, leaned down, and kissed him on the cheek.
He pulled her into his lap and wrapped his arms around her. “Thanks for being here for me.”
He studied her face and then lowered his lips to hers.
Melissa felt as if her body had been melted by a streak of lightning so strong that she could hardly breathe. Sensations rolled through her as strong as thunder, settling into her most sensitive area. She clung to him.
When they finally pulled apart, Ross looked as shocked as she felt. “Sorry, I shouldn’t have done that.”
Uncertain how to respond, Melissa pulled herself to her feet. “Stay as long as you like,”
she said to Ross and hurried away, shaken to her core.
Later, lying in bed alone, Melissa tossed and turned, reliving that kiss. When she could stand it no longer, she got up and tiptoed to see if he was still there.
The couch was empty, and he was nowhere to be found.