Chapter THIRTY-ONE
The next morning, all playfulness was set aside as the family prepared for a day that Ross’s father had wanted to be a celebration of life, not a day of mourning. But how could they not mourn a man they’d all loved dearly? Melissa understood. In her one short meeting with Ross’s father, he’d made her feel welcomed and aware of his kindness and love of life.
Ross had dressed in a dark suit that did nothing to hide his broad shoulders and athletic body. He pulled at the starched collar of his white shirt and gave Melissa a look of resignation. “It’s a lot easier to play on a baseball field with thousands of people watching than speaking in front of my friends and family.”
“I’ll be sitting in front. Just look at me,”
said Melissa. “You’ll do fine.”
“But words will never be enough to show my love for my father and all he did for me,”
said Ross.
“Any speech you give, no matter how long or short, will mean a lot to everyone. Just say what’s in your heart.”
“I’ve made a few notes, but you’re right. I’ll just talk about what an amazing man my father was,”
said Ross.
Melissa squeezed his cold fingers before getting into the limousine that would take them to the neighborhood church. His father had asked to be cremated, which eliminated a full funeral and burial service. Something they all were grateful for.
###
Later, listening to Ross speak in front of the congregation, Melissa and others fought tears. His tribute to his father was touching with his sincerity, his simple message of thanks and love.
Ross cleared his throat. “Dad, I hope one day to be a father as awesome as you were to me. Having you show me how might be one of the greatest gifts of all.”
Ross glanced at Melissa and away before ending his talk.
Each of Ross’s three brothers took a turn eulogizing their father, ending with Jack. As the oldest, he then invited everyone who joined them to attend the reception in the social hall next to the church.
Melissa and Ross followed the rest of the family out of the church and stood in a receiving line to thank people for coming. Jenn stood next to her and seemed to know everyone who passed through. Melissa, who’d grown up an only child in a small town, was overwhelmed by the people who greeted her as if they knew her. Then, she reminded herself living in Lilac Lake was the same, with everyone in the neighborhood knowing everyone else.
After the receiving line dissipated, Melissa and the family members went to the social hall where Addie was overseeing the reception she and Jenn had planned.
Because it was shortly after noon, a buffet table held an array of tea sandwiches, green salads, pasta salads, and meat and cheese platters, along with cakes, cookies, and other sweets that ladies in the church’s social circle had prepared.
“Nice,”
murmured Ross. “I understand Dad’s male friends had their own party at Mickey’s neighborhood bar a couple of nights ago. That would be more natural. But I know how much the church meant to Dad, especially after my mother died, so he’d appreciate this too.”
Addie came over to them. “Please eat. As usual, we have more food than we need. The church will take care of any leftovers by delivering them to those who might enjoy them.”
Melissa dutifully filled a plate with food, although her emotions had dulled her appetite. She couldn’t stop thinking of Ross’s sweet tribute to his father, how his family pulled together, and how lucky she was that her dad was recovering. She wasn’t ready for the death of her parents. But she knew she, like Ross, would have to deal with that one day.
Lanie came up to her as Melissa was eating and took a seat beside her. “I’m not sure what is going on between you and Ross, but I plan to win him back. We’d always planned to marry.”
“And what happened?”
Melissa asked, shocked by Lanie’s boldness.
“I made a big mistake, and now I’m going to correct it,”
Lanie said.
They studied Ross, who was standing across the room and talking to a man Melissa didn’t know.
Ross looked their way and waved Melissa over.
Lanie got up with Melissa and went with her to Ross’s side.
Ross seemed startled to see Lanie but said, “Dave, I want you to meet my friend, Melissa Hendrickson, and I think you already know Lanie Southerland, my next-door neighbor.”
He turned to Melissa. “This is my college coach, Dave Titus.”
“Hello,”
said Melissa. “You must be so proud of Ross.”
“Indeed, I am. I hear you live in Lilac Lake. A friend just bought a house there. It sounds like a great place to live,”
said Dave.
“It’s very easy small-town living with lots of things to do for all sorts of sports, especially with the new sports center Ross and a friend are creating,”
said Melissa.
‘I’m thinking of moving there,”
said Lanie. “Ross has invited me to stay with him for a while.”
Melissa glanced at Ross, but he didn’t seem surprised by her words. Feeling unsettled, Melissa hardly heard the conversation between Dave, Lanie, and Ross. Did Ross know that Lanie intended to get him back?
Jenn came over to them. “Anyone want coffee and dessert? There’s plenty.”
Melissa used that excuse to leave and go outside for a quiet moment. She couldn’t allow her insecurity to mar her relationship with Ross. She’d thought she and Ross had something special. Wait! They did have something special.
Feeling more secure, Melissa returned to the reception and helped Addie, Jenn, and the ladies from the church clean up. It was good to keep busy, though she tried to keep herself from observing how Lanie clung to Ross’s arm.
Addie came over to her. “I see Lanie’s at it again. She’s determined to snag Ross now that she’s divorced the loser she married. But don’t worry. Ross knows better.”
###
When the clean-up was done, the women joined the men who were outside talking in groups. Melissa went over to Ross, who was standing with Jack and Lanie.
“Things all done inside?”
Ross asked her.
Melissa nodded. “Lots of food leftover, but the church will handle that.”
“We’ve been talking about Lanie’s friend who wants to buy Dad’s house. Jack’s going to handle the sale, so none of us will have to worry about it.”
“That makes it simple and easy,”
said Melissa, pleased for them.
“Let’s go back to my house,”
said Jack. “I think a swim in the pool would be perfect.”
“Me, too?”
asked Lanie.
Jack hesitated and then shrugged. “Sure, I guess. You’re welcome to drop in.”
“It’s easiest if I come with you,”
said Lanie. “Stay right here. I’ll hurry home, get my suit, and be right back.”
“Don’t take too long,”
said Jack. “It’s getting hot.”
“What’s Lanie up to?”
said Jenn, joining them.
“She’s coming to the house for a swim,”
said Jack. “I couldn’t say no to her.”
“Why not? It’ll be a nuisance taking her home, and she is NOT staying overnight,”
said Jenn, annoyed. She turned to Melissa. “Some men don’t get it.”
“Don’t get what?”
Jack asked.
“Lanie is trying to win back Ross. For God’s sake, it’s so obvious.”
“Not gonna happen,”
said Ross firmly.
“Then you’d better make that clear to her,”
said Jenn. “C’mon, Melissa. Let’s get in the limo. It’s air-conditioned.”
Melissa left the two brothers talking and climbed into the car with Jenn and her daughters. Soon, Jack joined them. “Ross said he’d take care of it.”
Melissa remained quiet while Jenn and Jack rehashed the situation. She was pleased she hadn’t said anything about it. This was between Ross and Lanie.
Several minutes later, Ross climbed into the limousine. “That’s settled. I‘ve told Lanie before that I wasn’t interested, but now, I think she believes me.”
Ross glanced at Jenn and turned to Melissa. “I’m sorry for any misunderstanding.”
“I’m happy you resolved the matter,”
said Melissa. “I know how much Lanie wanted you back.”
“What she and I had ended years ago. It’s time for her to accept it.”
Melissa felt her entire body relax. She would feel more secure if only Ross said those three magic words to her. But they’d only been together for a short time.
###
Back at Jack and Jenn’s house, Melissa was changing into her bikini when Ross walked into the room.
“Hey, beautiful,”
he murmured, wrapping his arms around her. “I hope you weren’t bothered by all that business with Lanie.”
“No, I trust you to be honest with me,” she said.
“It’s why I waited to see how you and Dirk were doing together before letting you know I was interested.”
He grinned. “I am interested, you know.”
“Really?”
She gave him a saucy smile, and he lowered his lips to hers.
They both got into their bathing suits and headed downstairs.
Jenn greeted them with glasses of iced tea for each. “Time to relax and enjoy ourselves after a grueling day. Later, we can have a light supper. I know you’re getting up early to catch a flight home.”
“Friends of mine are coming to Lilac Lake to talk about a business prospect, and Mondays and Tuesdays are the easiest days of the week for them to get away.”
“Melissa wants to be able to offer some gourmet dinners from time to time or do some catering. Anything to keep her hand in cooking,”
explained Ross.
“Hey, all! Come on in! The water’s great,”
called Jack from the pool.
Ross turned and jumped into the water.
Jenn took Melissa by the arm and led her away from the water. “What’s going on with you two?”
Melissa sighed, unable to hide a note of frustration. “I’m not sure. We know we’re interested in each other. That’s as far as it’s gone.”
Jenn frowned. “I don’t know why I should be anxious about it, but Ross has had other relationships that went nowhere, and I think you and he are perfect together.”
Was that what was happening here? A relationship going nowhere? Rather than fall back into her old insecurities, Melissa observed Ross and Jack horseplay in the water and remembered Crystal’s advice.
Jenn put an arm around her. “Don’t pay any attention to me. Jack tells me to mind my own business. I’ll just stay out of it.”
Melissa smiled at her, even as her thoughts spun.
Ross called to her, and Melissa approached the pool's edge. “How’s the water?”
“Fantastic. Come on in,”
said Ross. “Jack and I won’t splash you. I promise.”
Melissa went to the steps at the shallow end and walked into the pool, gasping when the cool water covered her. Then she settled on a step, letting the air dry her off.
Ross sat down beside her. “I’m happy you’re here. It meant a lot to have you support me as I was speaking about my father. The fact that he liked you so much made it all seem natural. You know what I mean?”
“I do, and I’m glad to be here with you.”
###
Later, as she and Jenn made sandwiches in the kitchen, they found a lot to talk about.
“Jack and I will try to come to Lilac Lake for a visit. Maybe in the fall when all the colors are out on the trees,”
said Jenn.
“A leaf-peeper, huh?”
said Melissa, chuckling with Jenn. She hoped that if anything tore apart her relationship with Ross, she and Jenn could somehow be friends. Jenn was like the big sister she’d always wanted.
They carried the tray of sandwiches, chips, pickles, and cookies out to the patio.
“Enjoy, everyone,”
said Jenn, setting her food tray on the large round table where they had gathered.
Though Melissa liked the idea of being part of this family, she understood she’d have to wait to see if or how she fit in. As Crystal had suggested recently, time would give her the answer.