Falling For The Millionaire

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 woman on the other side, his resentment over having to attend this fund-raiser had dissolved.

Although Melody was with him tonight because of the donation his family had made to The Village, she didn’t hang on him or try to impress him like so many women did. There was something different about her—something he couldn’t decipher at the moment, but it was something he liked.

Her less-than-genuine smiles puzzled him. He could always look on the positive side of things and believe she was merely nervous about the success of this event. From what his father had told him, lots of dignitaries and movers and shakers were here. He’d been to plenty of these types of functions—most of them boring. But he was looking forward to his evening with Melody.

The sight of her in that red evening gown, with a skirt that swished and flowed around her like the cape at a bullfight, had set his heart racing. The color accentuated her blond hair swept away from her face in a fancy hairdo, set off with some kind of sparkly stuff that matched her dangly earrings. She reminded him of the storybook princesses his nieces were so fond of. As far as blind dates went, she was a ten.

“Look what the cat dragged in.” Ian’s voice shook Hudson from his musings.

Hudson stood and shook his friend’s outstretched hand. “Good to see you. It’s been a long time.”

Ian glanced around. “Where’s Melody?”

“She went to check on something and should be right back.” Hudson looked at the petite dark-haired beauty standing next to Ian. “Who is this lovely lady?”

“My wife, Annie.” Ian smiled as he looked lovingly at her. “Annie, I’d like you to meet Hudson Conrick.”

“Nice to meet you, Hudson. Are you associated with Conrick Industries? I did some consulting with one of their companies years ago.”

Nodding, Hudson shook Annie’s hand. He couldn’t even meet an old friend without his family connections being brought into the conversation. “Yes, my great-grandfather started Conrick Industries in the early 1900s.”

Before anyone could make another comment, Melody returned. “Ian, Annie. I’m glad you’re here. Where are you sitting?”

“Table three.” Annie pointed to the table next to them.

“Oh, good. We’re right here.” Melody placed a hand on the back of her chair. “We’ll be able to talk after the formalities are over.”

Hudson took in the relief on Melody’s face. Was she merely happy to have her friends nearby, or was she uncomfortable with him? The woman was a riddle—confident and self-assured, yet vulnerable.

“I see my parents.” Annie looped her arm through Ian’s. “We’d better say hi to them. Talk to you later.”

As they walked away, Hudson looked over at Melody. “Ian and I haven’t been in touch much since we left law school. I thought I remembered him getting a divorce. Is Annie his second wife?”

Melody stared up at him with her light brown eyes flecked with green. She looked as though she didn’t know how to answer. “I’m not sure what to say about that. It’s complicated. Maybe you should ask him rather than me.”

Shaking his head, Hudson let out a halfhearted laugh. “Did I step into a minefield with that question?”

Melody’s face turned ashen, and she took a deep breath as she placed a hand over her heart. “Sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry.” Hudson motioned toward their seat. “Let’s sit down and forget I made the inquiry.”

Melody nodded, the color still not returning to her cheeks. He pulled out her chair, and she sat down without saying a thing. As he took his seat, Hudson tried to figure out why the discussion had triggered Melody’s reaction. Had she and Ian been involved before he married Annie? While Hudson stewed over Melody’s reaction, two middle-aged couples approached their table. Melody got up and hugged them all.

Hudson stood as she turned to him and introduced him to Ian’s parents, Doreen and Jordan Montgomery, and to Adam Bailey, the administrator of The Village, and his date, Debra McCoy. After the two couples left, Melody greeted the folks who would share their table, an advertising executive and his wife, a couple who owned a printing business and a couple who were both doctors.

The laughter and conversation that buzzed through the ballroom came to an end as Adam Bailey greeted everyone from the podium at the head table. After Adam’s greeting, Jordan Montgomery gave a blessing for the event. Immediately following the prayer, the waiters and waitresses served the food.

The discussion during the meal centered on the ministries of The Village. Hudson admired the way Melody maneuvered their talk toward supporting The Village without being pushy. Thankful that she controlled the conversation, he sat back and watched. He didn’t have to say a thing, and he appreciated that. Best of all, no one asked him about his family connections. That made for a perfect dinner.

While the servers removed the plates and brought out the desserts, Adam Bailey came to the podium once again and gave a quick talk about The Village. Jordan Montgomery followed with a short but motivational speech that encouraged people to look beyond themselves and help those in need. Soon after, they began the auction of donated items, as well as the silent auction that would be going on during the evening.

The auctioneer entertained the crowd as he moved each article along. Hudson watched Melody’s joyous reaction as a quilt made by Lovie Trimble, the receptionist at The Village, garnered five thousand dollars.

When the auction concluded, Adam came back to the podium. He thanked everyone for their participation, then turned and picked up something from a nearby chair. “Ladies and gentlemen, I’d like to honor someone tonight who deserves a lot of credit for this evening’s activities. She’s the dynamic force behind this project. Please give a huge round of applause for Melody Hammond.” Adam looked down at their table. “Melody, come on up here.”

The surprise on Melody’s face as she stood made Hudson smile. He’d learned from the discussion tonight that her whole life revolved around the women’s and children’s ministries at The Village. She obviously deserved this award. While she made her way to the stage, the applause grew louder.

Adam gave her a hug and handed her a plaque when she reached the podium. “Considering all the work you do, this isn’t much, but we wanted you to know we appreciate everything you’ve done for The Village.”

Taking the plaque, she wiped a tear from her cheek as she faced the audience. “This is certainly a surprise. I want to thank everyone who came out tonight. Thank you for your support of this very important project. You’re helping women and children have a better life. I want to especially thank my coworker, Annie Montgomery. Thanks again.”