Designed for Passion by Francine Craft

Author:Francine Craft
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kimani Press
Published: 2008-10-14T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 11

Tuesday morning Melodye had come awake on top of her world. At first she’d had the inclination to just lie there and dream, but she groaned because she’d had to get up. A quick run on her treadmill, then her stationary bike. The week before, her doctor had given her a glowing bill of health.

“This is where it’s at,” the doctor had said. “It’s a matter of how healthy you are. The minute I see signs of deterioration, then and only then will I put you on a diet. You’re a lovely Juno and I don’t want to see you lose it.”

The twins were still sleeping when she went under her newly installed triple-headed shower. Ooh, that really felt good. In her bedroom she slipped into a blue jogging suit. Since she’d known Jim, she had worn lovely, lacy underwear.

There! Just in time because she heard her front door slam and knew it would be Papa France, who’d called to say he’d stop by.

In the living room she hugged him and he patted her back. “I’d have come by yesterday, but a couple of my fellow deacons wanted to go fishing before daylight. Baby, we caught a mess of catfish. One of the guys cleaned them and he’ll bring them by today. You get a lot of them. I know how you love catfish.”

Melodye always prepared coffee the night before to drip automatically the next morning. She wasn’t ready for hers, but Papa France poured himself a cup.

He cleared his throat. “Miss Belle thinks I might’ve been a trifle pushy in inviting you to church without telling you what it was all about. You testy with me?”

His eyes pleaded for understanding and she shook her head. “No, but you and Miss Belle have both got to understand that Jim and I have our own lives to live. Papa France, the world is moving away from marriage. You have to know that.”

He sighed. “Guess I haven’t wanted to notice. You were happy with Rafael at first, but he was never the man for you. Don’t let one rotten apple spoil your whole life. Jim’s a good man and you’re a good woman. You need a husband and the twins could use a dad.”

“We’re friends,” she said, and didn’t add that even that would end. “I think we’ll always be fond of each other, but that’s all.” She went to where he sat at the table finishing his coffee, sat on his lap and hugged him.

“I’ll be fine,” she said, “and he’ll be fine. I don’t trust any man but you any longer, and Jim thinks he was a lousy husband and would make a lousy father.”

“You believe that?”

“I don’t know. He knows himself better than I do.” She glanced at her watch. “I’ve got to get the twins and myself ready. Miss Belle will be by any minute. Will you let her in?”

“Sure will.”

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