Falling for the Millionaire by Merrillee Whren

Author:Merrillee Whren
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2016-10-22T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

Red-and-white balloons and streamers hung from the ceiling in the senior center in anticipation of the Valentine banquet for the residents. Hudson placed the last of the pink baskets filled with red roses on one of the tables covered with white tablecloths, then joined a group of high school kids and other volunteers who were eating a quick bite before the banquet began.

He smiled when Melody sat next to him at a table in the kitchen. Despite her somewhat reluctant acceptance of his presence, he was making headway with her. The fact that she was sitting next to him without his urging her said a lot about her possible shift in attitude. He hoped tonight would bring a big change in her perception of him. He couldn’t help smiling when she was around.

“You look very nice in your apron.” Melody tried to hide a smile.

“Of course I do.” He chuckled as he pointed to the front displaying numerous hearts and a printed message that said Kiss the Cook. “Are you going to follow the instructions?”

She made a face and shook her head. “The chef’s wife might object.”

Hudson laughed. “You don’t believe I’m the cook.”

“Hardly.”

“Even though you won’t kiss me, I’ll still tell you what a perfect Valentine you make in your red sweater. You look good in red.”

Melody looked down at her sweater, then back up at him as if she wasn’t quite sure what to say, but a little smile lingered at the corners of her mouth. “Thank you, but flattery still won’t get you a kiss.”

“I tried, but it wasn’t flattery. I meant it.” Smiling, Hudson shrugged as he relished the little bit of flirting. She was definitely warming up to him.

As the seniors gathered in the dining hall, he took in the joy permeating through every corner of the room, not only with the residents who were gathered for the banquet but with those who were there to serve them. He looked over at Melody as she motioned for the volunteers to gather around her.

“Okay, everyone, do you know your assignments?” she said as she surveyed the group.

As the workers nodded, he couldn’t help thinking that his task was to make this woman happy. He was growing fonder of her with every passing day. He wondered how he could ever have thought she might be like Nicole. Their “nondate” to plan the road rally had proved better than any real date he’d had in years. She deserved happiness, and somehow he wanted to fit into that picture. He hoped tonight’s surprise would be only the beginning.

Melody showed the young waiters how to place the plates on the table. Hudson had a suspicion that at least a few of the high school boys had a crush on her. He couldn’t blame them.

He spied Ian motioning to him from the kitchen doorway. Hudson tried to be nonchalant as he joined his friend. “Is everything ready?”

Ian nodded. “We’re set. You’ve got a perfect night with above-average temperatures for your surprise.

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