LITMIR.BIZ

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shook her head. “You can’t fool me. You said my name before you were close enough to read it.”

      “Okay. You’ve got me.” Hudson chuckled. “I heard about you and your quilt the other night at the fund-raiser.”

      Clapping her hands together, Lovie beamed. “So wonderful what the Lord can do with a little bit of nothing.”

      “I saw your quilt. That wasn’t a little bit of nothing. It was a lot of work. A true work of art and love.” Hudson leaned on the raised counter of the reception desk.

      “Thank you. I am proud of it and so happy I was able to help The Village.” Lovie blushed as she reached for the phone. “I’ll let Adam know you’re on your way to his office, which is down the hallway to the left.”

      “Thanks.” Hudson nodded, then fell into step with Carter as they made their way around the corner.

      “I sure hope you know what you’re doing. I wouldn’t want to make your father unhappy with this venture.” Carter frowned as he slowed his step and turned to Hudson.

      Hudson stopped, taking in the worry in Carter’s eyes. “I told you this project will be mine. I’m prepared to take this whole endeavor on my shoulders. You don’t have to be concerned about a thing.”

      “I’ll hold you to that.”

      “Your part is to help me get the numbers I need. I want to be armed with as much information as possible when I confront my father.”

      Carter shook his head as they continued on their way. “Better you than me. Besides, I’d sure like it if this project saved my job.”

      Their footsteps sounded loud in the quiet hallway as Hudson tried not to think about his dad’s reaction to this undertaking. He had heard rumors that the construction side of the business wasn’t doing well. Carter’s statement made it a certainty. Hudson would like nothing better than to save the jobs of all those involved. Before they reached their destination, Adam stepped into the hallway. “Good to see you again, Mr. Conrick.”

      Hudson shook hands, then made introductions. Adam ushered them into his office. Hudson glanced around the Spartan space until his gaze rested on Melody. Although she smiled as she greeted them, she didn’t look happy to be there. Was she still wishing to avoid him?

      Adam motioned for them to sit on the black leather chairs near his desk. “I understand you want to see the blueprints for the new project and tour the area. Is that correct?”

      Hudson nodded as he shrugged out of his jacket and hung it over the back of the chair. “Carter here is my numbers man. He’ll want to see what you’ve got so Conrick Construction can give you a bid.”

      “We’re close to making a decision, so you’ll have to give us your proposal by Monday.” Adam pushed the rolls of blueprints and another folder across the desk.

      “That won’t be a problem.” Despite the statement, Hudson’s dry mouth and racing pulse gave him no peace. So much of what he wanted to prove to his father was riding on this proposal. For years he’d walked the path his father had set before him. Those dance lessons, law school and the army had been his father’s command. Hudson was determined not to jump to his dad’s wishes anymore. Staring death in the face on the battlefield made him realize he’d been living a life that had been chosen for him. He didn’t know who he was or what he wanted because he’d let someone else plan his life. Not anymore.

      Could he make his case? No time for doubts. He would finally stand up for himself and make his own mark in this world. That included his interest in one very reluctant woman. Melody Hammond was a challenge he couldn’t resist.

      While thoughts of standing up to his father rolled through Hudson’s mind, Carter studied the blueprints and the information Adam had provided. Finally, he closed the folder and glanced at Hudson. “I’d like to take these blueprints to the construction site.”

      Adam waved a hand in Melody’s direction. “Melody will give you a tour. I have another meeting this morning, so I’ll meet you in the senior center after you finish.”

      Melody produced another uncomfortable smile as she led Hudson and Carter into the hallway. “Let me stop by my office and grab my coat.”

      “Sure.” Hudson nodded as he walked beside her. “It’s a little chilly out there today, unlike the night of the fund-raiser.”

      She nodded, still trying to hold her smile in place as she scurried into her office and out of sight. Had he made a mistake in mentioning their date? He had to quit second-guessing himself. Women didn’t usually intimidate him, but Melody did. He’d never met a woman like her.

      “I can see why you’re eager to do this project. She’s quite a looker.”

      Annoyed at Carter’s description of Melody, Hudson glared at the other man. “She might be good-looking, but this isn’t about her. This is about business.”

      “If you say so.” Grinning, Carter shrugged.

      Hudson balled and unballed his hand. The urge to wipe that smile off Carter’s face passed through Hudson’s thoughts. Not wise. Not productive. Not Christian.

      He took a deep breath as Melody reappeared wearing a dark gray trench coat. With a nod, she led them out the side door. The bright sunshine belied the temperature outside. Hudson liked the way sunlight sparkled in her blond hair as it lay on the jacket’s dark material. He wished he could say something to brighten her mood, but it was obvious his presence didn’t make her happy. Much the same as the night of the fund-raiser, Melody charged ahead at a fast clip as she made her way across the quad. She walked with determination. He liked that about her, too. When she reached the fountain, she stopped and turned. “I’ll show you our current women’s facility so you can see what’s been done before with an existing building.”

      “Works for me.” Carter nodded.

      Hudson nodded but didn’t say anything. He wanted to ask about the colored water and balloons on the fountain but decided against it. The less he said the better at this point. The situation demanded patience. Not one of his virtues. He’d let Carter take the lead. That might be more to Melody’s liking.

      Melody took one of the sidewalks leading away from the fountain toward the right side of the quad. She said little until they reached the building, where she punched in a code on the pad next to the door. Looking up at Carter, she motioned for him to go in. “We hold security very important, especially for our women. So we require background checks on every member of your crew if you win the bid for this project.”

      Without a word, Carter entered the building and Hudson followed, walking along the hallway where the faint smell of a pine-scented cleaning solution explained the gleaming tile floors. “Nice facility you have here.”

      “Thanks.” Melody turned her head, giving him the first genuine smile of the day. “This used to be a dormitory that we converted into apartments. There are a dozen on each floor. That’s what we plan to do with the other building. That’s why I wanted to start here.”

      “Your new project’s similar to this one?” Hudson asked.

      “Yes.” Melody stepped toward the first door. “I’ve made arrangements for you to look at this apartment. The resident gave her permission to let me show the place while she’s attending job training. You’re welcome to look around.”

      Carter made a hurried trip through the place while Hudson took a more leisurely stroll, observing the modest furnishings in the two-bedroom dwelling. When he finished his tour, he joined Carter, who was studying the blueprints he’d laid out on the dinette table near the galley kitchen.

      Hudson glanced at Melody. “Do they all have the same layout?”

      “Basically.” Melody shifted her weight from foot to foot as her gaze flitted around the room. “Are you ready to see the other building?”

      “Absolutely,” Carter said as he rolled

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