Miss Goody Two-Shoes: Contemporary Romance Read online

  The sound of the bathroom door opening down the hall cut off any reply Mel might have made. She sat completely still as approaching footsteps sounded in the hall. With her back to the door, Mel didn’t see Kane when he first entered the room. All she saw was the shocked expression on Blair’s face, followed by the clatter of her fork when she dropped it. The noise made Mel jump. She swung her head around and gasped out loud at the sight of Kane Stoddard.

  The grizzled beard was gone, leaving behind a face so devastatingly handsome that Mel half-feared she might faint again.

  Chapter Four

  Kane stood there for a full minute, feeling very self-conscious with the looks he was receiving. “Is something wrong?” he asked.

  Mel finally found her tongue. “Please forgive us for staring, Kane. It’s just, you look so different, and we barely recognize you without the beard.” The transformation was like nothing she’d ever witnessed. He had a strong sensual face and a square jaw that suggested either stubbornness or determination. His hair, still wet from his shower, was pulled back with a rubber band.

  Kane rubbed his cheek. “I’ve wanted to shave it off for some time,” he confessed. “It was beginning to itch.”

  “Please join us,” Wilton said, obviously in a hurry to start eating. “Mel has really outdone herself this time.”

  Kane took the vacant chair. “Everything looks great,” he said, feeling out of place at the old-fashioned pine table.

  “Would you like some mashed potatoes, Kane?” Blair asked in a voice that literally dripped with honey. Three pairs of eyes followed that voice and found a radiant Blair at the other end. The woman who’d sworn only a moment before that she wouldn’t even speak to him had gone through some sort of transformation herself.

  Mel noted the look of surprise on Kane’s face as he accepted the bowl of mashed potatoes from her sister. Her heart sank as she watched Blair turn on her charm. How many times had she witnessed that charm at work? The man didn’t stand a chance.

  “Aren’t you having any?” he asked.

  Blair smiled until her dimples showed. “Just salad for me, I’m afraid.”

  “Blair only eats rabbit food,” Wilton said, stabbing a pork chop with his fork. He winked at Kane. “She can’t afford to have any meat on her bones.”

  “I’ve already told you, Daddy. A camera adds ten to fifteen pounds to a body. I can’t hide the extra weight under big t-shirts the way Mel does.”

  Mel felt her cheeks burn at the remark, but she was determined not to let it bother her. She knew Blair put more emphasis on food than was normal, and she supposed it had to do with the fact that weight was such an issue in her line of work. Nevertheless, while Blair pretended to starve herself, Mel knew she often slipped into the kitchen at night and gorged on leftovers and junk food. Sad as it was, it was not something she felt she could discuss with her sister.

  “I like being comfortable,” Mel said, offering a shrug of indifference. “I guess it’s lucky for me that baggy shirts are in style.”

  “You don’t need to change a thing about yourself,” Kane blurted, wondering why Mel didn’t defend herself to her sister when he would have been more than happy to tell the skinny blonde where she could get off. “I like a healthy woman.”

  Mel’s mouth dropped open at the comment, and she almost dropped the bowl of mashed potatoes he handed her. She raised her eyes to his and found him watching her, assessing her frankly and offering his approval in one look. “Thank you,” she managed, at the same time wondering if he was only feeling sorry for her. She had learned a long time ago not to take Blair’s remarks seriously.

  Blair poured a liberal amount of dressing on her salad. “Yes, well, that’s our Mel for you. She’s always been healthy as a horse. So tell me, Kane, what brings you to Hardeeville?”

  “I heard it was a nice place to live,” he said, uncomfortable with the attention he was getting from the woman. Blair hadn’t stopped staring and fluttering her lashes since he’d walked into the room. It was embarrassing, especially in front of Mel, who had more sense than to waste her time with such silliness. He’d felt more comfortable when Blair hadn’t liked him. “I’m looking to find a job and settle down,” he added.

  “I understand you’re from Leavenworth,” Blair said. “What were you doing there?”

  Kane glanced at Mel, then back at the blonde. It was a rotten thing to do, but he couldn’t help himself. “I was serving time for murder.”

  Blair came close to dropping her salad fork again. Wilton almost choked on his pork chop. Mel spilled her iced tea down the front of her blouse, then tried to mop it with her napkin.

  Kane shot her an apologetic look. “I’m sorry. I just don’t think it’s fair to lie. I figure they’ll find out sooner or later.”

  The room went completely quiet. From his end of the table Wilton shifted uneasily in his chair. He regarded Mel. “Is that true?”

  She glanced at Kane, then back to her father. “Yes, Daddy, I’ve been writing to Kane at Leavenworth Prison for the past year.” She explained how she’d gotten his name from Reverend Potts.

  Wilton returned his attention to Kane. “If you were convicted of murder, how come you’re out?”

  “They found the real killer.”

  “You’re saying you didn’t do it?”

  Kane met his gaze. “That’s right.”

  Wilton visibly relaxed. “Then I’m sorry you had to serve time for a crime you didn’t commit. If there’s something we can do to help, you let me know.”

  Kane was both surprised and touched. “I appreciate it, Mr. Abercrombie.”

  “Call me Wilton.”

  They proceeded with their meal. Blair looked from one to the other, then back to her father. The smile was gone. “That’s it?” she asked. “You’re just going to take his word for it—a complete stranger—that he didn’t do it?” The change in her was as dramatic as before.

  Once again, Kane’s jaw tensed, and his face hardened as though it had been carved from stone.

  Mel held her breath.

  Wilton chewed his food slowly, then swallowed, as though unaware of the tension in the room. “He’s out of prison, ain’t he? I reckon that says something.”

  “He could have escaped, for all we know.”

  Mel’s blood chilled at the dangerous look on Kane’s face. But then, why shouldn’t he be angry; he’d done nothing but defend himself since he’d hit town.

  Blair looked at Kane. It was obvious she didn’t think he was good enough to sit at the same table with her. “How long were you in?”

  “Three years.”

  “Oh, my Lord!” Blair shot Mel a terrified look. “You brought a hardened criminal into our house?”

  “That’s enough, Blair,” Wilton said. “Mr. Stoddard is our guest. I don’t know how y’all treat company in New York City, but here we treat them with respect. Now I’d like to eat my meal in peace, if you don’t mind.”

  “But, Daddy—” Wilton gave her a look that shut her up.

  Kane relaxed his shoulders.

  Mel sighed her relief.

  Blair was sullen throughout the rest of the meal, and Mel was thankful when she finally excused herself and went to her room. Wilton apologized for his younger daughter’s behavior.

  “Blair’s unhappy with her life right now,” he told Kane. “That’s why she’s striking out at people. Once she gets her problems worked out, she’ll be okay.”

  Kane offered him a bleak, tight-lipped smile. “Maybe it’s best if I don’t stay.”

  “Nonsense, this is my house and I insist.” Wilton got up from the table and carried his plate to the sink.

  “Don’t worry about helping in the kitchen tonight, Daddy,” Mel told him, as it was his habit to assist in the cleanup, since she always did the cooking. “I’ll get it.”

  Wilton smiled and patted her on the shoulder. He looked more tired than usual. “You’ll see that Kane is settled in?” he asked.

  “Of cou
rse.” She watched him go, and then turned her gaze to Kane. She found him watching her. The tight-faced expression was gone, replaced now with a curious half-smile that was as unexpected as snow in July. She wondered if he had any idea how good-looking he was when he wasn’t scowling. She was a nervous wreck just sitting in the same room with him.

  “What is it?” she asked, when he continued to stare.

  “You and your dad are very close.”

  “Nothing wrong with that is there?” she said, hearing the censure in his voice.

  He shrugged. “Not as long as you’re happy.” He paused. “You know, in all the time you wrote, you never once mentioned having a man in your life.”

  Mel tensed. “I don’t usually discuss my personal life with strangers,” she said, “but since you asked, I’ll tell you I’ve been seeing someone for the past six months. We’re sort of going together.” She figured that would explain why she had dated only one man in six months. It was better than having to admit no one else had asked her out.

  He arched one brow questioningly. “How do you sort of go with someone?”

  “Well, to make a long story short, his wife died last year and left him with a young daughter to raise. We don’t want to rush into anything for her sake. She might think I’m trying to take her mother’s place.” She paused. “Amy and I are very close, though. I help her with her homework and take her shopping when she needs clothes. You couldn’t ask for a sweeter eight-year-old.”

  “What about her father?” Kane asked, feeling a bit protective of the woman who seemed to do so much for other people. “Shouldn’t you be singing his praises as well?”

  “Harper Beckwood is a wonderful man,” she said defensively. “He has a good job with the Board of Education, and he’s active in the church. Folks just love him.”

  “Sounds like a regular saint to me,” Kane said, his voice edged with sarcasm. Hearing how the man had become so successful only reminded him of how he’d screwed up his own life so far.

  Mel noticed the edge in his voice and wondered if she had offended him. He was as unpredictable as spring weather. Perhaps she shouldn’t have bragged on Harper so. “You’ve got a lot going for you, too, Kane.”

  He gazed at her steadily. He knew she was only trying to be nice, but it irked the hell out of him that she’d been able to read his emotions so easily.

  “Tell you what,” he said, wanting to change the subject. “Why don’t we see how fast we can get this place cleaned up?” He motioned to the table full of dirty dishes. “You wash, and I’ll dry.”

  # # #

  Dusk had fallen by the time Mel led Kane out back to a large pen holding a half-dozen dogs of various shapes and sizes. Several makeshift doghouses stood at one end, obviously built to offer protection against the rain and cold. As they approached the pen, the dogs started yapping wildly. “Do they belong to you?” Kane asked, figuring if they did, then Mel must be one helluva dog lover.

  She chuckled. “Good Lord, no.” She paused beside a rickety gate, unlatched it, and slid through cautiously so none of the animals could escape. She was suddenly overtaken by a group of tail-wagging mongrels, and she had to pause to pet and speak to each one. Fortunately, she had changed into old jeans.

  “I volunteer for the local pet-adoption program,” she said, motioning for him to hand her the bag of food he’d carried out for her. She began filling bowls, playing referee as she did so to ensure that no dog went without. They quieted as they began to eat. “If someone finds a stray, they call me. I keep the animals until they’re adopted.”

  “Sounds expensive,” Kane said.

  “Our local vet helps with the cost, and folks are real good about leaving donations when they take an animal.”

  Kane chuckled as a frisky black puppy ate from a bowl in which his two front feet were buried under the food. Mel followed his gaze and grinned. “That’s Little Bit,” she said. “His mother was killed on the highway when he and his sisters were only ten days old. I found homes for the girls. It won’t be long before he has one. Everybody loves puppies. It’s the older animals I have trouble placing.”

  Kane couldn’t help but wonder how she managed to keep up with all her responsibilities. It was obvious her family depended on her for everything. She took care of them, and these dogs and was a generally all around do-gooder. Could that be the reason she’d never married? “Hand me those two buckets,” he said, pointing toward the pails that provided drinking water for the dogs. “I’ll fill them up.”

  She did, then took a moment to clean the cage as best she could. Kane returned with the buckets and let himself in through the gate. Several of the dogs stopped eating and watched him to see if the new face was a friendly one. He knelt down on his haunches and spoke to the animals softly, surprising Mel with a side of him she hadn’t seen before. His voice inspired trust. It was strong, but gently coaxing. Comforting. By the time Mel finished cleaning the cage, he had won her over as well as the dogs.

  “Is that the last of the chores?” Kane asked, having derived a great deal of satisfaction from the simple tasks. In prison he had volunteered for any job he could.

  “Not quite,” she said, smiling in a way that suggested she’d saved the best for last. “We still have to slop the hog.”

  “You’re kidding, right?”

  Kane stared down at the large Yorkshire boar that’d started snorting and slobbering the minute Mel appeared with the feed bucket. She poured the contents into the trough.

  “Meet Pork Chop,” Mel said, leaning over the fence and scratching the hog behind his ear. “We raised him from a baby. Each year, Daddy threatens to have him made into sausage, but he doesn’t have the heart.”

  “So this is why you save your leftovers,” Kane said, remembering how she’d refused to throw anything away when they were cleaning the kitchen. “You got any more animals I should know about?”

  “We got rid of what few cows we had because there was no time to care for them. We do have a goat in the pasture named General Lee. He jumps out now and then and chews the towels on the clothesline.”

  Kane gazed at her for a long moment, appreciating the fact that she’d changed out of her librarian clothes. A soft breeze framed his cheek, carrying with it the scent of roses. “You’re lucky to have such a nice place,” he said, thinking of the dumps he’d lived in as a child. “Don’t ever take it for granted.”

  Mel was surprised by his remark. It was ironic that he should make that comment when she had spent the past couple of years wondering if this was all there was to life. Of course, there was Harper and Amy. Even though she and Harper weren’t passionately in love, she looked forward to having her own family one day. “Yes, I suppose I am lucky,” she said, then wondered why she still yearned for something more.

  It was almost nine o’clock by the time Mel led Kane up a short flight of stairs to the attic, carrying fresh sheets in her arms. The room was small and literally crammed with boxes and old furniture. A roll-away bed stood along one wall, next to it a large fan directed straight at it. Wilton had seen to opening the windows so fresh air could get in. “I’m sorry this is all we have to offer you,” she told him as she began to make up the bed.

  “This is fine,” Kane assured her as he watched her work. Every time she leaned forward, he caught sight of her behind. It was full and slightly rounded. He knew he should try to sound more appreciative about the room; it was clean and private and the best thing he’d seen in years.

  “Is there anything else I can get you?” she asked Kane, joining him in the center of the room, so she could stand up straight without hitting her head.

  He gazed at her beneath the naked light bulb. She was pretty. Wispy tendrils of dark hair had pulled free from the knot at the back of her head, taking some of the severity out of her hairstyle. Her smooth skin glowed with pale ivory undertones. “I can’t think of anything,” he said at last.

  “Then, if you don’t mind, I’ll leave you so I can get a bath.” />
  He wished she hadn’t said that. Images of her naked wet body reclining in the old porcelain tub downstairs flooded through his mind. His gut tensed. A muscle clenched in his jaw. He didn’t need to think of her that way. This was the woman who’d restored his faith in the human race. She was involved with a highly respected man. Besides, she had never offered to be more than his friend. “I appreciate all you’ve done,” he said, forcing a smile he didn’t quite feel.

  Mel was tempted to tell him he needed to start smiling more instead of wearing that perpetual frown. His handsome face was kindled with a sensual, passionate beauty that made her wonder, once again, why he’d worn that awful scraggly beard. His dark eyes held her captive for a moment, making her aware of how alone they were.

  “You’re very welcome,” she said, offering him a tentative smile in return. She felt close to him for reasons she didn’t understand. Perhaps it was some displaced maternal instinct that made her want to see to his comforts after what he’d been through. How many nights had she lain in bed and wondered about him, why he had not written in return, but she knew he had received her letters as they were never sent back. She had worried whether he was getting enough to eat or if he was able to go outside for fresh air and exercise. He obviously had. He was in perfect physical condition.

  Mel wished she hadn’t had that last thought. In some ways she had been less tense with the beard. Now she was having a heck of a time acting casual when all she really wanted to do was stare. “Well, I’d better go,” she said, although she was reluctant to do so.

  Kane waited. His gaze clung to hers expectantly. There seemed to be so much more to say, to share. He would have given anything to be able to pull her hair free and run his fingers through it. Blair’s golden hair—which he suspected came straight out of a bottle—had not tempted him so.

  He could not resist touching her face again.

  Kane raised his hand to her cheek and cupped it gently. “Do you mind?” he said, when at first she looked surprised and anxious. When she relaxed, he drew his fingers down her face. The texture made him think of honey that had somehow solidified. Her cheekbones were high and delicate, her brows dark and finely arched. She was lovely in a way that made a man think of spring flowers and a rolling green meadow, lovely in a way that made him wonder what she would look like first thing in the morning when she opened her brown eyes.