Miss Goody Two-Shoes: Contemporary Romance Read online

As Kane pounded the stake in the ground, Mel fastened one end of the rope to the dog’s collar while he growled under his breath. “It’s okay, boy,” she said. “It’s a long rope, and you’ll be able to walk around.”

  Kane tied the other end of the rope to the stake while Mel hurried into the house for food and water. She set it before the dog and watched as the animal wolfed it down. “Poor thing,” she said, keeping a respectful distance as he ate. “No telling when he last ate.”

  “It won’t be easy finding him a home, will it?” Kane asked, coming up beside her.

  “You’re right about that. Nobody wants a grown Doberman pinscher with an attitude when they can have a cute little puppy.” She studied the animal. “What I don’t understand is why he hung around when he was being mistreated. Why didn’t he run away?”

  Kane shrugged. “Maybe he thought he deserved it.”

  “Nobody deserves to be mistreated.”

  Kane pondered it. He could remember being knocked around by his old man so much as a kid that he thought he deserved it. He must be some rotten kid to stay in so much trouble. Then he realized his brothers and sisters were getting knocked around, too. It came as no surprise when all the kids scattered as soon as they reached legal age. “He eats like a horse,” he said, changing the subject so he didn’t have to think about the past and the fact he hadn’t seen some of his siblings in almost fifteen years. “Nobody’s going to want him. Pretty hopeless, if you ask me.”

  “There’s always hope,” she said with conviction.

  He shot her a curious look. “Even for a sorry excuse like myself, Miss Abercrombie?”

  “Especially for you.”

  Kane studied her, not quite knowing what to say. He’d never met anyone like her. Why was she so determined to save him? He found himself stepping closer in an attempt to get a better look at those brown eyes. They sparkled like gems. She had a healthy glow about her.

  “You’re staring,” she stated flatly.

  “Do you mind?”

  “It makes me uncomfortable.”

  “Why, because of that Harper fellow?”

  She knew Harper had nothing to do with it. “Because I’m not used to it.”

  “You should be. You would be if you’d dump those old-lady clothes you wear and let your hair down. You don’t need them any more than you needed those ugly glasses.”

  She was offended by his criticism of her clothes. “I’m sorry if you don’t like the way I dress. I’m very comfortable this way.”

  “Know what I think?” He crossed his arms and regarded her. “I think you’re afraid to look good. Who knows? Folks might start comparing you to your sister.”

  “That’s ridiculous, there is no comparison. Blair’s beautiful.”

  “So are you.”

  Mel realized she was holding her breath. “Three years is a long time to be out of circulation. I reckon a man will say anything to turn a woman’s head. But I don’t appreciate being made fun of, Mr. Stoddard. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to start dinner.”

  Kane reached out and closed one hand around her wrist and brought her to an immediate halt. “Let’s get one thing straight,” he said, his words clipped and concise. “I don’t do or say anything that I don’t want to, and if I was looking to get laid, I assure you I could find someone willing.”

  She didn’t doubt it. “What do you want from me, Kane?” she asked, at a loss to figure him out.

  “Are you in love with that Harper fellow you’ve been seeing?”

  “What business is that of yours?”

  “I’m making it my business.”

  She tried to pull free, but couldn’t. “He’s a good man, and we have similar interests.”

  “And you can’t think of a damn thing you’d have in common with an ex-con.”

  “I didn’t say that.”

  He pulled her closer. “Do your toes curl when he makes love to you?”

  Her first instinct was to slap him. Mel raised her hand, but he caught it. “You are clearly out of line,” she said.

  “You saved me,” he said. “I feel it’s my duty to return the favor.” Still holding both hands, he pulled her against him. Her mouth flew open in protest, and he used it to his advantage, capturing her lips and sinking his tongue inside. He kissed her hungrily, greedily, crushing her against him so there was no doubt how quickly he’d become aroused. Mel squirmed in his arms, but there was no escape. Finally, he released her.

  Shame surged through her as she stared back at the dark face. She had never, ever been kissed like that. “Who do you think you are?” she demanded, trembling from head to foot. “What gives you the right?”

  He offered her a cocky smile, but inside his guts were shaking from wanting her. “Nobody gave me the right to kiss you. I took it ’cause I figured you needed kissing.” He paused and fixed her with a lethal stare. “And if you don’t leave right now, I’m going to kiss you again.”

  # # #

  “You expect me to do what?” Blair demanded in such a way one would have thought she had been asked to dance naked in the vegetable garden.

  Mel fidgeted with the buttons on her blouse. She’d expected Blair to be upset, but she hadn’t expected it to turn into a shouting match. “I told you, I need for you to let me move into your room for a few days while Kane stays in my room.”

  “Why is he staying here, Mel? Have you completely lost your mind?”

  “He’s offered to help remodel the store. The least we can do is offer him a place to stay. Besides, he hasn’t had any luck finding a place in town.”

  “Oh, you make me sick, with this goody two-shoes act you put on,” Blair said with an air of disgust. “Good old Mel, always doing for other people. Why is it you never have time for your own family?”

  “What do you want from me, Blair?” she said wearily.

  “I want you to listen to me, that’s what! I want you to forget about Harper and the dogs and your ex-con and just listen to me for a change. I need your help now.”

  “Help with what, for heaven’s sake?”

  “Help me make a few decisions, that’s what.” Blair was shouting now. Tears filled her eyes, and she swiped at them angrily. “I’m scared, Mel. Terrified. My career is going to hell, and I need advice. I want to know whether I should give it up completely or dump my agent and hire someone who’s more excited about me.”

  “I can’t advise you on your career.”

  Blair took a deep, shuddering breath. “And I want to know what to do with this child I’m carrying.”

  Mel’s head snapped up. “What?”

  Her younger sister burst into tears and flung herself across the bed. “That’s why I came home,” she cried, her words muffled by a pillow. “I’m pregnant.”

  “Pregnant!” Mel sank onto the bed beside her, then sat in stunned silence. “I didn’t even know you were in love with anybody,” she said after a moment.

  Blair groaned aloud, rolled onto her back, and regarded her sister. “Grow up,” she said in between sobs.

  Mel tried for a more sophisticated approach. “Weren’t you using protection?”

  “Of course, I was using protection. I guess that means it wasn’t foolproof.”

  “How far along are you?”

  Blair pushed herself into a sitting position and wiped her eyes. “Six weeks. I made an appointment to get an abortion while I was in New York, but I couldn’t go through with it. Now I wish I had. I’ve never been so sick in my life.”

  The last thing Mel wanted to discuss with her sister was an abortion. “What about the baby’s father?” she asked instead. “What does he say about all this?” Blair gave a snort of disgust. “He’s the one who gave me the money for the abortion. Said if I didn’t go through with it, I was on my own. Besides, he’s already got children.” She paused. “And a wife, as well.”

  At first Mel was not certain she’d heard right. It was incomprehensible. Painful fingers squeezed her heart. She steeled herself for the
truth. “How can that be, Blair?” she asked, forcing herself to remain calm.

  Fresh tears filled Blair’s eyes. “Oh, Mel, you don’t really know anything about life at all.”

  She was tired of hearing how naive she was. “Since when has sleeping with another woman’s husband constituted a great knowledge of life?” she asked.

  Blair pulled away. “I don’t need you to preach to me. I know I made a mistake, but I’ll be the one to pay.”

  Mel was quiet for a moment. Blair was right. The damage was done, and this was a time for action, not recrimination. “I hate for you to view an innocent baby as punishment. Who knows? A baby could change your life for the better.”

  Blair rolled her eyes heavenward. “Yes, well, try modeling a bikini with a kid in your belly.”

  “You’ll have to take some time off. It wouldn’t be the end of the world.” Mel knew it wasn’t as simple as that, but they would have to take it one day at a time. They would have months to work out the details.

  “I need time to think about this some more,” Blair said. “Don’t say anything to Daddy about it right now.”

  “Of course not.”

  “In the meantime, don’t expect me to be as thrilled about it as you are.”

  Mel sighed. Knowing her sister as she did, she imagined she would make herself and everybody else as miserable as possible over the next few days. “So is it okay if I move in with you for a while?” she asked, knowing she would have to deal with her sister’s unhappiness at close range.

  “You might as well, Blair grumbled, “the rest of my life has gone to hell.”

  # # #

  Mel led Kane into her bedroom as soon as dinner was over. Although she hadn’t said anything about the kiss, she was cool toward him and hoped the message was clear that she would not tolerate a replay of what had happened earlier. Her tone was all business. “I’ve put fresh sheets on the bed, and made room for your clothes in my closet.”

  Kane studied the room in silence. Its mint-green decor was soothing, the four-poster bed cozy and inviting. “I feel guilty as hell taking your bed,” he said.

  “That’s okay. Blair has twin beds in her room, and she’s agreed to let me move in with her.” She didn’t need to add how unhappy Blair was at the prospect; it was obvious the girl was pouting because she had refused to come to dinner. Mel was going to have a little talk with her about her dieting. Now that Blair was pregnant, she couldn’t go on with her erratic eating habits.

  “I’ve also emptied this top drawer,” she said, pointing to a bureau. “You may use it while you’re here.”

  “Mel?”

  “If there’s nothing else—”

  Kane closed the distance between them. “I’m sorry about the kiss,” he said, and watched her cheeks flame in response. She glanced away. “I mean, I’m not sorry because I didn’t enjoy it. I enjoyed it very much. I’m just sorry if I insulted you. I don’t know what came over me.”

  An uncomfortable silence ensued. “I feel very protective of you for some reason,” he said. “I suppose it’s because of what you did for me, all the letters you wrote. That place was so bad, you can’t imagine. Your letters sort of restored my faith in people and gave me the strength to make it through another day. I guess I want to know that you’re happy with your life.” Mel was touched to the core by his apology. “I accept your apology, Kane, and I thank you for it. As for my happiness, I’m very content with my life. I know it probably seems dull, my living with my father all these years, but it’s what I wanted. I’m not the free spirit Blair is. I’ve never had the desire to travel to distant places because I’m happy to make the most of where I am.”

  “And this Harper fellow shares your opinion?”

  “Yes.”

  “What does he think of me being here?”

  “He doesn’t know you’re still here.”

  “Are you sure I should hang around?”

  “Why don’t you let me handle Harper?” She walked toward the door.

  Kane watched her. She was tall and straight and moved so gracefully. He enjoyed watching her walk. But not half as much as he’d enjoyed kissing her. “Good night, Mel,” he said softly.

  She smiled and slipped out the door.

  Chapter Seven

  Kane started work the next day, measuring carefully so he could determine exactly how much lumber he would need for the job. The old shelves had been built of solid oak, obviously at a time when lumber costs weren’t soaring. He decided on a cheaper grade of wood, knowing once it was painted, folks wouldn’t know the difference. Besides, the Abercrombies weren’t wealthy people. He figured they would appreciate the savings. From the looks of it, they had obviously put off replacing the old shelves as long as they could.

  “What do you think?” Mel asked, having remained silent while Kane had measured the job.

  “This should about do it.” He handed her the list of what they’d need.

  “We can go to the lumber store in Daddy’s truck,” she said. “Let me get his keys.”

  Once they were outside, Mel tossed Kane the keys. “You haven’t forgotten how to drive, have you?”

  He caught the keys in one hand and grinned. “Some things you never forget.” Still, he was touched that she trusted him to drive her father’s truck.

  They were on their way in a matter of minutes with Mel giving him brief directions to the lumber store. “So how’d you sleep last night?” she asked. They hadn’t had a chance to talk much.

  “Your bed is very comfortable,” he said, avoiding the question. He hadn’t slept very well at all. Too much on his mind, he supposed. And he’d had another dream. Every time he closed his eyes, he dreamed of that godforsaken place, then woke up in a cold sweat. “And you?” he asked, noting how fresh she looked in a white cotton pullover and slacks that were creased straight as a yardstick.

  “I slept okay,” she said. Mel wasn’t about to tell him how Blair had kept her up half the night talking about how much she hated her life. She’d insisted Blair eat a sandwich before going to bed, then listened as her sister became immediately sick in the bathroom. She decided then and there to get Blair to a doctor first chance she got.

  “You look as if you have a lot on your mind today,” Kane said, noting how thoughtful she was.

  Mel glanced at him. It would have been so much easier to be friends with him if he hadn’t kissed her those couple of times. As it was, she found her self reacting to the undeniable magnetism building between them. It frightened her because no matter how eager he seemed to get a job and settle down, she sensed a restlessness about him. Would he be content to live out his days in Hardeeville, or would he, like Blair, yearn for bigger things? “I suppose I do have a lot on my mind,” she said at last.

  “You want to talk about it?”

  She longed to confide in him, not only about Blair, but other things as well. She wished she could tell him about the unopened letters in her lingerie drawer and make him understand why she was hiding them. She wished she could tell him how excited she was because there was a baby on the way, a niece or nephew, but she couldn’t tell him that, either. The intermittent guilt and excitement was making her a nervous wreck. “I can’t talk about it right now,” she said. She looked at him. “But believe me, when I can, you’ll be the first to know.”

  That thought warmed him.

  The lumber store was already bustling with customers when they arrived. Mel went straight to the service counter where Homer Bledsoe was telling someone about the new fiberglass screen they had in stock. He saw Mel and smiled. Homer’s wife had died several years back, and he made no secret he was looking for a replacement. Only problem was, he lived with his mother, a crotchety woman of seventy who suffered spells where she refused to wear clothes. It was not unusual for the neighbors to see her checking the mail in her colorful underwear.

  “What brings you in today, Mel?” he asked.

  She returned the smile. “I guess you heard we’re remodeling
.” He nodded, and she handed him the list. “I need to order lumber for the shelves.” She paused. “You probably need to talk to the man who’s going to build them.” She introduced him to Kane and watched Homer’s smile fade abruptly. Mel couldn’t help but wonder how he’d found out about Kane so quickly.

  Homer studied the list, glancing up every now and then at Kane. He turned to Mel. “You know Bernice Wyatt’s son is looking for contracting work. He’s a good man with a family to support. He’d have given you a fair price.”

  “That’s nice of you to tell me, Homer, but Mr. Stoddard has agreed to do the work. Will it take long to fill the order?”

  Homer glanced at his wristwatch as though he suddenly realized he had to be somewhere else. “I was about to go to lunch. After that I’m meeting with a couple of builders. Maybe you could come back tomorrow.”

  “Why don’t you let me handle this,” Kane said, stepping forward slightly. He was not going to stand there and watch the man give Mel the runaround. He put both hands on the counter and leaned across it so that he was looking Homer Bledsoe right in the eye. “I’m only going to give you fifteen minutes to fill this order,” he said. “And if I have to, I’ll climb over this counter and personally assist you.”

  “Kane!” Mel’s face flamed.

  He ignored her. “Now what’s it going to be?”

  Homer’s Adam’s apple bobbed in his throat. Without taking his eyes off Kane, he reached for the telephone beside him. “I need a load of lumber,” he said into the receiver. He read the list to the man on the other end. When he hung up, he looked at Mel. “You can pull around back, and they’ll load it for you. I’ll just send you a bill, if it’s all the same to you.”

  “Thank you, Homer,” Mel said politely.

  Outside, she confronted Kane. “Did you have to do that?”

  “Yes, I did. And I’ll do it again the next time he forgets his manners.”

  # # #

  Back at Abercrombie Grocery, Kane started work right away, measuring boards and cutting them with Wilton’s electric saw. He was wet with sweat in no time at all. Finally, he stripped off his t-shirt and tied a red bandanna around his head. Mel, trying not to stare at the wide back that rippled with every move he made, played assistant, fetching what he needed. “You’re very good at this,” she said, noting how efficiently he worked, how he took time with even the smallest detail. “Why didn’t you stick with it?”