Chapter 19: Chapter 19
A few blocks away, Reid rose from his seat on the sofa in the living room and slipped his phone into his pocket. He quietly crept down the hallway to check on Michael. Peering in the door, he could see his son’s chest rise and fall, illuminated by his Jake and the Neverland Pirates night light. He held his favorite teddy bear in his arms, and every once in a while, his upper lip would twitch, as if he was still talking, even in his dreams.
Smiling, Reid turned and made his way back down the hallway. He had no idea what it was that made Michael seek out Melody Murphy, but he was glad Michael had done so. Even though Reid wasn’t sure if he was even capable of starting a relationship at this point in his life, he did enjoy spending time with her. She was witty and insightful, always volunteering to help other people. She’d rearranged her whole life to help her mother, and now she was going out of her way to help Michael. Melody treated his son like he was her own family, and they hadn’t even known each other that long.
It didn’t hurt that she was beautiful either.
He sat back down on the sofa and went over their conversation. Melody had given him no indication whatsoever that she was even remotely interested in him, focusing her half of the discussion on Michael, but he wondered what might happen if they continued to spend time together. Could she be interested in dating a single dad? And if she was, would Reid be able to put his past behind him and give Melody a chance?
***
Delaney drove a Dodge Charger, and since she wasn’t sure she could attach the Christmas tree to the top of her car, she’d borrowed her dad’s old work truck. Even though it was almost twice as old as they were, it was in good running condition, thanks to her dad’s constant repair. Still, as they chugged along down the highway, every bump sent Melody clutching the dashboard to steady herself, and before they were even a mile out of town, she’d given up on trying to drink the hot cocoa Delaney had brought her. The chocolate chip muffin, however, she had managed to devour. There were some perks to being best friends with the most talented baker in town.
They were a few miles from Shepherdstown, the dusting of snow they’d gotten in Charles Town looking more like an inch or two here, though the main roads were clear, and the sky was dropping large, fluffy flakes on them. The GPS reminded Delaney to turn left in one mile, and Melody felt the butterflies in her stomach double up in intensity. She wondered if Michael really would find her as soon as she got there or if she’d have to send Reid a text. What if they got lost? What if they don’t come at all?
Delaney slowed to make her turn and blew out a deep breath. She was wearing a red coat, the matching stocking cap tossed onto the seat next to her, and Melody could tell by the way she was tapping her hand on the steering wheel that she was nervous. There was no music on, thanks to her understanding of Melody’s preference, so she had to be tapping for another reason entirely.
“You okay?” Melody asked, nudging her in the arm gently.
Glancing at her briefly and then training her eyes back on the narrow country road she’d just turned onto, Delaney said, “Yeah. I’m fine. Just… hoping Josh is around, and I don’t look too desperate to see him.”
“Right,” Melody nodded, knowing exactly what she meant. “Did he say anything while he was in the bakery to give you the impression he might be around today?”
“Well, he said that he usually makes deliveries during the week and then sticks around on the weekend to make sure that his dad doesn’t need any help loading the trees. I think he has some nephews or cousins or something that help out on the weekends, too. It’s totally a family business. He just does this during Christmas time, I guess.”
“What does he do the rest of the year?” Melody asked.
“I’m not sure,” Delany admitted. “We didn’t quite get to that. It’s kind of hard to carry on a conversation with anyone these days; the bakery has been so busy.”
“I guess that’s a nice problem to have,” Melody offered. She crossed her arms in front of her chest over her white coat. She’d taken Reid’s advice and brought gloves, a hat, and a scarf, and she was wearing jeans lined with fleece as well as her thickest snow boots. It was about twenty-five degrees outside which wasn’t the worst she’d been out in, but if she was going to be standing around outside for a long period of time, she’d rather be too warm than too cold. She could always take something off if she needed to.
“Yeah, so anyway, I’m not sure what he’ll say when he sees me. Or if he’ll even remember me.”
“Who could forget you?” Melody gushed. Her friend glanced at her again and followed the directions of the GPS onto an even narrower road, this one not even paved, and Delaney slowed significantly to make sure she stayed out of the ditches on either side of them. The road wasn’t quite as clear here, but it wasn’t slippery, and Delaney had certainly seen enough West Virginia winters to know how to drive in the snow.
They went up an incline and before long the hills were rolling by. This was something Melody had missed in Chicago. There was nothing quite like the beauty of the West Virginia countryside. The trees became denser, and the GPS warned them that they would be arriving at their destination in a few minutes.
“Well, if he is here, and you get a chance to spend some time with him, let me know if you need me to come rescue you. I hope he really is as nice as you’ve described.”
“Thanks,” Delaney said, turning into the parking lot by a large red and green sign that said, “Taylor Tree Farm.” There were at least two dozen other cars in the lot, which appeared to have been cleared of snow at some point that morning. Delaney found a spot closer to the front, and Melody looked around for Reid’s truck, which she was fairly sure she spotted a few rows behind—but then there were probably lots of red Sierras.
“Wish me luck,” Delaney said, cranking the truck off and turning to face her friend.
“Luck,” Melody said, smiling. “It’ll be great. Who wouldn’t want to get to know you better? And if he doesn’t—then he’s an idiot, and you don’t need him anyway.”
“Thanks,” Delaney said. “And good luck with… Michael. I know that’s who you’re here to see.” She winked, and Melody felt her face turn red. Delaney gathered her hat and opened the truck door, and Melody did the same, nearly falling out when she remembered this particular vehicle had no running boards. She stumbled and caught herself on the car next to her, looking around in the hopes that no one had seen her.
“Melody! Melody!” Michael shouted from across the parking lot, and Melody whispered a substitute curse word under her breath.
Already off on the wrong foot. Literally.