Sweet Southern Comfort

by Candice Poarch

  “Sounds good to me.”

  By the time Melanie changed into sneakers, Veronica was waiting for her. They strolled to the beach. The orange ball of sun was just beginning to lower over the water, casting a picturesque glimmer on the water.

  “Are you serious about Monroe?” Veronica asked abruptly. “Because I won’t have him hurt again.”

  “I’m not the one who hurt him,” Melanie retorted.

  The fight seemed to drain from Veronica like a deflating balloon. “Eric and I both love Monroe like a brother, probably more. It…” Her voice caught. “Having to vote against Monroe ripped Eric apart. He couldn’t sleep for months. Monroe…Monroe locked him out—completely. Wouldn’t have anything to do with him. I’m surprised he didn’t lock me out, as well. I don’t know why he kept that door open, but it’s given us hope over the last two years that maybe Eric and he could find a way to patch things up.”

  Veronica gazed at the lake as if it held the answers to her dilemma. “I’ve sent Christmas cards, birthday cards. He never responds. And when I call, the conversations are stilted. It’s a wonder Mrs. Eudora continued to talk to us.”

  Melanie cleared her clogged throat. “He invited you into his home. There’s hope there.”

  “Do you love him?” Veronica asked.

  “It’s not easy to answer that question.”

  “Sure it is. Either you love him or you don’t,” the woman said sharply.

  “Love is the easy part. Making it work is what’s hard. Monroe doesn’t love me.”

  “Don’t be silly. I know him. He loves you.”

  “You care about him, don’t you?”

  “Eric and I both care about him. Dorian… You know it wasn’t the fact that she left him that was so horrible. She could have gone about it another way. She had an affair with his friend. That isn’t easy to overcome.”

  “I know,” Melanie said. “It was like the domino effect. Her affair destroyed not only her marriage, but four friendships, and a business.”

  “They worked so hard to put that company together. I don’t miss it though. Don’t get me wrong. I thought it was good, but I never saw Eric. We had begun to fight because I felt I was in the marriage alone.”

  “You survived it and you both look to be stronger for it.”

  Veronica glanced down the shore to where the men walked toward them with the horses. Her eyes warmed at the sight of her husband.

  Melanie envied the couple’s companionship. They weren’t just two people who shared the same address and a piece of paper. They were truly an extension of each other. Whatever the world threw them, it was obvious they weathered the storm together. It was the key ingredient that had been missing in her marriage to Bruce.

  Oh, Melanie had tried. She stayed up nights hoping for intimate conversations. But Bruce was always too tired to talk. She’d tried to carve out time for them, but he never returned the effort. Finally, she stopped trying. She’d learned early on that one person couldn’t hold a marriage together.

  Couples like Veronica and Eric always came out on top because the outside world wasn’t their barometer. The people inside their home counted the most.

  “What’re you all talking about up there?” Eric asked.

  “You,” his wife said playfully.

  Monroe and Eric caught up with them and Melanie took the reins of her horse.

  “Need help?” Monroe asked as she mounted.

  “Who do you think usually rides with Courtney?”

  “Then why don’t you ever come with her to ride?” He patted the horse’s head.

  “I didn’t want a run-in with the Beast.”

  “Chicken.”

  She leaned over and stuck out her tongue at him. He caught her by the shoulders and kissed her. The surge of physical awareness took her by surprise, melting her all the way to her toes. She touched his chest, felt his body heat, smelled his cologne. Her stomach lurched with unmistakable desire. For an instant they forgot they weren’t alone.

  Monroe lifted his head and laughed, the sound rich and free, and mounted his horse in one graceful movement. The others had discreetly put distance between them.

  He looked down at her, a faint light twinkling in the depths of his eyes.

  Melanie was happy. It was a fleeting thing, she knew. Life had taught her that. She wished she could grasp the moment and hold on to it for a lifetime.

  Melanie sat prettily on her horse. Monroe felt lighthearted and free. She had the knack of making him forget. The tides washed against the shore as they urged the horses into a light canter.

  “What a gorgeous sunset,” she said.

  “Spectacular.” She rode slightly ahead of him and he was commenting on her backside, not the sunset.

  They rode three miles out until they got to a rock where she and Monroe had spent an afternoon. They alighted from the horses and tethered them to a young tree nearby. Eric and Veronica were already waiting for them.

  “How did you and Eric meet?” Melanie asked Monroe.

  “We were roommates our freshman year of college and we remained roommates throughout except for the year I attended MIT on an exchange program.”

  “I didn’t know you attended MIT.”

  He nodded.

  “After he left Morehouse, he returned there to get his doctorate,” Veronica said.

  These details made Melanie realize how much she didn’t know about Monroe.

  “He’s so low-key about everything,” Veronica continued. “You’d never know he’s one of the country’s top scientific minds. Which is why so many companies want him.”

  He had to take the offer from Emerson. Melanie definitely couldn’t keep him in Summer Lake. It wouldn’t be fair. She reached for his hand. He was here now, and she needed the contact.

  He kissed the back of her hand before setting his arm around her shoulder, drawing her close. She leaned her head on his chest and inhaled the heady mixture of man, cologne. She snuggled closer. Evenings with Monroe were limited and she planned to enjoy every moment left.

  Sitting on the rock, they looked west where the sun had all but disappeared into the horizon. When it set completely, Monroe cupped her chin and tilted it. He lowered his mouth to hers and kissed her.

  “It’s very beautiful here,” Veronica said. “I imagine it doesn’t get very cold.”

  “We have a few cold days. But most of the time it doesn’t go below fifty.”

  “That sounds heavenly to me. I hate cold winters.”

  “Wait until July, then you’ll be crying for snow.”

  “I don’t think so. I can get used to this. Monroe, I hope you plan to keep this place. All you need is a tennis court and every time you turn around I’ll be here vacationing.”

  “Feel free to come anytime, Ronnie.”

  “Don’t forget you offered, because I won’t.”

  Veronica came to the bookstore to buy more books afterward and Melanie took her to lunch at the diner. Melanie took the rest of the day off and they boated and swam. On Friday night they double-dated in Savannah—dinner at Paula Deen’s restaurant and a play.

  Monroe hosted the season’s soccer party on Saturday. They set up an awning in his yard with a couple of tables beneath it for food and drinks. He hired a lifeguard for the pool and someone provided a boom box that blasted music.

  Grandmothers sat under shady trees fanning themselves. One of the kids played the Beauty and the Beast CD. Monroe asked Melanie to dance with him.

  The moment he touched her, the surge of physical awareness assailed her, taking her completely by surprise. It felt as if someone had sucked half the oxygen out of the air. Her eyes lifted to his and his hand caressed her back. He was so tall and handsome in his sky-blue polo shirt and khaki slacks. They’d never danced together before, Melanie thought, and Monroe knew how to move.

  She smiled.

  “What’s so funny,” Monroe asked.

  “This song reminds me of us.”

  “You think I wa
s a beast? Was I that bad?”

  “Afraid so. Until you changed.”

  “You like fairy tales.”

  With the music playing in the background, being held close to Monroe, she felt as if she were part of her very own fairy tale. Yes, he’d been completely horrible when they’d met at his house. But he’d revealed a completely opposite side of himself, and she liked the change.

  And she’d fallen in love with him. My God. She loved him. The realization almost made her stumble.

  He pulled her close, and she buried her face in his neck and inhaled his essence.

  They danced as if they were the only ones in existence, and for a moment, Melanie forgot they weren’t alone. Monroe’s hand tangled in her hair and when she looked up, his lips touched hers. She closed her eyes, feeling the strength of his body, his steady heartbeat against her chest.

  In the back of her mind, Melanie heard the words that seemed to be made just for them. Tale as old as time… Beauty and the Beast.

  The song ended, and Melanie opened her eyes. Monroe’s arms remained around her for several seconds while they stared into each other’s eyes…until she heard the kids clapping and their teasing voices.

  She and Monroe moved apart awkwardly. Her eyes alighted on Mrs. Eudora’s first, as the older woman wiped tears from her cheeks.

  Her feelings were written all over her face.

  Monroe had to figure out what he wanted in his life. Melanie wouldn’t cloud his mind with her sappy feelings.

  The next day after church, Melanie went to the store and hid in her office to fill out book and CD orders. A bunch of kids were always hanging out in the CD section. Even when books didn’t sell, the kids bought CDs. MP3 players hadn’t made it to Summer Lake yet.

  She and Courtney had been invited to dinner at Mrs. Eudora’s, which meant that Monroe would probably be there. She was trying to finish up her order so they could head out.

  She was almost finished when Veronica walked in.

  “All ready to leave?” Melanie asked.

  “Almost. We’re leaving for home in an hour. I haven’t enjoyed any vacation more. I wanted to get some gifts and tell you those figurines make gift buying easy.”

  “The artist is local. We do a brisk business with tourists.”

  “I can understand why.” She sighed. “I enjoyed the week so much. And most of all I’ve enjoyed my time with you. Monroe has changed so much. I think that has a lot to do with you.”

  “You’re giving me more credit than I deserve.”

  “I don’t think so.”

  “Well, you have to come back and bring your son when he’s out of school.”

  “He’ll love it. Please come with Monroe when he visits. I’ll show you the city. And bring Courtney.”

  If she and Monroe were together that long. Melanie hugged her. “Keep in touch.” It wasn’t often she clicked with a virtual stranger, but Veronica and she had hit it off immediately.

  “I’m working on Monroe.”

  Melanie laughed. “Don’t bother.”

  “I’m serious.”

  “So am I.” Melanie tilted her chin. “It has to come naturally. He has to know I’m the one he wants, or I don’t want any part of him.”

  “You don’t understand. I almost left Eric. I was raising our son alone, and that wasn’t the life I wanted either. So I told him I was leaving. I packed my bags and moved to my parents’ home. It drove Eric crazy. I think it’s one of the reasons he sold out. Peter’s wife had already left him. So you see, Monroe’s marriage wasn’t the only marriage falling apart. The company had hit it big. The hours kept getting longer and longer.” She shook her head. “Eric kept saying that it would get better, but it never did. And I’d had it. I couldn’t make him change. So I had to do what I thought was best for the children and me.”

  “I’m sorry. You seem so perfect together, now.”

  “I don’t think Eric ever told Monroe I left him. But I didn’t leave my husband for another man. I don’t think I will ever meet another man I love as much as I love Eric. When I left him I knew that. Dorian was weak. Monroe doesn’t understand that. You’re strong. You’re a fighter. He needs a strong woman.”

  Melanie glanced down at the desk, not seeing a thing but the image of Monroe’s face. The image of friends torn apart. Dorian, Dorian, Dorian. She was sick of the woman.

  “He has to know that.”

  Veronica stood and so did Melanie. “Sometimes it takes a brick upside the head before they recognize it.”

  Melanie laughed. “You’ve got that right.”

  The women hugged.

  In the week they’d been together, Melanie and Veronica had become good friends. They agreed to e-mail each other. Even though Veronica joked about vacationing in Summer Lake, it seemed unlikely they would actually see each other again.

  Eric came to renew their friendship and get Monroe back to Philly where he belonged. Melanie was sure he’d accomplished both goals.

  Melanie now had to face a stark reality. Her time left with Monroe was limited. She sighed. How she’d miss him.

  He would be leaving soon for the world he was meant to be a part of. A world without Melanie or Summer Lake.

  Chapter 11

  When Monroe saw his grandmother’s car coming up the lane, he charged out of the house. What was she doing driving so soon? But when the car stopped and Mrs. Pearl emerged from the driver’s side and his grandmother opened the passenger door, he marched toward the car.

  “I told her she should let you come to her but she wouldn’t hear of it,” Mrs. Pearl said.

  “Just keep the motor warm,” his grandmother demanded as if a bee had gotten up her skirt. “This won’t take long.”

  Monroe took her arm to help her to the house, but she shook him off. “Why didn’t you call me? You didn’t have to come here.”

  “Because I didn’t want any nosy folks listening to me when I tear into you.”

  “Tear into me?” It was too early in the morning for this. What was she up to now?

  “Yes, you.”

  He opened the door and she marched straight to the kitchen.

  “Who told you you could sell my business? If you ever think of selling something of mine without my permission, I’ll serve you up for Sunday dinner. I didn’t work all my life to have my decisions made for me. And to collude with that no-account, lazy mayor?”

  Monroe held up a hand. “Just wait a minute. I didn’t sell anything of yours.”

  “You had the mayor look for buyers for my shops.”

  “At the time he mentioned there were buyers interested, you were in the hospital. I didn’t know if you’d want to deal with the plaza after you recovered. And he’d told a few fabrications about Melanie.”

  “Like what?”

  He was getting irritated. “That she was taking advantage of you. And when I saw the piddling amount your tenants paid for rent, it seemed true—until I discussed it with your lawyer.”

  “Well, it would do her good if she never married you after the stunt you pulled. You think I’m crazy? You think I don’t have enough sense to know she’s a good woman?”

  Monroe shook his head. The only thing he heard was “Married?”

  “If you’ve got the sense God gave you, you’d marry that girl.”

  “You don’t know what you’re talking about, woman.”

  “Humph. That’s what you think. You need to be more than book smart.” Crossing her arms, she glared at him as if he were a kid. But he wasn’t a kid and he glared right back. “Well, I’ve fixed it so you and the mayor can’t do a thing to hurt those people. Melanie has worked so hard for this community. She has lots of great ideas. The mayor hasn’t done a thing except try to stop her, instead of listening for a change.”

  “I know that now,” he snapped.

  “I’ve changed the rental agreement to a buyout. I’m financing the loan for the tenants. If they own the plaza outright, then the mayor doesn’t have a reason to waste
his time bringing these outsiders to our town to stir up trouble. Now what do you have to say about that?” Her glare was so triumphant, Monroe had to cough to keep from laughing.

  He held up both hands. “Not a thing.”

  “Just like that?”

  “Grandma, I was only concerned that the plaza was too much for you.”

  “Six little units? Don’t be ridiculous,” she scoffed. She pulled out a kitchen chair and dropped into it. “I was floundering for a while, it’s true. With your grandfather gone, I’d lost my footing. I was depressed. Your grandfather and I always worked together and we were married a long time. More than fifty years. But when Melanie came in with fresh ideas, it made me think of him. All brimming with hope.” She pierced Monroe with her stare. “She’s a good woman. And if you let her get away, then you’re not the man I thought you were.” She stood. “I’m ready to go home and take a nap.”

  Deep in thought, Monroe walked her to the car. “Get that nonsense about marriage out of your head.”

  “Is that the only thing you heard?”

  “I heard plenty.”

  She shook her head as if he were simple. “I’m going to be Melanie’s campaign manager.”

  “Absolutely not. It’s too much for you.”

  “What do you know? Since when did I need a young whelp telling me what to do? You go back to Philadelphia or wherever you want to go. We’ll do fine without you. Some man with good sense will come along and marry Melanie. Good woman like that don’t stay single for long.”

  She did not need to say that. Just the thought of another man with Melanie set his back teeth on edge. Monroe sighed, the anger draining out of him. Eudora wanted him to stay. She thought marrying Melanie would keep him in town. Go figure. The best job falls in his lap and he had to debate whether he should even take it.

  “I’m going to be her campaign manager,” Monroe muttered. “We’ll just get in each other’s way. Just haven’t gotten around to telling her yet.”

  Eudora’s eyes lit up with a ray of hope before they dimmed, making him feel guilty. “I don’t know how you’re going to manage anything from Philadelphia.”

  “Just let me worry about it.” Why was she doing this to him?