If You Believe Read online

  “I decided I’d just grab some coffee and a Danish or something here. I didn’t want to leave you alone to open.” Cassie shared.

  Melody had informed Cassie about her encounter with Oliver, and she found her mind wandering to his face once again.

  “You know, the strangest thing was that he just walked through the door, and I know for sure that I locked the door behind you.” Melody’s eyes were wide.

  “You probably just didn’t lock it correctly. It seems to me, though, that somebody just might have a little crush,” Cassie stated.

  Shaking her head adamantly, Melody was firm. “No, you see that’s just it. He’s not my type. There’s no attraction, just the feeling that I’ve found a very old, very dear friend.”

  “I’m sorry, but that’s just plain weird.” Cassie glanced at her friend as she prepared the register for the day’s sales.

  “It is weird, I agree.” Melody couldn’t shake the feeling that this man would somehow become important in her life. Wishing that she had gotten his cell number, Melody hoped that he would visit the store again soon. She had enjoyed just sitting and talking with him.

  The day was a particularly busy and profitable one. Melody was thrilled because sales had been down throughout the course of the summer and early fall. She hoped that today’s profits were a preview of the upcoming holiday season. Each time the door opened during the day, Melody found herself turning around hoping that it was Oliver. By closing time, Melody gave up hope that her new friend would make an appearance.

  Cassie was sitting at the café counter, sipping at a decaf latte. Melody had to admit that it smelled delicious; perhaps she would join her friend before heading home. Deciding to lock the door before making herself a latte, she clicked the latch, double checked it and headed toward her friend.

  “Are you going out with Trent again tonight?” Melody inquired as she grabbed the fixings for her latte.

  Cassie appeared thoughtful for a moment before replying. “I don’t know. What’s going on at home, anything?”

  “Nope, the usual. I’ll grab some takeout before heading home and maybe I’ll watch a movie or something.”

  “Would you like some company?”

  “If Trent asked you out, you should go. I’m fine. Promise.”

  “Are you sure?”

  Just then the sound of a door opening interrupted their conversation. “Hello?”

  Melody dropped the spoon that she was using to stir her latte.

  Cassie glanced up in surprise and stood to see who it was.

  “Melody? It’s me, Oliver.”

  The sound of his voice made her smile, but just how did this guy manage to get into the store when the door was locked two nights in a row?

  Cassie looked Oliver up and down and then faced Melody in apparent confusion. It wasn’t often that Melody’s petite blonde friend was rendered speechless.

  “Oliver. How did you get in?” Melody gave him a quick once over before heading to check the lock on the door. It seemed okay. She opened the door and checked the doorknob from the outside. All appeared to be in working order.

  “I walked in, just like I did last night.” Oliver’s shoulders bunched up as he glanced at the floor.

  “No way, that door was locked. How did you get in?” Cassie approached the man like she was the guard protecting the gates to a castle.

  Cassie had always been overprotective of her friend, and it had only intensified since Jack had passed away. Usually Melody found it to be an endearing quality, but right now Cassie was just getting on her nerves.

  “Cassie, this is Oliver. Oliver, my friend, employee, and roommate, Cassie.” Melody was hoping to smooth Cassie’s feathers with an introduction.

  Oliver appeared the gentleman and reached his hand out to shake Cassie’s hand. Cassie allowed him to shake her hand, but pulled away, her brows creased. Cassie swore under her breath and stared Oliver up and down. Clearing her throat, Melody went to take Oliver by the hand to lead him to the counter, but surprisingly he pulled back from her.

  “Oliver, would you like something to eat? I have some carrot cake leftover or a cupcake.”

  Cassie’s jaw was still on the floor as Oliver followed Melody to the counter.

  “I haven’t eaten dinner yet, have you guys?” Oliver looked hopeful. Melody closed the store at six o’clock on Saturdays, so she hadn’t eaten yet.

  “No, as a matter of fact, I was just going to grab some takeout.”

  “How about we grab a bite somewhere?”

  “That sounds wonderful. Just let me clean up and shut the lights off. Would you like some coffee or something while you wait?” Melody offered.

  “No, I’m good. Cassie, would you like to join us?”

  Eyeing Oliver like he was a criminal, Cassie smirked. “As a matter of fact, I would like to join you guys.”

  Melody knew what her friend was up to and she didn’t want Oliver subjected to the third degree. “Oh, Cassie, remember you have plans with Trent tonight.”

  If looks could kill, Melody nearly laughed out loud. What had gotten into her friend? Oliver was as harmless as a flea.

  “Call me if you need me.” Cassie managed as she took a double take of Oliver before heading out the door.

  “Nice to meet you, Cassie.” Oliver seemed to smirk as he called out.

  What was with these two? Cassie was out of line here. Thinking back to when she had first introduced Cassie to Jack, Melody recalled that her friend had come across as overly protective as well. Not to this degree, but in a similar way. It had taken a while for Jack and Cassie to warm up to each other, but eventually the two had become close.

  “You too. Melody, if you need me…”

  “I’ll be fine.” Melody laughed out loud, sharing a smile with Oliver.

  Chapter Four

  “Cassie, can you ring up that woman? I think she’s ready to check out.” Melody had tried all day to work on her paperwork that was looming over her head. Each time she headed for her office she was interrupted by someone. Not that she was complaining or anything, sales had been great over the last several days. Chuckling to herself, she realized that sales were particularly good since Oliver had come into her life. It seemed as if her new friend was something of a good luck charm. Allowing her mind to drift back to the dinner they had shared several nights before, Melody knew that she and Oliver were quickly becoming good friends. Wow, the man had some appetite. She hated to compare the two, but somehow she couldn’t help but be reminded of Jack. On more than one occasion, Melody had lovingly referred to Jack as the bottomless pit. Her husband could certainly eat, and he had never gained an ounce.

  “Miss?” With a thud, Melody crashed into someone, hard. Tossing her hair out of her eyes, she stood face-to-face with a man.

  “Oh! I’m so sorry. I guess I wasn’t watching where I was going.” Melody felt red heat crawl up her face as she gazed into a pair of smoky dark gray eyes.

  “No, it was my fault, I shouldn’t have startled you. You seemed deep in thought.” His face lit up as this dark haired man rested his gaze upon her.

  The two stood there as a moment of silence passed between them. Suddenly, they both spoke at once.

  “Can I help you with something?”

  “I love this shop.”

  Melody recovered awkwardly, still feeling the embarrassing claws of redness.

  “I’m sorry. What can I help you find?” A natural smile formed on her lips as she couldn’t help but notice how attractive this man was.

  The man scratched his head thoughtfully, which Melody noted was a cute gesture. “I was searching for a good piece of literature to read with my students.”

  Students? Melody was intrigued. She always had a soft spot for men who became teachers. This man must be good with children, Melody mused.

  “What grade do you teach?” He had her full attention.

  “Ninth grade English.” The man seemed shy suddenly, as he peered down at the floor and shuffle
d his feet.

  As if her friend had a sixth sense, Cassie hurried over. “Did I hear you ask about a good piece of literature for ninth grade students?” She smiled widely for the man.

  Looking back and forth between the two women, the man scratched at his chin with dark stubble. “Yes, I did. Do you have something to recommend?”

  “Do I have something to recommend?” Cassie echoed the man’s words. “Are you kidding? Right this way!” She twirled on her feet as Melody sighed aloud. Her friend was in full flirt mode. Melody had witnessed this many times before. Why did it bother her so much this time?

  The gentleman hesitated a split second before clearing his throat and following Cassie down the aisle toward the classic literature section. Did Melody catch something in his glance? It was as if…no, she was just being silly. Peeking around the corner to stare at Cassie laughing and pulling at her hair, Melody headed to her office to finally work on those books. A few minutes later, Cassie bounded into the office.

  “At this rate, if I keep getting interrupted, I’ll have to stay overnight to finish my paperwork.” Yes, she was being moody, but something about the way that her friend had intruded upon her interaction with that man still irritated her.

  “Okay, so then I guess you don’t want to hear about how that gorgeous man was asking all kinds of questions about you.” Cassie stated in a matter-of-fact tone.

  That certainly stopped Melody in her tracks. He asked about her? Why? What did he want to know? Trying to play it cool, Melody smoothed back her auburn locks. “Oh, really? What did he say?”

  “No, no. I wouldn’t want to bother you.” Cassie feigned innocence and started to walk away.

  “Wait.” The word escaped her mouth before she could think.

  “Ah ha! I knew it.” Cassie’s lips formed a smirk.

  “What did he say?”

  “Well, he asked if you were the owner, he asked how long the store has been in business…” Cassie drew out the words, playing it cool.

  “Come on. What else? Tell me already!” Melody couldn’t contain herself as a squeal slipped out of her mouth.

  “Oh, not much, he just wanted to know if you were in a relationship with anybody.” At the same moment, both women jumped up and down.

  “He didn’t!” Melody blurted, covering her mouth quickly in case there were customers on the floor.

  “He did.” Grabbing at her friend’s hands, Cassie’s green eyes sparkled with mischief.

  “And?”

  “And, that’s it.”

  “That’s it? Is he gone?” Melody walked out of the office, glancing around. It appeared that the only customers in the store were a mother and her young toddler. The woman was perusing the children’s books toward the front of the store.

  “He left, but something tells me he’ll be back. Gotta go, we’ve got customers.”

  Hmm. Melody bit her lip as she wondered what all of this could mean. This man asked about her. That must mean that he’s interested, right? But then why did he just leave? Shaking her head to clear her thoughts, Melody was shocked to admit that this was the first time that a man had really grabbed her interest since Jack had died.

  Allowing herself to think back to how Jack had died was something that Melody had not done in a while. Melody clutched her chest as she wandered back in time.

  He wasn’t feeling well. It was a bad upper respiratory infection that Jack was suffering from for several days. Melody was the one who had urged her husband to go to the doctor for his symptoms. Hesitant to take off from work, Jack assured Melody that he would be fine. But days later, Jack wasn’t feeling any better. Finally he agreed to take off early from work and see the doctor. Sure enough, Jack needed antibiotics. Since he rarely got sick, Jack hardly ever took any type of medication. From what the doctors said, the allergic reaction must have been pretty immediate. The hardest thing was knowing that Jack had died alone. Melody had returned home from a night at the bookstore and found him lying on the floor in the bedroom.

  Shuddering at the thought of Jack going through that all alone, Melody forced herself back to the here and now. Why did she feel guilty for finding another man attractive? Why was she carrying on like a schoolgirl? She needed to get control of herself and reign in her emotions. Jack was the only man for her, she wasn’t ready for another relationship, and quite frankly she didn’t know if she ever would be. Deciding that she would tell Cassie to go for it if she found their customer attractive, she settled herself back into working on her bills.

  Just as Melody had finished working on her paperwork and straightening up her desk, Cassie called for her from the front of the store.

  “Melody? Okay if I head out?”

  “Just a sec. I’ll be right out.” Melody hustled to speak with her friend.

  Cassie’s hand was already on the door, she was obviously in a hurry to get somewhere.

  “Cassie. Hold up. Why are you in such a rush to head out?”

  Shrugging her shoulders, Cassie’s smile lit up her face. “I’ve got a date with Trent.”

  “Oh, yes. It seems like things are pretty serious with you and Trent.”

  “I guess. I don’t know, we’re still kind of getting to know each other.” Cassie seemed noncommittal.

  “Well, yeah. I just wanted to tell you that if you’re interested in that teacher guy, feel free to go for it, I’m not interested.” There, she said it.

  “Who?” Cassie’s brows scrunched together.

  Surely her friend couldn’t have forgotten him already?

  “That teacher, the one who came in looking for a book for his class.”

  “Oh, that one. Not interested, girl. He’s all yours. I’d like to see how everything goes with Trent. Besides, he only had eyes for you.”

  Brushing the absurd idea to the side with a swipe of her hand, Melody laughed out loud. “Well, I definitely do not feel the same.”

  “Oh, sure. You never were a good liar, Mel.” Cassie exclaimed heartily.

  With a turn of the doorknob, Cassie opened the door only to find none other than Oliver standing on the other side, ready to enter the bookstore.

  * * * *

  “Oh, surprise, surprise. Look who the wind blew in.” Shaking her head and sighing loudly, Cassie waved good-bye to her friend.

  Oliver winked at Cassie, which seemed to only infuriate her further.

  Melody stood with her mouth hanging open. “What is it with the two of you?”

  “Beats me.” Oliver shook his head, thinking how this time around, he would play around with Cassie a bit, all in the name of fun, of course. When he had first met Cassie, he had too much at stake to aggravate her, but now, well now what did it matter? He wouldn’t be the one to date Melody this time around. The thought saddened him and he tried not to think how limited his time on Earth would be. He had only about a month left to find the perfect mate for his Melody and then he wouldn’t see her again.

  “What’s with the sad face?” Melody inquired as she looked into his eyes with her own beautiful, brown eyes.

  “Nothing. I was just thinking about what my plans would be for Thanksgiving, what with my family and friends so far away.” Where did that come from? He was growing accustomed to telling these little white lies.

  “Oh? What about your girlfriend? I thought she was coming up soon.” There she went again, remembering all the fine details. Forget about a lawyer, Melody would probably make a better detective.

  “Um, Liza can’t make it after all, something came up at work.” How lame did that sound? Apparently quite lame based on the look that Melody was casting upon him now. He needed to think quickly on his feet. “She’ll be here in time for New Year’s though, you can meet her then.” It wouldn’t matter at that point, he wouldn’t be around after Christmas Eve.

  “Yeah, sure.” Melody answered, all the while squinting at him. She busied herself by straightening some books on the bottom shelf. “You know, you could always join me at my parents’ house. It would
just be my parents, my brother and my nephew.” She looked hopeful. This seemed the perfect opportunity to bring up something that he had been waiting for.

  “What about you, Melody? Is there some lucky young man in your life?” Melody glanced down suddenly and turned a soft shade of red. He hadn’t meant to upset her.

  “No.” It was all she said. Should he pry a bit further?

  “Oh, come on. I have a hard time believing that a woman as beautiful and kind as you is unattached.” Seeing the hurt in her eyes was killing him.

  “Well I am. Let’s just leave it at that. I’m happily unattached.” He couldn’t help but notice that she still hadn’t made eye contact with him since he had mentioned a man or lack of, in her life.

  “I sincerely doubt that, Melody.” Without thinking, he reached out and placed his hand on Melody’s shoulder. Again, there was that jolt. He pulled back as if his hand were being placed in a lion’s cage.

  Wide eyes turned to him as Melody shuffled her feet and headed toward the small café. Before he had a chance to ask her to wait, she spun on her heels.

  “Listen, this might be a mistake, you and me. I mean, I may have inadvertently given you the wrong message. I’m not interested in dating, I thought…”

  “Melody, stop. I’m sorry if I’ve given you the idea that I’m looking for anything other than friendship. I wouldn’t dream of hurting Liza and I value our friendship. Even though I haven’t known you long, I can tell that you and I are growing into a strong friendship.” He caught himself before he reached out to her again. Cursing to himself, he wished more than anything that he could simply hug her, hold on to her forever. “Don’t say anything, Melody. Just tell me that I’m still invited to Thanksgiving dinner and that I won’t be all alone eating frozen pizza.” He did his best to make himself appear pathetic, turning big eyes on her.

  That seemed to do it as Melody straightened herself and the beginnings of a smile started to form on her lips. “Okay, sure. But don’t go getting all sappy on me anymore. The last thing I need or want right now is a man in my life.”

  She was going to be a tough nut to crack. His Melody had always been stubborn, but it appeared that she had become even more so over the last several years. When was he going to stop thinking of Melody as his Melody anyway? His blue eyes misted and he spun around quickly. It seemed that Melody hadn’t even noticed.