Saving Mel

I wasn’t sure why I was so disappointed at the fact that I was alone.

CHAPTER 8

MELANIE

I rolled over in bed, my eyes beginning to hurt. Sun was streaming through the open window, igniting the room in a glow I hadn’t yet adjusted to. I buried myself back underneath the covers and pulled them over my head, desperate to force the sunlight out of my life so I could go back to sleep.

But the smell of sausage came wafting into the room, and my growling stomach pulled me from the bed.

I decided to hop into the small shower attached to the room and get myself cleaned up. Even though I still had the same clothes I’d been wearing for the last two days on, I could at least wash my body and hair. When I was done, I felt like half a human being again.

I could hear Hadley giggling at something while Liam ate his food. He was talking about something, asking for an apple, or possibly bubblegum. His mouth was so full I wasn’t sure what he was saying, but I could tell by Evan’s chuckle that it was amusing.

“Where’s Mew?” Liam asked.

“Probably still—”

“I’m right here.” I stepped around the corner and Liam whipped his head over to me, his brown hair fluttering around his eyes. He smiled brightly as Hadley lifted her arms to me, and the smile that crossed my face made my cheeks ache. I could feel Evan staring at me as I walked toward the kitchen table, and soon after I sat down next to Liam, a plate descended in front of me.

“Thank you,” I said.

“Welcome,” he replied

“Want an apple?” Liam asked.

“Oh, no. I’m okay. But you need to eat your apple so you can grow big and strong,” I said.

“Like Uncle Evan!” he exclaimed

“Like Uncle Evan,” I said, giggling.

I took a bite of the sausage and had to stifle a groan. Evan set a mug of coffee in front of me and I wrapped my hands around it, reveling in its warmth before I took a sip.

Evan was still standing in the corner with a cup of coffee in his hand. He never sat and ate with us and I wondered why. Maybe it was too intimate for him? I thought back to what I’d said to him the night before and I nearly blushed.

“Do you think the sun’s melted enough of the snow to get my car out?” I asked.

“I’m not sure, but I can go look,” he said.

“Oh, I don’t want you to have to go out in this,” I quickly replied. “I can go.”

Evan shook his head. “No, it’s fine. I’ll take my snowmobile and go check it out. As long as you’re okay with the kids for a little bit?”

I looked at the two smiling faces in front of me and couldn’t help but smile in return. “Of course,” I said.

“I’m gonna go prep the snowmobile,” Evan said.

“Okay,” I said.

“All of Hadley’s clothes, diapers, and wipes are in her room,” he said.

“Got it,” I answered.

“I shouldn’t be gone too long, but if they want snacks, Liam can have a banana and Hadley has those puffy things that melt in her mouth,” he instructed.

I stifled a grin as he rattled off more. It was really cute how much interest he took in the kids. Most guys would let them eat whatever they wanted, but Evan knew the importance of healthy foods. I found it quite endearing.

“I’ll let you know when I’m about to take off,” he said.

I watched him stride down the hallway and I couldn’t peel my eyes away from him. His very broad shoulders tapered into strong, yet slim hips. His legs boasted of muscles underneath his over-washed jeans, but it was his hands that caught my eye. Calloused and rough, but they hung delicately at his sides. He wasn’t nearly as highly strung as he had been the day before, and I found myself wondering why that was.

“Story?” Liam asked.

“What was that?” I asked.

“Read story?”

Hadley clapped her hands as a smile crossed my face.

“I’d love to. Why don’t you go pick out your favorite book and we can read it together?” I said.

Liam climbed down from the table and scampered off as I got up to get Hadley. I lifted her from her high chair and began cleaning her off, wiping down her hands before I made my way to her face. She squirmed and frowned, trying to get away from the cold wipe I was rubbing all over her skin.

I placed her in her playpen so I could wipe down her high chair just as Liam appeared at my side.

“Here,” he said.

I looked down at the tattered green book and recognized it instantly. The Giving Tree. I had loved this book since I was a child, and had read it to my classes when I was doing my student teaching.