Mindy felt her heart drop into her stomach.
“I’m eighteen. I just started my freshman year at college.”
“How exciting.” She gave Mindy a I-caught-you grin.
“The blankets are in the chest in the guest bedroom,” Mindy said, feeling choked.
“Thanks. Nice meeting you.” Jane left.
Watching her daughter leave the room, she then turned her gaze upon Melody who looked like she was the cat who ate the canary. “Hmm. Looks like someone has a big secret.”
So obviously Melody hadn’t read the letter, at least not all of it. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Melody glided toward Mindy, leaning in and whispering, “I’m not a math wizard but I think I can calculate what nine months gets somebody. Now I know why you really came back to town. It wasn’t for Creed. You were pregnant.” She pulled back slightly, holding Mindy’s gaze in a lock.
“Melody—”
“Don’t Melody me.” Her laughter was cold. “Are you worried that I’ll tell Creed? Now why would I do that?” She sneered.
“I plan on telling him. It’s between us.”
“Really? I think you’re wrong about that. I have a daughter involved in all this. Not to mention, Livvy and Jane look like sisters. Creed definitely has prominent genes, doesn’t he?” She shrugged. “Do you think he’ll ever forgive you?” Her gaze had turned frosty.
Mindy wrapped her arms around her stomach. She kept her mouth closed.
Melody stepped over to the door. “If I were you, I’d go back to where you came from.” The closing of the door was a finality.
Chapter Nineteen
CREED HEARD A noise and a second later he felt the bed sink. He’d been fast asleep so it took some time to force his eyes open. His breath came out in a hiss when he saw Melody. “What the hell are you doing, Mel?” he bit out.
“Livvy’s bed is way too small,” she cooed. “You have this big bed all to your lonesome, Creed. You don’t mind sharing, do you, honey?” She reached out and tangled her fingers in his hair.
He blinked, sleep quickly leaving his body. He roved his gaze down the tight-fitting T-shirt that landed high on her shapely thighs. “Melody, it wouldn’t matter if I was sleeping in a bed the size of this house it’d still be too small for the both of us.”
She showed no signs of being hurt by his blunt words. “Come on, Creed. Don’t you ever get a hankering for old times. Remember how good we were together? How wild and sexy we could be?” She scooted closer, roaming her fingers down his chest, his stomach, to the sheet that was tossed over his lap. No denying, they used to be hot together. She could suck a raisin through a straw and enjoyed showing off her skills. They could go all night until he could barely walk the next morning. Yet he didn’t even feel a tingle south of his waist. Over the years he’d learned there was a heck of a lot more important than a roll in the sack. Hell, if he was still the cowboy who thought with his dick, he would have Mindy in his bed twenty-four seven, if she’d take him. But he wanted more. Needed more. And Melody didn’t meet any of the criteria.
When she swept her hand lower, rubbing his flaccid body, he wrapped his fingers around her slender wrist and lifted her hand off his body. “Save your actions. It won’t happen.”
Her fuller bottom lip puckered. “It’s okay. Livvy is fast asleep. She’ll never know.” She leaned in, but Creed sat up straight, taking the sheet with him to cover himself.
“This isn’t about Livvy,” he groaned.
She pushed herself up and the wide neckline of the shirt lowered, revealing the tops of her large naked breasts. “Please tell me this has nothing to do with Mindy Sage.”
So, Melody knew Mindy was back in town. “Is that where you’d gone earlier? Doesn’t matter. Even if Mindy wasn’t here, I’d still feel the same. What we had is history.”
“Fine. I’m good at keeping a secret, not as good as some, but I won’t tell a soul. I’m offering you me.”
“No.”
Rolling her tongue along her satin smooth lips, she smiled. “I’m not looking for a relationship again, Creed. But I have to say, I miss you in a hundred ways.” She dipped her gaze to the sheet. “I haven’t been able to find a man yet who has your moves.”
“Save yourself the embarrassment. The only thing getting off here tonight is me off the bed.” He jumped up, wrapping the sheet around his hips.
An ugly expression covered her face. “My God, this really is about Mindy, isn’t it?” She pushed off the bed and paraded up to him. The hem of the T-shirt stayed around her flat stomach. “What a pathetic story.” She laughed.
“You’re jealous of her, aren’t you?”
“What? Me jealous of her? I think it was the other way around.” She crossed her arms over her chest and wrinkled her nose.
“She had no reason to be jealous.”
Several exasperated expressions flicked over her face before the frown shaped her full lips. “Just as I thought. You never did get over her. You want to blame me for the demise of our marriage, but you were the problem, Creed. I’m sick of everyone thinking Mindy is such an angel. You’re mother. Your brothers. And now Livvy. I can tell you she’s far from innocent.”
“Save it, Mel. This won’t change anything. You lied about the letter and many other things.”
Stomping her foot, she stormed to the door, dragged it open, and looked back at him with a deep-rooted vengeance. “Did you know Mindy has a daughter?”
“Yes, I don’t mind—”
Her snort sounded
