His Perfect Woman (Harlequin Superromance) by Kay Stockham Page B

you didn’t return the favor—until now. You’re coming to lunch with me.”
    Bryan shook his head. He didn’t want to be involved in the family squabble any more than he already was. “I wasn’t invited.”
    She tossed aside a phone book. “You are now. I’ll call Dad back and let him know.”
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    T HE FIRST THING Melissa noticed when she entered Ellen’s house was the homey feel. Unlike Bryan’s Edwardian-style home/medical practice, Ellen’s home was a mixture of ranch, farmhouse and Victorian all rolled into one. They entered through the kitchen door after a cheery “Come in!” followed their knock, and Melissa listened to the other woman’s hurried footsteps heading in their direction while taking in the sunflower wallpaper and bright decor. Reds and yellows brightened the oak cabinets and furniture, and the hardwood floors, dotted with rag-hooked rugs in a variety of shades and textures, were yet another welcoming touch.
    â€œSee? Not the dungeon you imagined your father trapped in, huh?” Bryan teased quietly. “And do you smell that? That’s not gruel, but Ellen’s sweet-potato casserole. Best I’ve ever eaten. I think I’m going to enjoy being your date.”
    Date? Melissa did her best to ignore the way her heart rate increased at his choice of words.
    Yeah, like Bang ’em Booker would do someone like you.
    Melissa stepped away from him to establish some much-needed distance. Her reaction was a physical one, nothing else, the result of being unable to remember the last time a man other than her father or a hospital orderly had touched her. She didn’t want Bryan to do her, wasn’t interested in him at all. It was just a thought, fleeting, one of those what-if’s that came from out of nowhere when she least expected it.
    She knew whoever consented to sex with her would wind up feeling a certain amount of pity. She supposed that was inevitable. But she couldn’t tolerate pity from someone like Bryan, someone so perfect.
    â€œBryan! What a nice surprise. I’m glad you could join us.”
    â€œDo you mind?”
    â€œOf course not,” Ellen said with a smile. “You know you’re always welcome. Anytime.”
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    G RATEFUL FOR the distraction from her too-strange musings, Melissa watched Ellen’s approach only to be even more upset when she noticed the way the woman’s engagement ring sparkled in the sunlight.
    She’d never been offered a ring.
    The thought sliced through Melissa’s overstressed brain. It might be mean, maybe even catty, but how fair was it that she’d never had a chance to walk down the aisle and probably never would?
    â€œMelissa, I’m so glad you could join us. Please make yourself at home.”
    â€œThank you.” Her voice emerged raspy, earning a suspicious glance from Bryan that she ignored.
    Ellen’s hands fluttered at her waist. “Your father just arrived. He’s in the bathroom washing up and will be in shortly.”
    Silence filled the air and they stood in the kitchen staring at each other. Seconds ticked by and still no one spoke.
    Finally Bryan looked back and forth between the two of them and cleared his throat.
    â€œUh, why don’t Melissa and I help you set the table or something? The sooner it’s done, the sooner we eat.” He rubbed his hands together as though he couldn’t wait, and the act drew a soft, high-pitched laugh from Ellen along with a touch to his arm.
    Melissa wondered at their familiarity and studied the woman more closely. Ellen’s short hair framed a face gentlylined but youthful. She wore a light dusting of makeup that enhanced her features, stylish glasses, a rust-colored shirt and a denim jumper with fall leaves and scarecrows stitched on the pockets. Men might not be scrambling to do a surgery-mutilated woman, but there was something homey about Ellen that put her in