Mel compared the feeling to floating on air as she drove home. Dan was the one. She was sure of it. Everything about him pointed to someone who was ready for a relationship. He had his head on straight, was the perfect age, was drop-dead gorgeous, and above all, was a wonderful gentleman. I finally know what I’m looking for in a man, and Dan has it all, plus he’s active and enthusiastic. Loving furry little animals helps, too.
“I’m home,” she sang out as she entered the house. Lucy bounded down the hallway, her tail wagging back and forth. Mel picked her up and kissed the side of her face. “Hi, baby doll, Mommy’s home.”
“Aren’t you the giddy one? The date must have gone well,” Betsy said as she stirred soup on the stovetop.
Mel hugged her. “Is Charles here?”
“Charles? Yeah, he’s on the patio with everyone else. Hang on. I’m turning this down to a simmer. I’ll go outside with you. Want a beer?”
“Sure, I’ll grab them.”
Mel swung the screen door open, set the beers down, and marched up to Charles, planting a big kiss on his cheek. Everyone roared with laughter as his face turned beet red. He wiped the lip gloss off with the back of his hand.
“What the hell is wrong with you, Mel?” he asked, wearing an embarrassed grin.
She plopped down on an empty chair and explained that if Charles had never brought Lucy home, she would have never met Dan. “He’s the one. I can feel it. Everyone before him was just practice. I finally met the real deal.”
Abby chuckled. “Don’t let John hear that. It would crush his ego.”
“I love John, but not in the same way. This could actually turn into something real. You guys, I’m so happy and optimistic. Whoever is home tomorrow will have a chance to meet him. He’s picking Lucy and me up, and we’re going to the park on James Island at noon, so you better get your admission tickets now. You don’t want to miss the show. Dan is definitely the main attraction. Betsy, didn’t you think he was wonderful?”
“Yeah, not to mention those washboard abs I’d love to do laundry on…. yum!”
“Back off, sister. He’s mine.”
***
Mel sat at the table in her bedroom, scrolling through her cell phone at ten o’clock, enjoying the pictures she had taken earlier at Folly Beach of the pier, lighthouse, and Dan. Man is he gorgeous. We could have incredible-looking kids together. Two boys and a girl would be perfect. I’d design all of their clothes and have Emily make them. I could even design doggy clothes, too. She grinned at how happy she felt. I can’t wait until tomorrow. She peacefully fell asleep as the grandfather clock chimed eleven times.
Dan called at ten o’clock the next morning. “Hey, Mel, I forgot to ask the address to Abby’s house. I’ll pick you up, then we can swing back to my place and get Dotty and Dixie. I don’t want to leave them in the car with all the tourists on your street. They’ll get too excited. Do you mind if I come at eleven thirty? That will give us a little bit of time to visit before we head out.”
“Eleven thirty is perfect, and here’s the address. It’s a smart idea to wait with the dogs. I’d hate for them to get overexcited, and it’s hot in cars, even with the windows down a bit.”
“I agree. I’ll see you in a few hours. You still want to try the kayak, right?”
“Absolutely, it will be fun. I’m a decent swimmer, too.”
“Okay, that’s reassuring. See you soon.”
Today would be a casual day, so Mel opted for a pair of khaki shorts, a tank top, and water sandals. She packed a beach bag with sunscreen, bottled water for Lucy, a few dog and people treats, and several large towels. Mel remembered the park had doggie waste bags, but she packed a few anyway for good measure. Her driver’s license, twenty dollars, and sunglasses were safely stashed in the inside zipper pocket of the bag in case she needed them later. With the bag packed and sitting on the bench in the foyer, she enjoyed a leisurely breakfast of French toast with pure Vermont maple syrup, sausages, and orange juice.
“Okay, everyone, Dan will be here in just a few minutes, so don’t gawk when I introduce him, even though he is gawk-worthy. I swear flies were buzzing around in Betsy’s mouth when she met him.”
“They were not.” Betsy scoffed at Mel while she cleared the breakfast plates off the table.
“Yeah, right. I had to use a floor jack to pry your tongue off the ground. Here he is!”
The buzzer sounded at the gate, and Mel ran down the hallway to let Dan in. She playfully talked to him through the intercom before releasing the gate.
“Hello,” she called out in her most sultry voice. “How may I help you?”
“It depends,” he said, playing along.
“Really? Pray tell.” She released the button so he wouldn’t hear her giggle.
“It depends on if I’m at the right house or not.”
“I’ll let you know in a second.” She pressed the button, opened the gate, and allowed him through. She met him on the veranda with a long, sensuous kiss. “Are you at the right house, Dr. DeLong?”
“I’m not sure. The kiss is kind of familiar, but I’m not totally convinced yet.”
She kissed him again, longer that time, flicking her tongue against his.
“Yeah, now it’s coming back to me. I’m pretty sure this is the right house.”
She laughed and wrapped her arms around him. She whispered in his ear and bit his earlobe. “I missed you as soon as I left last night.”
“I missed you, too. The girls were really moping around after you went home.” He laughed when she punched his arm.
“They were not. Come on. I’ll introduce you to the crazies over a cup of coffee, then I’ll show you Abby’s magnificent home before we leave.”
“Okay, lead the way.”
She took Dan by the hand and led him to the patio. Everyone was home except Lisa and Lucille. “Excuse me, everybody. This is Dr. Dan Delong, Lucy’s very handsome and competent veterinarian. Dan, this is Abby, Erik, Betsy—who you’ve already met—Gina, Adam, Ellie, Charles, and baby Maili. Lisa and Lucille aren’t here right now.”
Charles and Erik stood to shake hands with Dan. The women just gawked.
Charles piped in, “I’m Lucy’s dogfather, according to Mel anyway. I found that poor little thing huddled next to a dumpster one night and brought her home.”
Dan sat, and Mel poured each of them a cup of coffee. “There should be more people in the world like you, Charles. Look how healthy and strong Lucy is now since you were compassionate enough to bring her home with you. Papillion’s are a very expensive and smart breed of dog. She’s lucky to live in such a great home with people that care about her.”
“Thanks. There’s no way I could just drive past her that night, plus she’s a fun addition to the house. Mel takes really good care of her.”
“This is quite the house, Abby. It’s beautiful.”
“Thank you. We all love it here. Erik and Ellie made the backyard as beautiful as it is, and some of the statuary is Adam’s work.”
“You’re a sculptor?”
“To a degree, but mostly I’m a potter. I have a studio on Church Street. Ellie’s fiancé owns Donovan Winthrop Gallery on Broad Street. Some of my work is in his gallery.”
“Really? I know that gallery well. I’ll have to stop in again soon and take a look.”
With the last sip of her coffee, Mel caught Dan’s attention and asked if he was ready to tour the house.
“Absolutely. It was wonderful to meet all of you. I’m sure we’ll see each other again very soon.”
After touring the first and second floors, Mel saved the best for last. She took Dan up to the widow’s walk to show him the view.
“Wow… this is what I call impressive. I can see Fort Sumter from here. This is amazing, Mel. What a wonderful addition to a gorgeous home.”
“Isn’t it? We’ll come up here some evening with a bottle of wine. It’s really beautiful to watch the sun go down from this vantage point, too.”
“I bet it is. Shall we go?”
“After one more kiss.”
“It would be my pleasure, Miss Davis.”