Hot Fudge Fraud Read Online Free Page B

gotten worse.  My mom says she feels isolated being away from Charleston.  And my dad complains that he never has any time to himself.  The whole thing has made me feel pretty damn useless.  It was stupid of me to think that I could save their marriage by buying them a house, right?” Keith shook his head bitterly as his eyes fogged over with unshed tears.
    Touched by how much he had shared, Melanie soothed, “It wasn’t stupid at all.  It was a beautiful gesture.  And divorce would be such a shame at their age.  I mean, they’re in their golden years.  They should just grow old together.  But I guess it’s not that simple,” she shrugged, taking a gulp of ice water to tame the spices burning her tongue.
    “I guess my story won’t help change your mind about marriage,” Keith said wryly.
    “Probably not,” she admitted, surprised by how preoccupied Keith seemed to be with marriage.
    “I’m just an ol’ fashioned country boy at heart, Melanie.  Can’t help it,” he said, reading her mind.  “I’ve always dreamed of the nice, big house with lots of kids running through it.  Thing is, I’ve got the big house.  But it’s so damn empty,” he mused, shaking his head.
    Melanie remained silent for a few beats, uneasy with the emotionally charged conversation.  She hadn’t signed up for a soul baring session when she agreed to go out to dinner with Keith.
    Perceiving her train of thought, Keith said, “You know, I don’t usually get this deep in conversations with people.  Especially on dates.  Most of the women I’ve dated have been pretty vapid.  But I know you’re not like that, Melanie.  I can tell that you’re a real soul.  You’ve got so much spirit locked up inside of there,” he paused to point to her heart.  “You just gotta set it free.”
    “One step at a time,” she said softly.  “It’s strange to hear a man like you talk about empty houses and unfulfilled dreams.”
    “A man like me?” He arched an eyebrow.
    “Well, you know.  A man who’s so successful and…so attractive,” she finished shyly.
    Keith grinned at her but said nothing.  “So, Miss Bradley, have you ever thought of going to Ireland?”
    “ Actually, I have.  Last year, I thought maybe I would finally be ready to go.  I even got a passport for the first time in my life.  But I’ve never used it.  In the end, I couldn’t imagine going to Ireland when my mother never got to see the country again.  It would be too sad.”
    “There’s a better way to look at it,” Keith asserted.  “Going to Ireland would be paying tribute to your mother.  If she couldn’t go, I’m sure she would want her only child to go.”
    Melanie dismissed his points.  “ Well, I don’t know.  Can you believe I’ve never even been on a plane?”
    “Really?” Keith asked in disbelief.
    “Yup.  The farthest I’ve ever been away from Charleston is when I drove to Miami Beach a few years ago with some friends.  Other than that, I’ve lived and breathed South Carolina since I was born.”
    There was a stubborn note of pride in Melanie’s voice that made Keith s mile.  “Well, if there’s any place to spend all your life in, it’s gotta be South Carolina.  I bet you even have one of those Carolina Girl bumper stickers, don’t you?”
    “No, but I’ve got a Carolina Girl tattoo,” she deadpanned as he looked momentarily horrified.  “Just kidding.  No tattoos on my body,” she assured as he sighed in relief.  “Man, you’re traditional, aren’t you?  You shoulda seen how white your face just turned when I said ‘tattoo.’”
    “I am traditional.  And I make no apologies for it.  I don’t expect you to make apologies for who you are either.”
    “Good.  Because I wouldn’t,” she said tartly as he rolled his eyes with humor.
    “Alright, my little Magnolia flower, I get it.  You’re a spark plug.  But I like it,” he smiled, refilling her glass with wine.
    By the time they