Melody reluctantly dragged her eyes away from the television and glanced at the clock. Eight thirty in the evening. Who'd be knocking on her door at this hour? Nikky and Troy had gone to see a film at the theater and she didn't really know that many of her neighbors, though not for a lack of trying.
Rubbing the tears from her eyes, she rose from the sofa and trailed to the door. How typical for someone to interrupt at the most emotional scene of the movie. She'd rented the black and white western film from the local video shop and had looked forward to watching it in peace tonight.
Feeling obscurely annoyed with whoever stood on the other side of the door, she decided they could wait a moment more. Melody paused with her hand on the knob, watching as the dark rodeo hero enfolded the heroine in his manly arms. "Oh, Cecelia, had I only known about the baby, I never would have left you."
Fresh tears streamed down Melody's face when Cecelia forgave all and allowed herself to be swept away on a tide of ardent kisses. The next scene showed a variegated gray sunset, rickety wooden fence and a lone cactus. Smiling mistily, Melody finally opened the door.
***
Avery noticed Melody's startled gaze when she opened the door and he regretted the way they'd begun their acquaintance. In spite of her tendency to let her mouth run away with her, Avery had to admit otherwise he found her warmth and vitality very appealing.
Hoping to build upon their truce and ask a favor, he smiled his best smile. Avery experienced a feeling of pleasure at the resulting color flooding into Melody's cheeks, glad to find she wasn't completely indifferent to him. But when she sniffed and the hall light revealed red puffy eyes and a pink nose, he experienced a spasm of alarm.
Wiping her cheeks with the back of her hand, she said, "Yes?"
"Melody, are you alright?"
She nodded and went back into her apartment. Avery followed, shutting her door behind him. He watched with puzzlement as she drifted over to her couch and sank onto the cushions. A heavy sigh shook her shoulders.
Avery carefully sat down on the chair opposite and studied her face. "Why are you crying?" he asked gently.
Melody turned a blotchy face to his. "Happy endings always make me cry."
"Happy endings...?"
"Cecelia and Rupert are back together after insurmountable odds." She sniffed again and held a lace hanky to her nose.
Avery wondered idly if she'd spiked her tea. "Uh, are you sure you feel okay?"
Melody looked at him in surprise. "Haven't you seen Rhapsody Ranch? A cowboy like yourself surely-" Her face reddened and she looked away.
Glancing at the rolling credits on the television, he asked, "Are you talking about a movie? That's what made you cry?"
She nodded. "It's one of my favorites. Cecelia and Rupert..."
"Rupert? No self-respecting cowboy would ever have a name like Rupert," he said, feeling suddenly lighthearted. "Real cowboys have names like Mad Dog and One-Fingered Jack."
"There was a character named Sam 'Snake' Snodgrass. He was the bad guy."
A smile quirked Avery's mouth. "I have a feeling you take movies way too seriously."
Melody blew her nose with an unladylike honk, making him jump. "So, what can I do for you, Avery?" she said after giving her nose a delicate wipe.
He surveyed her for a moment, noticing how endearing she looked, even all weepy. "I wanted to ask for a favor."
She cleared her throat. "Yes?"
"I'm working some extra shifts to cover for someone going on vacation and I wondered if you'd mind if Barney slept here at night. If he's alone at night he'll start howling."
***
Melody peeked up at him through her lashes. Am I so desperate for a man that I think being asked to baby sit a puppy is a compliment? "Sure, I'd be glad to."
Avery appeared relieved. "Uh, starting tonight?" He glanced at his watch. "I'm due at the station in a few minutes."
Giving her nose one last swipe with her hanky, she said expansively, "Bring him over."
Avery got up from the chair and went back to his apartment. In a few moments, Barney came bounding into her living room followed by Avery, carrying a bag of dog food and a leash.
"Please put him on the leash when you take him outside. As you know, he'll take off otherwise. Also hide all your shoes or anything else you think he might get his teeth on."
Melody patted her lap and Barney jumped next to her on the couch.
"Thanks, Melody. I really appreciate this!" Avery left quickly, reminding her to lock the door behind him.
When he was gone, Melody looked at Barney and said, "Hey fellow, there's this great film called Rhapsody Ranch. Want to watch it? It's quite good."
