Page 48 of With This Ring
He sighed and backed out of the parking space. “No, Aunt Trudy, I haven’t left. I just needed time to regroup after the fight with Layla. Figured we could both use some time to cool down.”
“Oh, Hud. You’ll work it out. Oh! And she just pulled in the driveway. Anyway, I was thinking of you today, so I made banana bread. Your favorite. It’s sitting here waiting for you, but you’d better get here quick. I’m leaving soon to go to Marcie’s for supper.”
His mouth started to salivate at the mere thought of his aunt’s delicious banana bread. “I’ll be there in ten minutes.”
True to his word, he soon nosed his SUV into his aunt’s driveway behind her car and Layla’s. He loped up the front steps, but the storm door opened just as he was about to knock.
Aunt Trudy joined him on the porch carrying a grocery bag. “In order to get you to visit me, I need to bribe you with food.”
Guilt bit into his back. “You know that’s not true. I’ve been busy, but that’s no excuse.”
“Doing what?”
“Working. Gavin Wallace owns the construction company that’s building a restaurant where the music store used to be. He was looking for extra crew, so he hired me.”
His aunt’s face lit with a megawatt smile. “Does that mean you’re staying in Flowering Grove?”
He shook his head. “I figured I needed something to do while I’m here, and Gavin needs the help. I don’t plan on staying after the wedding.”If there is a wedding...
She clucked her tongue. “You say that now, but you’ll change your mind. You’re gonna remember why you love it here.”
Not likely. Nothing could keep him in Flowering Grove, especially if staying here meant watching Dakota plan a life with another man.
Layla appeared on the front porch and gave him a once-over. “You’re a mess. What happened to you?”
“Hud got a job working for a construction company.”
“What?” Layla snorted. “The big CEO is working construction? How’d that happen?” She jogged down the steps and over to her car.
Hudson frowned. “You seem to have forgotten I worked construction when I was in college.”
“Right, but isn’t that beneath you now?”
He pressed his lips together.
“I bet you won’t last a week at that job.”
“You bet me?” he asked.
“Yeah, I bet you.” She pointed at him. “You’re too good to get your hands dirty.”
“What are the stakes?” he asked.
Layla rubbed her chin. “How about... a sundae from the Flowering Grove Creamery?”
Aunt Trudy shook her head. “That’s enough, you two.”
“All right.” Hudson walked over to his sister and held out his hand. “I’ll take that bet.”
They shook on it. He’d show her that he wasn’t the out-of-touch snob she thought he was.
“Well, I need to run and meet my fiancé. I’ll tell him you said hello,” she told Hudson before turning to their aunt. “See you later.”
“Drive safely.” Aunt Trudy waved to her before handing Hud the grocery bag. “Here’s your bread. I need to run along to Marcie’s, but I’d better see you soon.”
He inhaled the appetizing smell of his favorite snack, then kissed her cheek. “Yes, ma’am. I’ll enjoy this for sure.”
Ten minutes later Hudson parked his vehicle in the drivewayof the colonial. The heavenly scent of his aunt’s bread had filled his SUV and caused his empty stomach to gurgle. Lunch had been hours ago, and the bread sounded like the perfect supper.