Page 56 of With This Ring

Hudson grinned down at the offending feline. “This little scoundrel was asleep in the bottom of your closet. He was tucked away behind a few shoe boxes. He seemed pretty annoyed when I picked him up.”

“Oh, Trouble.” She took the cat into her arms, and as she held him close, the dam inside her crumbled, letting all of the stress she’d carried around go pouring out of her.

The cat wriggled and she released him. He hopped down to the utility room floor, then scampered toward the kitchen and his stinky supper.

Dakota covered her face with her hands and tried in vain to stop her sobs. Her body shook and embarrassment welled up inside her while she continued to cry.

“Hey, Koti?” Hudson’s husky voice was next to her ear, sending goose bumps chasing each other down her back. “It’s okay. We found him.”

Instinctively, she took a step forward to be engulfed by Hudson’s muscular arms. She froze as his hands rested on her lower back. Then her body relaxed, and she wrapped her arms around his neck and basked in his familiar scent. Although his shirt was wet from the rain, his taut chest was warm, and her tensed-up muscles began to ease. She rested her head against him and listened to the rhythmic cadence of his heartbeat. She felt safe and protected in his strong embrace.

He moved his fingers up and down her back. “It’s okay now. The cat is fine. He just needed a good nap on this rainy day.”

“It’s not that,” she whispered.

“What do you mean?”

She looked up at Hudson, and the urge to tell him everything grabbed her by the throat. She wanted to unload all of her burdens and ask for his advice.

Then warning bells sounded in her head.

Don’t trust him!

His gaze roved over her features, and when they lingered on her lips, a thousand butterflies danced in her stomach. Then his focus returned to her eyes. “Go ahead,” Hudson prodded. “Tell me.”

“It’s just...”

“Dakota?” a voice asked behind her.

Hudson’s arms dropped to his sides, and his warm expression faded.

She spun toward Parker, who was standing in the doorway. He was holding a bouquet of red roses and looking confused.

Dakota sniffed and wiped her eyes. “Parker. What are you doing here?”

“Sorry for just walking in, but I was knocking, and the door was open...” Parker divided a look between Dakota and Hudson, and his brow crinkled. “Uh, well... And since you never answered any of my texts today, I was worried about you. But I should go—”

“Don’t.” Hudson held his hand out to Parker. “Hudson Garrity.”

Parker paused before shaking his hand. “Parker Bryant.”

“Nice to meet you. I was just helping Kot—uh—Dakotafind her cat.” He gave her a curt nod. “Glad we found Trouble. Good night.” He slipped past Parker, and his footfalls sounded until the storm door opened and shut with a click.

Parker studied her, and an awkward silence expanded between them.

Dakota pointed to the flowers. “Are those for me?” She hoped her voice sounded more cheerful than she felt.

“Yeah.” He held them out to her, and she took them.

“Thank you so much.” She breathed in their sweet fragrance. “They’re lovely. What’s the occasion?”

“Skye mentioned you’ve been working long hours on a special wedding gown, and I thought you could use a pick-me-up.”

“Th-that’s so thoughtful of you.” Shame pummeled her. She’d been caught in her ex’s arms and had been planning to open up to him, all while this thoughtful man was worrying about her. “I’d better get these in water.” She found a vase in the kitchen and arranged the pretty roses before setting them on the kitchen table. “Want a drink?”

“Sure.”

She poured each of them a glass of water, and they sat at her table.