Page 60 of With This Ring
Hudson nosed his SUV behind the truck and killed the engine. Then he settled back in his seat and waited for Shane to come out to his vehicle. When his phone rang, he found Darren’s number on the screen.
“Hey,” Hudson said. “What’s up?”
“I haven’t heard from you in a while. What’s going on in Flowering Grove?”
“Would you believe I’m back working in construction?”
“Construction?” Darren asked. “Doing what?”
“My buddy Gavin owns a construction company, and they’re building a new restaurant. I helped with the framing, and now we’re supervising the plumbers and electricians.”
“You’re telling me you’re doing manual labor when you could be running a company? Why would you do that?”
Hudson turned toward the house, looking for any sign of Shane. “Gavin needs help, so I’m helping.”
“There’s nothing else going on?”
The image of Dakota filled his mind, along with the memory of holding her in his arms, enjoying the feel of her warm body against his on the night her cat disappeared. He hadn’t seen her since then, but he’d dreamed about that encounter nearly every night since it happened.
“No. I’m actually enjoying the work, and having lunch at my old haunts is a blast. Have you ever had Carolina barbecue? If not, you need to come down here and eat at the Barbecue Pit. It’s the best. In fact, it’s known all over the state. And to be honest, I really don’t miss the craziness of the city or the traffic.” When Darren wassilent, Hudson checked to see if the call had dropped. “You still there?”
“Yeah, I’m here. I guess you haven’t thought about Bahrain, LA, or London.”
Hudson brushed his hand over the stubble on his jaw. “I got your email, and I’ve been thinking about the options.”
“I’m going to need to let Jerry know pretty soon.”
Hudson looked up and saw Shane coming down the driveway, walking beside a stocky guy who appeared to be in his early forties.
“Listen, can I call you back later?”
“Sure, man.”
“Talk to you soon.” Hudson disconnected the call and climbed out of the SUV.
Shane said something to the other man and then started toward his truck. When his gaze tangled with Hudson’s, his brow furrowed and his steps slowed.
“Hey.” Hudson waved to him, and Shane continued toward him, his expression stoic. “Got time for coffee?”
Shane ran his tongue over his teeth and shook his head. “No, I don’t think so.”
“Okay.” Hudson leaned against his SUV’s fender. “We can talk here then.”
“About what?”
Hudson leveled his gaze with the younger man. “Are you prepared to take care of my sister?”
Shane swept his hands down his dusty jeans and then gave him a black look. “Me and Layla are prepared to take care ofeach other.”
“I know you got in a lot of trouble in high school. How do I know that you’ve grown up since then?”
“That was a long time ago,” Shane said. “I learned my lessonand got my life together. I got clean, earned my GED, and learned a trade.” He gestured toward the lawn and gardens behind him. “I’ve received nothing but praise from my boss and my customers, including your aunt.”
Hudson nodded. “That’s good to know. Have you and my sister ever had to work through an argument?” he asked.
Shane gave him a cool stare.
“Are you two truly ready to be on your own? Neither of you has ever lived away from home. Can you even do laundry or cook?”