Page 74 of With This Ring
“Are you going back to New York after the wedding?” Nick asked.
Hudson almost smiled, grateful for the change in subject. “Only to collect my things,” he said. “My business partner and I sold our company, so I’m looking at options.”
“Options?” Nick asked. “For other jobs?”
Hudson nodded. “I’m considering one in Bahrain.”
“As in the Middle East?” Dakota’s expression seemed to convey both shock and possibly disappointment, which surprised him.
“That’s right. My business partner is considering it too. We’d love to buy another company and then sell it.”
“Wow.” Mitch seemed impressed. “You’re big-time, Hudson. Sounds like you’ve been successful.”
“I’m grateful I’ve been able to provide for my aunt and sister.” He shifted in his chair, eager for the focus to be taken off him. “Skye, Aubrey, and Kevin have really grown up. How are they doing?”
Nick smiled. “Oh, they’re great kids.”
As Nick talked on about his children and other Flowering Grove news, Hudson felt himself begin to unwind. After their plates were clean, Eileen brought out a carrot cake, and Dakota served coffee. Then they moved outside to sit on the deck, which he noticed could use some TLC.
Hudson talked with Nick, Mitch, and Gunner about working for Gavin on the new restaurant. He also asked Nick about his work as a marketing executive and how Mitch was enjoying retirement.
While he visited with the men, he peeked over to the other side of the deck, where Dakota talked with her mother, sister-in-law, and Skye. Hudson found himself wondering if he would have enjoyed more of these Sunday night suppers with her family if he and Dakota had built a life together in Flowering Grove.
“Well, I guess we should be going,” Nick announced a while later, resting his hand on his wife’s lower back. “We have to get up early tomorrow for work and school.”
Eileen cupped her hand over her mouth to cover a yawn. “That’s true. My fifth graders always turn rowdy in April. When the weather warms up, they start getting the itch for summer break. Thanks for having us, Dakota.”
“Like I had a choice.” Dakota hugged her sister-in-law. “The cake was amazing.”
Her mom stood. “We’ll have to do this again.”
“Or I could just come to your house so you all don’t catch me by surprise when I haven’t even vacuumed.”
“Is that why there’s cat hair everywhere?” Nick teased, brushing his hands down his jeans. Everyone laughed and Dakota gave him a playful punch.
Hudson followed Dakota’s family into the house, where he said goodbye to everyone before Dakota walked them out to their cars.
Hudson leaned on the back of the sofa while the credits for a movie rolled on the television. He felt something warm and soft brush against his leg and found the cat blinking up at him.
“Hey there, Trouble. Have you given your mom any more scares?” When he scratched the cat’s ears, Trouble started to purr. “I hope not. You really upset her.”
The cat meowed and scampered off to the kitchen.
Hudson followed the feline. He wasn’t ready to leave yet. In fact, he hoped he could stay and talk to Dakota for a while.
But first he was going to look for a screwdriver and take care of those cabinet doors.
Chapter 17
“You need to join us on Sundays,” Mom ordered, standing in the driveway with Dakota and the rest of the family. “We’ve been so worried about you.”
“I know, and I’m sorry. I promise I’ll be in touch.”
“You’d better.” Mom pulled her in for a hug and whispered in her ear, “Do yourself a favor and steer clear of Hud. If you get tangled up with him again, it will only lead to heartache.” Then she gave her shoulder a pat and climbed into the passenger seat of the car.
Dad embraced her next. “I know you say you’ve been busy, but it’s not like you to pull away.” His dark eyes studied hers. “Do you need anything?”
She felt the urge to tell him the truth—theentiretruth—but she couldn’t stand the idea of letting him down. He had warned her that she’d taken on too much when she opened the boutique and bought the house, and she was determined to fix this mess herself. Askingfor help was like admitting defeat, and she was a Jamison. It wasn’t in her makeup to fail.