Page 85 of With This Ring

“You’ve always been so focused on making money to take care of your family, and you’ve done that. But now money seems to beallyou care about, and there’s more to life than that.”

He stared at her. “I don’t only care about—”

“There you are, Dakota,” Trudy called from behind them, interrupting his words. “Oh, hello, Hudson. I saw your vehicle, but I didn’t know where you’d gone.” She beckoned them toward the back door. “Come in for cake,” she sang before disappearing into the house.

Hudson stood and held his hand out to Dakota. She hesitated, and for a moment he thought she was going to reject him. But she accepted his hand and allowed him to lift her to her feet.

He released her hand, and together they walked into the house. He was still reeling from her comment and longing for more time to explain himself, but the moment was gone.

For the rest of the afternoon, Hudson couldn’t take his eyes off Dakota. She was stunning in a green sundress that made the most of her trim figure. Her thick dark hair was fixed in a braid with tendrils falling around her beautiful face. Just enough makeup accentuated her captivating dark eyes.

He also couldn’t stop mulling over the conversation they’d shared outside on the glider. He was stunned when she said she would’ve tried to help Layla if she’d known she was struggling in high school. It seemed so unlikely that she still cared about his family after the way she’d ended their relationship without explanation. Had the roles been reversed, would he have done the same? He wasn’t so sure. Yet he found truth in her eyes and in the tone of her voice. It seemed she really cared for his family. He then remembered how she’d given his sister the family discount on her gown to help her with the wedding of her dreams.

If she cared about Layla, did that mean she could still care about him?

He almost laughed out loud. To indulge these thoughts was foolish because Dakota was seeing Parker. She belonged to another man.

But still it felt good to tell her about Layla’s past and finally get his concerns off his chest. She had listened to him, which hadn’t surprised him. She’d always been a good listener—the best, really.

But what had shocked him most of all was when she accused him of only caring about money.

Is money all you care about?

If so, you’re not the same man I fell in love with in high school.

Those words had quickly burrowed deep into his soul. Was that who she truly thought he was?

More importantly, was she right about him?

They joined the party in the den, where they sat on the sofa together, ate cake, and talked to some of the other guests. He’d felt strange being the only man at the shower, which made him wonder why his sister had invited him. But when he saw his sister grinning at him from across the room, it hit him—Layla was still holding on to the crazy idea that he and Dakota could rekindle their romance.

When the party ended, Hudson helped clean up the kitchen while Layla said goodbye to her guests. Dakota had disappointed him by slipping away before he’d had a chance to say goodbye. Had she deliberately left when he wasn’t paying attention? Had she been that disgusted with him after telling him he only cared about money?

“There’s a box for you in my craft room, Hud,” Aunt Trudy said, setting a serving tray in the cabinet. “I found a photo album I want you to have.”

“Okay. Thanks.” Hudson dropped a handful of utensils into the dishwasher.

“You and Dakota were getting awfully cozy out on the deck earlier.”

He shrugged. “We were just talking.”

“Oh.” She sounded disappointed.

He glanced at her. She looked disappointed too.

They worked in silence for a few moments as she washed another serving tray and he stacked the dishes in the dishwasher.

Then he looked over at her again. “Did Layla invite me because of Dakota?”

Trudy paused long enough that Hud thought she wouldn’t answer his question. Finally she said, “Well, she’s determined to get you two back together.”

“Not gonna happen. I’ve already made that clear.”

“It’s obvious you still care for each other. I’m sure even a stranger would pick up on the chemistry between you two.” She dried the serving platter and set it next to the sink.

“She’s seeing someone, Aunt Trudy.” He leaned back against the counter, and when she gave him a disbelieving look, he added, “Dakota has a boyfriend. I’ve met him.”

His aunt waved him off. “That might be true, sweetie, but the intensity I saw in y’all’s eyes for each other out there on the deck is something very special. It reminded me of your younger years.”