Page 92 of With This Ring

Shane shook a finger in Hudson’s face. “I am so sick of you and your smug comments. You think you’re better than everyone else because you have money. Well, money doesn’t buy you class.”

Hudson glared at him and tried to act like the comment didn’t sting.

“All you want is to control your sister, but she’s ready to live her own life. If this is the house she wants, accept it.” His voice held a harsh edge.

“It’s not about control,” Hudson retorted. “I’m trying to make sure she can support herself.”

“I’ve already told you we’re going to support each other.” Shane moved closer. He stood a couple inches shorter than Hudson, scowling up at him.

“What if one of you were to get hurt or sick?” Hudson made a sweeping gesture toward his sister. “I’ve seen her make some pretty reckless, impulsive decisions over the years. One mistake can ruin you both financially. That’s why living paycheck to paycheck isn’t good enough.”

Shane was nearly nose to nose with him. “Isanythingever good enough for you? Doesanyonemeet your highfalutin standards?” He jammed a finger at Hudson’s chest. “You know what, Hudson? You throw your money around like it will solve your problems, but you’re the one who’s alone.”

Hudson balled his hands into fists. Oh, he’d had enough of this guy.

Layla took Shane’s arm and tugged him back a couple of steps. “Thanks for your generous offer, Hud, but this is the house we’ve chosen, and we’d like to buy it ourselves.”

“Whatever you say,” Hudson muttered.

Aunt Trudy clasped her hands together, looking desperate. “How about we all go to lunch?”

Layla took Shane’s hand and steered him toward the front door. “Great idea.”

***

Later that afternoon, Hudson sat behind the wheel and glanced over to where Layla kissed Shane goodbye. They’d had an awkward drive in Hudson’s SUV to the restaurant and then a much-too-long lunch during which Aunt Trudy and Layla talked on and on about wedding plans. Shane spent most of his time staring down at his plate when he wasn’t shooting daggers at Hudson with his eyes.

The ride from the restaurant to Aunt Trudy’s house had been just as uncomfortable if not worse. Since Layla and their aunt seemed to have run out of things to discuss, Hudson had turned on the radio—but every time he looked into his rearview mirror, he found Shane silently glaring at his reflection.

As soon as Hudson had parked his SUV in the driveway, Shane had leapt from the car as if his life depended on it. Layla followedclose behind him, and now it seemed she was trying to calm him as he sat in his truck.

“You need to back off,” Aunt Trudy warned Hud.

He’d been expecting his aunt to share her thoughts. “I’m just trying to help.”

“But your idea of helping is actually causing more harm than good.” Aunt Trudy’s expression seemed sad instead of angry. “Hudson, you show your love by buying things for Layla and me, but honestly, we love you foryou, not for the things you can give us with your money.”

He grasped the steering wheel.

“Do you want to start off Layla’s marriage estranged from your brother-in-law?”

Hudson remained silent.

“If Layla has to choose between her husband and her brother, she’ll choose her husband every time.”

Hudson pushed the door open. “That won’t be necessary.”

“Wait.” Aunt Trudy touched his arm. “Why were you looking at Flowering Grove real estate in the first place?”

Hudson shrugged.

“Were you looking for a place for yourself or just trying to prove to Shane that you can provide a better life for your sister than he can?”

“I’m not trying to prove anything to Shane.” He paused for a moment. “You told me he had gotten expelled from high school. He was deep into drugs and alcohol, and it took him a while to get his life on track—to get his GED and find a trade.” He licked his lips. “What if he relapses and takes Layla with him? What if she gets hooked on drugs and alcohol again?” His voice sounded raspy.

Aunt Trudy shook her head. “You’ve got to trust your sister to make the best decisions for herself. She was in a bad place in highschool, but that’s not who she is anymore. She’s grown up, and you need to accept that. Stop punishing her for her past, Hud. If you keep interfering, youwilllose her, and that will devastate both you and her, not to mention me.”

Hudson climbed out of the car and shut the door.