Page 16 of Beau & Autumn

I clear my throat. “Something like that.”

She doesn’t press me on it because Callan and Hudson are over by the barn as she parks. We both slide off the ATV and walk up to them. They’re doing some last minute planting on the exterior. The foliage is a mixture of leafy plants and pretty peonies and hydrangeas. It looks vibrant and colorful with pinks, yellows and purples.

“Oh boy,” I hear Georgia mutter when she sees Hudson walking over. Despite what she maintains, she and Hudson have chemistry. You can almost feel it radiating off them whenever they’re together. I don’t know why either one of them denies it.

“Hey, Blue Belle.” Hudson nods then glances at me. “Autumn.” For a tough looking cowboy with tats up his arms, he sure does know how to turn on the charm with his cute nicknames for Georgia with his deep voice.

“Hi, Hudson.” I smile. “Long time no see.”

He thumbs behind him. “Been busy on the farm.”

Georgia gives him a little wave. “Nice to see you working instead of shirking for a change, GP.” She just has to poke the bear.

“Thanks, like I needed a pep talk this early in the morning from a precious princess.”

She rolls her eyes at him as Callan turns around, shovel in hand and his knees all dirty from the soil. They’ve also been mulching the garden at the front of the barn. His beautiful American Staffordshire, Sunny, rolls up from her lying position and trots over to us. She’s the sweetest, most gentle dog I’ve ever come across. We both bend down to pat her as she laps it up.

“Hey girls.” Callan wipes the sweat from his brow.

“Hi, Callan!” We chime together.

Hudson scrunches his forehead, looking directly at Georgia with a hand on his hip. “How come I don’t get a reception like that?”

“Because Callan isn’t annoying like you.”

He gives her a withering look. “You say that, but you don’t mean it. You love me really.”

Georgia makes a gagging sound that makes Hudson’s shoulders shake with laughter. I think they just enjoy annoying the shit out of each other, to be honest.

“Did it sound like I loved you in Discord the other day? Take a hint.”

“Subliminally, maybe.”

“I gotta hand it to you.” Callan strolls up and pats Hudson the back. “You sure are a glutton for punishment.”

Georgia puts both hands on her hips and lets out a huff.

“I don’t mean you,” Callan quickly amends. “I meant we’ve been shoveling mulch since the crack of dawn to finish off the garden ready for the photos.”

“And this is the thanks we get,” Hudson mutters.

“Well, I think it looks beautiful. I’m going to get some more shots while the lighting is good today, and some twilight footage before the weeks out,” I say like the crazy camera lady.

“It sure has come up a treat.” Georgia glances around in admiration. “The spring shots will be beautiful.”

“It’s come a long way from where we started.” Callan stands back to admire his handy work. He spent the better half of last year doing all the renovations and bringing the old barn back to life from scratch. “What do you think, Blue Belle? Are the hydrangeas good enough for you?” Hudson quirks and eyebrow, tilting his head.

“The hydrangeas are perfect,” she says.

His eyebrows rise slightly at her agreeance.

“Thank God,” Callan says. “We’ve planted them in every color we could find. The magnoliaover there should really set the backdrop once it’s established.” He points to the pretty tree that’s already taller than him.

“It won’t take long,” Hudson says. He’s still looking at Georgia. “So, in case I misheard, you actually like the plants?”

“Don’t look so surprised.” She smirks. “Clearly you know how to farm more than just cotton.”

His lips twitch slightly. “Just, it’s been a while since we’ve heard any praise out of you. In fact, I’ve never heard anything nice come out of your mouth about me.”

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