Page 5 of Hudson

“Whoa,” I exhale, my arms flinging out to my sides to try and regain balance, just as he moves quickly, his hands coming to my waist to grab me so I don’t fall. Instinct has me putting my hands on his arms, holding on to him. He steadies us, the two of us now standing so close I can almost feel his breath on my cheek. Memories swirl, familiarity sinking into my bones. My heart is thudding out of my chest, and I can barely breathe as I look up at him.

“You never responded to my messages?” he asks softly, not accusing and not angry, and I feel slightly guilty.

“I’ve been busy.” I could tell him that I think about him all the time. That I have nightmares about that night and the only thing that soothes me is looking at those messages. But he doesn’t need to know all that.

“Too busy to text?” he asks, raising his eyebrow in question, knowing full well that I have time to text him back.

“There’s been a lot going on,” I say, only half fibbing.

His gaze on me is intense, like he is trying to see through me and my bullshit, and it’s working. I’m not sure if it was the near-death experience we had together, but it’s like we’re doing life on the same frequency. I feel his thumb move a little along my side, caressing metenderly, the movement so small it’s hard to feel. But I do feel it and my body starts to soften against his of its own accord. I have no idea what’s happening, but I like it.

“Do I need to check your phone? Maybe teach you how to send a text message?” His lips quirk, breaking this tension we feel, and I roll my eyes and smile. He’s letting me off easy, injecting a little humor, and I’m thankful.

“Hudson…” I say, shaking my head, needing his attention off me. I’m so tired; I’m surprised he is here, happy, confused, and my inner turmoil rages, yet all the while his thumb continues to run up and down, almost in rhythm with my heartbeat, keeping me grounded.

“You alright?” he asks genuinely and full of concern, and I take a deep breath, trying to steel myself. He lifts his hand, his fingers tenderly touching my cheek. I hold my breath as we stare at each other for a beat. I could get lost in his eyes, his hands so gentle, so tender. Somewhere in the distance, a cow bleats, and I come back to myself.

“I’m fine.” I clear my throat and take a step back from him, needing the space. He drops his hands slowly and looks at me, his brow furrowed like he can sense my inner turmoil. I’m not ready to talk, not about us, not about that night.

“So… are you doing well since…” he trails off, and my breath leaves me as I look back at him sharply. It isn’t like I don’t talk about it. But I’m not ready to talk about it with him.

“I’m fine.” I say the same words so much it’s beginning to grate on me.

“That’s the third fine you have said since you got home,” he quips as he rubs his chin. Assessing me, hiseyes drag across my face, down my body, and back up again, like he needs to look me over to ensure that I am actually okay. I feel myself blushing as a small smile threatens to dance on his lips. I push my own lips together as the words “I’m fine” threaten to spill.Again. I watch his Adam’s apple bob as he swallows.

“How is Mom doing?” I change the subject to something other than me. He gives me a soft smile and offers me the reprieve.

“She’s good. Going to that specialist in Williamstown for her treatment these past few months is working well. All signs indicate that she’s getting better and better every week,” he says, nodding.

“Good. I’ve tried to keep on top of all her meds. Ensure she rests.”

“Well, you’re doing a great job. Make sure you call me if you ever need anything, you know, since you don’t know how to text and all. I’m not too far away from you here. I’m living back at the family ranch.” It makes sense he would live at his ranch. I haven’t been there, but from what I hear, they have a massive property at the start of Billionaires Boulevard. Where the rolling green hills meet the edge of town and the large cedar trees offer privacy and protection from the elements.

“Sure will,” I tell him, because I won’t hesitate when it comes to Mom’s health. He watches me a little before giving me a small smile.

“I need to go get Harvey.”

I finally take a small breath before I smile, remembering his adorable little boy. I love kids, although given that I don’t have a boyfriend and am unlikely to find onehere in this small town, I figure maybe being a mom isn’t in my future.

“Sure. Thanks… for … seeing Mom,” I say awkwardly and internally cringe because for some reason I can’t find my voice around this man.Thanks for rescuing me. Thanks for holding me when I cried.

He moves past me slowly, his arm brushing against me as his fingers grab mine that dangle at my sides. Giving them a small squeeze, he lets go and continues to make his way to his truck. I hold my breath so I don’t breathe him in. But it’s futile because I crave the scent just as much. I watch him jump into his truck, looking right at home here in Whispers despite his professional suit. He closes his door and then looks back at me through his open window.

“I’ll see you around, Lacy,” he says, still watching me carefully and curiously.

“Sure. Thanks again.” I offer him a small smile and a wave as his engine starts and he slowly drives away. I sigh as his taillights move farther in the distance, feeling that familiar sense of emptiness settle back in my stomach before I turn and walk back inside. I have dishes to do, dinner to make, and I need to look at our budget. With medical bills and a new screen door, I may need to juggle some things.

Hudson Hamilton and his good looks and strong arms need to be pushed to the back of my mind.

He’s not a priority. Not for a girl like me.

4

HUDSON

As Tanner's bar staff put the glasses of whiskey on our table, I suddenly miss the young brunette who was doing this before I left. Lacy is just as stunning as I remember, and she took my breath away when I saw her during the week. Now that she is in a new position at Whiteman’s Whiskey, she doesn’t tend the bar here anymore. Even so, I still search for her among the staff members and feel a pang of unease when I don’t spot her in the uniform I came to know so well before. I wasn’t sure what to expect when coming back after leaving a few months ago. But the force of which Lacy is now front and center in my mind has taken me by surprise.

I watched her for weeks when I was here. We had some playful banter, some flirtatious moments. But that night I helped her, it shifted something inside of me. Remembering the way Lacy clung to me when I grabbed her from the rope. The way her body shook, and I held her so tight, never wanting to let her go. Holding herhand, stroking her hair, and keeping her safe when she felt anything but. I may not have been able to save my wife all those years ago, but I saved Lacy that night. With everything becoming so much clearer after that, moving home, being closer to family, and giving Harvey the same upbringing I had all just felt right. And I wanted to see her again. So much so, that I went to her house under the guise of a house call to her mother this past week.

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