Page 58 of Hudson

“I just needed to do this.” Cupping my jaw, he tilts my chin up just as his mouth connects with mine. I grip ontohis waist as we deepen the kiss, my heart rate escalating immediately, but with so much activity going on around us, the kiss is all too brief when we pull away from each other.

“I wanted to see you before you left. Say goodbye,” he murmurs, his lips buried in my hair as he pulls me tight. I sigh. Contented and happy to be in his embrace, I wrap my hands around him and squeeze. For the first time that I can ever remember, things feel good. Mom is healthy, the support we have is helping, Hudson is sweeping me off my feet, and life is the best it’s ever been. If only I could stop looking over my shoulder every hour…

“You’ve been busy too?” I ask him, knowing I was busy preparing for the trip and he had a few late-night emergencies at the hospital he had to work on. I’m not sure where he gets the stamina. He obviously doesn’t have to work so I put it down to his small-town upbringing. The urge to help people in the community runs strong with most people around Whispers. We are a tight-knit community, and I think being born and raised here instilled that in Hudson. His need to help others and provide his skill here in the small town to those who need it drives him. He isn’t a man who can just travel the world and lie on luxury yachts all day; he needs to contribute, and I think that is one of the things I like about him the most. His empathy for others, along with his work ethic.

“Life of a doctor. Nothing too dramatic, but night duty has kept me busy this week. Are you excited?” he asks, pulling back and looking down at me as I spot Tanner's people run to the trunk to grab our bags. Traveling via hisprivate jet is a low-stress way to fly, and I’m completely grateful I get to experience it.

“I am.” I smile. “Not sure which I am looking forward to the most. If it’s massages, mud wraps, or hair spas?” I say teasingly, and he grins. I almost stumble as Hudson with a grin is a sight to see.

“Good. Don’t worry about your mom. I will check on her every day too,” he says, and I nearly swoon.

“Thank you, appreciate it,” I tell him honestly.

“Oh, looky here,” Victoria teases, coming to join us.

“Hey, Victoria,” Hudson says, pulling away from me and greeting her.

“Tanner.” He shakes hands with his friend.

“I should be surprised that you are here, but I’m not,” Tanner says with a smirk, watching the two of us closely.

“Well, us girls need to go. Don’t miss us too much, boys!” Victoria singsongs as she grabs my hand and pulls me along and out of Hudson's embrace.

“Bye!” I say to him with a bright smile, and he and Tanner stand next to each other, watching us go with clear longing in their eyes. Victoria and I run up the stairs and into the jet, and I take in a deep breath, feeling totally smitten. Stepping in, I make my way down the plane and fall into one of the large white soft leather seats.

“Lacy. This is for you.” The hostess comes up and delivers a small box before she continues to organize the plane for takeoff.

“Oh, what is it?” Victoria asks, smiling, sitting in the seat opposite me, and even though I know I’m safe, my hands shake a little, and I’m too scared to open it.

“Well, don’t just sit there, open it!” Victoria says excitedly,and I take a deep breath. Putting the small box on my lap, I pull it open. When I see what it is, my shoulders lower, relief filling me instantly as I laugh.

“What? What is it?” Victoria sits forward to get a glance as I pull out the small note.

For practice while you are away. Hudson.

“Is that a jar of cherries?” Victoria asks, looking confused.

“A jar of Maraschino cherries with the stem on. From Hudson.”

“I don’t understand, and we now have a few hours to kill, so let’s get champagne and you can fill me in on all the details. A man like Hudson doesn’t just come to the airport to say goodbye or give a jar of cherries for no reason.”

“He shares my sundae…” I tell her, not having had the time to go into detail with her about Hudson and me before now.

She raises her eyebrow, intrigued. “Well, do tell…” She wiggles her eyebrows as the plane door closes and we prepare for takeoff.

“Ahhh, where do I start…” I groan while grinning, not able to stop the beaming smile I get when I think about him.

“You know I want all the delicious details.”

“He is just…” I start to say, thinking of what I want to say. “He’s just everything a girl could want. I mean, he is older and wiser and funny and clever and so caring.”

“That ticks a lot of boxes,” she says, taking a sip of champagne.

“It does, and he’s obviously good with Mom and hermedical needs. But it’s the way he is with me. He puts me first.” As I verbalize my thoughts, I feel a jolt of realization and my body stills.

“You’ve never had that before, have you?” Victoria asks quietly, watching me carefully as I grapple with these overwhelming feelings.

Of course I know I’m my mom’s number one priority, but she is sick, and her health has to come first. I have missed out on birthday parties, a few Christmases, school trips. Moving away to college was my first time ever where I put myself first and look how that turned out.

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