Page 138 of Her Goal
I hear thunder until I realize it’s Hudson’s heart … and mine.
The kiss turns soft, tender. It’s a wedding day kiss that comes with the promise that there will be many more.
Just before we leave the coat room, Hudson says, “I’ve fallen in love with you, too, Leah. In fact, it was a love at second sight.”
“Is that a thing?”
“I didn’t know what love was until that night at your parents’ anniversary party. It’s only grown since. I love you, Leah Maria.”
The little stitches that have pieced together my heart dissolve because it’s one thing to hear those words from my family. It’s another entirely to have the man you love say them and mean it.
40
HUDSON
I’m notsure where the saying “Blushing bride” comes from, but I may have a hunch. Leah’s cheeks are pink as we walk hand in hand out of the closet and then go our separate ways down the hall at the church before we’re united in holy matrimony.
In the hallway as the string band warms up, Jack claps me on the back. “You had us worried for a second.”
Pierre shakes his head. “Leah had to make sure he’s solid.”
“My brother is the most solid human on the planet,” a familiar voice says.
I turn slowly and it’s like I’m looking in the mirror. Only I don’t have as deep bags under my eyes. Otherwise, Hunter looks good, great in fact. Healthier than I’ve seen him in a long time.
A woman holding a baby steps out from behind him and he drapes his arm over her shoulder.
“What are you doing here?” It’s part accusation, part curiosity.
“Good to see you too.” Hunter strides toward me, arms lifted.
The guys hold rank at my flanks, ready to back me up if necessary, but my twin wraps me in a hug. Not just a bro hug, but a bear hug. The kind that tells me that he’s okay.
Not going to lie, my jaw tingles and my eyes prickle.
He sniffles and then says, “Man, thanks for not giving up on me. I owe you.”
I wave him off. What I didn’t mention to Leah is that each month I deposit some cash into an online account. Originally, I teased and said it was his allowance, hoping he didn’t do anything dumb with it. Perhaps it helped him exit the lifestyle he’d been living.
He says, “Congrats, by the way.”
“Looks like the same is in order for you.”
“Hudson, meet my wife Dara and our baby, Emil.”
My gaze brightens on the little boy. “That’s my middle name.”
“My one hope is that he’s half the man that you are, Hud.”
“Twice the man,” I correct, tickling his little toes. “Hmm. We’ll have to get him skates soon.”
Dara looks up at me and says something to Hunter in Swedish. I only understand a portion of the words, largely not having used the language since I last spoke to my mother. But I do catch the wordsice hockey.
I grin at her, then to my brother I say, “Have you talked to Mom?”
He rolls his eyes, then squishes up his face at the same time a loud whirring comes from outside the church.
Hayden asks, “Is that a helicopter?”
