Page 42 of The Moment They Can Never Forgive
“You’re a lucky boy,” Leah said. “Now go wash your hands, because I have some food ready.”
“Coffee?” Sawyer asked, raising a brow at her.
“Yes.”
He nodded and walked away, following Hudson, who was making for the house.
“I’ll finish this,” Dan said.
“You don’t have to. I can?—”
“I told Hudson I would do this for him, so I’m doing it.”
He was covered in dust and dirt, with leaves in his hair, and he looked good.Too good,she thought.
“He will love it. Thank you.”
A tree house for a little boy who needed every ounce of love she could give him. A smile tugged at her lips. Hudson would spend a lot of time up there.
“You must be proud of him. He’s a good kid,” Dan said.
“He’s like Cassie.” The words slipped out before Leah could stop them.
“I see a lot of her in Hudson,” Dan agreed, “but there’s some of you in there too.”
The reply lodged in her throat. She wanted to ask—desperately—what part of Hudson reminded him of her. But pride, fear, maybe even grief, kept her silent. Instead, she said, “You’d better grab that coffee before it goes cold.”
Turning away before he could read her expression, Leah crossed to the others, and Dan followed because she could feel him behind her.
They all ate together, seated at the table or on the grass. Ryder praised Leah and Dan’s cookies. The Dukes annoyed each other, like they always had, and she laughed. It felt good to be here with her old friends, even if Dan was close. Hudson was happy too. His small smile made her chest feel warm.
This, she thought, was yet another reason to come home.
When they were finished, Leah thanked them all for everything they’d done for her and Hudson that day.
“We stacked all the furniture you removed from the house beside the first barn,” Zoe said.
“Thanks. It’s not useable, so I’ll just get rid of it,” Leah said.
“Is it okay if we take Hudson with us, Leah? Ally asked if he could, seeing as we’re heading to Meadow and Hamish’s now. Mom’s meeting us there with Sadie,” Sawyer said.
“Oh…. Ah, we’ve never?—”
“Could I, Aunt Leah?” Hudson said, appearing at her side. “Ally wants to show me her Nana Meadow’s chicken house and gardens. They have two dogs and other animals. They all wander over the property because they have no pens.” He looked excited.
“Are you sure you want to go?” Leah asked.
He nodded.
“Okay, well, head inside and wash your face and hands. Then pull on some clean shorts and a top. I’ll follow as soon as I’ve tidied up.”
“We’ll look after him,” Birdie said.
“I know,” Leah assured her. “It’s just he’s never been anywhere except school without me since Cassie died.”
“Well then, it’s time,” Sawyer said.
“Maybe it is,” she agreed.
