Chapter 9
Be naughty, save Santa the trip.
“You didn’t have to take me out to dinner,” Hudson murmured, glancing around the festively decorated diner. Even the employees were wearing elf costumes, complete with hats. No curling-toed shoes at least.
“Yeah well, your friends didn’t have to give up their whole day helping me out. And you didn’t have to call in what I imagine was a very big favor.”
“Nah, they all owe me.” Mostly true. Nestor didn’t, but the guy had a big heart. Hitman or not, the man had some soft spots and helping a woman in need was one of them.
“Still can’t believe they wouldn’t let me pay them,” she muttered as she glanced down at the menu.
“You gave them two boxes of homemade cookies and pastries. Those animals are fine.”
She let out a startled laugh as she looked back up at him. “Well, I’m thankful all the same. I feel like I can actually get through the holidays now.” Her words came out like a confession. “I feel like I’ve been drowning.”
Oh god, he really wanted to slide into her side of the booth and pull her into his arms. He hated that she’d been struggling, that she hadn’t asked for help from any of the very friendly people who’d already stopped by their booth. It was so obvious that the people of her town loved her.
“Then I’m glad you’re back on track. And your llamas seemed to enjoy having people at the ranch. Even Lucy. She didn’t spit on a single person.”
Scout grinned as she set the menu down. “They really do love people.”
“Just not me?”
“To be fair, Lucy thought you were a threat, but she likes you now. I can tell.”
Hudson was pretty sure that Lucy was simply tolerating him, but that was okay. He was going to win that maniac over. “Their costumes are a nice touch,” Hudson murmured as another server walked past their table.
“They wear something Christmas-themed all year. To play into the theme of our town name, Candy Cane.”
“I saw some shops with Christmas themes. They do well all year?”
“Oh yeah. The one that sells mostly Christmas ornaments is always busy, even in the summer. Do you decorate for Christmas?” she asked suddenly.
“Ah…not normally, no. Sometimes I’ll put up a little tree on my boat but it’s definitely a Charlie Brown tree. And as I’m saying it out loud, I realize how sad that sounds.”
She shook her head, a little grin playing at the corners of her mouth.
He wanted to lean over and brush his lips over hers—but since that wasn’t on the table, he focused on the menu and got his thoughts under control. But then he looked right back up when a man stopped beside them, his expression hard to read as he gave Scout a neutral smile.
“Scout, how are ya?”
Scout stared at the man in clear surprise. “Ah, good thanks. How’s the ranch doing?”
The ranch. It took Hudson a moment, but now he recognized the man’s face from one of the files that Lorna had sent him on Willman Ranch. This was Zack Willman, the owner. Close to sixty, had done well for himself over the years, including with a horse ranch up in Kentucky that he still owned.
“Good, good, staying busy.” He gave Hudson an interesting look, but Hudson simply smiled.
And he probably didn’t pull off “friendly” if the way the guy slightly jerked back was any indication.
Ah well.
“Hopefully we’ll see you at the Winter Fair next week,” she said, all politeness. Her smile now was fake, though Hudson was certain the other man didn’t realize it.
“Of course.” The older man nodded, then cleared his throat. “Have you been having any issues at your farm? Any break-ins? I only ask because we had a couple light incidents of vandalism. And I worry about you out there all alone.”
“She’s not alone.” Hudson leaned back in his booth, but held out a hand. “I’m Hudson. Just moved in with Scout.”
“Moved in?” The man took his hand, gripped it too hard to be polite.
“Yep. She’s making an honest man out of me.
” He kept his tone light as he squeezed back.
He was aware of Scout staring at him, but kept his gaze on Zack Willman.
Because this guy was a threat. (Also, he liked the idea of Scout making an honest man out of him and decided to come back to that thought later.)
“Are you the one who pulled a gun on my brother and boy?” Anger flared in his eyes for a fraction of a moment before he masked it.
Hudson knew the man wasn’t referring to Hank and Lane, but to the first two assholes he’d seen harassing Scout.
The day he’d been wearing llama pajama pants.
“Boy?” Hudson leaned back slightly, his expression hard.
“I’ve never pulled a weapon on a child. But two grown men—your brother and son I assume—were at Scout’s property intimidating her and getting in her face not too long ago. ”
The man blinked, then sighed. “Ah. I didn’t realize that.” He looked at Scout. “Apologies if they got out of line. My brother can be a bit of a hothead.” He looked exasperated as he spoke.
She simply nodded, no smile on her face now.
Willman cleared his throat again. “Well, I’ll see you guys next week at the festival, then.” The little bell jingled on the front door as he made his exit.
“Did you just tell him you’re my boyfriend?” she whispered.
Before he could answer, Mae strode up, wearing a red and green dress that flared out, candy cane striped tights and a red and white elf cap. “Hey darlin’,” she said to Scout. “Sorry it took so long. It’s been busy tonight. What are you two thinking?”
Scout looked a little dazed as she ordered the loaded fries. He went for the patty melt. Once they were alone, he said, “Is the loaded fries going to be enough?”
“It’s a whole plate, trust me, it’s a meal. It’s got shredded brisket, queso— No, we’re not talking about the food.” She leaned across the table, lowering her voice. “Why’d you tell Mr. Willman that you’re my boyfriend? That you moved in with me? Now everyone will know.”
He lifted a shoulder. “A man like that needs to know you’re not alone.
And that I’m not just a ranch hand. He needs to know you’ve got protection.
And yeah, I know it’s kinda sexist, but it is what it is.
” Hudson wasn’t sorry either. Not even a little bit.
The man’s reaction to learning his brother and grown son had been harassing her has been way too relaxed. He hadn’t cared.
She glanced around the diner, but no one was paying them any attention. Then her focus was back on him, just the way he liked it. “You think Hank and Lane ever made it back to town?”
“They did.” He’d checked. Or he’d had Lorna check. Thankfully she had the time over the holidays to help him out with this even though it wasn’t an official job.
She blinked and sat back. “Oh. When did you find that out?”
“About an hour ago.” When he’d been getting ready to head out with her for dinner.
“Were you going to tell me?”
“Yeah.” He narrowed his gaze slightly. “Did you think I did something to them?” AKA kill them.
Her cheeks flushed pink. “Maybe,” she whispered.
Oh, she’d definitely thought he’d killed them, he realized. Because the relief in her expression was sharp. He wasn’t sure if the assholes had quit their jobs, but he’d find out soon enough if they listened to him.
Before he could respond, Mae returned to their table with a basket of dinner rolls, grinning as she looked between the two of them. “Why didn’t you tell me you two were dating?” she asked, eyeing Hudson with full-on curiosity now.
“It’s really new,” Scout murmured, glancing at the row of high-top chairs at the diner bar.
He’d seen the sheriff come in, but the man hadn’t looked in their direction. If he was as close to the Zack Willman as she said, then he might have been the one to tell Mae.
“Who told you?” Scout continued.
Mae’s eyes darted out the window to the parking lot to where two women in their sixties wearing glittery Christmas-themed sweatshirts were getting into a vintage Chevelle. They’d been sliding out of their booth at the same time Zack Willman had stopped at theirs.
Ah, so there really were ears everywhere in here. He would need to remember that.
“Carol Ann overheard you talking. Mentioned it on the way out.” She winked at Scout, then patted Hudson’s shoulder once. “If you hurt our girl, we’ve got plenty of places to hide your body.”
Scout’s mouth fell open but Mae laughed, said she was kidding, then hurried off to clean up a newly abandoned table.
“She was definitely kidding.” Scout rolled her eyes. “Freaking busybodies. Now we can’t deny it because everyone will know by morning.”
He shrugged, because he didn’t care. Deep down, he liked the idea of being hers. And he really liked everyone else thinking Scout was taken. “Good. Anyone looking to cause harm to your ranch or your girls needs to know you’re not alone.”
At the mention of her girls, Scout’s expression softened. “Yeah, I guess.” Then she shook her head slightly. “You know what? Whatever. The farm looks amazing and we’re ready for the Winter Festival. I guess it doesn’t matter if everyone thinks we’re together.”
He’d take it. For now.
He knew that wishing for someone like Scout to be part of his life was a pipe dream, but he found himself wishing all the same. And wondering if he could be a better person.
If he could deserve her.