Lucy #2
My eyes filled with unexpected tears. He wasn’t just in my corner—he aimed to be the whole cheering section. “I won’t. Not that they will. I think that ship sailed with our last conversation.” I sniffled. I didn’t regret their absence; it was necessary for me to be truly happy.
That didn’t mean the reality of it didn’t make me goddamned sad.
He pulled me into his arms. “I don’t wish you sadness. Ever. But I wish I believed that ship had sailed.”
“Oh shit, I think someone is stinking up the joint.” Chuckling, Hudson made a ridiculous face at Jojo.
I swatted at him. “Don’t swear in front of the baby!”
“Pretty sure she’s not going to repeat me, darlin.” He grinned. “She can barely find her face.”
I rolled my eyes. “I’ll go change her. Don’t take out any anger on Daphne’s pipes.” I headed down the hall.
“Given the state of these pipes, they need a good bit of fury,” he grumbled.
By the time the sink was conquered and I’d fed Jojo her last bottle, Daphne returned home to find Hud and me on the couch, Jojo in my lap, happily chewing on her giraffe.
“You okay?” I asked, assessing her expression. Daphne was a master at masking her emotions, always wanting to be strong for everyone else.
“Fine.” The answer came too quickly. “Thank you two so much. Did everything go okay?”
“Totally. Jojo was an angel as always. Want me to stay and help put her down?” I shifted her gently in my arms.
“No, I’ve got it. Thank you, though.” Daphne’s gaze swept the room before narrowing on the wrench Hudson had left on the table. “Hudson Carter, did you fix my sink?”
“Guilty.” He offered a sheepish grin.
“You Carter boys, I swear.” She rolled her eyes. “Thank you, though.”
“It was nothing. Call if you need anything, Daphne. Anytime. One of us would be glad to come by.”
I knew it was hard on her pride to ask for help. I was pleased to see it wasn’t just me who forced it on her when she really needed it.
“Thank you. You and your family have always been a big help. Riley fixed my dishwasher despite my death threats.” She snorted.
“Did he now?” I raised a teasing brow.
“Don’t start.” She waved a finger at me.
“Oh fine,” I relented. “You’re lucky I’m too tired to harass you further.”
Her gaze softened. “I’d imagine you are after the last few days. Do you want to stay here? I have the spare bedroom.”
“Thank you. But I’m okay. I’m staying at Hudson’s,” I assured her.
“Permanently,” my alpha male quickly added.
She fought a smile. “No more wood paneling extravaganza? That was fast. What about those ducks? They must be lonely.”
“Oh, she brought one with her.” Hudson grinned wickedly. “Bernard.”
Her brows rose to her hairline. “Bernard?”
“Okay, we’re leaving,” I announced.
She pressed her lips together to hide a smile. “Okay.” She hugged me before taking an eager Jojo into her arms.
After another kiss to Jo’s head, I took Hudson’s outstretched hand, the gesture feeling as natural as breathing, and followed him out the door.
After a night of anxiety-riddled dreams, I woke up far too early the next morning.
Having someone break into my home, despite it only being mine for such a short time, was a violation I’d never experienced.
That, coupled with the rocket ship that was Hudson Carter—no matter how welcome the ride—was a lot to process in a short time.
I sat up carefully, not wanting to wake Hudson, who looked utterly edible in his sleep. I slid out of bed, padding quietly across the plush carpet, and grabbed his discarded flannel shirt on my way out the door.
As I made my way down the wide upstairs hallway, I realized I hadn’t even seen the rest of the bedrooms. A quick peek revealed two large guest rooms, beautifully decorated, as well as a home office.
I descended the staircase to the main floor, where Ranger rose from his bed, clearly confused by what a human was doing moving around at this hour.
After giving him a quick pat, I continued my tour, heading down the opposite stairwell from where I knew the recording studio lay.
It was there I discovered a fully equipped gym and, beyond it, a three-car garage.
It was a gorgeous house, far larger than any I’d ever been in, yet still tasteful and somehow cozy despite its opulence. Given Hudson’s level of fame—something I was just beginning to wrap my head around—it said a lot about him that his home felt so welcoming.
I headed back upstairs to the kitchen, where the first hints of dawn filtered through the floor-to-ceiling windows.
Not wanting to make too much noise, I went without coffee—a minor miracle in my book—and cozied up on the couch, content to stare out at the spectacular view of cedar and pine.
An aspen grove, framed within the center window, was just beginning to turn yellow at the hint of fall.
The entire scene was set against a sweeping mountain range.
“Baby.” Hudson’s deep voice woke me from an unintentional nap. He sat down and drew me into his lap. “You okay?”
Snuggling close, I breathed him in. “Yeah, I just woke up too early. Had a little trouble sleeping.”
“You should have woken me.” He stroked my hair back, his fingers caressing my neck.
“I’m fine. I took myself on a tour—your house is beautiful. I hadn’t seen all of it yet.”
“Well, you haven’t even seen the best part.” A mischievous sparkle danced in his eyes.
“Best part?”
“I’ll make some coffee, and then I’ll show you.” He grinned, his dimples on full display.
“Sure, I’m game. But I’ll make the coffee.” I held up a finger in teasing protest.
Less than twenty minutes later, I let out a whoop of delight from the back of Hudson’s ATV as he crested another hill. His property seemed to be endless, with acres of woods to explore, a peaceful pond, and a gorgeous meadow where I knew we’d picnic as soon as I could make it happen.
On our way back to the house, we stopped at the barn I’d glimpsed from the living room windows.
“At the time, I wasn’t sure why I had it built.” He took my hand and led me through the large, empty structure. “I didn’t grow up with livestock or anything beyond our dogs—but now I know.” He turned to me, warmth in his eyes.
I stared at him in wonder, the possibilities making my head spin. “You mean…? I could…?”
“This is your home now, Luce. More than anything, I want you to feel like you belong here. Do what you want with it.” He nodded toward the cavernous space, then stepped closer and wrapped his arms around me.
“That could be nothing—or everything. There’s no pressure. Fill it with ducks for all I care.”
“I think ducks would be happier at the pond.” I smiled, taking in the possibilities around me.
Hudson’s laughter rumbled softly. “Have at it, baby. And that goes for the house too. My bedroom is on the masculine side—I want it to feel like you, like a woman lives there. Because she does.” He tweaked my nose.
“There’s a lot of beige happening,” I admitted.
“So, give us some color, baby.” He smiled and pressed his lips to mine.
“I can do that.”
Standing in the middle of an empty barn, filled with possibilities, I truly began to believe this was my new future—even if it still felt like a dream.