20. Hudson
20
HUDSON
“ T his is so beautiful out here,” Lacy says from next to me. She seems so tiny in my truck, but she looks good. Better than good. I’m not sure how or when exactly it happened, but it’s almost like she’s in a new skin. Her eyes are sparkling, her smile now constant. I see a spark of the woman who caught my eye at Tanner’s bar many months ago, and I really like it. She gazes out the windows at my family property as we drive around and pride swirls in my chest. I have spent a bit of time here over the years, holidays and quick getaways, and I paid for half of it all, so I like that she appreciates it. I picked her up less than thirty minutes ago, dropping my mom off to sit with Lacy’s mom for the evening, the two of them talking about some movie or TV show they were going to watch.
“It’s peaceful. I love it,” I tell her, grinning as I reach out with my spare hand and grab hers. Everything is feeling perfect about now. We are in my new truck, I’m driving us over my land, I’m not on call tonight. Every week, a doctor from one of the nearby towns sleeps over at the hospital and does the night shift so I have a break. Which means I can relax tonight as well.
“How is your hand feeling?” I ask her. Having looked at it quickly back at her place, I already know it’s healing well, the scar still pink but it should get lighter with every passing day. It doesn't sit well with me that she hurt herself, but accidents happen.
“Fine. A little itchy, a little tight. But otherwise, it feels normal,” she says, opening and closing her palm where it sits on mine between us. I take another quick look before my attention’s back on the road, my hold on hers remaining because I just don’t want to let go. She moves her hand, turning it to hold on to mine, our fingers gripping together with increasing familiarity that feels good.
“Good,” I tell her, trying to watch where I’m driving but finding it difficult.
“I bet Harvey loves running around this place,” she says, looking at me and smiling. I’m glad my son brings as much joy to her as he does me. Being a single dad is hard, but also my most cherished role so meeting a woman who respects that is important.
“He loves it. Literally falls into bed every night exhausted.” I laugh, thinking about my son who fell asleep not long after dinner last night with mud still on his face.
“Were you like that as a kid?” she asks.
“Yeah. Huxley, Connor, and I would always be running around and getting into trouble. Usually at Tanner’s distillery,” I tell her, and she smiles. “What about you? Get up to mischief growing up? ”
“No.” She sighs. “I mean, when I was little, I was such a girly girl, so tea parties with my dolls was what I gravitated to. Fishing, camping, and outdoor activities weren’t really my thing. I got bullied a bit in school. I guess I was just different than the other kids. The older I got, the more responsibilities I had at home, and kids can be mean. Jolene, the woman from the diner, she was my main bully, something she still seems to carry until this day for some unknown reason. When the kids from school would go swimming at the mineral springs or to the diner for milkshakes, I would be home with Mom,” she says, and I suck in air, realizing that this woman has been a caretaker for a long damn time. I know from my work that caring for a family member or friend can be challenging. Without the right support in place, those responsibilities can take over and start affecting caretakers’ health and well-being and limit their ability to participate in paid work, family life, and social and community activities. I’m seeing that firsthand with Lacy. It’s why I now broach what I have done this week.
“So, in regard to those responsibilities…” I start, pausing for a moment, not sure how she will react. “I have been doing some research this week on that caretaker option I was telling you about. There’s a woman I found in Williamstown. She is a home carer. Someone who comes into your home and helps with the basics to alleviate any responsibilities on the families.”
“Alleviate?” she questions, her tone more inquisitive than angry, so I continue.
“She is fully qualified, first aid trained and all that. Her name is Jennifer. Her primary role is to help around the house as an additional set of hands. So things like meal preparation, housework, grocery shopping, taking your mom out for shopping, walks, appointments, that kind of thing,” I tell her as I turn up the hill to our destination.
“I looked into that once a few years ago, but I could never find anyone.” No wonder she has been doing everything herself; she probably thought that this type of support wasn’t available to her. But a lot can happen in a few years and the nearby town of Williamstown continues to grow with people and with new sets of skills.
“She has been a home carer for about five years in Williamstown and has great qualifications. If you are open to it, I can have you meet her?” I ask, hopeful that she is willing. Support like this would be a game changer to Lacy; I’m sure of it.
“I think it will feel weird to have someone else in our home…” she says tentatively, but I can tell she is thinking about it.
“It does no harm to meet her. Maybe have a coffee with her and then see how you feel? I think any support you can get at home is going to beneficial, not just for you but for your mom too. I’m sure she would love someone new to talk to and get to know. She must feel isolated at times.” While it’s true, it’s probably a low blow. I know if anything gets Lacy over the line, it will be the help she can give her mom.
“Maybe you’re right… Okay. Thank you. I will meet her and see what happens.” She gives me a small smile, and I grin widely at her. The trust Lacy has put in me feels equal parts fantastic and terrifying, but she is st arting to open up about life, and the fact that she’s open to receiving help goes to show exactly how exhausted she is.
“We’re here,” I say, pulling up and parking. It’s a small hill at the back of the ranch, and up here, you can see our entire property. Decades ago, this land wasn’t worth much, but my parents farmed it, and it was where my brother and I grew up. Now it sits at the start of what the locals call Billionaires Boulevard, a long road that winds through the back of Whispers, elevated with views of the town. The properties next to us are out of sight, as our land borders are marked with thick pines offering security, privacy, and protection from the elements.
“Wow, this is amazing,” Lacy says, sitting forward, looking out the windshield. The sun is setting, the orange-pink sky low on the horizon. I jump out of the truck and run around to her door.
“C’mon. Let me show you the property.” I take her hand, helping her out of the truck. She struggles a little so I wrap my arm around her waist. “Here,” I say, gliding her body down, me standing close enough that I can feel her curves pressing into the front of my chest. Her feet hit the ground and tiptoe with my own.
“Smooth moves, Doctor,” she teases, and I grin like a lovesick puppy.
“It’s just the beginning, Lacy baby.” My words have heat, and I see her pupils dilate as she bites her bottom lip. A move that almost makes me feral.
“I look forward to the rest, then,” she whispers, looking up at me under her eyelashes, her cheeks tinted pink .
“Hmmmm, you’re killing me, looking at me like that,” I say, my voice hoarse. Stepping back, I give us some space and keep my hand in hers. I walk with her a few steps to the edge of the hill, just before the grass starts to slope down.
“So this is all yours?” she asks, stepping in front of me and looking out to the west. As she takes in the panoramic view of the property, I take the time to admire her a little. Her dark hair is down in soft waves, her makeup minimal, jeans, boots, and a sweater on. Simple. Easy. And sexy as hell.
“Over until the pines,” I say, standing next to her. My thumb continues to run over her hand, and I can’t stop. Touching her is all I want to do. I take a deep breath to pull myself together. It was never like this with Amanda. We had fun. Lots of fun. We were both independent and my work was busy. It was a no-strings relationship for months, until strings attached themselves to us permanently in the way of Harvey. I feel the fresh cool air hit my lungs, and this time, there is a small floral aroma mixed with it. Lacy’s fragrance. It smells nice.
“The river is down there.” I point, loosening my grip on her hand and smoothing my arm around her back instead, bringing her close to my side and guiding her on where to look. “It runs right around here to the east.”
“It’s really flowing today.”
I feel her body move into mine a little. It isn’t unlike how we stood, looking at the stars the other night. She fits against me perfectly. It feels right, she feels right. Like it is meant to be .
“Lots of fish. A great spot for fishing,” I tell her, and she nods, looking over it all.
“Mom and Dad’s place is over there. Huxley and I live there.” I point to the large place across the way. Her eyebrows rise a little. It’s huge. Magnificent, really. All timber and glass, everything oversized. Vastly different from where she lives. I’ve noticed her house needs a bit of work. Something I might look into for her.
“What is that?” she asks, pointing to a flattened spot, large trees all around, a pool already dug out. My builder, Griffin, has just poured the concrete slab for the house.
“That will be my new place,” I tell her, and her head whips around to look at me.
“New place?” she asks, and I smile at her shock.
“Huxley is spending more and more time here, and while the house is big enough for both of us, I kinda want my own place. Something just for Harvey and me,” I explain. “Something more permanent.” I need her to know that I’m not going anywhere.
“It looks like it is going to be big?” she asks, looking back over at the concrete slab that is tucked away a little more, bordered by larger trees. The tranquility that space offers is in complete contrast to the city. I can’t wait to make it my new home.
“It is. I want a lot of space. It was something lacking for me in LA. Out here, I just feel so much better, more at ease.”
“I get that. That’s how I feel when I stargaze. Like everything is alright in the world.”
“Speaking of which, let’s get set up before it gets too dark,” I suggest as the sun is almost down .
The back of the truck is full of blankets, cushions, and a picnic basket. I pull it all down as I lay out a few blankets and as Lacy places the large cushions, I grab a few more blankets to cover us later.
“Don’t tell me… Rochelle?” she asks as she looks at the food that I pull out, the two of us now sitting on the ground, with a mix of cashmere and mohair blankets around us to keep us warm. The large cushions at our backs allow us to sit back and relax in comfort.
“Yeah. I got a few of the cookies you like, as well as some different things. She has the best food in town. Probably even better than my mom’s, but don’t tell her I said that,” I say, which makes her laugh.
“So true. She has cooked for this town for years. It really is comfort food,” Lacy says, the two of us digging in.
“Wow, it’s so peaceful here…” Lacy says, staring out into the distance as we eat. She has a serene look on her face, and I’m glad I can bring some quiet to her world. I know her days are hectic, and I can visibly see her shoulders lower the longer we sit here. The night sky really is her peace.
“Whispers is a great part of the world.”
“What about Harvey? I know he loves Whispers, but a small town doesn’t offer kids the same things the city can, right?” Lacy watches me, waiting for my answer.
“Well, you and I both turned out okay and we grew up here,” I say, smiling, enjoying seeing her smile back. “I think Whispers offers him more than the city, actually. He can still get a great education, even better if you think about all the outdoor activities he now gets to do. Plus, he’ll join the Whispers baseball team and try other sports.”
She’s trying to sound me out, ensuring that I’m staying, not yet believing that I am.
“And, of course, we can’t forget that he is going to fly your jet,” she says playfully, and I chuckle.
“Hmmm, I feel like I already regret that conversation,” I tell her, finishing my sandwich, shaking my head at my son's antics.
“It’s a wonder he isn’t asking you about it every day,” she says through a giggle.
“Oh, believe me, he is. Let’s pack up. The sun will be totally gone in a few minutes, and I don’t want to miss the highly educational lesson I’m sure you are going to give me tonight.”
“There will be a test at the end,” she teases as we quickly pack up our picnic.
“I’m ready for it.” I’ve read and reread the book she gave me already, and while I am nowhere near an expert, I hope I can at least put the theory I’ve learned to good use. We get busy getting the blankets around us as the midnight-blue night sky takes over and the temperature drops a little.
“Come here,” I tell her, putting some large pillows behind us and lying down on my back, my arm stretched out, wanting her to lie next to me.
“It’s still a little too early. The stars are starting to show, but not in full brightness yet,” she says, tucking into my side, my arm under her head.
“So when did you discover a love for the stars?” Although I can’t see her face, I feel her smile .
“Mom has been sick since I was little. One night was a particularly bad night. She had to go into the hospital, and while everyone was busy attending to her, I slipped outside. I just needed to get away. The noise, the smells, the conversation. I was about twelve or thirteen, and I was panicking and just needed to escape. So I went outside and sat on a bench near the back door of the hospital,” she explains, and I nod, knowing where she is talking about. “It was so peaceful. Everything was still. The birds were asleep, no people, no cars, no noise. After a little while, I looked up. I got lost in the stars that night. I think I stayed there for about an hour before someone came and got me. From that night and pretty much every night since, I have stepped outside and looked up.”
I lean over, placing my lips on her forehead, keeping her close.
“Everyone needs a stress reliever, time away, it’s good. Healthy,” I tell her, appreciating that she has this as a hobby of sorts.
“I looked at a lot of starry nights after what happened at Marie’s Place,” she admits, and my heart thuds.
“I had a lot of sleepless nights after that as well,” I tell her quietly, the conversation turning a little more serious.
“I don’t think I have ever been so scared before in my life than I was that night.”
I look down at her, trying to see her expression.
“To be honest, me neither.”
“But you work in medicine, deal with life-or-death situations all the time?” she questions, looking up at me, confused.
“All true. I worked a few years in the emergency department, and that was full of different situations night after night, but seeing you tied in that shed will be burned into my brain for a long time.”
“I wasn’t scared for me that night…” she says, and I wait, listening, wanting her to talk about it.
“I was mostly scared for my mom.” She swallows roughly. I know this is hard for her to talk about.
“Your mom?” I question, my brow furrowed, wondering where her head is at.
“She only has me. If that night was my last, I was so worried about who would take care of her, look after her.” The one time that you would think she would be afraid for herself, and she still thinks of others. God, this woman is so fucking beautiful.
“Your mom is resilient, Lacy. She can do a lot of things without support. She has a good community around her. But I know what you mean, because I wasn’t scared for me either that night.”
“No?” she asks, her eyes on mine, searching.
“I was so scared that I wouldn’t be able to save you. So scared that I couldn’t get you down from that rope quick enough.” It feels so good to talk about this, cathartic, like clearing the air.
“But you did,” she says, her smile small but there.
“I did. There was no way I was leaving you in there. You were getting out with me. That was something I knew for certain.”
“Look! A shooting star!” Lacy says quickly, and my head whips around, catching the last moment of it, looking amazing in the midnight-blue sky .
“What is your wish?” I ask her, her eyes now meeting mine.
“I can’t tell. Otherwise, it doesn’t come true,” she says cheekily, and I laugh as we go back to looking up at the sky, my body humming, wanting to know all her wishes so I can turn them into my to-do list.