Chapter 3
June
I’m not sure what I expected Hudson to be like. It was more about escaping my situation than the man himself. I saw a photo. Brown hair and a nice face. A nice, friendly smile. But Holy fairy tales, his photo is nothing compared to seeing him in the flesh.
His hair is longer than it was in the picture, stopping just before his shoulders, wavy, thick hair with highlights from spending time in the sun.
His skin is tanned too. Making his green eyes so much more striking, framed with black lashes.
He has a strong jawline, broad shoulders and he is tall.
So tall and strong. But he doesn’t stomp around like my father, instead Hudson moves with an easy athleticism.
But most of all it is his smile. An easy smile, like he does it all the time.
His laugh is nice too. A big, hearty sound coming from deep within his chest. There is something so warm and open about Hudson.
And oh my heart, he is the sexiest man I’ve ever laid eyes on.
Sexy in a way that makes my pulse race. Sexy in a way that has me staring at his toned arms. And sexy in a way that has me all tongue tied and shy around the man.
I really didn’t mean to tell him that he looks like Prince Charming, but it is all so overwhelming.
For a girl like me, I come from nothing.
I never had toys or pretty girly things.
I had friends in school but since then I’ve been trapped.
Cooking and cleaning for a man who has never shown me any fatherly affection.
No hugs. No joy. No future. All I had to keep me going was my love of fairy tales.
I don’t think fairy tales are real or come true, I just remember a little bit of a happy feeling watching them as a kid.
And it has stuck with me. It has gotten me through the darkest days.
When there is no money and no hope. When I was scrubbing floors, I pretended I was Cinderella.
When I was dreaming of running away, I thought about Snow White.
And then to arrive here with Mr. Charming Smile and his log cabin in the woods.
Everything is feeling a little bit surreal.
Even the air is fresher up here in the mountains.
And the food he is cooking smells delicious.
I’m still having trouble believing I am actually here. Worried that my father is going to burst through the door at any moment. Or Hudson will turn around and kick me out. Or I will just wake up from this dream.
“What do you do back home, June?” I look up to where Hudson is placing plates of food on the table. That’s right, reality. Time for the questions I can’t answer.
I sit down, a plate of delicious looking stew and bread rolls in front of me.
“Do you have a job?” Hudson asks as he sits opposite me.
“No, no job.” I let out a little sigh. “I don’t really know what I want to do.
This is my big new start. A new me.” I try to look determined but it feels like my smile is a little wobbly.
I feel ashamed that I don’t have a job. I don't know what I want to do. But I refuse to be tied down by my past. Straightening up in my chair, shoulders back, I pick up my fork before answering. “I’ve only ever known the life I had. But I know I want something different now.”
I look up into Hudson’s beautiful green eyes, prepared to see judgment.
But instead I see a look of admiration. He nods.
Then that sexy, slow smile. “I can understand that. It took me a long time to find what makes me happy. I think it is a brave person who goes looking for their passion. I like to fly. My mom is mad about knitting. I have a younger brother who is obsessed with gates and hinges.”
He makes a face and I laugh.
“Honestly, he won’t shut up about them. I feel sorry for you when you meet him.”
It’s the first time Hudson has mentioned me staying here. My smile drops as I nervously bite my lip. But on the inside a feeling of happiness starts to bubble up in my chest.
Hudson sits back in his chair. “What I mean is that it is a big, wide world out there. I think it’s brave that you are willing to step away from what you know to find out what makes you happy.”
Right now. This is the moment I fall in love with Hudson St.John. And I am going to do everything I can for him to let me stay here with him.