Chapter 11
Hudson climbed into his SUV the following Thursday afternoon. His legs, arms, and back were sore from another day working
with Gavin on framing the new building.
He’d started early Monday morning at the restaurant jobsite. Being the new guy and rusty when it came to working construction,
he needed to be reminded of a lot—namely that the job demanded really hard physical labor. He’d naively thought his gym membership
and physical trainer would have more impact on his stamina while pouring concrete. He was wrong. He’d forgotten how sore he’d
always get when working for Smith’s Construction.
Just as Hudson started the engine, his phone rang. His aunt’s name appeared on the screen, and he pushed a button to connect
to the Bluetooth. “Hello?”
“Hi there, stranger,” his aunt’s voice rang over the speakers. “I haven’t seen you in a week. Did you head back to the Big
Apple without saying goodbye?”
He sighed and backed out of the parking space. “No, Aunt Trudy, I haven’t left. I just needed time to regroup after the fight with Layla. Figured we could both use some time to cool down.”
“Oh, Hud. You’ll work it out. Oh! And she just pulled in the driveway. Anyway, I was thinking of you today, so I made banana
bread. Your favorite. It’s sitting here waiting for you, but you’d better get here quick. I’m leaving soon to go to Marcie’s
for supper.”
His mouth started to salivate at the mere thought of his aunt’s delicious banana bread. “I’ll be there in ten minutes.”
True to his word, he soon nosed his SUV into his aunt’s driveway behind her car and Layla’s. He loped up the front steps,
but the storm door opened just as he was about to knock.
Aunt Trudy joined him on the porch carrying a grocery bag. “In order to get you to visit me, I need to bribe you with food.”
Guilt bit into his back. “You know that’s not true. I’ve been busy, but that’s no excuse.”
“Doing what?”
“Working. Gavin Wallace owns the construction company that’s building a restaurant where the music store used to be. He was
looking for extra crew, so he hired me.”
His aunt’s face lit with a megawatt smile. “Does that mean you’re staying in Flowering Grove?”
He shook his head. “I figured I needed something to do while I’m here, and Gavin needs the help. I don’t plan on staying after
the wedding.” If there is a wedding...
She clucked her tongue. “You say that now, but you’ll change your mind. You’re gonna remember why you love it here.”
Not likely. Nothing could keep him in Flowering Grove, especially if staying here meant watching Dakota plan a life with another
man.
Layla appeared on the front porch and gave him a once-over. “You’re a mess. What happened to you?”
“Hud got a job working for a construction company.”
“What?” Layla snorted. “The big CEO is working construction? How’d that happen?” She jogged down the steps and over to her
car.
Hudson frowned. “You seem to have forgotten I worked construction when I was in college.”
“Right, but isn’t that beneath you now?”
He pressed his lips together.
“I bet you won’t last a week at that job.”
“You bet me?” he asked.
“Yeah, I bet you.” She pointed at him. “You’re too good to get your hands dirty.”
“What are the stakes?” he asked.
Layla rubbed her chin. “How about... a sundae from the Flowering Grove Creamery?”
Aunt Trudy shook her head. “That’s enough, you two.”
“All right.” Hudson walked over to his sister and held out his hand. “I’ll take that bet.”
They shook on it. He’d show her that he wasn’t the out-of-touch snob she thought he was.
“Well, I need to run and meet my fiancé. I’ll tell him you said hello,” she told Hudson before turning to their aunt. “See
you later.”
“Drive safely.” Aunt Trudy waved to her before handing Hud the grocery bag. “Here’s your bread. I need to run along to Marcie’s,
but I’d better see you soon.”
He inhaled the appetizing smell of his favorite snack, then kissed her cheek. “Yes, ma’am. I’ll enjoy this for sure.”
Ten minutes later Hudson parked his vehicle in the driveway of the colonial. The heavenly scent of his aunt’s bread had filled his SUV and caused his empty stomach to gurgle. Lunch had been hours ago, and the bread sounded like the perfect supper.
Out of the corner of his eye he spotted movement at the house next door. He killed the engine just as Dakota traipsed toward
her front door, balancing a cell phone on her shoulder along with her purse, a tote bag, and several sacks of groceries. He’d
seen her in passing a few times during the past week, and they’d shared nods here and there but hadn’t spoken.
He shook his head. Dakota Jamison was the most impatient and stubborn woman he’d ever known, and it was just like her to try
to carry everything into her house in one trip. He drummed the steering wheel, fighting the urge to help her as she struggled
up the steps.
How she chose to carry her groceries wasn’t his business. At the same time...
Hudson let out a frustrated growl, grabbed the grocery bag with the bread, and strode across the small strip of grass toward
her house. He reached the steps just as Dakota started to teeter. Without thinking, he grabbed an armload of her bags before
they slipped out of her hands.
Dakota gasped, her dark eyes widening. “What are you doing?”
“Helping you.” He arranged the bags in his empty hand and then reached for the others.
She shifted away from him. “I got it.”
“Dakota?” the voice on the other end of her call asked. “Are you okay? What’s going on?”
“Everything’s okay,” she told the caller. “See you in a little bit. Bye.” She disconnected the call and studied him. “I didn’t
ask for your help, Hud.”
“It’s okay to let people help you.” He distributed the weight of the bags evenly in his two hands, then pulled open the storm door. “Lead the way.”
She pursed her lips at first, but then her expression softened. “Fine.” After unlocking the door, she stepped inside, where
her orange cat sat blinking and meowing at her.
“Hi there, Trouble,” Hudson greeted the cat. Then he glanced around, taking in the small foyer, den, and dining room. A counter
divided the dining room and kitchen.
“Just a minute, Trubs.” Dakota pointed toward the kitchen. “You can put the groceries there.”
“No problem.” He set the bags on the counter while Dakota slipped past him and deposited her purse, keys, and phone in another
spot.
Faded orange wallpaper that looked as if it had been hung in the 1970s decorated the kitchen, along with cabinets covered
in chipped yellow paint. A few of the cabinet doors hung at odd angles, while one cabinet door sat on the kitchen table.
The cat moved in circles under her feet, rubbing her shins and meowing.
“Give me a minute, please,” she muttered to the cat. She spooned a large glob of fishy-smelling wet food into his food bowl,
and after she set it down, the cat began to inhale it. She rinsed off the spoon and peeked over her shoulder at Hudson. “Thank
you.”
That was his cue to leave, but for some stupid reason, he wasn’t ready just yet. He pointed to the cabinets. “Want me to fix
those?”
Her nose scrunched adorably. “What do you mean?”
“Those cabinet doors look like they’re planning to fall off and hit you on the head. I see that one already has.”
“Oh.” She shrugged. “I’ll get to that eventually. I keep meaning to ask my brother to come by, but then I get so busy at the
store...”
“There’s a screwdriver in the garage next door. I’ll go get it.”
She waved the idea off. “Don’t worry about it. It’s okay.”
He peered out to her den, taking in her gray sofa, cherry end tables and coffee table, and flat-screen television. The roller-skating
trophy from their race sat perched on one of the end tables, and a collection of family photographs hung on the faded off-white
walls. He recognized her brother, Nick, and his wife, Eileen, but their three children had grown quite a bit since the last
time Hudson had seen them. Both Skye and Aubrey were lovely young women, and Kevin was now a young man.
Debbie and Mitch, her parents, smiled from a portrait nearby, and Hudson recalled conversations he’d had with her father over
the years. Soon after he and Dakota started dating, Mitch had become like a surrogate father to him. He’d go to her parents’
house for supper every Sunday, and he and Mitch would talk at length about Hudson’s plans for the future. In fact, Mitch was
the one who’d encouraged Hudson to follow his dream of owning his own software company.
Hudson turned back to Dakota. “This is a nice place.”
“I’m sure your place in Manhattan is much more impressive.”
He cocked an eyebrow at her. Surely her comment was meant as a barb, but she wasn’t getting rid of him that easily.
She peeked into his grocery bag and actually smiled. “Banana bread. Did your aunt make this for you?”
“Sure did. I was on my way home when she called and said she had a treat for me.”
“I could never match her recipe. Hers was always the best.”
He shook his head. “Yours was just as good.”
“You’re not a very good liar, Hud,” she said. “Remember that time I tried to bake you some as a surprise and nearly set my
mom’s kitchen on fire because I forgot to set the timer?”
“How could I forget?” He chuckled. “We were watching a movie, and I asked you where the smoke had come from.”
“All of the smoke alarms went off, and we had to open the windows. It was so cold out too.” She leaned back on the counter. “I can still hear my mom yelling at me. She said, ‘Dakota Marie, close those windows. Are you trying to heat the entire neighborhood?’”
They both laughed, and it felt good.
“Don’t forget the time you gave me a loaf at school on Valentine’s Day, and I dropped it in the middle of the hallway. The
aluminum foil burst open and sent crumbs everywhere.”
“That was such a mess.”
“Ms. Lawrence made me get a broom and clean it up.”
“I had finally baked you a decent loaf, and you dropped it.”
They both laughed again, and when the sound faded away, they stared at each other. For the first time since he’d returned
home, he almost felt as if he and Dakota could be friends.
He gestured to the hallway. “Do you have time to give me a quick tour?”
She hesitated, and his smile flattened. Who was he kidding? He and Dakota could never move beyond the past. There was too
much hurt between them. Too much left unresolved.
“Never mind.” He collected the banana bread and started for the door.
“Wait. I’ll give you a quick tour, but then I really need to get ready for guests.” She led him down a short hallway and pointed
to an open door. “That’s my little office slash sewing room.”
Hudson stuck his head in the doorway and took in a desk, a few shelves packed with books, and a sewing table where bolts of
material, a sewing basket, and a pile of clothes sat. He recognized the gray Singer sewing machine, which used to sit on a
similar table in the spare room at her parents’ house. He recalled the hours she’d spent creating dresses, skirts, and outfits
for herself, family members, and friends. She had even designed her own prom dresses.
She’d been breathtaking in a red gown she had copied out of a fashion magazine. The dress had fit her like a glove, and in his opinion, she’d been more elegant than the model in the picture she’d copied.
He’d been so proud to have her on his arm that night. And they’d danced and laughed the night away. It had been magical. That
evening he’d been certain he could never love her more, but somehow he had fallen more and more in love with her with each
passing day.
A strange warm feeling rushed over him, and he tried in vain to shake it off.
“And this is my bedroom.”
He spun toward the room across the hall.
“Great,” she grumbled. “That silly cat has been at it again.” She hurried around the bedroom picking up a box of tissues,
a book, a bottle of water, and a jewelry box, then set them on her dresser.
“Looks like he earned his name.” Hudson surveyed the room containing a double bed, a nightstand, a couple of dressers, and
a vanity. The walls were a faded pink, and a border featuring a country scene with a house and a meadow lined the top of the
wall, its edges beginning to peel away.
The hint of her flowery perfume wafted over him, and he turned toward her, taking in how pretty she looked in a gray skirt
and pink sweater. Her dark hair fell around her face, and her subtle makeup was just enough to accentuate her high cheekbones,
full lips, and those bottomless dark eyes.
“Yes, he did.” She made a frustrated noise. “You should have been here the other day when I got home and discovered he’d decided
to drag the toilet tissue all around the room while I was at work.” She pointed to a door. “That’s why I have to make sure
I close both the bathroom door in here and the one in the hallway before I leave for work.”
He tried to imagine what it would be like to be here with her every day. If they had gotten married, would they have settled down in Flowering Grove and had a family?
Her eyes locked on his, and for a moment he wondered if the same thought had occurred to her.
But if he had stayed in Flowering Grove, where would he be now? He certainly wouldn’t have achieved the success he had in New York City,
which now provided for his aunt and sister.
Dakota started toward the doorway. “That’s pretty much it. I have a tiny laundry room that really doesn’t qualify as a room
at all and a small deck and yard. It’s nothing like the place where you’re staying. In fact, that impressive house doesn’t
fit on this street at all. I don’t know why someone decided to build it here.”
“You have a great house. Very homey.” He walked behind her, squelching his yearning to reach out and touch her arm.
“Thanks.”
Hudson followed her back to the kitchen and picked up his grocery bag. When her phone dinged with a text, he glanced down
on the counter and caught a glimpse of it.
Parker: Looking forward to seeing you again tonight .
He did his best to swallow back a bite of jealousy and force his lips to curl up. “Did you want any of this banana bread?”
“No, thanks.” Her genuine smile had disappeared, and her guarded, forced demeanor was back. “Thanks for your help, Hud.”
She traipsed with him to the door, where he bent to give the cat a quick rub.
“Good night,” he told her.
“Night.”
His heart sank on his way back to the colonial. It was obvious that she had a boyfriend, and Hudson felt like a jerk for allowing
himself to believe that he and Dakota might’ve had a chance to become friends again.
He entered the house and headed for the kitchen to cut himself a piece of banana bread for supper. He pulled out a plate and knife and let the truth fill his mind: Between the issues with his sister and his ridiculous feelings for Dakota, staying in Flowering Grove was clearly bad for his heart and his health. He had to get out of town as soon as he could.
***
“The first night we opened the rink, we ran out of pizza in less than an hour.” Brice grinned at his wife beside him. “We
really underestimated the crowd.”
Kayleigh chuckled. “The rink had been closed for more than a year when we bought it, and we just knew we’d have to work to
get customers. But it seemed like people really missed it!”
Parker, sitting beside Dakota, looked riveted. “That’s fantastic. So you never worried about the rink generating enough business?”
Brice scoffed. “Oh, we worried plenty,” he began before launching into another story about the rink.
They decided to take advantage of the unusually warm March weather and sit at Dakota’s patio table later that evening. Dakota
struggled to keep her focus on the conversation. Instead, her thoughts swam as she picked at her piece of lasagna.
She’d felt out of sorts ever since the afternoon run-in with Hudson. She’d been shocked when he appeared at her side out of
thin air, ready to help her with her groceries. He’d been dressed in worn jeans and a long-sleeved black t-shirt, as if he’d
spent the day working outside somewhere—and his few days’ worth of scruff made it difficult for her to take her eyes off him.
Having him in her house felt strange at first, but then she’d relaxed. It had been natural to reminisce, but the most unsettling
part had been when she’d felt her heart coming back to life around him.
For one eerie moment, she’d considered canceling her double date and instead inviting Hudson to stay for dinner and talk all night. She yearned to not only talk about the good times but also ask him where things had gone wrong. They’d been happy—she was sure of it—before he made a choice and left her behind.
And that was the moment when she realized she had to get Hudson out of her house. Her heart and her brain melted into mush
around him. It was best that she avoid him. And besides, she had to get ready for her company.
Yet here she was now with her guests, thinking about Hudson while Parker sat beside her, ready and willing to be the kind,
steady, loyal, and dependable man she craved.
She needed to have her head examined.
“Dakota?”
“Huh?” Her head snapped up, and she felt all eyes around the table focused on her.
Kayleigh looked at her with concern. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah. Sorry.” She leaned back in her chair. “I just have a lot on my mind.” She could almost hear Kayleigh’s unspoken questions
from across the table, but she took a drink from her glass of water and averted her eyes.
“How are things at your store?” Parker asked.
“Good.” She nodded. “I had a bride with a large bridal party come in to order fourteen bridesmaids’ gowns, plus a flower girl
dress and ring bearer tuxedo. Oh, and another seventeen tuxedos for the groomsmen and the fathers.”
Brice laughed. “Whoa. That trumps our little wedding with our two attendants, huh, Kay?”
“Definitely.” Kayleigh grinned. “Is this the woman with her butter-yellow obsession?”
“That’s the one.”
Parker’s eyebrows lifted. “Butter-yellow obsession? I need to hear this story.”
Dakota explained her conversation with the bride’s mother. “The mother seemed skeptical about my stock. But when she and her
daughter came in, not only did the bride find dresses she liked, but she also decided to purchase her gown at my store. The
bridesmaids are coming to order their gowns next week.”
“Bravo.” Kayleigh gave her a high five.
They ate in silence for a few moments.
Parker forked another piece. “This lasagna is delicious.”
“I’m glad you like it, but honestly, it came out of a box.” Dakota picked up a piece of garlic bread. “This too. I wish I
had more time for cooking.”
Yet another reason this double date had been a bad idea. Here she was spending another Thursday night with Parker when she
should have been working late. Since she was committed to lessons at the skating rink on her weekend nights, she ought to
be spending her weeknights at the store. Among other things that made her feel behind, she’d hardly made any progress on Layla’s
gown, despite the looming deadline. She was too busy for this double date.
Parker’s smile was warm and genuine. “Regardless, the lasagna and the bread are superb.”
“Very good,” Brice agreed.
Kayleigh’s expression was filled with concern. “Should we go get the dessert, Dakota?” Her words were measured, as if trying
to convey a hidden meaning.
But a noise next door yanked Dakota’s attention away. Across the yard, Hudson stood on the colonial’s enormous back deck and leaned over the railing with his phone to his ear. His voice was a deep murmur, and he looked completely engrossed in the conversation and unaware of his audience. He had changed into black sweatpants and a gray hoodie, and his dark hair was wet as if he’d just stepped out of the shower.
Who was he talking to? A coworker? A girlfriend? Jealousy stung her.
“Dakota...,” Kayleigh began. “Did you hear what I said? Should we go get the dessert now?”
Brice turned toward where Hudson stood on the deck. “How awkward is it that your ex is staying next door?”
Parker’s gaze toggled between Brice and Dakota. “Wait. Your ex lives next door to you?”
Uh-oh.
Kayleigh began piling up their empty plates. “He doesn’t live there. It’s just an Airbnb. He’s only there temporarily.”
“Oh.” Parker’s brow puckered, and he looked confused or possibly concerned.
“Come to the kitchen with me, Dakota,” Kayleigh ordered as she gathered up the rest of the dinner plates. “ Now .”
Dakota picked up their utensils and followed her best friend into the kitchen.
Kayleigh placed the dishes in the sink. “You’ve been in another world all evening. What’s going on with you?”
“I think I’m losing it.” Dakota leaned back against the counter and scrubbed her hand down her face. When she felt something
soft rubbing against her shin, she glanced down at Trouble, blinking up at her. She gave his soft head a pat. “Remember when
I got home earlier and you asked me over the phone if I was okay?”
Kayleigh nodded.
“Hud was here.” She pointed toward the house next door. Then she explained how he had helped her with her groceries and taken a tour of the house. “He was so... nice. It was weird. Almost like we’d gone back in time to when things were good between us.” She cupped her hand to her forehead. “I have to keep reminding myself he’s not my friend. He broke my heart. I can’t trust him. I can’t even be around him.”
Trouble meowed, and she filled his bowl with dry food before he began stuffing his face. The cat had a bottomless pit for
a stomach.
She took in Kayleigh’s concerned face. “I’m still attracted to him, and it’s confusing and unnerving. I wish he’d just go
back to New York and stay out of my life.” She groaned and shook her head. “You don’t have to tell me I’m crazy, Kay, because
I know I am.”
Kayleigh’s expression clouded. “I need you to listen to me. Hud hurt you once, and he’ll do it again. He’s here for Layla’s
wedding and then he’ll be gone. If you get involved with him, you’ll regret it. Trust me.”
“I know, I know.” Dakota held her arms up. “I guess the right thing is to avoid him, because every time he’s around, I feel
him unlocking another piece of my heart. I can’t give him that power.”
“Exactly. Parker is here, and it’s obvious he likes you. If you like him, then you should concentrate on him and not Hud.”
“Right.” Dakota stood up straight.
“Now let’s bring out dessert and enjoy the rest of our evening.”
“Okay.” Dakota pulled Kayleigh’s cheesecake out of the refrigerator, and as she toted it out to the deck, she found herself
wondering if Hudson had enjoyed his aunt’s banana bread.