Chapter 25
Two weeks later on a Saturday afternoon, Hudson paced outside the parlor at the church. Life had zoomed by as he’d gotten
his affairs settled. He touched the pocket inside his tuxedo jacket to make sure his surprise for Dakota was still tucked
away in there, and his pulse quickened. He couldn’t wait to put the rest of his plan into action, but first he had to walk
his baby sister down the aisle.
The parlor door opened and Aunt Trudy appeared, dabbing her eyes with a tissue. “She’s the most stunning bride I’ve ever seen.
She looks just like Daphne.”
Hudson’s heart squeezed at the sound of his mother’s name.
“Come see her, Hud.” His aunt beckoned him to enter the parlor.
He walked into the room and found his sister standing in front of a full-length mirror surrounded by her best friends, the wedding coordinator, Shane’s mother, and Shane’s sister, Melody. He took in his sister’s reflection, and his eyes stung with tears. She truly was the prettiest bride he’d ever laid eyes on, and seeing her in a gown exactly like his mother’s was almost too much for him to bear.
He held his breath, hoping to hold back the tidal wave of emotions that threatened to break loose.
Layla met his gaze in the mirror and rushed over to him. “Hud.” She held her arms out, but he took a step back. Her brow pinched.
“What is it?”
“You’re perfect, Layla Grace, and I don’t want to mess this up.” He gestured toward her makeup and her gown.
“But I need a hug from my favorite big brother.”
Leaning down, he gave her a loose hug. “You’re beautiful, Layla.”
“Thank you, Hud,” she whispered. “Thank you for always taking such good care of me. I love you.”
“I love you too.”
Aunt Trudy appeared beside them, sniffling. “Oh, you both already have me in tears, and we haven’t even heard the vows yet.”
Hudson and Layla laughed.
“Your parents would be so proud of the two of you.”
“Stop it,” Layla said. “Don’t make me cry. My makeup is exactly how I want it.”
Hudson smiled as his aunt enveloped them in a group hug.
“Layla,” said Judy, her wedding coordinator, “we need you to get your bouquet so you’re ready for Hud to walk you down the
aisle.”
Aunt Trudy took Hudson’s hand and smiled up at him. “It’s time to marry off your sister.”
***
Dakota’s eyes filled with tears when the wedding march began to echo around the large sanctuary. She stood and faced the back of the church just as Hudson started down the aisle with lovely Layla on his arm. She was breathtaking in the gown, and just as Layla had hoped, she looked exactly like her mother had all those years ago when she’d also walked down the aisle toward her sweetheart.
“Oh my goodness,” Kayleigh whispered. “Her dress is spectacular. You really outdid yourself.”
“Thanks,” Dakota said.
When Dakota’s gaze found Hudson, she couldn’t look away. He was drop-dead gorgeous in his traditional black-and-white tuxedo.
His dark hair had been trimmed, and his angular jaw was free of any scruff. He beamed as his sister held on to his strong
arm.
Kayleigh jabbed Dakota in the ribs. “Hud looks really hot.”
“Shh,” Dakota hissed. “Your husband is on the other side of you.”
But Kayleigh was right. Hudson was hot. He moved smoothly down the aisle. When his sky-blue eyes locked with Dakota’s, her legs felt like cooked noodles. She
gripped the back of the pew to steady herself.
Dakota had been so relieved when Layla appeared in her store two weeks ago and told her the wedding was back on. Layla hadn’t
shared any details of her reconciliation with her brother, and Dakota hadn’t asked for any. However, she’d noticed his SUV
at the Airbnb next door, and she’d hoped that he’d come to see her. But since he hadn’t, she assumed he was moving on. They’d
said what they’d needed to say the night of their argument. He hadn’t even bothered to stop by the store for his tux. Instead,
Shane had picked it up for him. It broke Dakota’s heart to accept that they had wasted their chance to reconcile. She missed
him, and she might never get over him.
When Hudson and Layla reached the end of the aisle, Shane wiped his eyes and smiled at his bride. The love in his eyes for
sweet Layla took Dakota’s breath away.
The music stopped, and the minister stood by Hudson and Layla. “Who presents this woman to be married to this man?”
Hudson turned to Trudy in the front row and said, “Her aunt and I do.”
Layla hugged Hudson and whispered something in his ear before the minister took Layla’s hand and moved it to Shane’s. After
Hudson joined his aunt in the front pew, the minister instructed everyone to sit, and the ceremony began.
Dakota had a difficult time keeping her tears at bay during the service. When it was over, the minister presented Mr. and
Mrs. Simpson to the congregation. The newlyweds kissed before they proceeded down the aisle in front of their attendants.
After the wedding party had disappeared into the narthex, the guests began spilling out of the pews toward the receiving line.
Dakota spotted Parker at the far end of the church, and she touched Kayleigh’s arm. “I’ll meet you outside.”
“Where are you going?” Kayleigh asked.
“I need to take care of something,” she said before slipping through the crowd, excusing herself on her way to Parker.
When he saw her, he tried to turn on his heel.
“Please, Parker, wait.”
He stopped and turned back to her, his face clouding with a dark expression.
“Can we talk?” she asked when she reached him.
He hesitated and gave her a curt nod. “Sure.”
They found a quiet corner away from the receiving line, and the all-too-familiar pit filled her stomach once again.
“I didn’t expect to see you here,” she said.
He stuck his hands in the pockets of his suit trousers. “My date happens to be one of Shane’s distant cousins.”
“Oh, wow. You brought a date.” Dakota pushed a lock of her hair behind her ear. “That’s so... awesome.” Great. I made it weird .
He pressed his lips together. “What do you want, Dakota?”
“I, uh... I want to apologize to you. I was unfair to you when we were seeing each other. You were genuinely kind to me,
and I was really... distracted.” She glanced across the room to where Hudson gave an older woman an awkward hug. Then the
woman reached up and pinched his cheek.
Parker nodded. “You were distracted by your ex.”
“That’s true, but I never meant to use you or mislead you. You deserved better than that, and I’m truly sorry.”
He paused for a beat, but then his lips formed a tentative smile. “I appreciate your honesty.”
“So you’re seeing someone?”
“Yup.” He pointed toward a pretty blond lingering near the doorway. “Her name’s Bonnie. We’re still getting to know each other,
but I don’t think she’s jonesing for her ex.”
“Ouch.” Dakota blanched. “That stings, but I deserve it.”
He chuckled. “Have you and Hudson worked things out yet?”
“I don’t think that’s going to happen.”
“Well, if you want my opinion, I’ll give it to you.”
“Go ahead.” She steeled herself against his truth. “I can take it.”
But Parker’s smile was warm. “If Hudson’s smart, he’ll scoop you up and never let you go, because you’re pretty special.”
“I appreciate that.”
Parker opened his arms, and she stepped into his hug. “Good luck,” he told her.
“Thanks. You too.”
While Parker started back toward his date, Dakota peered across the room to where Hudson greeted another elderly lady. An ache deep inside gnawed at her. She hoped she’d get a chance to talk to him alone today—and if she did, she hoped he wouldn’t tell her goodbye.
***
Hudson stood by the bar while Layla and Shane danced in the middle of the country club’s reception hall to Elvis’s “Can’t
Help Falling in Love.”
He was grateful to have made it through the receiving line, which included not only Shane’s and Layla’s friends and Shane’s
extended family, but also at least a dozen of his aunt’s bingo hall friends, who enjoyed hugging him, pinching his cheek,
and promising him dates with their daughters, granddaughters, and nieces.
Once the receiving line was over, he had posed for at least a hundred photos with the wedding party. Hudson had managed to
get Shane alone before they drove from the church to the country club, not only to congratulate his new brother-in-law, but
also to thank him for giving Hudson a second chance.
Now that he was at the reception and his brother-of-the-bride duties were completed, Hudson was anxious to talk to Dakota.
She hadn’t gone through the receiving line, and he hoped that didn’t mean she planned to avoid him all day. He couldn’t take
his eyes off her, sitting at a table with Kayleigh, Brice, and a few other folks who looked familiar. She was breathtaking
in a red sequined dress that looked as if it had been made for her. Her hair was pulled back from her face with soft curls
cascading to her shoulders.
Layla had insisted Dakota didn’t have a date for the wedding, but when he saw her hugging Parker earlier, he’d almost lost
his mind. Soon after, though, he’d noticed Parker with another woman. He hoped that meant Dakota was single, but if not, then
all of his plans were in vain.
“And now, folks,” the DJ announced, “the bride and groom would like to open the dance floor up to all of the couples out there. Please help Mr. and Mrs. Simpson celebrate their special day.”
The opening bars of Etta James’s “At Last” started playing, and Hudson couldn’t stop himself. He made a beeline to Dakota’s
table and stood next to her, nodding hello to Kayleigh, Brice, and the other guests.
When Dakota looked up at him, her deep brown eyes widened.
He held his hand out to her. “Would you please dance with me?”
Dakota froze, continuing to look shocked.
He felt his courage start to wane, and he hoped she wouldn’t reject him in front of a table full of people.
“Dakota.” Kayleigh gave her a nudge. “Go.”
“Right.” Dakota took his hand, and he lifted her to her feet before leading her out to the dance floor.
He opened his arms, and she snuggled against him. Hudson rested his hands on her lower back, and when she wound her arms around
his neck, every nerve in his body sparked to life.
He felt her relax as they swayed together to the music. With his eyes closed, Hudson tried to imagine what it would be like
to have her in his life forever—to date her again, propose to her again, marry her, own a home with her, have a family with
her, grow old with her.
Could that be possible? Could she give him another chance to prove how much he’d always loved her?
She moved her fingers over his neck, sending heat shimmying up and down his back. The feel of her warm fingers against his
skin was almost too much for him to take.
All too soon, the song came to an end, and the loud bass of a livelier song rang out over the speakers.
Dakota stepped out of his embrace and stilled as if waiting for him to make the next move.
“Can we go somewhere and talk?” he asked.
She nodded. “I’d like that.” She took his hand, and they walked through the crowd toward the balcony overlooking the golf
course.
***
Dakota’s pulse fluttered like the wings of a hummingbird as Hudson guided her by the hand to a quiet corner of the balcony.
The sky above them was bright blue and cloudless, and the humid June air smelled fresh.
She’d been overcome with a heady rush of emotions when Hudson had asked her to dance. Had Kayleigh not nudged her, she might
have sat there staring at him like a wordless idiot for the rest of the reception.
It felt like a dream when he held her close and they swayed to the music together. In fact, it had felt like old times—as
if no time had passed and they were still in love. But once the music stopped, she’d come back down to earth. Almost a decade
had passed, and they had changed—in fact, everything had changed.
Surely this was his goodbye. He was going to tell her he was leaving for the Middle East or some other exotic place, and he
wanted to thank her for being such a great friend. She tried to prepare herself, but her heart started to shred.
“You look beautiful.”
“Huh?” She looked up at him. Had she heard him right? She blushed as his smile almost melted her. “I’m sorry. What’d you say?”
“You’re beautiful.”
“Oh.” She looked down at her dress, which she’d chosen off her clearance rack at the boutique. “Thanks. You look...” Gorgeous. So hot I could die. “Really nice too.”
“Thanks.” He reached into his pocket. “I have something for you. Hold out your hand.”
She did as she was told, and he set something cold and metal into her palm. She looked down and found an “I Heart NY” magnet. She laughed and looked up at him. “What’s this for?”
“I told you I think of you every time I see a rack of magnets. My business partner had arranged for movers to bring the rest
of my stuff here, and I asked him to pick this up and send it too.”
“I love it.” And I will cherish this for the rest of my life . “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” He turned toward the doorway leading to the reception hall. “Did you break up with that guy—I mean, Parker?”
“We broke up a while ago. We were never exclusive.”
He looked relieved, which surprised her.
“Is this goodbye?”
His brow furrowed. “What do you mean?”
“This.” She motioned between them. “Are you going to tell me goodbye and that you’re leaving for some faraway place and a
fancy new job?” Her breath paused, and she prayed he’d say no.
“I don’t plan to.”
“Wait.” She held her hand up. “Did you say your business partner arranged for movers to bring your stuff down to you?”
“That’s right.”
“You’re staying here?” She pointed downward.
“Yup.”
“Why? How?” She shook her head. “I don’t understand.”
He smiled. “I’ve spent the past two weeks tying up loose ends. I wanted to make sure I was settled here before I told you
how I feel.” He hesitated. “I had a lot to work through. I realized I’ve been running away from my grief for a long time,
including the past seven years. First I lost my parents, and then I lost you. I was so afraid of losing Layla that I tried
to control her—almost driving her away in the process.
“After you and I last talked, your words finally took root. I’ve been running away like a coward. I made things right with my sister and Shane. Then I asked Darren how he’d feel if he went to Bahrain without me. I can consult from here, which works just fine for him. I’m helping him get the company in shape so we can sell it, but I’ll do it remotely. I’m also working on some software upgrades for Gavin’s construction company, and I have an idea for another business to start here in Flowering Grove, helping mom-and-pop shops with their business operations.”
He paused and took a deep breath. “Aside from that, I’ve spent the last couple of weeks making sure Layla and Shane understand
that I support them and want to be part of their lives. Then I sent for my things and made a ridiculous offer on the Airbnb.”
He chuckled. “I mean, I offered a lot more than it’s worth, and the owners happily accepted. I’m closing on the house in a
couple weeks, and then we’ll officially be neighbors.”
Happiness rolled through her. “You’re really staying here in Flowering Grove for good?”
“Yes, I am.” He cupped his hand to her cheek, and she leaned into his warm touch. “Dakota, I never got over you. You’re the
love of my life, and if I could, I would go back in time and tell you that you mean more to me than money and my career ever
did. I wish I had run after you and made it clear I wanted you more than a career. I’m sorry I was too focused on the wrong
things and too afraid of losing you all over again. But I can’t go back in time. I can only look forward.”
She sucked in a breath. “It’s not only your fault, Hud. I should have told you how I felt. I could have gone with you and
opened a business in New York instead of telling you it was over.”
“Dakota, it’s okay. That’s the past, and we can’t change it. But the truth is that I still love you, and I would do anything
to have you back in my life.”
She sniffed. “I love you too, Hud.”
His eyes sparkled with unshed tears. “I fixated on work because I didn’t want to be like my dad, jumping from job to job and
moving around a lot. But now that my family is secure, I need a new purpose—and I’ve found it. My purpose is to build a life
for myself. And I want to plant roots here because Flowering Grove is my home.”
Dakota set her magnet on a small table beside them, and Hudson took her hands in his. “Someone told me that if I found my
true love, I needed to hold on to her, since love is a precious thing.” He moved his fingers over the backs of her hands.
“I was selfish when we were younger and blinded by so much. If you’ll give me a chance, I want to try again. I promise I won’t
be stubborn or selfish this time. I’ll put you first.”
“I’ll do the same.” Her words were strained. “I’ve been stubborn and selfish too. I was too stubborn to tell you I wanted
you to stay, and lately I’ve been so stubborn I nearly lost my niece, my business, and my house.” She sniffed. “I even went
and opened a bridal boutique without admitting to myself that I knew nothing about running a business.”
Her voice faltered, her mouth turning to cotton. “But the worst thing I ever did was not tell you what I wanted when you said
you were going to New York City. If I had been honest with you, we could have made it work. I’m so sorry, Hud. I was too young
and immature to see how wrong I was.”
He brushed a tear away from her cheek. “Dakota, I’m sorry I had tunnel vision back then. I love you, and I’ve always loved you.”
“Call me Koti. You’re the only person who can call me that, and I miss it.”
“Okay, Koti.” He gave her a mischievous grin. “I love you, Koti.”
“And I love you too.”
“I’m glad we’ve finally established that.” His fingers traced the line of her neck before he cupped her face in his hands. Then he leaned down, and his mouth covered hers. For a moment, she was convinced she was dreaming, but the kiss was as real as the desire plunging through her body. She lost herself in the feel and taste of his mouth. She wrapped her arms around his neck, and he pulled her in and held her close.
Hudson’s lips began a slow exploration, and the world around them faded. All that existed was Dakota and Hudson, and she felt
certain she would float away. When he broke the kiss, she drew in air, working to slow the shock waves still rocking her body.
“I feel like I’ve waited a lifetime to do that again,” he said.
She grinned. “Then don’t stop. We have nearly a decade to make up for.”
“I couldn’t agree more,” he told her, gathering her up in his arms again.