Chapter 3
ANGELA
Once everything was packed, we carried the boxes up the narrow stairs to my apartment.
I directed everyone to stack the packages in the living room which quickly filled the small space.
This place was convenient since I worked downstairs, but I was a little embarrassed to be living in a tiny apartment with my daughter.
Surely by now, I should be able to afford something better for us.
"I have to call the insurance company," Eve said once the last box was placed in the living room.
"Thanks for handling that." The building itself was her responsibility, but I had a feeling not all landlords where that involved.
"I'll get your store up and running in no time," Eve said, and I wanted to believe her. But it was almost Christmas, and I'd be closed during the busiest shopping season of the year.
Eve said her goodbyes, then left.
"Thanks for coming out on a Saturday. I really appreciate it," I said to Cooper, who was moving toward the door, getting ready to leave.
"That's our job. We're always here for people in this town," Cooper said to me, and then to Hudson, "Don't forget to show her your place."
"You have everything you need?" Hudson asked me.
"I need to get dressed and pack a bag." In my bedroom, I reluctantly took off the sweatshirt, then packed it. I pulled on a different sweatshirt and sweats, packing a few things in a duffle bag for Ayla and me. When I was done, I went to the living room, finding Hudson looking at pictures.
I moved closer to him.
He picked up one where I was holding Ayla wrapped in a blanket in the hospital. I was gazing down at her with so much love on my face. I'd fallen in love with her instantly.
Gus hadn't been able to be in the room with me. He'd told me it was too much pressure for him. But thankfully, my mother had been there for me.
Hudson set the frame on the shelf. "There are a lot of pictures of you and Ayla."
"She's everything to me." No matter what happened with my ex, I couldn't regret having her.
His gaze flitted to the bag in my hand, and he reached for it. "Are you ready to see the house?"
I took a breath and said the words I'd been reciting in the bedroom while I packed. "I can go to a hotel for the night and find something else if it's a problem. I know Cooper put you on the spot."
Hudson shrugged. "It's fine."
This apartment was small but convenient since it was over the shop. I could work while Ayla slept upstairs. It would be nice to stay in a house for once. But I didn't want to do anything he wasn't comfortable with.
He slung the strap of my duffle over his shoulder. "Are you sure you got everything you need?"
"I can always come back and get more."
Hudson waited for me to lock the door. "I'm parked in the lot."
Hudson nodded. "I'll pull around then."
I waited for him in my car, and when his truck lumbered past, I pulled out to follow him to his place.
His house was a little outside of Christmas Town in an older neighborhood. Hudson pulled in the driveway, and I parked next to his truck. He got out, waiting for me to join him on the porch.
"This is cute," I said of the covered porch with two rocking chairs in front of the window and a swing on the end.
"It's one of my favorite features of the house." Hudson unlocked the door and pushed it open so I could precede him inside.
He trailed after me. "This is the kitchen. It's small, but I updated it a few years ago."
The space was open to the living room, and the backyard was visible because the outdoor light was on.
I moved to look out the window. It was flat with a fence which would make it perfect for a child.
"How old is your daughter?" Hudson asked, and I turned to face him.
"She's ten."
He gestured outside. "The backyard is enclosed with a fence so you don't have to worry about her."
"This is more than we need," I said, feeling uncomfortable with the rent on a place like this.
"You haven't seen everything yet." Hudson led the way past the formal dining room. Upstairs, there were three bedrooms and two bathrooms. It was perfect for a family of two.
We paused at the railing.
"Were you planning on renting this place furnished?" There was a couch and end tables in the living room and beds in the upstairs rooms.
"I bought all new furniture for my new house and haven't bothered to get rid of this yet. The Realtor said it would show better furnished. I assume this works for you since you don't want to move your bed for only a few weeks."
I nodded. "It's perfect. I don't have to move any furniture."
He braced his hands on the wood railing, his muscles flexing. "Do you think this will work for you?"
"It's really nice. Are you sure you want to rent it to me? You could get a great price for it."
He let go of the railing and stepped back. "I'm not renting it out now, am I? It's just sitting here empty."
"What do you want for it?" I couldn't afford to pay much more than what I was paying for my apartment.
His nose pinched. "We can discuss details later."
I swallowed before finally nodding. "Okay."
"Stay here tonight, and we'll figure everything else out later." Hudson turned to leave, but I placed a hand on his forearm, his muscles rippling under my palm.
"Thanks for coming out so quickly to the shop and letting me stay here."
He shrugged, and my hand fell away. "You heard Cooper. We have a contract with Christmas Town. We come whenever there's an issue."
"But you didn't have to rent this place to us." I was very much aware that we hadn't agreed on a price. I had a feeling I wasn't going to want to leave after living here for a while.
"But I want to." He continued without waiting for me to respond. "We have a lot to do tomorrow, so I'm going to head out. Call me if you need anything." Then Hudson jogged down the stairs, not bothering to wait for me to show him out.
I heard the front door open and close, and I went to the primary bedroom where Hudson had left my duffle on the comforter.
This place was exactly what I needed to regroup.
My dream was to be a business owner who could support my daughter.
And for a few short months, I'd thought my dream was within reach.
I was getting foot traffic at my new location on Candy Cane Lane that brought in more customers than I ever saw at a pop-up event. Now I was closed during the busiest shopping season. I'd lose out on so many sales unless I came up with a plan.
I dropped back onto the bed, intending to think through the possible scenarios. I could do pop-ups again. I didn't like them, and they didn't generate as much income, but it was an option to recoup some of the lost sales.
I'd been thinking about opening an online shop. Maybe this was the time to move forward with that. I could be the model and hire Wynter, the photographer at Forgotten Dreams, to take them for me. It would probably be expensive, but then I'd have what I needed for my shop. It was an investment.
I sat up and opened a few online stores that sold lingerie to see how they displayed their products. I wasn't sure how I felt about becoming a lingerie model, but if it meant getting my shop live, then it would be worth it.
I opened the notes app on my phone and jotted down my ideas. I considered them for a few seconds. I could do all of them. That was probably the best solution. Do everything and see what worked.
I had some time tonight and tomorrow to get things started on the online shop. Once Ayla was back, it was harder for me to work.
My phone buzzed.
Gus: I brought Ayla, but you're not here.
Angela: A pipe burst in the shop.
Gus You're not answering the apartment door either. Where are you?
After the stress of the day, I couldn't believe that Gus was bringing Ayla back when everything was a mess.
Angela: You're supposed to keep Ayla for the weekend.
Gus: I have something to do tomorrow.
Angela: What if I had plans or needed to do something?
Gus: Don't make this difficult.
I always wanted to see Ayla. That wasn't the problem. It would have been nice to have some time alone to come to grips with everything that happened today. But Ayla was back, and it would make my plans more difficult.
I couldn't model lingerie while Ayla was around. She'd have way too many questions.
Angela: I had to rent another place because the water's shut off in the building.
Then I waited for Gus to ask where I was staying or whether I needed help.
Gus: Are you coming here? Ayla's hungry.
I should tell him no, but my attorney had said to always take Ayla back and make a note when Gus didn't utilize his visitation time. One day, it might come in handy if he ever changed his mind about custody.
I wish that Gus was a better dad and didn't make Ayla feel like she wasn't wanted. Over the years, I tried to understand Gus's hang-ups, but they didn't make sense to me. The expectation of parenting was too much for him. He could only have Ayla for short bursts of time.
Angela: I'll be right there.
I was exhausted from the stress of the day and packing up my store. I wanted to order food and pass out on the bed. Instead, I was going to be answering a million questions Ayla was sure to have about everything that happened.
Ayla was naturally inquisitive. Normally, I wouldn't mind, but tonight I was hoping for a few hours of quiet so I could plan my next steps.
I grabbed my purse and got into my car, heading to Christmas Town. Gus never failed to disappoint us.
Mom gave him the benefit of the doubt. He saw Ayla; he just didn't step up the way I'd want a father to. I should feel lucky that he was present in her life and paid child support. But I wanted more.
I wanted a man to be invested in Ayla's life like I was. I should have known he'd drop her off early. I shouldn't expect him to hold up his end of the deal. He never did.
I was jealous of the other moms who had husbands that were present and grandparents who showed up at games and school activities. But here, it was just me.