Chapter 14
ANGELA
The Sterling family was so welcoming; I didn't feel like an outsider.
Aspen immediately pulled me aside, saying that she loved having another female present.
I talked with the women—Natasha, Aspen, and Penny—throughout the evening.
And Hudson's brothers kept Ayla occupied, or it was the other way around. I couldn't quite figure that part out.
Every time I checked, Ayla was playing a game with another brother. The cupboard in the living room was open with games spilling out. Aspen said they were leftovers from their childhood. Her mom was hoping for grandkids, but so far there hadn't been any.
Toward the end of the evening, I found myself sitting on the couch eating a slice of chocolate cake with Natasha.
"Are you and Hudson dating now?" Natasha asked.
I almost dropped my fork. "No. Whatever gave you that idea?"
Natasha huffed out a laugh. "He brought you here. As far as I know, he's never brought a woman home before."
My hand trembled as I held onto my fork, not sure I was capable of swallowing the cake if I took a bite. "I didn't realize that. But we're not dating. I called to ask him for help with a present for Ayla, and he insisted I come with him afterward."
Her brow rose. "Okay."
"He probably felt bad for us since we didn't have plans this evening other than baking cookies and watching a holiday movie. My parents live in Arizona. They don't like traveling here in the winter. It's too cold and snowy for them."
Natasha glanced over at Hudson, who was talking to Aspen. I had a feeling she was asking him similar questions.
"Aspen doesn't like when the guys get in her business about who she's dating, but she has no problems doing it to them."
I laughed.
"But to get back to what you said—"
I took a bite of cake, thinking that I couldn't answer her with a mouthful.
"I don't think that Hudson feels sorry for you. I think he likes you," she said carefully.
"When my shop flooded, I wasn't able to stay in my apartment, and he offered to rent us his old place. He feels responsible for us. Then he brought us a tree and had his brothers decorate the porch. It was really nice."
Natasha leaned in. "He brought you a tree and had his brothers decorate your porch?"
"Yeah, I mean, it's really his porch."
"I don't think Hudson normally puts up a tree or outdoor lights. The guys always joke that they're perpetual bachelors and they have to come here for holiday cheer."
I knew what he'd done was something special, but hearing Natasha say it too had me rethinking the entire day. "You don't think he's just helping a single mom because he feels bad?"
She laughed. "Uh. No. I don't think any of the guys have gone out of their way for clients."
I glanced over at Hudson, who noticed my attention and winked at me.
She nodded toward the motion. "See? He likes you."
Now it was my turn to laugh. "I'm a lingerie shop owner with a daughter and no permanent place to call home. I'm a bit of a mess right now."
"He obviously sees something he likes."
I usually didn't allow myself to think about Hudson that way. But now my mind was whirring with possibilities. If I assumed he was interested in me, the things he'd done the last few days made more sense.
He didn't pity me; he liked me. But what if Natasha was wrong? I didn't want to get my hopes up.
Natasha nudged my elbow. "Is he taking you home tonight?"
"I rode with him, and he's going to help me get Ayla's bike under the tree." I was used to doing the holidays by myself. Gus didn't contribute to the presents that Ayla received from Santa. He didn't even buy her presents from himself. He liked to say that only Santa brought presents.
"Are you going to ask him to stay and maybe watch a holiday movie together? That would be romantic."
I laughed. "I didn't have any plans to seduce him, if that's what you're asking."
"I suggest you go with the flow. When Ford showed back up in my life, there were plenty of reasons not to give him a second chance. I had every reason to believe that he wouldn't stick around. But I took a chance on him. And it was the best thing I ever did."
Ford sat next to her and put his arm around her. "Are you talking about me?"
Natasha rolled her eyes but smiled. "I was just telling her how taking a second chance with you was the best decision."
Ford smiled. "I'm grateful every day for another opportunity with you. I can't help but think that we were meant to be."
Natasha leaned closer, and I looked away.
It felt like an intimate moment. They were half a second away from kissing, so I got up to take my plate into the kitchen.
There was no one in the kitchen except for Hudson's mother. "I was just going to put this away."
"I can take care of that for you." She took the plate from me, rinsing it before placing it in the dishwasher.
"Thank you for inviting me." It was really Hudson who'd insisted I come, but it felt like the polite thing to say.
"We enjoyed spending more time with you. It's a shame what happened in your shop and right before Christmas too."
I let out a breath. At least she didn't seem to think my shop didn't belong on Candy Cane Lane. "It wasn't the best timing. But Hudson assures me he'll have everything fixed soon."
"I saw that you're selling some of your things at the new bookstore."
I nodded as she wiped off the counters. "Belle was nice enough to offer me space."
"I adore those blind dates with a book she displayed for Christmas. The wrapping paper is festive. Each book comes with a handwritten note of tropes and a little ornament. What a great idea."
"Belle has a lot of good ideas."
"She's working with Maverick to expand the shop with outdoor seating and maybe even a cafe."
"It's going to be a nice spot to hang out." Belle probably had a long-term lease with a promise from Eve to do the repairs to make the shop exactly what she wanted. I was still operating under a short-term lease, and a lot of uncertainty.
"I'll be spending a lot of time in her store. I love to browse books."
"Ayla does too." I wondered if Maria knew anything about what was going on between Belle and her son. I had a feeling Maverick didn't share his feelings with anyone. So probably not. But a mother sometimes knew these things without having to be told.
"I certainly enjoyed having a child in the house again. I keep waiting for grandkids, but I'm not sure it's ever going to happen with these boys. They're in no rush to settle down and get married."
Lincoln walked in, his hand over his chest. "Hey, I found a woman."
Maria patted his cheek. "But where are my grandkids?"
"I've only been working at the practice in Telluride for a short time. Give me a chance to get settled." Lincoln winked at me as if I had any idea what he was going through.
I'd gotten married in college and had Ayla fairly soon thereafter. My parents weren't happy. They wanted me to focus on my career, but it wasn't something we'd planned on doing so soon. It just happened. And I wouldn't change it for the world.
"I bet your parents are just over the moon about that little girl. She's precious."
If my parents were enamored with her, I would think they would visit more often. But I didn't want to ruin the moment by admitting that out loud.
Ford came into the kitchen. "What are we talking about?"
"Mom wants grandkids," Lincoln said by way of warning.
Ford held his palms up and slowly backed out of the room. "I think I have somewhere else to be."
Maria shook her head. "You don't have to be afraid of me. I'd like grandkids, but I can wait."
Lincoln shot Ford a look as if that wasn't true, and I couldn't help smiling.
Their family was so close. Even with the constant ribbing and teasing, they genuinely seemed to enjoy each other's company.
I was glad that Hudson invited me over, but it was getting late.
I wanted to get Ayla to bed early. "We should probably head out. "
His mother bustled around the counter, hooking her arm through my elbow as she guided me into the living room. "I bet you have a million things to do tonight. We all know who Santa really is, don't we?"
"It's a lot to do." It would be nice to have an elf to my Santa, but I'd been doing this alone for a long time.
"I had a lot of kids, but I couldn't imagine doing it alone. No matter if it's one or six kids, it's a lot. We're here for you though. Just let us know if you need anything. You're not just Hudson's client. You're a part of this family now."
I wanted to argue with her, but she was so genuine; it was impossible to put up a fuss.
Hudson appeared in front of us. "Did you want to head out?"
"Yeah, it's getting late." And I was starting to feel a little overwhelmed with all the people and the kindness. I wasn't used to large family gatherings.
"I'll tell Ayla," Hudson said heading to where she was playing a card game with Morgan and Maverick.
When Hudson said something to her, her face fell. But then he must have reminded her that Santa was coming because she handed her cards to Morgan and gave him a hug. He looked a little stunned. Then she hugged Maverick. She was winning these gruff brothers over one by one.
It seemed like they adopted people, starting with Cooper who was here tonight. He wasn't their brother, but it was easy to forget. He blended in like he'd always been a part of things.
I didn't want to get too attached because what would happen when the job was done at my shop?
I'd go back to being alone again. I didn't want to think that a family like this could be mine.
One by one, each brother would find a woman to spend their life with and have grandkids. I was only here temporarily.
"Do we have to leave?" Ayla asked.
I hugged her to me. "Yes, Santa won't come if you don't go to sleep."
Thankfully, Ayla didn't argue. I was exhausted from the thought of everything I had to do tonight. I wanted to make the day special for her.
I could see how Christmas would be different at the Sterlings, full of light and love.
Ayla would love it, and I felt guilty that I couldn't give her a family like theirs.
But I didn't get to pick my family, and neither did she.
We were both only children. The only difference was that her parents weren't together anymore.
She couldn't even remember a time when we were together. I felt guilty that I couldn't give her the ideal childhood, two parents who lived together, and everything that came with it. Two incomes. A big house. Maybe even the dog she'd been asking for.
"It's a big day tomorrow," Hudson added
"I'm so glad you could come." Aspen hugged me, throwing me off a little. "We don't get to hang out much. I'm always behind the counter at the inn. But we should grab a coffee sometime."
"That would be great."
We said our goodbyes to everyone else, which took longer than I anticipated. It was thirty minutes later before we were inside the cab of his truck and driving to my house.
Hudson pointed out the best light displays on the way home, and it felt like we were a family.
I was careful not to get too close to anyone.
I was painfully aware that my family was different.
That I was more independent than most. But the holidays meant family time, and it was hard not to get caught up in the Sterlings.
Hudson parked in the driveway next to my car.
Inside, I asked Ayla, "Why don't you get ready, and I'll read you the book?"
Ayla ran up the stairs, probably excited for Christmas morning.
Hudson arched a brow. "The book?"
"The Night Before Christmas. It's a tradition that we read it on Christmas Eve."
He shoved his hands in his pockets. "I imagine my mom tried to read to us, but I bet at least one of us couldn't sit still long enough to listen."
"I can't imagine what it was like growing up with that many siblings. My family was just the three of us, my parents and me. It was quieter than your house."
Hudson smiled. "Yeah, not many people have a family as large as ours. It can be overwhelming."
I shrugged. "I kind of liked it."
Ayla appeared at the top of the stairs. "Can you read to me now?"
"Absolutely." I was grateful that she was going to go to sleep soon. I didn't want to be up late putting her presents out.
I was halfway up the stairs when she asked, "Can Hudson come too?"
That made me wonder if it was a good idea, allowing Hudson to hang out with us so much. What if Ayla got attached to him? He wasn't ours. I wasn't dating him. I had no claim to him. He could move on at any time.