Chapter 17
HUDSON
Iwas surprised when Ayla called when she was opening her presents. I felt included in their morning, and when Angela's face came onto the screen, I wished I was sitting on that couch with them.
But when I said something about coming over, she got upset. I thought she'd said that Ayla's father didn't see her on the holiday, so it couldn't be that he was coming over. Did she not want me to come over? Was she seeing someone else?
Last night, she'd kissed me. I might have made the initial move, but she finished it, placing her lips on mine. I couldn't imagine she'd kiss me if she was seeing someone else. She was too good of a person. She was honest and, from what I knew of her, completely focused on Ayla and her business.
No, she wasn't seeing anyone else. So what spooked her? Had her ex made promises he never kept? Had her parents?
Did she not trust that I'd be there for her? I'd shown up last night and followed through. I'd gone above and beyond anything a friend would have done. So if she didn't trust me after that, then it could be a deeper issue with her.
I could be the man she should have had all along. I'd be the man she could count on now and in the future.
I hadn't felt this determined about something since I started my business and joined my brothers' company.
I went for a run on the treadmill I set up in the basement, then lifted weights. I usually enjoyed a quiet morning, relishing my ability to work out whenever I wanted. But now that I'd gotten a glimpse of what it would be like to be at Angela and Ayla's, I wanted to be there with them.
In the future, I could make breakfast, then bring Angela coffee while we watched Ayla open presents. I wanted that vision of my future.
I decided to bring dessert to their house after dinner at my parents. Determined to make that happen, I sent Mom a text advising her of my plans. She agreed to set aside an array of desserts. She even asked if I wanted to invite them for dinner. But I was selfish. I wanted them to myself today.
It was Christmas, the most important day of the year. The one day you spent with the important people in your life.
I wanted Angela and Ayla to be those people. As long as I could prove I was a reliable guy and that I'd treat her and her daughter like they were mine. It would take time, but I was patient.
I'd wait her out, and when all her walls crumbled, one by one, I'd be there for her.
I ran a hand through my hair, looking at myself in the mirror. I was getting way ahead of myself. I shouldn't be thinking like this after one kiss.
When Ford started messing around with Natasha again, I told him that I wanted to settle down eventually, and this was it. I wanted Angela.
I headed over to my parents' house in the late morning. In the kitchen, Mom said, "You didn't want to invite Angela and Ayla over?
"They have their own traditions. I didn't want to intrude." At least not this year. Maybe if we dated long-term, that would change. We'd spend the morning together, then come over to my parents' house.
Would Mom be doting on Ayla right now? Including her in her preparations for the meal? Would Ayla like having a grandmother figure who lived closer and paid attention to her.
"It's too bad her family is so far away. Not that it would stop me."
"You're lucky. We all live here then," I said.
"I couldn't imagine not seeing my grandchild, especially Ayla. She's precious."
My heart contracted at her words. Ayla would be so loved by my family. "You'll make an amazing grandmother one day."
She wagged a wooden spoon at me. "Sooner rather than later, I hope."
I made a noncommittal noise.
"You like this woman, don't you?"
"She's slow to trust. I don't know much about her parents or her ex, but I have a feeling they have something to do with it."
"You're a sweet boy. I know you'll do right by her."
I drew myself to my full height. "I'm not exactly a boy anymore."
Mom chuckled. "I always thought you had the biggest heart of all my boys. You were so sensitive. Crying during kids' movies and asking me thoughtful questions after the other kids had gone to bed. I should have told you to go to bed because it was so late. But it was our time together."
"I remember that."
"Dad always said I should be tougher with you. But we had a special relationship."
"I think so too." It felt good to hear it. We appreciated certain things about each other, and it was nice to hear that she thought I was special.
"That's what makes me think Angela is good for you."
"You're not worried because she's a single mom?"
Mom paused and looked at me. "Haven't you been listening to me? I think of anyone, she's perfect for you. You have a heart big enough for both of them."
"Thanks, Mom." It felt good having her approval.
"And I won't say anything to your siblings, but I think they already suspect."
"Yeah, Aspen was giving me a hard time," I grumbled, remembering her grilling.
Mom laughed. "She wants you to pair off so you'll leave her alone."
"Is she dating anyone?" It would be nice to get the heat off me.
Mom just gave me a look. "I wouldn't tell you. She said you'll drive any guy away. Besides, I don't think she dates anyone seriously anyway."
"Yeah?"
"That girl can't commit to anything. She works multiple part-time jobs, not knowing what her career is. I don't understand her."
Aspen had always been a source of worry for Mom. "She came home so abruptly, and she never said why."
I leaned against the counter, the room smelling like apples and cinnamon. "She wouldn't talk about it."
"That girl. She's going to give me gray hairs."
I raised a brow because she already had gray.
"Don't say anything," Mom chided me, and I laughed.
Maverick walked in, slapping me on the back. "Merry, Merry."
Mom hugged him. "Merry Christmas."
"Where's your mini-me?" Maverick asked, sitting on the stool next to me.
"Ayla? She's at home with her mother."
He raised a brow. "I would have thought you'd invite them for dinner."
"They have their own thing going on. I might stop by later. Bring them dessert."
He waggled his brows. "Is that what we're calling it these days?"
Mom gave him a look. "Please don't talk like that in my kitchen."
He looked contrite. "Sorry, Mom."
She shook her head. "You think a sorry absolves you of all guilt."
"Doesn't it?" I asked innocently.
"It only works if you don't do it again, and I have a feeling it won't be the last time you say some"—she waved her hand in the air—"innuendo in my house."
"I'll do better," Maverick said.
She nodded. "See that you do."
"It's just the two of them for the day."
He cocked his head. "Where's Ayla's father?"
"I don't know much about him. He lives around here though. From what I can gather, Ayla sees him on Wednesday nights and some weekends."
"Dating a single mom isn't easy. You gotta deal with the ex and any drama that comes with it," Maverick said.
"I haven't seen him yet. Maybe he's a nonissue." She certainly hadn't called him when she needed help with the bike.
"Are you going to do that renovation at the new bookstore in Christmas Town?" Mom asked Maverick.
Maverick made a face, playing with the label on a water bottle Mom had set out for guests. "I don't know."
"I thought this was a big renovation, and you wanted to be the one who did it."
Maverick shifted on his chair. "It is a big job, and it would be a great thing to have on my portfolio. I just don't know if I want to deal with the owner."
Mom paused, and looked at him. "What's wrong with Belle Beckett?"
"She'll probably make a million changes in the middle of the project. I know her type."
Mom placed her hands on her hips. "And what type is that?"
Morgan made a siren noise as he walked into the kitchen. "Warning. Abort."
Maverick waved his hand. "You know, she's rich and entitled. She thinks she can have anything she wants."
Mom placed her hands on her hips. "Maverick Sterling, I taught you better than that. If it's a good job, you should do it. Don't make excuses because you think she's entitled. You're probably wrong about her anyway."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"I like Belle. I think she's a sweet girl. So if you think she's difficult and demanding, then you don't know her at all."
"Growing up, she had everything she wanted, and her parents paid for her to go to college. She has no problem opening a bookstore and is doing all these renovations. You know she got the money from her parents. She didn't work for it."
"You have no idea where she got that money from. Don't judge someone before you get to know them."
"Yeah," Morgan said, and Maverick glared at him.
"And besides, who cares where she got the money from?" Mom said.
None of us liked being on the receiving end of Mom's wrath, but she had a point. Maverick was judging Belle, and I wasn't sure why. Maybe it was a simple personality clash. "You want one of us to handle it?"
His shoulders lowered. "I'll deal with her."
Morgan smacked his shoulder. "Don't mess this up. Christmas Town is our biggest project, and we can't afford to piss off any of the owners."
"I know."
"The stonework is going to look amazing on the website when it's done, and when anyone asks who did the work, she'll say it was you. The location is ideal for word-of-mouth referrals," Morgan reminded him.
"I can't wait for the patio to be installed. It's going to be a nice place to relax," Mom said.
When Dad joined us, conversation moved away from Maverick's issues with the new bookstore owner, and I counted down the minutes until I could leave.
After dinner, Mom took me aside to hand me a box of desserts. "Be nice to her."
I rolled my eyes. "When am I not nice?"
Mom's stern expression didn't falter.
"Of course I'll be nice. I like her, remember?"
Mom shook her head. "I thought I raised you boys right, and then Maverick goes and says crazy stuff about that Belle. I just don't understand it."
"They were in the same year in school. I wonder if there's a history there," I murmured, trying to think back, but they were younger than me.
Mom's eyes brightened. "I hadn't thought about that. I'll have to get to know her better."
"Mom," I said with a warning tone.
Her eyes wide, she said, "What? You can't tell me I can't go to the new bookstore. I love to read."
"Don't meddle in Maverick's love life."
"What love life? He's the kind of guy who thinks tugging on a girl's pigtail is declaring his affection for her," Mom grumbled.
I laughed. Maverick was gruff with women, but it seemed to work for him. They liked the silent, brooding type. The only problem was maybe those women he was meeting at bars weren't the forever type.
Mom handed me the dessert box. "You have a good time at Angela's. I want to hear all about it."
"I'm not going to tell you about my date. I'm not Aspen."
Mom rolled her eyes. "You know that girl doesn't tell me anything. She's locked up tighter than a safe, and it's all thanks to you boys never giving her a second of peace or privacy. Now, get out of here. I don't want you to be late."
I hadn't spoken to Angela after our morning phone call when she freaked out about me coming over. But I didn't want to admit that to Mom. Let her think that Angela was fine with me butting into her life. I was hopeful I could convince her to open the door to me tonight.
Whatever her hang-ups were, I wanted to break through them, one at a time.
I said my goodbyes to everyone else, taking the ribbing about stealing desserts for myself, and finally made it to my truck. I loved my family, but right now, I was craving the quiet of my old house, the one that was filled with Angela and Ayla.
On the drive over, I wondered what they'd done all day. Had it been a quiet one for them? Had they talked to her parents or Ayla's father?
Had Angela cooked a big meal? I wanted to know what their days were like.
I parked next to her car in the driveway, then carried the box of desserts to the front door. I hesitated. Was this a good idea? What if showing up pushed her further away?
I lifted my hand and knocked.
I heard the thump of feet, and then the door swung open to reveal Ayla dressed in the same pajamas as this morning. "Hudson."
"Merry Christmas, Ayla." I was excited to be here. "I brought dessert and a present."
She moved away from the door, calling out, "I told you he'd come."
I stepped inside, closing the door. "You were waiting for me?"
"You said you'd come," she said simply. "But Mom said that you were spending time with your family and probably wouldn't have time to come over."
“I brought this for you.” I handed her the gift bag.
Angela appeared in the doorway. "Ayla, what's going on?"
She waved a hand in my direction. "Hudson's here."
I lifted the box. "Mom sent me with dessert."
I didn't have any shame in blaming my mother in the event that Angela wasn't happy with me showing up on Christmas Day.
"That was nice of her," Angela said, taking the box from me.
I toed off my boots and hung my jacket on one of the hooks next to Ayla's pink one, which looked so tiny hanging there.
"I hope you don't mind if I join you for dessert.
I had to take it before it was served, or it would have been gone.
My brothers are savages when it comes to food.
" I used my most charming smile, and Ayla clapped her hands.
"Of course you can share it with us."
Ayla took the box and headed for the kitchen.
I stepped closer to Angela, my hand on her hip. “And how do you feel about me being here?"
Her eyes widened slightly as she gazed up at me. "Surprised."
"I said I'd come." My voice was low so Ayla wouldn't hear us.
Her eyes flashed with emotion. "And I said you didn't have to."
I squeezed her hip, wishing I had more time and privacy to do what I really wanted to do—kiss her. "But what if I wanted to?"
She shook her head slightly as if she was at a loss for words.
I'd take that over kicking me out any day of the week. I leaned down to brush my lips over hers.
"Can I opened my present?" Ayla called from the kitchen, forcing me to step back.
I had a feeling I'd have to keep reminding Angela how good we were together. She'd want to distance herself as soon as I left, and I couldn't allow her to do that.
She wasn't kicking me out, and she didn't seem unhappy I was here. In fact, she seemed pleased. I'd made the right decision in not listening to her. She was afraid to be disappointed. I could work with that.