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“I’m going to go blow my money now.” I huffed and puffed as I stomped toward the door.
“Are you having fun being dramatic?” he asked.
I looked over my shoulder. “Yes. Thank you for asking.”
Shit. He was smiling. My heart did a hugeka-thump.
“Here. Take my card.”
My eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets when I whipped around. “Would you stop it!”
Glancing around, I saw two women in a booth to the left, whispering and looking. Hudson continued to hold his card out.
“Shit, stop,” I whispered, shoving his arm away.
“What? You don’t want to spend your money, so spend mine.”
I gawked. Was that dude for real? How was he single if he threw his money at women? He gave me a place to live, constantly fed me, and offered me his credit card. I wasn’t a materialistic person. I detested shopping because I feared needing the money for something else later.
So, I didn’t know how to react to Hudson. For the sake ofgetting ahead, as I called it, I lived under his roof. The reality was that no matter how much I saved, I might not own a bookstore like I wanted. The thought was depressing. Hudson’s kindness would spoil me, and I worried I’d get too attached to him. The last thing I wanted to do was take advantage of someone’s kindness to help me. Gran’s screen door immediately popped in my head, and my stomach knotted.
“Don’t worry, I’m going to buy the things I need, so please stop.” I met his heavy stare with my own. “I’m grumbling because I’m a tight wad, okay? I have money. The customers are watching.”
He put his wallet away and grunted. “Why are you so stubborn?”
“Hmm, maybe because the man who’s providing a roof over my head and giving me a job keeps trying to do more.” I smiled. “You don’t have to, Hudson. You’ve helped me a lot. So, I plan to get all kinds of yummy food for the cabin. I’ll keep us well stocked each week. Tell me what you want, and I’ll stop by the grocery store.”
His brow slowly lost those harsh lines, and his eyes softened before he cracked a grin. “Get whateveryouwant, Red.”
???
I rubbed my neck as I walked into Walmart. Shopping was so exhausting. A part of me was glad I found some cute pants and shirts in the discount section of several clothing stores, the rest of me wanted to be done with it all.
I figured good old Walmart was the best place to get panties and bras. I could go there and buy an entire pack for almost the same price as a single pair at Maurices. No one but me was seeing my granny panties, so I didn’t care. All the same, I grabbed two packs of the bikini-style ones, a few sports bras, and two push-up bras.
They had a few pairs of ugly tan shorts on the discount rack, and I bought all of them to sleep in. There were no T-shirts I wanted to spend money on, so I’d stick with my ratty ones that clearly drove my roommate mad. He should be happy I got me some for work and going out.
I snickered as I imagined the look on Hudson’s face when I wore my old shirts around the cabin, then paused at the seasonal section filled with Christmas decorations and trees. Despite being poor, Gran always treated us on that holiday.
Suddenly, the heartache settled deep in my bones. I hadn’t celebrated Christmas since she passed. Even when my brother asked me to come visit for the holiday, I always refused. I secluded myself so much after she died. The company of books was better andsaferthan people.
Hudson didn’t have a tree up at the cabin. He hadn’t put one up in the restaurant either. The other day, I heard his grandma nagging about it, so I told her I’d put a tree up if he had one. She left Homestyle as soon as I said that and came back a couple hours later with one. I put the tree up beside the bar while she complained about every ornament placement I chose. I wondered if he’d care if I put one in the cabin. I didn’t know why I was considering splurging on a tree and decorations. It didn’t make sense to have a tree in my dumpy apartment. Hudson’s home was so big and beautiful, though. It should be decorated.
I gripped my shopping cart as a thrill shot through my limbs. The idea of Christmas lights and a tree, especially in his home, excited me. It would be so cozy to curl up by the fire, read, and see all the lights.
All I had to do was pick out the perfect tree.
TWENTY-TWO
HUDSON
Eugene didn’t return to work that day. I received a text from her letting me know she was going to the cabin instead. It seemed strange. I figured she’d put the groceries up, then head back to work for her tips.
I wondered if she shopped at all. If she didn’t come back to the restaurant, something must have happened. Was she okay? Did she get sick? When I asked if everything was all right, she never responded. After waiting for an hour, I tried calling, but she didn’t answer.
Unable to focus, I headed home around six. Her tiny car was parked in the driveway. The relief that flooded my chest made my shoulders sag. For some reason, I feared she would leave as quickly as she came. The thought had me staring at my steering wheel for a long time.
Climbing out of the truck, lights shining in the front windows caught my eye. Were those Christmas lights? As I walked to the cabin, I heard, “Bear, no!” Quickening my pace, I opened the door and froze.
