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I must have fallen asleep because I woke to darkness. A bit of light filtered through the crack in the bedroom door, and that was when I stiffened. The woodsy smell filled my nostrils. I ran my fingers over the bed, trying to make sense of my surroundings. What? How did I end up in bed? Didn’t I fall asleep on the couch?
My blanket was still covering me, but…
Standing, I walked toward the door since it was my only source of light. I cracked it open and pulled the blanket over my head. Huh. I was downstairs. Glancing back, my mouth dropped as I ventured further into the main room. I was sleeping on Hudson’s bed. Why?
I clearly remembered being on the couch and resting my eyes. Had Hudson carried me to his bed? Again, why? He could have left me on the couch to nap or in my room, so I didn’t drool on his pillow.
Oh, shit. What if I really drooled on his bed?
“I was about to wake you,” Hudson’s husky voice drifted toward me.
I pulled the blanket off my head and glanced around as I walked. He was propped against the kitchen doorjamb, arms crossed, as his lips twitched into an almost smile.
“I made biscuits and gravy,” he said before disappearing into the kitchen.
I followed, my stomach grumbling at the thought of food. Considering, I had skipped breakfast for the meal I was supposed to eat at my brother’s, I was starved. It was dark out, and I hadn’t eaten a thing all day.
“I’m so hungry,” I told him.
“Me, too.”
I let him prepare a plate for me. The man was honestly too good to be true.
Hudson sat beside me as we ate. “Your brother’s been calling me.”
I froze mid bite. “Oh?”
Although I pestered Hudson, I didn’t want my brother doing it. My living and working with Hudson would eventually stress the man out. Regardless, I found myself really happy to be there with him.
My stomach twisted and churned. It scared me how much I enjoyed where I was. Life was constantly changing, and I’d one day leave.
It’s fine. Everything’s fine.
“It’s going to be all right, Red. Ed and Francis agreed to visit you at my house from now on. So, you don’t have to distance yourself from your brother.”
The sinking feeling in my stomach dissipated. Hudson continued to eat, unaware of the effect he had on my emotions.
Putting my fork down, I leaned over and wrapped my arms around him. He stiffened, his breath fanning my cheek as he turned. I dropped my face into his neck for only a second, enough to inhale the same woodsy smell from earlier, then pulled away quickly. “Thank you, Hudson.”
My skin tingled even after I resumed eating. Hudson was a muscular man, and I found myself wanting to reach for him again. It was like his presence ignited a flame within me and yet calmed my every thought without trying.
I cleared my throat. “So… How hard would it be to get out of going to your family’s house tomorrow?”
“I already told Grandma we weren’t coming.”
“You should go. That’s your family.”
Hudson shook his head. “I’m not leaving you alone on Christmas Day. Grandma would kill me if I did.”
Warmth surged through my chest.
It was so easy to exist in that cabin because of Hudson.
TWENTY-SEVEN
HUDSON
I woke to a loud thump. Climbing out of bed, I slipped on my house shoes and stepped out of the room.
