“Thanks, guys.” Bas headed to the office so he could shift into his margay.
* * * * *
Hudson
“I’ll see you guys tomorrow!” Hudson called to the remaining crew members as he threw his backpack over his shoulder.
“Bye, Hud,” his newest best friend, EJ, shouted from where he was standing in front of his locker. The other guys waved, grunted, or shouted their own farewells as Hudson let the locker room door close behind him before making his way down the stairs toward the exit.
It had been an easy forty-eight-hour shift for them. Which, after the massive fire the week prior, Hudson was grateful for.He was hungry though and didn’t want to waste time getting to the house that he shared with his brother, Carter.
Carter, a police officer, and Hudson, a firefighter, had been on opposite shifts for a few weeks now. Hudson would spot his brother in town often since the police station and firehouse shared a parking lot, but it just wasn’t the same as getting to hang out at home. Carter had the night off, having worked the day shift, and with Hudson off for the next three days, they had plans for a quiet dinner at home as they binge-watched television.
Once outside the fire station, Hudson glanced around at his new town. Well, it wasn’t new-new but since they moved away when he was three and Carter was five, it was new for them.
After years of living in a major city, the small-town feeling and slower pace felt nice. No, it felt right.
Moving back to their birth town had been a no-brainer for him when Carter had decided he needed a change. Carter had been done working for the Boston PD after too many times he’d picked up criminals only for them to be released the next day. After one of those criminals had targeted Carter and his partner, Lucy, seriously injuring Lucy and ending her career, Carter had had enough.
Hudson didn’t care where they lived as long as the two of them were together.
He’d been sixteen when they lost their parents in a car accident. Carter had just graduated from high school, but he’d put off going to college to keep Hudson in the same high school so he could graduate with his friends. Hudson would forever be grateful for the sacrifices that Carter had made, even if hisbrother didn’t see it that way. Carter assured Hudson he was happy with how things worked out.
It was hard to push down his guilt, but Hudson did his best. Instead of being a lawyer like he’d planned, Carter had gone to the police academy and worked himself up from patrol to a detective. Hudson knew that Carter’s life had been harder due to having to raise him in those last couple of years.
Moving back home to their birthplace? Hudson hadn’t hesitated.
And he loved the small town. Crossing the street to cut through the park, Hudson waved at people that he was starting to recognize and become friends with.
Hudson had a truck that he could have driven into the station, but he loved walking and the park in the center of town was gorgeous. There were so many trees, bushes, and flowers with benches scattered around that the park was truly a peaceful place. From what he’d been told, the park was a new addition organized by the mayor once Easton Goldsmith had taken over after the previous mayor had disappeared. Hudson had no idea what happened to the old mayor, but he was incredibly happy that he had become friends with Easton. They connected by both being transplants to the small town that had a recent boom of fortune.
He continued his trek through the park, smiling as a small group of children passed while laughing and singing with a young woman hurried after them. They must be headed to the other side of the park where the playground had been built. Hudson stepped off the concrete path to allow the group to stay together. As a big guy, Hudson didn’t leave much room for others.
The shade from the tall tree at his back was nice.
Fall was coming soon but the sun still shone bright and it was warmer than usual for this time of year. Hudson began to resume his walk when he caught movement in a branch above him.
“Oh no!” Hudson murmured.
Striking large brown eyes blinked down at him.
“Not good,” Hudson said. “Not good at all.” He glanced around but there was no one close to him. “How did you get all the way up there?”
He wasn’t expecting an answer as the cat, strange cat indeed, continued to slowly blink at him. Like Hudson had just woken him from a long nap.
“Well, isn’t this a pickle,” Hudson commented.
The cat yawned, showing off surprising sharp teeth while his long tail twitched.
Hudson slid his backpack off his shoulder, placing it on the ground under the tree. Peering up, Hudson had no idea how to get the cat down. It was way up there. Was the cat stuck?
“Here, kitty kitty,” he called softly. Hudson didn’t want to scare the little thing.
The cat’s nose twitched before he yawned again.
“Come on, buddy!” Hudson patted his leg. It worked with dogs, but he was fairly sure that cats didn’t come when called. He’d read that somewhere. He thought anyway. Hudson couldn’t remember.
Giving a long stretch, the cat didn’t seem aware of what a scary position he was in. Even though the cat had wrapped his tail around the branch, he could fall.
