Susan’s eyes were bright when she looked back at us. “I haven’t seen her this engaged or excited since…” Grief darkened her expression. “Well… thank you.”
“Happy to help,” I said, my words low and soft because they were constricted by emotion. I didn’t even know this woman but the pain radiating from her was palpable. I wanted to wrap my arms around her and hold her tight.
She blinked back tears and clapped her hands together. “Let’s talk budget before Molly gets back. Do you think you can do everything on five hundred dollars—including outfits?”
“I can definitely do that.”
Susan let me into the condo so I could get a sense of the space for decorating. The apartment was open-plan and airy, with a wonderful picture window in the kitchen that looked out over the snow-covered evergreens. There wasn’t a lot I could do to it interior-wise, other than decorate, but I already had thoughts stewing.
Twenty minutes later, after I hurried back to the inn to grab my purse (even though Hudson told me I wouldn’t need it) and to get my phone so I could text Catie to let her know where I’d be, I walked out into the car park and found Hudson standing by a black Chevrolet Tahoe.
“Nice.” I patted the side of his SUV as I approached him.
He immediately wrapped an arm around me to draw me against him while we waited for Molly and Susan, and I realized that he hadn’t stopped touching me all morning. It was like he couldn’t help himself and I loved it. I was a very affectionate person and I liked to be touched and cuddled—probably because I didn’t get a lot of that growing up—and the way I felt when Hudson touched me was akin to that of an addict grateful for her latest fix.
“Thanks. Best SUV for the snow,” he explained.
I nodded but thoughts of his four-by-four were long gone as soon as he pulled me into his embrace. I tipped my head back to look directly into his gorgeous eyes. “How did you know I’d be cool with doing this for Molly and Susan?”
“Everything you told me about what you did for Skylar. And just… you. You’re kind, Autumn. It’s who you are. You have the kindest eyes I’ve ever seen.”
I blushed at the compliment, lowering my gaze. “I’m only doing what anyone would do. Molly and Susan have been through something unimaginable. Anyone would want to help make their day a little brighter.”
“Not just anyone.” He gently raised my chin so I’d meet his eyes. “Susan’s a good woman, putting her kid before her grief, trying to give her something, remind her that they’re alive and they need to live. Reading between the lines, her husband hasn’t been able to do that and not having that kind of support after losing a kid… Well, I can’t imagine. And Molly’s a cute kid. Always saying please, thank you—appreciative, you know. But now she’s a kid who knows something she shouldn’t know already—that the people you love can be gone in an instant. It sucks she learned that lesson so young and that’s something you know about more than anyone.”
Tears pricked my eyes.
“I wanted to do something for them but what couldIdo? But you… you can do something for them. And I can drive you safely down and back up the mountain.”
My hands were resting on his chest and as overwhelming emotion flooded me I slid them up to wrap them around his neck. I drew up onto my tiptoes and pressed the softest, sweetest kiss to his lips. When I pulled back I whispered, “Tonight you’re mine, Hudson Ward.”
His grip on me turned almost bruising as his eyes darkened. His voice was hoarse when he replied, “I cannot fucking wait, angel.”
I grinned and lowered down to the soles of my feet. Hudson looked like he wanted to say something more but suddenlySusan and Molly appeared, Molly practically vibrating with excitement.
6
Iwas immediately enamored with Copper Cliffs. It was everything I imagined small town Colorado to be—charming, friendly, beautifully snow-covered, and a world away from the city of Glasgow.
After driving expertly down the mountain, Hudson stopped first at a coffee shop so I was fully caffeinated before we began our shopping adventure. Then Hudson left us to it. He gave me and Susan his phone number and told us to call when we were ready to go to lunch. Hudson was considerate, thoughtful, and sweet, but he was also a man in the traditional sense and shopping was something he just did not do.
Susan, Molly, and I chattered easily as we wandered around the small town together. Nothing could (or ever would) erase the hard glint of grief in either of their eyes, but Molly was excited and Susan seemed to be relieved by this renewed energy in her daughter. I talked to Molly about the ideas I had for décor and she loved them. I’d been worried it was a little too old for a thirteen-year-old’s birthday party but it would seem Molly was over “little girl stuff” and wanted something more sophisticated.
We stopped by a flower shop, and although the budget didn’t allow for too many floral arrangements, we ordered a few inpinks and whites to be delivered to the condo on their last day of vacation, the day we were hosting the party.
It didn’t take long for us to realize that as beautiful as Copper Cliffs was, I wasn’t going to be able to do everything I needed to do from here. I picked up a bunch of fairy lights for the decoration, and I advised Susan and Molly on really cute outfits, but we were soon to be stumped on the rest of the planning.
Deciding to have a late lunch, we held off on calling Hudson and went back to the coffee shop with its free wifi. We sat at a table with my phone in hand and together we ordered everything online. Moreover, we sent e-invites to all of Molly’s friends and a couple of Susan’s and some family members.
Finally we called Hudson and he took us to a diner for lunch where I had the best burger I’d had in a long time. Molly threw question after question at Hudson, gazing up at him like he was a hero come to life. I sensed an adorable crush.
I couldn’t blame her.
At lunch, as soon as Molly took a breath and I had an in, I asked Hudson where I could get all my baking and cooking needs. That was the store we hit last and Hudson said I could use the condo in his kitchen to cater the party.
It was a fun day but obviously a lot more energetic than Molly or Susan had experienced in a while. Between the ski lessons that morning and walking all over the small town that afternoon, they were tired. We bundled all of my supplies into the car and headed back up the mountain.
I told them I’d see them the next day and received a hug from Molly, followed by a tight squeeze of a hug from her mum. My eyes brightened with tears at the quiet desperation in her grip and I held her just as tight. When we finally let go of each other she smiled gratefully and then touched Hudson’s arm in silent thanks. He gave her a solemn chin nod and we watched as mother and daughter climbed the stairs up to their condo.
