“I’ll try,” I agreed quietly as the rumble of a truck coming up her drive sounded in the distance.“Oh God, I feel like I’m going to throw up.”My nerves were practically rattling my frame.
“Ah, the good old days.”She smiled.“I could barely eat I was so excited when your uncle and I started dating.And he still made my heart pound after thirty years.I lost him early, but I was so lucky to have him at all.Some never have a love like ours.”She twirled the wedding band on her finger, still wearing it—and likely always would.
I wondered if she’d ever seek love again—or at the very least try dating a bit.She still had so much living to do, so much joy to share.But I wouldn’t be surprised if she chose to walk that road alone.
“Ladies.”Hudson’s deep voice pulled me from my thoughts.
I looked over, nearly swallowing my tongue at the sight of him standing in the doorway of the shed.Dressed in worn blue jeans, work boots, and a green tee, he was the most gorgeous man I’d ever seen.He didn’t have a hat on today.His brown hair was cut short and caught the light as he peered into the shed.
When he spotted me, his full lips turned up into a smile as he took me in, his gaze full of appreciation despite the leggings and ratty sweatshirt I wore.
“Hey,” he greeted.
“Hi.”
“Hi, Hud, thanks for coming by.We certainly could use an extra set of hands.This one is more intent on teasing me than helping.”Goodie hooked a thumb in my direction.
“Have you seen the collection of bell-bottoms in here?”I demanded.“You’re lucky I’ve kept a straight face at all.”
Hudson chuckled, stepping into the space and immediately sneezing.God, even his sneeze was somehow attractive.I was so screwed.
“I’ll go fix some lunch,” Goodie announced, despite it being far too early in the day.
I narrowed my eyes at her obvious excuse to leave us alone before turning to Hudson.“Are you sure you want to do this?I’ve sneezed about twenty times already,” I admitted.“And it’s hardly the most fun way to spend a Saturday.”
“Oh, I don’t know, the potential for a seventies fashion show and hearing if your sneeze is as cute as the rest of you?I think I’ll manage.”He winked.
I held up a pair of bell-bottoms.“These are not going on my body.And I sneeze like a truck driver.”
He laughed, a deep infectious belly laugh, and I couldn’t help but grin in response.Maybe if I could get past my nerves, we could have some fun after all.
His gaze dropped to my bare hands.“No gloves?”
I shrugged.“I don’t have any, and honestly I don’t think I’ll need them.”
“I have an extra pair in the truck,” he replied, already turning to jog toward his truck, returning a moment later with a pair of work gloves that would no doubt swallow my hands.
I slid them on without a word, somehow knowing I’d have a fight on my hands if I protested, and turned my attention to the box closest to me.
For a while, we worked in tandem, throwing items for the dump in one pile and items I thought she might want to keep or donate in another.
When I pulled out a familiar flannel jacket, I swallowed hard against the lump in my throat, bringing it to my nose to take in the familiar smell that somehow still lingered there.
“This was my uncle’s,” I explained when Hudson eyed me curiously.“I don’t think Goodie realizes this is out here.He wore it all the time” I stroked the soft fabric.
“It does look familiar,” Hudson agreed.“Though I think he likely had about a million of them.Every time I saw him, regardless of the weather, he had a flannel on and blue jeans.”
“It was his uniform.”A fond smile graced my lips.“Even when they came to visit in DC, he wore the same thing.But he somehow managed to never look out of place.He and my aunt always had that in common.Neither cared what anyone else thought; I always envied that ability.”
He watched me, patiently waiting for me to continue.I was so used to being interrupted or disagreed with.It was refreshing to be given the space to get my thoughts out on my own terms.
“I worry that she’s lonely,” I admitted, my gaze toward the house where my aunt had disappeared.“She puts on such a brave face, but it’s been five years, and I don’t think she’s moved on at all.”
“She may never move on, darlin’.”He stepped closer as he looked down at me, his expression soft.“Not completely.And she does put on a brave face, but Goodie is strong as hell.She’ll just have to work through what the next chapter looks like, and knowing her, she’ll do that on her own terms.”
I looked up at him, impressed with his observations and knowing he was also right.
“I’d imagine you being here helps,” he added with a soft smile.
