“Are you good?”he asked me after Greta had handed over his coffee.
“Yeah, all good.”
Hudson must have asked his brothers to keep an eye on me.Both had texted to check in while he’d been gone—their responses short and to the point, but still making it clear they were available if I needed anything.
“Hud still getting back tonight?”
“That’s the plan.”He was due back later in the evening but said he’d come straight to my house.The very idea had my toes tingling with anticipation.
With a chin lift to Greta and me, he strode for the door.A moment later, his truck roared to life.
“Whoa, seems like the Carter men have their sights set on more than one of Goodie’s girls.”Greta arched a brow.
“Seems like it.”I resolved to pester Daphne about Riley as soon as she was up for it.
But for now, I had other priorities in the form of a baby—who, by the smell of it, needed a diaper change pronto.
My phone rang as I was nearing home that evening, Hudson’s name on the screen.
“Hi, honey,” I greeted, surprised to be hearing from him so early.
“Hi, baby.”His deep voice made my belly swoop.“I was able to wrap things up early and landed a few minutes ago.I’m on my way.”
I grinned from ear to ear.“Awesome.Ranger and I are nearly back to my place.”
“How’d the rest of the day with Jo go?”
“Good.Katie and I had fun with her at the lake, though she kept trying to crawl toward the water.We had to keep pulling her back.She was like a turtle.”I laughed.“I carried her in.The water was a little chilly, but she seemed to love it.Ranger clearly did.He’s wiped out from all the swimming he did.”I looked over at Ranger, who was sleeping on my passenger seat.“I helped Daphne get Jo settled and just took off.Daphne seemed like she got some sleep, so that’s good.”I was disappointed that I hadn’t had the chance to grill her about Riley.
“That’s good, darlin’.I’m sure she appreciated the break.”
As I pulled up to my curb, about to ask if he’d eaten, I caught sight of my front door.A shocked breath escaped me when I realized it was open, which was definitely not how I’d left it.
“Luce?”Hudson demanded, sounding worried.
“My front door, it’s open.”My hands were shaking as they gripped the steering wheel.“I know that I locked it when I left.”
There was a tense beat of silence before he spoke, his tone calm.“Okay, baby, listen to me, okay?I’m nearly there.I want you to stay in your car with the doors locked.I’m going to call Griff and have him meet us over there.”
“Oh God,” I said, the reality of the situation hitting me all at once.
“Lucy, I’ve got you, baby.Just stay where you are.Do not go inside.”
I snorted despite myself.“Wasn’t planning on it.I’m not one of those dumb girls in a horror movie who runs up the stairs instead of out the front door.That plotline annoys me so much.”I was rambling, but my nerves were getting the better of me.
“I wouldn’t think you would be,” he assured me.“I’ve got to call Griff, baby.Stay where you are.I’ll be right there.”
“Drive carefully.”I could hear his truck accelerating as he sped to get to me.
“I will.Two minutes, baby.”Then the line went dead.
The silence that followed was deafening.My heart pounded as I stared at my open door, trying not to let fear consume me.
Griff had mentioned there’d been some petty theft lately.Could this be random?Honestly, the thought was more welcome than the alternative.
Ranger sat in the passenger seat, looking confused as to why we weren’t going inside.I reached over to pet him, his presence offering some measure of comfort.
It felt like a lifetime, but it had only been a matter of minutes when Hudson pulled up behind me, his headlights lighting up my dash before he cut the engine.
