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His brother continued by him and gave Rebecca a big hug. Wyatt kissed her on the cheek and then crossed over to the bar to help himself.
Wyatt was right.
“You mind if I steal your mother for a bit?” Hudson aimed the question at Liam, though his eyes never left Rebecca.
Liam looked surprised, but shrugged and glanced at his mother. “I don’t care if she doesn’t.”
“Becca?” He held out his hand. She raised her chin. Pursed her lips. And at first, he was afraid she was going to tell him to go to hell. Instead, she whispered something to John, kissed Darlene on the cheek, and grabbed her purse.
“I won’t be long,” she said to Liam, ruffling the top of his head. “Are you going to be okay?”
“If you are.” Her son looked at Hudson, and his expression said it all. Don’t mess with my mom.
She turned to Hudson, her voice clipped. “Where are we going?”
God, she looked beautiful. Jeans and a simple blue sweater never looked so damn good. Her hair was loose, piled around the cream, red, and blue scarf she’d wrapped around her neck. Her lips were soft and pink, and her eyes… A guy could lose himself inside them.
“You’ll see.” He waited for her to pass and followed her outside to his rental.
They rode along in silence, which was strange considering they hadn’t spoken in weeks. Maybe Rebecca was feeling exactly the way he was. Nervous. Afraid to open his mouth and somehow shatter the image he’d kept in his head. The image of where this was going.
Of where he wanted it to go.
He knew exactly when she realized where it was they were going. She sat up straighter. Her breathing began to quicken. Her hands were balled in her lap.
When he pulled up in front of the lodge, Hudson didn’t cut the engine because he needed her to see. So he got out of the truck and opened the door for her. She blinked up at him and hesitated, but when he offered his hand, she accepted.
They walked up the steps and stood on the porch, and when he pointed to the window, to the bright red-and-blue sign that was there, she began to shake.
“It says Sold.”
“It does.” He cleared his throat, tried to dislodge the big old lump that was there, and then gave up. So what if he sounded like a wuss. Nothing was going to stop him now. “I bought it.”
She jerked her head back. “I don’t… Why?”
Hudson turned to her and grabbed her hands in his. He stared down into the only face that had ever owned him body and soul. No more just getting by. He was finally ready to live his life, and he needed this woman in it.
“It was our dream, once. Remember? Everything about this place is us. What we wanted. What we envisioned for our future.”
“But, Hudson. We were so young. God, we knew nothing. Sometimes the things we think matter, like our dreams, don’t make sense in the real world.”
“Sometimes we need to cling to those dreams. Sometimes we need to work to make them happen. I’m ready now.”
“Ready for what?” Her voice was barely above a whisper.
“Ready to work. Ready for a family.” He paused, because this was the biggie. “I’m finally ready to be the man you deserve. I’m here to stay. I want a life with you and Liam. I want this place to be part of our life. I know it’s a big change—”
“Damn right it’s a big change. And you seem to forget that it’s not just me I have to think about. You left, Hudson. Again.” She thumped him in the chest. “You left for over three weeks with no word. Not one phone call.”
“Babe, I couldn’t call. Our operation was dark. I was undercover. Trust me, if I could have made contact, I would have.”
“I…” She shook her head. “I know you said that but…Sal died.” Her voice broke, and he inched toward her. “And I’m used to dealing with that kind of stuff on my own, but I just thought…” She shook her head and closed her eyes. “I just thought maybe this time, I’d have a shoulder, you know? I thought that maybe the past wouldn’t bite me in the ass again.” A sob escaped. “I let myself hope, Hudson. And I—”
“Becca. I’m not leaving again. Ever.”
Her eyes flew open. “What are you saying?”
“I’m saying the hounds of hell couldn’t drag me from you. I’m saying a goddamn tornado could cut through here, and no way would I let go.” He stepped closer yet. “I’m saying that I love you, and I want us to have a life together. I want—”
