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The three of us have a moment, and then we go inside to talk. It seems like a kitchen table conversation.
To our pleasant surprise, Mom and Dad take to the idea right away. They’ll housesit and cat-sit for the summer, and Dad even offers to oversee maintenance at the Ferris wheel for free while I’m gone.
“My buddy’s gonna get me a job at the surf shop. So with that and your mom’s dog-walking business, I think that sounds like the perfect plan.”
He reaches across the table and shakes Hudson’s hand.
“We’re very happy for you two,” Mom says. “And Hudson, I know I haven’t been the best mom to Adalee. I haven’t always been there for her, and you’ve been there to pick up the pieces. So I want to say thank you. All I ask is that the two of you don’t do anything crazy like come back from the Keys already married. You understand me? I want to see my baby in a wedding dress. That’s all I’ve ever wanted.”
I glance over at Hudson, who seems completely unfazed. I know I shouldn’t be surprised. We’ve discussed this. But for me, there’s always a slight shadow of doubt, waiting for the ax to fall. I know at that moment that that ax is never going to fall.
He nods. “I promise you that. I’ll take good care of her.”
I can’t help but smirk, knowing that even though I might not come back from the Keys married, I’m definitely going to come back pregnant.
I look over at Hudson, and by the naughty look on his face, I know he’s thinking the same thing.
Chapter 16
Hudson
Adalee tried—really tried—to get over her seasickness on the boat. But to no avail.
Over the last few days in Cherry Falls, we practiced short trips out on the ocean, but it soon looked like she wouldn’t be able to stick with me on the boat all the way down to the Keys.
I hated leaving her alone to drive all that way. When I happened to mention her seasickness to Captain Jack, the man did the most astonishingly generous thing by paying for Adalee’s plane ticket to meet me in Key West.
“I know what it’s like to love a woman so hard you don’t want to let her out of your sight. Enjoy the Keys, and take good care of that girl. And of my girl, Melinda,” he said.
Over the next month in the Keys, Adalee did eventually get over her seasickness. In between charters, I took her on gradually longer and longer trips out to sea, until finally, she got her sea legs by the end of June.
Now, it’s August, and we’re both boasting a deep tan under the Florida sun and basking in the glow of being together.
Not even seasickness can keep us apart now.
Or so I thought.
This morning, my Adalee emerges from below deck with a platter of cut fruit, as always. I never ask her to feed me; she just does. I’m a terrible cook, so whenever she lets me treat her, it’s freshly caught seafood cooked over a flame on the beach. Or we splurge at a restaurant. She looks a little off, and I know that look. “Babe? Are you okay?”
Adalee sets down the fruit tray with a clatter and then bolts to the side of the boat.
“Babe, we’re still at the dock. You can’t be seasick yet,” I joke. I know I shouldn’t tell jokes, but at this point, I’ve seen her ralph so many times I can’t help myself.
I bring her some water and walk her out onto the dock, getting her off the boat as soon as possible.
“Baby, what’s going on?” I ask. “I thought we conquered this. The water isn’t even choppy this morning.”
She shakes her head. “It’s not that, Hudson. My boobs are sore, and last night I almost ate all that fish before you even cooked it all the way through.”
I laugh. “I remember. I’ve never seen you that hungry before.”
Finally, the light dawns. “Say more,” I rasp.
“I took a test. It’s positive. I mean, of course it is, Hudson. There’s been…a lot of dicking.”
I laugh at her use of the word, and at the same time, I’m ready to cry from happiness.
She spots the tears forming in my eyes and runs her fingers through my hair. “Are you happy or sad right now?”
