AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Hudson’s brows drew together. “How exactly did you connect with Alexander?”
Kayleigh thought back to when her path had first crossed with Alexander’s. “I’d been working at the resort for a year or so. Alexander had come here before, but that time, he was with his wife. They were apparently on a month-long honeymoon and had come to spend a week here before going back to New York.
“His wife had an accident while skiing and was hurt. I immediately called for my parents, who are both doctors, to come while we waited for the air ambulance. Alexander apparently appreciated the initiative I took in getting care for his wife. Since then, he’s kept in contact, offering opportunities as they became available, to both me and Wilder.”
“He didn’t mention any of that when he sent me here.”
“Honestly, I don’t dwell on it much anymore,” she said. “I’d like to think that both Wilder and I have proven that we’re qualified for the positions we have. I’m confident that Alexander wouldn’t have put me in this role if he didn’t think I could do it, even after paying for my education. He may be a lot of things, but I don’t think he’s stupid.”
“No. He certainly isn’t,” Hudson agreed.
“How did you get connected with Alexander? Did you just rock up and apply for a job?”
Hudson gave a huff. “No.” A frown briefly crossed his face. “My mom worked for Alexander at one point, and when she was killed, he stepped in to help me out, since she had been raising me on her own.”
“Your mom was killed?” Kayleigh couldn’t imagine how traumatic that must have been for him.
Hudson’s expression went blank. “Yes. She worked as a counsellor in a domestic abuse center. Some guy decided that it was her fault that his wife took their kids and left him.”
“That’s terrible,” Kayleigh said with a frown. “How old were you?”
Hunter’s gaze dropped to the table, his brow furrowed. “I’d just turned fifteen.”
So young. Kayleigh’s heart ached for him. “I really am sorry that you lost your mom so tragically.”
“It was a tough time, but I survived.”
Survived, but at what cost? His workaholic approach to life made a little more sense to her now that she knew the loss he’d suffered in his life.
“Do you have siblings?”
“Nope. Only child.”
“And your dad?”
“He wasn’t part of my life,” Hudson said. “He was never around when I was growing up.”
Kayleigh felt as if she had an embarrassment of riches with her siblings and parents. However, she wasn’t oblivious to the loss others around her had suffered. Janessa and Jaylen had lost both their parents. Misha had lost her father and a brother. Aria had lost her mom, and like Hudson, she’d never known her father.
And like it had hurt for all of them, her heart also ached for Hudson’s loss. She was glad that Alexander had been there for him like he’d been there for her and Wilder. Offering opportunities and a hand up.
“Anyway,” Hudson said as he straightened in his seat. “I’m going to spend some time following up with the computer guy. I’ll let you know if he’s come up with anything.”
“Here’s hoping he has.”
Hudson nodded as he got to his feet and grabbed his suit coat. “I’ll be up in the suite if you need me for anything.”
Kayleigh stood up and followed him to the door of her office. “I’m glad everything went well for you in Scotland. Hopefully, it doesn’t take you too long to recover from jetlag.”
“It won’t win.” Hudson gave her a quick smile. “It never does.”
Kayleigh watched him walk away, wishing he could have hung around a bit longer. She glanced over at Andrea to find her regarding her with raised brows.
Crossing her arms, Kayleigh said, “What?”
Andrea lifted her hands. “Nothing. Nothing at all.”
Kayleigh rolled her eyes at her assistant, then spun on her heel and went back into her office.
