Chapter 5

5

Georgia

Gray and Hartley's housewarming/wedding date is the talk of the town, and I've never been more happy for the two of them. Seeing them both so in love and expecting their first child in their new house, it stirs something within me. Gray has always wanted to start a family, and I can see him as a hands-on dad. Just like our own father.

I'm onto my second glass of wine while Gray and Huds start the grill. I help Hart pass around the platters, homemade hummus, crackers, cheese and olives as an appetizer. Then we all dig into delicious burgers outside around the table while our parents revel in the new house and how comfortable Gray and Hartley are together. Mom can't wipe the smile off her face.

She has always wanted a bunch of grandkids. She has Trinity and Blake of course, but there's always room for more, as she keeps telling all of us. And now with Callan and Celeste expecting, as well as Gray and Hart, she's over the moon. I know for a fact that Brook and Eden want more kids, and Gabe and Skye have indicated it isn't off the cards in the near future. Mom could have a football team on her hands before she knows it.

"You better take your vacation soon before all the grand babies come along, Mom," I say as we serve the trifle she made into little bowls in the kitchen. "You're going to be inundated with babysitting duties before you know it."

Mom is so genuinely happy her eldest son has finally found his happiness, as we all are. A baby and a wedding are the icing on the cake.

"It's wonderful," she says, then whispers. "I had a feeling the pair of them would want to make things official sooner rather than later."

"Yup." I nod. "But while we're on the subject of babies; I'm calling Brook and Eden next. If he has anything to do with it, she should be knocked up by Christmas."

Mom gives me a warm smile, laying her hand on my arm. "Your time will come too, honey."

My mouth runs dry at her unexpected words. I turn to face her. "Thanks, Mom. I know it'll happen when it's meant to." I wish I could believe the words I so freely spout.

"I know you're holding out for the one, Georgia-Blue. But he's coming, he really is. I can feel it in my bones. It'll be your turn next." She tucks a lock of hair behind my ear, just like she's done since I was small.

Tears well in my eyes. Maybe it's the wine I guzzled, not that I'm a big drinker, but it's possible I drank that last glass a little too fast. "You really think so?"

"I know so."

While it's a blast seeing all my brothers settle down and find their happily ever after, I haven't been able to stop wondering when my time will actually come. Especially now my twin brother is married and he's thriving with the love of his life.

"I've kinda given up on love, Mom. There's way too many jerks out there. These days, you don't know who you're dating. Have you seen that show Catfish?"

"You watch too many late night shows, Georgia."

"I'm serious. Not to mention that there are no guys around here that I'd even think about dating." Except maybe one…

"It will come when you least expect it. Mark my words."

I press my lips together and grab the can of whipped cream. It's best to agree because my mom's pep talks can go on and on forever. And God I love her, but it's slightly depressing that I don't even have a date for Liz's wedding. "You're right, Mom. I'm sure it will happen."

She gives me a little nudge. "You're going to make some lucky guy the happiest man in the world, it's all about believing it. One day he'll just show up out of the blue."

I should tell Mom I'm happy as I am. I don't need a man to complete me. But the truth is, it would be nice to find the guy I want to spend the rest of my life with.

"Now who's been watching too many shows now, Mom?"

We share a little laugh as Hart and Skye walk into the kitchen to help with some of the leftovers from the grill.

"Isn't it exciting about Gray and Hartley?" Skye gushes.

Mom wipes a tear as I give her a squeeze. "Gray's wanted this for so long," Mom says. 3, 2, 1… "Next it'll be you and Gabriel…"

"Mom," I scold. "Not everyone wants babies! Plus, they've got a handful with Trinity and that cute but crazy dog for the time being."

Skye laughs, clearly smitten. "Never say never. I love my new job at the school and taking care of Trinity, so for now I'm just enjoying all the blessings I have and what happens will happen in its own time."

That earns her a hug from Mom. I know from talking amongst ourselves that they do want to have a baby together, but they've got plenty of time for that.

I know she'll make the best mom when the time comes. Trinity adores her.

"I can't wait to start planning all these baby showers," I say. Lord knows, I love a good party. "We will be busy with Celeste and now Hartley, who knows who's next!"

Hartley gives me a wink and I poke my tongue at her. Nope. To get pregnant, I actually need to have sex. While that would be nice, I don't plan on babies anytime soon.

I help Mom carry the trifle bowls outside. I can't help that feeling of nostalgia that washes over me as I watch everyone laughing and joking. The dogs are enjoying some of the leftovers under the table and Blake and Trinity are having one of their famous hula hoop competitions on the lawn just off the patio.

My eyes flick over to Hudson, deep in conversation with my dad, Grayson and Jack. He glances up at me and gives me a little half-smile. True Hudson style. I get that tingle deep down in my stomach but I ignore it. No good can come of reading into anything further with Hudson Nash.

??

"I'm beat," I say to Celeste when no one, except Gabe and Skye, make any attempt to leave. I have to catch up on a few things at the distillery tomorrow, and a late night won't cut it if I want to be on my game. I also have a hot yoga class with Autumn at six. I don't know what I was thinking, but getting my OM on might be good for me.

I make the rounds to say goodnight about the same time as Gabe and Skye are heading off to put Trin to bed. Hudson is shaking Gray's hand and casting everyone a wave, so it looks like he's heading out too. I sipped on a little glass of dessert wine with Mom's trifle, so I'm feeling a little merry.

I was going to grab a ride with Gabe and Skye, since I hitched a ride here, but when Hudson appears next to me and says, "Do you want a ride home, Blue Belle? " I find that a little more appealing.

I pull my purse off the kitchen island and look up at him. "That would be great, thanks, GP."

He gives me a little eye roll, and I laugh as we head out to his truck.

"Well, I can safely say weddings are on the menu for the next year or so," I say to him, looking up at the stars. They look so bright against the midnight sky, expanding across the entire farm. The stars twinkle so prettily that I wonder why I don't notice them more.

"Tell me about it."

He goes around to my side of the truck — ever the gentleman — holds out his hand, then helps me as I hop up into the seat. His large hand in mine is calloused but warm. Closing the door behind me, Huds makes his way to the driver's side.

He starts up the engine, leans one arm on the back of my seat and backs out while I try not to notice how good he smells. Why is a guy backing out of a driveway so damned sexy? Is it the bulge of his muscled arm? The way his bicep flexes? Or his tattoos that are even more prominent, making him look a little badass in the dark?

The tatt at the back of his neck is sexy as sin. The man is strong and more manly than I've ever really been willing to admit before. That last glass of dessert wine seems to have graced me with more powerful observation skills than I've ever had before... Alcohol can do that. I'm clearly lacking in sober judgment.

The next words that fly out of my mouth proves my too-much-wine theory.

"Did all that baby talk make you want to reproduce?"

He balks just as he puts the car into drive. His notable pause draws a little more intensity than I bargained for as he turns his head to glance at me. "What?"

I slap a hand over my mouth. What the actual fuck is wrong with me?

But Hudson is intent on staring at me and not driving away from Gray's house, so I mask my absurdity by laughing and making it into a joke. "Nothing. Just sayin', everyone's getting knocked up around here. They say it happens once every few years in Stoney Creek. I heard that from Beth at the woodmill, and Jane, my hairdresser, and her friend Alice..." Why is this important?

"You better watch out then," he warns. Well, his low voice sounds like a warning. His foot finally nudges the accelerator and the truck slowly moves away from the house.

A strangled laugh leaves my throat. "Chance would be a fine thing."

He eyes me again. "You don't like the thought of being barefoot and pregnant?"

His words take me by surprise and it takes me a second or two to find my voice again. This kind of conversation is not exactly usual for us. "Can't say I've thought about it too much."

Little does he know I've only come semi-close to actually having sex.

He grunts and continues down the dark path, back toward my parents' side of the property and my private casita.

I want to get a bigger house eventually, when I get married and settle down some day. My parents have plenty of land and I can choose anywhere on the property I'd like some day. I don't really mind where it is, just as long as there's trees around and I can have a porch swing. I have often visualized myself watching one of many stunning Stoney Creek sunsets, rocking on my porch at twilight.

I guess I've thought about a lot of things. Not that I want to tell Hudson that.

He wouldn't understand. He's a bachelor through and through.

"What about you?" I ask him. Now I'm actually curious.

"What about me?"

"Can you see yourself having kids?"

He stares straight ahead as he drives the winding track back up toward the distillery.

"Someday, maybe."

"Your dad would love that."

"My momma woulda loved it even more."

I swallow hard when he mentions his mom. I know it hit them both so hard. I don't think Huck will ever truly recover. He's still very lost without her. "Huds, I'm sorry." I touch his forearm. "I didn't mean to?—"

He shakes his head. "It's okay. I don't talk about her much. But if you don't talk about them sometimes, it's like they never existed. That seems worse somehow."

I've never heard Hudson say something like this before. I guess we don't ride together in his truck all that much, but still."Your mom would be so proud of you," I whisper.

He looks straight ahead but doesn't say anything for a long while. I don't know if I've overstepped the mark, but he brought it up. "I'm not sure about that. I've been trying to find my feet back on the farm for a while now."

"I know how you feel." I don't mean to make it seem like it's all about me, but one thing I've always been able to do is be myself around him. Sometimes too much.

He glances at me again. "You seem pretty accomplished to me, Princess. "

At least he didn't put the precious in front of it this time. Still, it makes me smile when he does. I've never hidden the fact I am a little precious, even if I might seem tough, mighty and witty most of the time. "You think so?"

"I know so."

"My mom says my time will come," I blurt, clearly knowing no boundaries. But this is what happens on a night filled with elation and a glass or two of the good stuff.

I get real chatty and honest.

"What does that mean?"

I glance out the window. "It means I'm holding out for the one ."

His hands stiffen on the wheel. "You really think there's one person for everyone and all of that kooky stuff you spout?"

He doesn't even make it sound like a question, just a foregone conclusion. One that's entirely correct. I also ignore the ‘kooky' comment.

"You don't?"

"I think people often mistake attraction for rightness."

"That's awfully deep. I notice you've been a bit quiet on the social scene for a while. When were you last attracted to someone, Mister Philosophical?"

He glances at me again and I've no idea what he's thinking, or what those dark eyes are truly saying. "I think we need to get off this subject."

"Hmm." I tap my fingers on my chin. "Don't tell me you're abstaining too?"

He makes another noise in his throat. Rounding the corner, past the distillery, we're getting closer to my place. "Abstaining?" His face pulls a frown. It might be dark but I can still see the furrowed brow of confusion. I'm sure abstaining is not a word too familiar in the Hudson Nash book of rules.

"Fine. Don't tell me. I'm just trying to help."

"Thanks for the pep talk but I'm doing great."

I fold my arms across my chest. "You're no fun, do you know that?"

"Not what I've been told, honey ."

My heart races at his words. Has his voice always been this deep? The sound seems to reverberate off that hot Adam's apple and through two succulent lips, ones I'm suddenly thinking an awful lot about… Thankfully he clears his throat and it breaks my reverie.

"You know I've been abstaining my whole life," I feel the need to add. Yep, I'm a little more tipsy than I realized.

His head abruptly turns. "What?"Now he really does balk and there's no mistaking it.

Oops. "Never mind."

"You can't just say that and then say never mind ."

"Watch me." I giggle, giving him a little poke in the ribs for good measure.I'm sure he thinks I'm just messing around with my words. Little does he know, it's true.

"You make no sense when you're tipsy."

"I'm not drunk!" I protest.

"That's why I said tipsy."

I huff, folding my arms across my chest again. "Are you really taking a plus one to the wedding?"

He pulls up at my side of the casita next to my little SUV. Knowing I sound a little whiny peppering him with questions, I don't seem to care. My inhibitions vanish. I want to know and I'm just the right side of merry after all that wine.

"Not a chance, Blue Belle ."

I glance at him with big eyes, rounding with surprise. "Me either," I say. "I mean, I need a plus one. My ex from high school is apparently going to be there. Ronnie Templeton. Urgh."

"Who?"

"The school jock."

A frown permeates his handsome face. "Of course. And you were Prom Queen."

It's not even a question.

I shrug. "You know, since you're going and all, maybe you could be my plus one?"

He shuts the engine off and sits there for a moment, completely still. "Baby girl, what the fuck was in your drink tonight?"

I giggle. "Nothing! I barely drank." I flail a hand his way as if to brush off that notion.

He gives me a look, one that says he doesn't believe me. I poke him again in the ribs as he tries to dodge me in his seat.

"Are you ticklish, Hudson Nash?"

He quirks a brow, shifting to look at me. "No. And why do you keep using both my names?"

I reach over the console and try to tickle his ribs with one hand but he grabs my wrist, holding it in place as his large hand wraps around. "I'm warning you, little girl."

That's not much of a warning, not enough to stop me. "Hudson Nash is a big old spoil sport! But I bet I can make you laugh." I lean over and reach in with my other hand, my fingers brushing his rock hard abs in an attempt to make him laugh. I haven't seen him truly laugh in forever. I'm glad that I'm too fast for him and cop a feel before he grabs my other wrist. Well, I'm sure he doesn't just go to the gym to watch old guys shower. All the while, I try to wriggle free.

"You're playing with fire," he grunts as we wrestle. He still hangs onto me, moving one wrist over to meet the other and he holds them both in one hand. "What are you gonna do now?"

"Hey! That's not fair!" I wail in a fit of giggles as I realize my struggle is futile. He's so much stronger than me. It's then I stop my wriggling and try to get my arms free.

In fact, we both stop at the same time. He continues to hold my wrists, his massive hand scorching my skin while we just look at each other. The silence between us is deafening.