Chapter 25

HUDSON

Imade my way into town. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee beckoned me to the coffee shop I had found myself growing to love. It was nothing like the coffee shops in Manhattan or even Vancouver for that matter. There weren't men and women wearing designer suits staring at their phones or talking in hushed tones in a way that made it seem like the entire world would end if their conversation didn't happen at right that second. No one was growling, snarling, or looking like they'd been up all night writing a brief.

The shop was filled with locals chatting with one another, the air filled with warmth and laughter. There were some of the standard tables and chairs on one side of the shop, and on the other it looked like someone's living room with overstuffed chairs and a couch. I smiled as I approached the counter, greeted by the familiar face of the barista who already knew my order by heart.

"Good to see you again, Hudson," she said cheerfully. "The usual?"

"Yes, please," I replied, reaching for my wallet in anticipation.

As I waited for my coffee, I realized a feeling of contentment had settled over me ever since I arrived in Cold Springs. The town had a certain magic to it. It felt like I had shaved years off—in a good way. I felt younger and more energetic. I wasn't hungover all the time and I didn't feel like fried dog shit every morning.

"Here you go, Hudson." The young woman smiled and placed my drink on the counter.

After paying, I turned to take a seat at one of the tables. It was kind of strange to be up so early. But considering I was in bed by ten, I got plenty of sleep. I sipped my coffee, thinking about the day ahead. I was going to be spending it with Diana. We were going to go on a short hike.

"Hudson." A man's voice cut through my thoughts.

I looked up at a man standing near my table with a smile that felt just a little too fake and practiced. His face was familiar. It took me a moment to place him. Then it clicked. Richard Halstead—the mayor of Cold Springs and Diana's father.

"Yes?"

"I'm Richard Halstead," he said. "Can I sit?"

"Sure." I shrugged.

He took a seat, his back to the counter and the rest of the shop. He looked me over with a steely gaze, his expression unreadable. "I was hoping we could have a word."

"Sure, let's talk."

"Thank you."

"Can I get you a coffee?" I offered. "A scone?"

"No thank you," he said. "This won't take long."

I sipped my coffee, refusing to show any sign of concern. Diana had told me her father was very protective. I assumed this was him making sure I knew his little girl was precious. And to warn me about hurting her—typical father stuff. It wasn't my first lecture, although it had been a really long time since a father sat me down.

"Hudson, I'll cut to the chase," he began, his voice low but firm. "I need you to stay away from my daughter."

A knot formed in the pit of my stomach as his words sank in. "And why is that?"

The whole tone of the conversation shifted. The once warm and inviting coffee shop suddenly felt very cold and uninviting.

"Diana has her life figured out," he continued, his eyes boring into mine. "She's on a good path toward the kind of life a woman like her deserves to lead. Don't pull her off course. We both know this place is a pit stop for you. She doesn't need any distractions or detours along the way. Especially not from someone like you." The disdain in his voice was thick and impossible to miss.

Anger rose within me, but I forced myself to stay calm. His words hit me like a punch to the gut, and for a moment, I struggled to find my voice. "Anything else?" I asked calmly.

"I won't have you leading her astray," he said. "You big city boys show up here and think you can seduce our country girls before you move on."

I took a deep breath, trying to keep my composure in the face of Mayor Halstead's accusations. His words cut deep, not just because they were unfair, but because they threatened the happiness I had found with Diana. But I refused to let him intimidate me.

"Mr. Halstead, with all due respect, you don't know me or my intentions," I replied evenly. "I would never do anything to hurt her. I understand your concerns, but I assure you, my feelings for her are genuine."

"Actions speak louder than words, Hudson," he shot back. "And I've seen enough city slickers like you come through here to know better than to trust sweet words and promises. Diana is my daughter, and I will do whatever it takes to protect her."

I could feel the tension crackling between us, the unspoken challenge hanging heavy in the air. Mayor Halstead was daring me to prove him wrong. But I refused to back down. Frustration bubbled up inside me. Did he really think so little of me? Did he think I was incapable of loving his daughter as she deserved to be loved?

"I understand your concern, Mr. Halstead," I said. "But Diana is a grown woman. She can make her own choices. You've raised a smart and capable daughter, who knows her own mind. We're friends. We're enjoying each other's company."

"I hope you're being sincere, Hudson," he said, his voice surprisingly calm. "Because if you hurt my daughter in any way, you will have me to answer to."

"You don't know me," I reiterated. "I don't care to be threatened."

"Just stay away from her, Hudson," he said finally, his tone leaving no room for argument. "For her sake. We both know you're not going to be around for long. She's not to be toyed with."

I casually sipped my coffee, not letting the man see how pissed I was. I was a master of playing it cool. He was not going to get under my skin.

"I assume you don't want me telling her you and I talked?" I asked, breaking the uneasy silence between us.

Richard regarded me with a steely gaze. "I'd appreciate your discretion," he replied tersely. "She doesn't need to know."

"Because she would be unhappy to know you were trying to run her life," I replied.

"I'm not trying to dictate her life," he stated firmly. "I just want what's best for her. You don't know her. You'll be gone when you decide you're bored."

I nodded, understanding his request. It seemed that Richard was determined to protect his daughter at all costs, even if it meant keeping her in the dark about our conversation. But as I sat there, mulling over our exchange, I couldn't help but think he was making me complicit in something that would hurt Diana. On one hand, I could see where Richard was coming from. His concerns were coming from a place of love, just not love for me.

He wanted what was best for his daughter, but on the other hand, Richard was undermining Diana and not giving her enough credit to make her own choices. He was treating her like a foolish sixteen-year-old girl. Diana was anything but foolish. She was intelligent, independent, and wise beyond her years.

She wasn't impulsive either. In fact, she was one of the most thoughtful and deliberate people I had ever met. She didn't make decisions lightly, and she always weighed the consequences carefully before acting. I had only known her a couple of weeks and already I knew that.

"Do we have an understanding?" he asked in a stern voice.

I met his hard stare. "I hear what you are saying. I'm not an idiot. I understood every word."

"And?" he pushed. "You'll leave her alone."

"Why don't you let her make that decision?"

He clenched his jaw. "I just told you why," he hissed.

"We'll take things one day at a time," I replied, not giving him the answer he was looking for.

"I don't think you understood me," he said.

"I understood perfectly," I said. "You're not my father, and even then, my daddy doesn't tell me who I can and can't date."

I thought I had just picked a fight with him, but another man touched his shoulder. "Richard," the man said. Instead of yelling at me, he plastered on a friendly smile, greeting the man warmly as if we hadn't just been at odds moments before.

Richard effortlessly slipped into his role as mayor, shaking hands and exchanging pleasantries with ease. It was clear that he was well liked and respected in the community. Dating Diana wouldn't just be going against him. I was literally going to be taking on a whole town.

Another couple approached, clearly thrilled to see the mayor in the wild. I tried to stay out of the way, ready to make my escape.

The couple who had approached us greeted me with smiles and friendly hellos, shaking my hand warmly. I returned their greetings. "It's nice to meet you," I told them.

"Are you a new resident?" the woman asked.

I shook my head. "I'm Hudson Bancroft. I'm just here to visit."

It was the first time since coming to town that I had used my last name. It felt strange to hear it spoken aloud. I had almost forgotten who I was. Richard casually led the couple away, clearly not wanting me to get involved with anyone else in the town. Like I had the plague ready to spread around.

I left the coffee shop feeling like a child who had just been scolded and put in his place. I had been chastised for daring to think that I belonged in a place where I clearly wasn't wanted. This was nothing new for me. I had spent my whole life being judged and misunderstood, seen as trouble by those who didn't know me. No one wanted me around their precious daughters, and I couldn't blame them. After all, why would anyone want to get involved with someone like me?

But Richard's words were just not sitting right with me. I felt protective when I thought about her. She deserved to be treated with respect and trust, not doubted and questioned at every turn.

Should I respect Richard's wishes and stay away from Diana, as he had requested? Or should I trust in our connection and continue to pursue a relationship with her, despite her father's disapproval?

It was a difficult decision that I knew would have far-reaching consequences.

I walked toward my car, my mind was filled with thoughts of Diana and the complicated situation I found myself in. Richard's warning echoed in my mind, but so did Diana's genuine smile and the way her eyes sparkled when she talked about her passions. I felt like she was begging to be rescued. She was stuck under her father's thumb. I could help her see more of the world. She didn't have to be trapped by her father's expectations.

I knew that going against Richard meant more than just facing his wrath. It meant potentially alienating myself from a community that already viewed me with suspicion. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized that Diana was worth the risk.