33. Hudson

Chapter Thirty-Three

HUDSON

Butter skittered across the floor in front of me as I walked in the front door. Another cat-shaped blur, almost the same color, came dashing by. I watched as the two cats raced into the kitchen and reappeared in the entryway.

Stella came walking over from the kitchen. “That’s Biscuit,” she offered with a smile. “I decided to adopt her. I hope it’s okay.”

The cats came dashing by again. “Clearly, Butter likes Biscuit,” I pointed out.

Stella giggled. “As soon as I let Biscuit out, they smelled each other all over.” She glanced at her watch. “This game of chase has been going on for about fifteen minutes.”

I chuckled and stopped to hang up my jacket and kick off my boots. Stella’s ponytail was lopsided, her curls falling down around her neck. Her eyes caught mine, and all I could think was I wanted to kiss her. So, I did.

I closed the distance between us and stopped in front of her, lifting a hand to catch one of those curls dangling along the side of her neck. “You look beautiful,” I murmured as I dipped my head and dropped a kiss along the soft skin under the edge of her jaw. I was gratified at the rise of goosebumps on her skin.

On the heels of a breath, it felt like my entire body was breathing her in. My lips brushed over hers, once and again. That was all it took before I tumbled into the fire with her.

We had an unbroken record of breaking our first rule. Although I suppose it was no longer a rule. Yet, we still hadn’t defined us more than that. A corner of my thoughts worried over this as we fell asleep a little while later. Butter and Biscuit curled up together between our feet. Even that seemed to be a clue that my heart understood and yet my mind shied away fromit.

The following morning, we drove into town together since it was a weekend. Stella had a regular office job, so she actually took Saturdays off. As I drove, I felt her eyes on me.

“What is it?” I asked.

“I talked to Parker. He was worried I didn’t know your history.” She let out an annoyed huff. “You guys have a similar story. I don’t know why he would be so worried about that. I also pointed out that he was my brand-new brother. I’m not used to having a brother who thinks he has a say in my life, not like that. Honestly, the whole thing is annoying.”

I chuckled at that. “I suppose it is. When I knew Parker when we were younger, he didn’t know he had any siblings.”

“We could have more,” she said. “My mom texted me. Now that she and my dad have reconnected, she’s all about love.” Stella’s sigh was resigned. “I guess they want to come to visit. I plan to ask my dad if he’s aware of other siblings out there.”

“When you and your mom did the DNA tests, did anyone else show up?” I asked. I slowed as I approached Main Street in the downtown area.

Glancing over, I saw Stella’s curls swinging as she shook her head. “But then, you never know, Parker found me because he did a DNA test after my mom uploaded our info. These days, people should be smarter about secrets,” she said dryly. “Not like I was a secret, but it’s not hard for people to figure out their family history on their own now.”

“No kidding. Although it doesn’t sound like your dad was trying to hide things, more that—” I paused as I considered how to frame what I meant.

Stella jumped into the gap, “My dad wasn’t making the best choices and, as a result, he wasn’t around to be a dad for me. It sounds like he stepped up for Parker, but even then, Parker said he stayed with his aunt whenever his dad ended up in jail.”

I turned into the parking area for Firehouse Café. When I stopped, Stella was looking over, her gaze was somber. “What is it?”

She shrugged. “I guess you do understand what my dad’s like based on what you’ve shared about yours.”

I smiled wryly. “I think I probably do.” Impulsively, I leaned across the seat and planted a kiss on her. “I’m glad you don’t think I am an awful guy because I got in trouble in high school.”

Her gaze was warm as she studied me. “I think you’re a pretty good guy, Hudson.”

It felt as if she had stuck out her foot and my heart tripped over it, stumbling and nearly falling. I swallowed through the sudden rush of emotion.

“Let’s get coffee,” Stella said as she began to climb out.

I was relieved the moment passed swiftly.

A few minutes later, we reached the front of the line, and Casey greeted us. “Hi!”

Stella was eyeing the display case of baked goods while I ordered our coffees. Janet came walking out of the back. She caught my eyes, her smile wide. “You know Stella’s favorite coffee,” she said by way of greeting.

I managed a low laugh. My heart was still scrambling and trying to recover from its fall. I had never in my life unintentionally memorized someone’s preferred food, coffee, or anything. I’d never been involved with someone long enough to reach that point.

Stella glanced over with a cheery wave.

Janet gestured toward Casey who had already started to prep our coffees. “You’ve met Casey, right?”

“Of course!” Stella grinned at Casey. “She makes amazing coffee.”

Janet winked as she walked by. “She raises the bar for that. She’s even taught me some new things.”

“How do like it here now that you’ve been here more than a minute?” Stella asked.

Casey adjusted one of the knobs on the espresso machine. “I love it so far.”

“I told you so.” A teasing voice came from behind us. Maisie stopped on Stella’s other side, adding, “I promised her she’d love Willow Brook.”

Casey smiled between Stella and Maisie. “You did! This town is great, and this job has made it easy to settle in. It’s the perfect place to get to know who’s who.”

Beck arrived just behind Maisie and the group expanded a little further when Parker and Griffin appeared. Parker’s eyes bounced from Stella to me and back again. I was relieved for the conversation carrying on around us.

At one point after we had moved away from the counter, Parker paused beside me. “I’m glad you told her the truth.”

I held his gaze. “I don’t hide my past. I respect that you have your reasons to be protective, but you know I’m not some asshole.”

“I know that. Just don’t hurt her.”

Beck arrived at my side, taking a swallow of his coffee. “Don’t hurt who?”

A dry laugh rustled in my throat. Parker replied, “Stella. They’re seeing each other, and she’s my sister.”

Beck’s brows rose as his curious gaze landed on me. “Oh, well then.”

I rolled my eyes. Another guy walked over with Griffin, stopping beside Beck.

Griffin glanced around. “Guys, this is Leo.” He did the introductions quickly. “He’ll be starting on our crew in another few weeks.”

“Why aren’t you starting now?” Beck asked.

“I’m in town to deal with the paperwork, but I have to go back to finish moving,” Leo explained.

“From where?” Maisie prompted.

Leo was unruffled by the curiosity. “I grew up here, but my parents moved away when I was in high school.”

“Wait a sec, are you Leo Massie?” Beck prompted.

“That would be me,” Leo said with a grin.

“Holy shit!” Beck’s eyes widened. “You used to live next door when I was a kid.”

“Beck Steele?” Leo asked.

“Hell, yeah!” Beck lifted his palm for a high five and Leo chuckled when they slapped palms.

“Oh, man, we used to have some fun together. We ran around in the woods like wild kids.” Beck chuckled. “This is awesome! So, wait, where did your parents go and don’t you have a sister?”

“My parents are back and forth between Juneau and here, and my sister’s in grad school in Juneau,” Leo explained. “That’s where my mom grew up. My grandparents had some health stuff to deal with, so my parents moved to help them. When I saw this position, I decided to go for it. My parents never sold the house here and they live there when they’re in town. There’s a small house beside the main one, so that’s where I’m staying.”

“This is so cool!” Beck beamed. “Really good to have you back.” He glanced around the group. “Guys, we need to go to Wildlands tonight.”

When I left a few minutes later with Stella, Parker was still grumpy and I could feel his gaze practically burning a hole in my back. I told myself I wasn’t going to hurt Stella, so it didn’t matter.