Chapter One STELLA

The following winter

My hands were getting tired as I gripped the steering wheel. “Oh, why did I do this?” I whispered to myself in the car.

The snow outside was falling rapidly. For stupid reasons, I decided it was fine to go to a meeting in Anchorage this morning. I regretted that choice now. Snow in Alaska was part of life, especially in February.

My phone rang, lighting up my dashboard. I flicked my eyes to the side quickly to see Hudson’s name flashing on the dash.

I tapped to answer the call. “The visibility is terrible. I shouldn’t have gone to Anchorage,” I said by way of greeting.

Hudson’s voice instantly soothed me. “Sweetheart, you’re an Alaskan, born and bred, you kick ass. You got this. Where are you?”

“Probably two miles from downtown Willow Brook. Where are you?”

“I just got home and I have pizza with way too much pepperoni on it waiting here for you. Do you want me to drive out and meet you?”

I almost started crying at his question. Not bad tears, the good kind. I knew Hudson would go right back out to find me, so I didn’t have to drive the rest of the way home.

“No, but I love you for asking,” I said with my heart smiling inside my chest.

“How about I stay on the call while you drive the rest of the way home? I just got in a few minutes ago, so I know it’s not fun out there.”

“It’s probably better if I don’t keep talking. I should be home inside of about ten minutes. Call me again if I’m not there by then.”

“Deal. Love you.”

After I ended the call, I was still smiling. It’s not like the drive suddenly got less stressful or the visibility got better, but Hudson’s faith in me reminded me I could handle this. I knew this road by heart.

In almost exactly ten minutes, I stopped in front of our house. Relief washed through me when I uncurled my hands from the steering wheel.

Hudson opened the door for me as I walked up the front steps. I stomped the snow off my boots before walking inside and shook the snow off my jacket before hanging it up.

Hudson’s eyes twinkled as he smiled down at me. “I told you you’d make it.”

Moments later, we were in the kitchen and he already had the pizza on the counter with a bottle of wine.

“Oh, what’s this? Feeling fancy tonight?” I teased lightly.

He chuckled as I leaned down to greet Butter and Biscuit who twined themselves around my ankles.

“You went to Anchorage for a bigwig legal meeting.” He grinned when I straightened, waggling his brows.

Hudson was totally a cheerleader for me. When I passed the bar exam, not long after we finally figured ourselves out, he’d celebrated by taking me out to dinner. He found little things to cheer me on all the time.

We sat across from each other at the kitchen counter. After a few bites of pizza and a sip of wine, I traced my finger around the base of my glass. “I love coming home to you,” I said impulsively.

Hudson’s lips curled in a slow smile. “That’s convenient because I love coming home to you.”

“Do you know how much snow we’re supposed to get?” I asked, almost restless with how good it felt to be home with him.

Hudson glanced toward the windows. With the outside lights on, the snowflakes glittered in the darkness as they fell. “The weather report says over a foot. I’m glad you left Anchorage when you did.”

“Even though I’m used to driving in snow, I don’t love it.”

He pushed his plate to the side, leaning back as he reached for something in his pocket. His gaze sobered when he lifted his eyes to mine again. He cleared his throat, looking anxious.

“What is it?” A sense of anticipation fluttered in my chest and my heart began beating faster.

He nudged his plate to the side and rested his elbows on the counter. “I don’t know how to do this. I’m not much for big gestures. But—” His eyes closed as he let out a nervous breath. When he opened his eyes again, there was a sheen of tears.

“Hudson.” I reached over, catching one of his hands in mine and squeezing. “Are you okay?”

“I’m more than okay,” he said quickly. “The best part of every day is seeing you, and I want to do that for the rest of my life.” He swallowed and gave his head a little shake. “So, this was kind of an event. I had to get your ring size from your mom, and then I was worried she was going to tell you about it because she made my ears ring with how loud she shrieked about it. So, uh, will you marry me? I can’t imagine doing this with anyone else.”

I had to blink away my tears and swallow a laugh when he mentioned my mom. I’d bet it took a lot for her to keep this quiet.

“I want us to keep taking care of each other,” he added.

I swiped the tears off my cheeks. “Yes,” I replied, my voice a little sniffly. “Yes!”

Hudson uncurled his hand to reveal a ring in the center, a simple platinum band. He looked over at me, uncertainty flickering in his eyes. “Your mom tried to talk me into getting you a big diamond. I didn’t think that suited you.”

I felt my lips curling up. “This is perfect.”

Hudson’s smile stretched wide, and my heart flipped over in my chest. I felt almost dizzy when he slid the ring onto my finger.

He dropped his head down, taking a shaky breath.

“Are you okay?” I asked.

He lifted his head, flattening his palms on the counter before nodding once. “Completely. But, honestly, this was terrifying.”

“Really?”

He cleared his throat and blinked. “I know what I want, and I know you love me, but well, we both have baggage. I know you never wanted to depend on a guy.”

I studied him for a few beats. “I already depend on you, Hudson. We take care of each other. This was a no-brainer for me. I can’t imagine life without you. I hope you know what you signed up for.”

“I know exactly what I signed up for—a lifetime with you.”

He leaned across the counter and gave me a lingering kiss.