Page 29 of It’s fine. Everything's fine

Her face was red again, and I could feel the heat of her gaze even when I focused on driving. “Don’t you need to be at your restaurant?”

I could tell she was trying to find a way to change my mind. “They can survive a day without me. They have before.” It didn’t happen often, but I’ve had to take a day off, at least twice since I’d opened the restaurant. Three, if I counted that day with no power.

“Hudson—”

“Why can’t you accept my help?” I asked.

“You’ve already offered me a place to sleep. I don’t want to bother you.”

“And I told you I don’t mind, so it’s fine.” When she was quiet, I added, “We can go tomorrow if that works for you.”

FIFTEEN

EUGENE

What little warmth that was left in the cabin was gone when we returned. There was still no power. Max and I were bundled in blankets on the couch while Hudson started the fire.

My stomach was upset. Not as bad as it could be, but… how could I convince Hudson I didn’t want him to help me get my things without sounding rude? Or saying it directly? Maybe if I didn’t bring it up anymore, he’d forget. I petted Max, then hugged him.

I’dwillinglylived in that awful apartment for a while and saved a lot of money. That didn’t mean I wasn’t embarrassed. Of all people, I didn’t want Hudson to see how I had been living. With his fancy pajamas, his gorgeous cabin, and his beautiful restaurant and life, he’d likely never understand why someone would live in a mold infested place. I even hid the state of my apartment from my brother because he’d be pissed. But I’d rather deal with his wrath than the utter disgust I imagined would be on Hudson’s face when he saw it.

A shudder passed through me.

“Get over here.” Hudson pulled me from my dire thoughts. When I glanced up, he gestured for me to come over to the fireplace.

Max got up when I did and followed me as I sat down on the floor with the blanket.

“I’ll start the kerosene heater, too.”

I was quiet as he disappeared outside. That didn’t change when he returned, either. I was too nervous about the idea of him seeing the apartment. There was no pride, just shame.

It was only a little after three p.m. Without power, I was stuck in the same room with Hudson because of the fireplace. What was I supposed to do the rest of the day?

“You’re quiet.” Hudson surprised me by plopping down beside me. He shucked off his large jacket and tossed it behind us, putting his hands closer to the fire.

I made the mistake of glancing at his lap and averted my gaze just as quickly. Hudson was a large man. Not only was he tall, but he had big arms and legs too. I never noticed his legs until his thighs were right there beside mine. The jeans emphasized the bulk of them, and something told me it was all muscle. Every time he moved his arms, muscles rippled. He must work out.

Suddenly, I was less cold.

“You’re still quiet.” Why did his voice sound deeper when we were alone?

I looked at him, and of course his heavy gaze was already on me. So, I blurted out the first thing that came to mind. “You’re lucky to have your gran, you know.”

“She’ll likely outlive us all.” He outstretched his legs, bumping my knee with his. “What did you do before coming here?”

So, he must have heard bits of my conversation with Sue after all. “I worked for a lawyer. Secretary. Assistant. Whatever you want to call it. That was me.”

“You didn’t like it?”

“I didn’t likehim. But the work was fine, and the pay was great.”

He hunched his shoulders, and every muscle inside me tensed. Every time he moved; my skin tingled as if I expected to be touched. That was insane.

“There must be more to it than that.” Finally, Hudson said what he really wanted to know.

“Turn on the local news. I’m sure his story has made it to these parts, too. He’s made headlines the last few days if you’re that curious about how I lost my job.”

He stiffened beside me.

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