Page 97 of Nanny for the Firefighter

But her words are cut off as Hudson walks straight up to her and wraps her in a hug. The two of them stand there for a moment, and I can see Bridget visibly relax in his arms.

When Hudson steps back, he puts his hands on either one of Bridget’s shoulders and levels her with a stern look.

“Are you happy? Finally?”

Bridget nods, a smile creeping up on the corner of her mouth as her eyes go glossy from the unshed tears. “I am. Finally.”

With a single nod, Hudson cracks a grin. “Well, that’s that then.”

Looking a bit surprised, Bridget perks up, a tear slipping free. “Really?”

“Look, I won’t lie. It’s a little weird knowing you’re seeing my best friend, but if it’s what you want, I won’t stand in your way.” Hudson sighs, lifting one shoulder just to drop it. “You’ve been through a lot, Sis. I can tell. I just want you to be happy. That’s what I’ve always wanted. And I can tellthis onereally cares about you.”

Hudson gestures back at me with his thumb as he speaks, and I meet Bridget’s gaze when she looks over, nodding and hoping that my eyes can tell her everything wordlessly.

She smiles brighter, pulling Hudson in for another hug.

Seeing them like this makes the dread I had over telling him melt away, and I’m weirdly glad the bandaid was just ripped off like that.

Better to get it over with, right?I laugh to myself.

As they separate, I walk over, clapping Hudson on the shoulder. “Well, you’re welcome to stay and plan that play date?”

Hudson chuckles, rolling his eyes. “I think I’ll just give you guys a minute. You can text me.”

I nod back at him, pulling Bridget under my arm. “Fair enough.”

“Thank you, Hudson. Really.” Bridget smiles at him as she leans into my side.

He waves her off. “Ah, it’s nothing. But I’m going to go before the PDA ticks up to a level I’m not comfortable with.”

Bridget and I laugh, and I step away from her, putting my hand on Hudson’s back. “I’ll walk you out.”

Hudson gives Bridget a quick pat on the arm, and then we’re heading to the door.

As I pull the door back open and pause there to say goodbye to Hudson, he looks down at the floor and then back up at me.

“I’m not trying to push, but if you figure out what happened with her and Jai, will you let me know?”

My brows raise as I see the obvious worry on Hudson’s face.

“Bridget isn’t big on talking about it with me either. But I think knowing that you’re okay with all this will help. If she opens up, I’ll encourage her to talk to you, too. Okay?”

He nods. “Yeah, thanks.”

“Of course.”

We give each other a quick hug, and I watch Hudson walk back over to his car, where it’s parked in my long driveway. He gets in, and we wave as he reverses and then takes off for his place.

I’m about to go back inside when I notice another car parked a little way down the road. This isn’t what you’d called a busy highway, and my house is outside the town proper, so there isn’t a reason for anyone to just be parked nearby.

Unease ripples across my skin, and I stand there at the door, peering at the all-black sedan. I can’t see inside. The windows are tinted, and it’s a bit too far away, anyway.

It’s just odd to see a car sitting there.

I’ve had people use my driveway to turn around and get back to town since I moved out here, but not a lot of actually stopping and parking.

Are they lost?

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