Page 16 of Georgia-Blue & Hudson

“Well, at least you’ll know one person there, other than the bride.”

“That’s true.” I like her logic.

“And Huds will look out for you. Make sure you stay out of mischief.”

I laugh. “Chance would be a fine thing.”

“Look at it this way, you get out of Stoney Creek for a weekend. And, what happens in Florida, stays in Florida.” I don’t miss the waggling of her eyebrows.

“Nothing is happening in Florida.” I sling my purse over my shoulder, flicking out the lights behind us. “But you never know, I could meet a handsome stranger and come home all loved up.”

“Never say never,” she chimes. “It happens to the best of us, and you know as well as I do; you never know when the love wand is going to strike.”

4

Hudson

Friday night

I haven’t had a chance to catch up with Gray all week, I’ve been meaning to have a proper catch up with him since their baby news. He confessed to me before anyone that he was going to propose and that he had his grandmother’s ring to seal the deal. So I had to keep it quiet until Gray could let the family know. We all know none of the other Bassett family members can keep a secret.

My mind drifts to the enjoyable morning I spent with Georgia at the Hundred Acre Woods. Showing the girls my favorite spots and where my horse Snow and I used to ride growing up, was a highlight. My beautiful white Palomo. She’slong gone now, but it reminded me of how much I miss her and riding on this rickety farm. What started as barren land, is now thriving.

I know Brook has at least four horses over at his place, and I’ve been meaning to go have a ride while the weather is still nice. A thought crosses my mind about asking Georgia, but I shake it off. She wouldn’t want to do that with me.

All we’re good at is annoying the shit out of each other and teasing.

She sure was cute though; in her tight jeans, rain boots and what I like to call her ‘classy flannel’. It’s pink and blue striped, and doesn’t look one bit dowdy or farmer girl. She threw it over a white Bassett Brothers Bourbon Distillery t-shirt, but then tied it around her waist when the sun came out…

“Now this is the perfect spot!” She holds her face up toward the sun as it peeks through the trees, making a burst of golden light appear over her head. It’s almost like a halo, which is kinda fitting. She is a fucking angel even if she can be a brat most of the time.

“I told ya.”

“The shots will look fantastic in color and black and white.” Autumn gives me her full approval.

“I’m glad you like it out here. I mean, we have the creek running through further down, just like over at the distillery, but the cotton fields make the backdrop a little different.”

“Thanks, Huds.” GB nudges me on the way back to my truck. “Telling us all your secret hideaway spots, they might not be so secret anymore.”

I laugh. “Princess, I still gotta keep some things to myself.”

“Ooh, so mysterious.” She waves her fingers at me and I shake my head. Angel? Who was I kidding…

I laugh again thinking about that. If only she knew half of the skeletons in my closet.

I glance myself over in the rear-view mirror when I park at Gray’s place; Coyote Run.

I smooth my short beard with my hand and decide to leave my cowboy hat on the seat. My black hair is cropped super short these days, shaved a little shorter on the sides and slightly longer on top. I used to have long hair but went for the big chop some time back. Now, working on the farm, long hair just gets in the way.

I glance up to the two-story ranch as I walk up to the heavy set wooden front door.

I marvel at the work that’s gone into Gray’s place. He had a local contractor oversee everything with his team, but Gray’s done most of the work himself on the interior.

I helped him lug truck loads of lumbar and the unique light oak timber flooring we laid together; with the help of Callan and Brooklyn. The guy has been through a lot with his psychotic ex who’s now in jail, along with making the move back to Stoney Creek from Nashville after being away for ten years. I like Gray because he’s a lot like me, maybe that’s why we get along so well.

I knock on the door and a few moments later Hartley appears, smoothing out her apron. She smiles as soon as she looks up at me. “Hey, Hudson.”

“Hey.” I smile back.

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