Page 18 of Georgia-Blue & Hudson

“Do you think I make a good country girl?” Hart puts on her best southern accent which makes me chuckle because she’s from Boston originally and moved here to be closer to her dad and take over his law firm.

“A perfect one, darlin’”

Gray gives her a little squeeze around the middle as he walks back over to the front door, ready to greet whoever it is.

The first thing I see is a little brown ball of fur dart across the floor, running past me into the kitchen where Hart bends down to scoop up the little critter.

It’s Daisy, Gabe and Skye’s little dog. Hart plops her down after cooing her and getting a lick on the face for her trouble. Daisy makes her way around to me and presses her paws to my leg as I slide off the stool to bend down and pet her.

She nuzzles into my large palm as Gabe and Skye walk in, followed by Georgia-Blue who’s piggybacking his daughter, Trinity.

“Hey, man.” I stand and give Gabe a pound hug and Skye leans in to give me a quick hug.

“Hey, bro.” Gabe pats me on the back. “Finally dragged yourself away from the tractor?”

“Someone has to do it,” I laugh.

Skye makes her way into the kitchen to greet Hartley while my eyes flick toPrecious Princessas she bends a little, letting Trinity, who’s waving her little bunny toy around in the air, slide to the ground where she runs over to me.

“Uncle Hudson!” Of course I’m not her real uncle but she calls me that anyway.

“Hey, Honey-Bee.” I scoop her up and give her a cuddle. She’s such a delicate, slight little thing with the same sharp blue eyes as the rest of the Bassetts, and long, dark hair in braids. “You and your bunny here for the grill?”

“Yup, but Bunnykins is a vegetawian like Bwake and Uncle Bwook!”

“Ah,” I muse, running a hand through my hair as I glance up at Georgia who’s laughing at me.

“Nice work,Hudson.” Georgia rolls her eyes. “Bunnykins is a vegetarian.”

I ignore the brat and ruffle Trinity’s hair. “Well, your aunt Hartley has some carrot sticks for Bunnykins, I’m sure he’d like those. He’s a ‘he’ right?”

Trinity giggles. “Yep! He rides horses too. Thanks, Uncle Hudson.”

She’s a good kid with nice manners, you gotta admire that.

“You look well,” I say to GB as I cast my eyes over her while her parents filter in with an armful of goods. She’s wearing a set of denim overalls and a lacy pink top underneath.She’ll be the death of me.

“You don’t scrub up too badly yourself, GP.”

Here we go.

I stifle a laugh because it’s been three days since I saw her. I’m not even dressed up tonight, just jeans and a wifebeater. This is the country, after all.

Looks like Momma Bassett, Gayle, wasn’t able to help herself when Gray came back on the chat to tell us not to worry about bringing anything, just ourselves. Papa Bassett, aka Robert, holds two bottles of wine in his hand. He places them on the counter giving me and Gabe a pat on the back as he greets the women. Scooping Trinity up in one arm and Daisy in the other, his smile is wide. “My girls,” he chuckles as Trinity giggles uncontrollably and Daisy licks his face.

I’ve never seen Papa Bassett look this relaxed either; he must be enjoying his retirement. They’re finally planning their long-awaited European vacation at the end of the wedding season, or so GB tells me.

Georgia makes her way around to the kitchen and gives Hartley a big hug and a kiss on the cheek. “You two better spill the news before the grill!”

“Spill the beans about what?” Hartley frowns.

“I’m confused, you two never have us over, we assumed you had something big to tell us,” Georgia says.

Hartley taps her nose. “Just be patient, GB.”

So there is news. I’m not trying to say Georgia’s a blabber mouth or anything, but let’s just say she gets a little excited whenever there’s even an inkling of family gossip.

Brook and Eden pile in next with their daughter, Blake, and their dog, Noodle, along with Celeste, Callan and their beloved Am Staff, Sunny, followed by Beau and Autumn. It only takes Callan’s parents, Patti and Jack, and his sister, Trudy, to truly call it a full house. This family is getting bigger and bigger. When Hart’s dad Jim and his wife, Linda appear, I seriously think we may run out of seating. Gray might need to invest in a bigger table.

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