Page 71 of With This Ring

Dakota laughed. “Of course it is.” She leaned down to him and whispered, “Just be sure it’s rated PG.”

“I will.” He gave her a high five before making a beeline to the television.

“Auntie!” Skye rushed toward her with the handsome young man at her side. “This is Gunner.” She pointed from the young man to Dakota. “Gunner, this is my aunt Dakota.”

Gunner nodded. “Great to meet you.”

“Likewise,” Dakota told him. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”

Skye blushed, and they went inside.

Eileen held up a cake. “I picked up your favorite—carrot cake with cream cheese icing.”

“Awesome. You’re welcome if you’re bringing my favorite,” Dakota said with a wink.

Her older brother, Nick, was next. “We need to talk. Come out to the grill with me?”

Dakota and Nick scurried out to the deck while her parents and Eileen moved around the kitchen. With the TV on, the younger ones all got comfortable in the den.

“Skye’s worried about you,” Nick told her. “She mentioned to Eileen and me about how you’re working crazy hours, and Mom’s concerned you’re missing our Sunday dinners.”

Dakota hated the guilt that took hold of her, but she hadn’t wanted to share her financial woes with her family. This was her problem, and she could handle it just fine by herself.

“Skye insisted we bring Sunday supper to you, and Mom suggested a cookout. So here we are. We all miss you.”

She gazed at the colonial next door, and when she found Hudson sitting on the deck staring at his phone, the muscles in her shoulders pinched. “Please keep it down,” she hissed. “My neighbor is outside.”

“What’s going on, sis?” Nick asked, ignoring her request. “Why are you acting like a hermit?”

She avoided his concerned look by turning the knobs on the grill. “I’m not a hermit. I’m just busy.” She pushed the button to light the grill, but nothing happened. “Ugh.” She tried again. Still nothing.

“You must be out of propane.” He examined the tank. “Yup, it’s empty.”

“Great,” she muttered. “If I had known you all were going to invite yourselves over here for supper, I would have prepared a few things.”

Nick shrugged. “No big deal. I’ll run out to the store.”

“Let me get my purse—”

“There’s a propane tank here you can use.”

She turned to where Hudson leaned over the fence, and heat prickled her neck. She tried not to think about how long he’d been standing there and how much he’d heard.

“Hi, Hud.” Nick waved to him.

“Long time, no see, Nick.” Hudson jammed his thumb toward the deck. “I’ll bring the tank over for you.”

Nick looked at his sister, stunned. “How long has your ex been living next door?” he asked softly.

“Seriously?” Dakota shot her brother a look. “Nowyou whisper?” She blew out a frustrated sigh. “He’s just staying at the Airbnb next door, not living there.”

Hudson came through her gate carrying the tank. His gray t-shirt pulled nicely over his chest and biceps, and his black basketball shorts showed off his muscular, tanned legs. She couldn’t take her eyes off him while he and Nick switched out the propane tanks.

Nick hit the button, and the grill began to heat up. “Thanks, Hud.”

“No problem. I’ll probably never use the grill anyway. Enjoy your supper.” Hudson started back toward the gate.

“Wait,” Nick said, stopping Hudson in his tracks. “My mom always overbuys, so we’ll have plenty. Join us.”

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