Page 86 of With This Ring

“That was a long time ago.” He picked up a few glasses and added them to the top rack. “Plus, I’m not staying here. I’ve decided to go to Bahrain.”

“Blah, blah, blah.” She turned and jammed her hands on her hips. “Hudson Nathaniel Garrity,” his aunt began, “don’t you think it’s time for you to stop running?”

He bristled at her words. “I’m not running.”

“Are you sure about that? You need to stop trying to prove that you’ve done enough to take care of your sister and me. You’ve done right by your parents, Hudson. It’s time you stopped running from your feelings for Dakota and faced them instead.”

“Running from my feelings for Dakota?” He scoffed. “Shedumpedme without any explanation, remember?”

Aunt Trudy’s expression warmed. “Of course I remember, but did you ever ask her why?”

“She said it was over. What else was there to ask?”

“Maybe you didn’t ask her because you were too afraid to fight for her and still lose her in the end.”

“Aunt Trudy, she made it clear that she’d made up her mind about me. She just didn’t love me.” He shrugged as if Dakota’s rejection hadn’t permanently scarred his heart.

“Hudson, listen to me,” she began. “After you left, you never came home for Thanksgivings. At Christmas, you never stayed here more than four days. And you also avoided your ten-year class reunion. You always tell me you’re too busy working to spend more time with your family, and I understand that you have an important job—but even CEOs take some time off to recharge their batteries.” She took a step toward him. “I believe the true reason you didn’t want to come for extended periods of time is because you were trying to avoid Dakota. If that’s not running away, sweetie, then I don’t know what is.”

He stared at her as her words soaked through him, but then he shook them off. She was wrong. He didn’t belong in Dakota’s life any more than he belonged in Flowering Grove.

“Let’s finish these dishes,” he muttered before turning his attention back to the sink.

***

Later that evening, Dakota stood in her brother’s backyard and aimed her phone at Skye and Gunner as the couple posed for prom pictures.

Skye’s thick long hair fell in curls past her shoulders, and her long pink A-line gown fit her perfectly. The V-neck bodice was adorned with an embroidered lace applique, thin straps, and a laced back that complemented her tall, youthful figure. She looked as if she’d just walked off the pages of a fashion magazine.

Gunner was handsome in a gray suit that made the most of his tall muscular build, short blond hair, and bright-green eyes. He seemed completely relaxed resting his hand on her waist as they posed and smiled with three other couples in front of Eileen’s colorful flower garden.

“They make the cutest couple,” Mom gushed while snapping photos on her phone.

Dakota beamed at her mother and sister-in-law. “I definitely agree.”

She took more photos of the posing couples, and when Gunner slipped a corsage onto Skye’s dainty wrist, Dakota couldn’t help but ponder her conversation with Hudson at the bridal shower—how they’d sat close together on the glider and how he’d opened up to her about the issues Layla had encountered after he’d left for New York.

She’d felt close to him again, but she knew it was all a façade. She’d meant what she said when she accused him of only caring about money. She missed the man he’d once been, back when they were in love. Back then they’d dreamed of a future together, in the days when his focus was on his family and his former wife-to-be.

But none of that mattered now. Soon he’d leave, and she’d stay behind in her hometown—trying to reckon how to make heads or tails of her business woes.

She tried to bypass her worries while the young couples prepared to leave for the night. Then she walked with Skye to Gunner’s sports car.

“Skye, you’re absolutely gorgeous.” Dakota pulled her niece in for a hug. “Have fun tonight.”

“I will, Auntie.” Skye touched her shoulder. “Thank you for the dress. I love it.”

“It was made for you, sweetie.” Dakota stepped out of the way and took a few more photos of Skye saying goodbye to her grandparents, parents, and younger siblings. Her chest squeezed at the tender scene.

“You okay?” Nick asked, sidling up to her.

Dakota nodded. “Yeah.”

He shook his head and grinned. “You never were a very good liar.” He pointed to the porch. “Sit with me.”

They sank down beside each other on rocking chairs and peered out over the driveway, where Mom, Dad, and Eileen were engrossed in a conversation with a neighbor and Aubrey and Kevin stood nearby looking bored.

“Skye mentioned you’re still working ridiculously long hours.”

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