Page 42 of While We Waited

He grunts again.

I wag my finger at him. “A grunt is not an answer, Sir Grunts-a-Lot.”

“I’ll tell you when we arrive.”

“Why not tell me now? Is it a secret? Are you afraid your truck is bugged?”

“My truck is bugged?”

“Aha! You are afraid your truck is bugged.”

He barks out a laugh but coughs to cover it up. “My truck is not bugged. Why would my truck be bugged?”

“I don’t know. Why won’t you explain yourself in the truck if it’s not bugged?”

“I won’t explain myself and you jump to the conclusion that my truck is bugged?”

What can I say? If jumping to conclusions was an Olympic sport, I’d be a gold-medal contender. I probably shouldn’t admit that to Hudson, though. The grump puts up with me because I’m carrying his child. He doesn’t need to know about all of my issues.

I rub a hand over my belly. Although, I think he’s got the hypochondriac issue figured out by now.

His gaze catches on my hand. “Are you okay? Do you want to return to the hospital?”

I snort. “Ah, no. I prefer to limit my hospital visits to one a day.”

“If you need to go to the hospital, we’re going.”

He switches on his turn signal, but I reach across the console and grab his wrist to stop him.

“I promise I don’t need the hospital.”

He studies me for a moment before switching off the turn signal and continuing straight down the road to his resort.

“Why did you decide to establishHideaway Haven Resort?”

He shrugs. “It was a good business opportunity. There weren’t enough hotels on Smuggler’s Hideaway to accommodate the number of tourists.”

I tuck my ankle beneath my knee and swivel to face him. Hudson isn’t much of a talker. I’ve got him talking now, though. I’m not one to waste an opportunity.

“But why an upscale resort?”

“My business manager suggested it.”

“You have a business manager?”

He nods.

“Do you enjoy managing the resort?”

He shrugs.

I guess he’s done talking.

“You’ve obviously been successful. You added several chalets to the property this year.”

“The chalets were always part of the plan.”

“Really? Cool. Paisley drafted the business plan forFive Fathoms Brewingbut we don’t have a second phase. Make beer. Sell it at the restaurant. End of plan.”

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