Page 72 of A Pen Pal for Christmas

I smiled over my shoulder as I made my way toward the hallway that housed the bathrooms at the far end of the hall. The sound of the party faded with each step, replaced by the quieter hum of the building. A woman stepped out of the bathroom just as I reached the door, and we exchanged polite nods as I passed her.

Pushing the door open, I was already trying to figure out how to get the stickiness off my dress without soaking myself in soap and water. But before I could take another step, a hand clamped over my mouth, and a sickly sweet smell filled my nose.

Panic surged, and I struggled against the powerful grip on my face. And then suddenly, my limbs felt heavy, and my thoughts turned sluggish.

The world tilted, spinning and blurring around me, and then… everything faded to black.

CHAPTER 24

Hudson

Ida interceptedme just as I was about to leave the dance floor. Her hand rested lightly on my arm, a mischievous smile in place. “Hudson Green, would you mind trading your much younger dance partner for one a bit more… seasoned?”

I smiled. “Wait, you’re the younger one in this scenario, right?”

“Flattery will get you everywhere, my boy.” She laughed softly as I took her hand and led her back to the middle of the floor.

The music had shifted to something slower and a little old-fashioned, which was fitting. I slid one hand lightly around my aunt’s back, and she rested her other hand on my shoulder. Her smile softened, and we swayed to the music for a few beats in comfortable silence.

But, Ida being Ida, I had a feeling there was more to this dance than just to dance. “So, what’s on your mind? You looked like you were heading somewhere important.”

“I was going to check on Sofia,” I admitted. “But I think I needed this more.”

“Oh, good answer. And don’t worry. That girl doesn’t need you checking on her every five minutes. Let her breathe.”

I grinned, shaking my head. Apparently, even the seriousness of a break-in and a creepy, anonymous letter wasn’t enough to stop Ida from joining in on the overprotective jokes.

“Fair enough,” I said. Then, I hesitated, glancing down at her. There was so much I wanted to say, and I wasn’t sure where to start. Finally, I just took the leap. “Ida, I don’t say it enough, but… thank you.”

Her brow furrowed. “For what?”

“For saving my life.”

She blinked, clearly startled. “That’s a bit dramatic, don’t you think?”

“Not even a little. You’re the reason I made it out of that mess. The way you raised me, the things you taught me—everything I am, everything I’ve done—it’s because of you.”

“Oh, Hudson,” she started.

I held up a hand. “Let me finish,” I said gently. “I don’t say it enough. And I know you don’t like to dwell on it, but I think about that night all the time. I was only eight. Christmas Eve, running through the snow, knowing I couldn’t go back to that house. I didn’t have a plan, just… I knew I had to get to you.”

Her hand tightened on my shoulder. “You didn’t say a word when you got there,” she said, her voice taking on a faraway quality. “Just stood there on the porch, shivering in that too-small jacket. I could barely get you inside fast enough.”

I nodded, a lump forming in my throat. “I’m glad I never went back. It wasn’t like whatever I left behind was worth holding onto, anyway. You were my safe place. You always have been.”

Her eyes shone with unshed tears, but she still managed a small, wry smile. “You’re going to make me cry, and I didn’t even bring a handkerchief.”

“Sorry, but you deserve to hear it.”

“And I appreciate it, Hudson. Truly. But don’t sell yourself short. You’ve always been a good man. You just needed a chance.”

I shook my head. “Maybe. But either way, you gave me that chance.”

For a moment, we danced in silence. Then Ida spoke again, her tone lighter this time. “Well, if you’re so set on giving me credit, I’ll take it. Especially for Sofia.”

I laughed, the tension in my chest easing a bit. “You should. She’s everything I didn’t know I needed.”

“She is, isn’t she? And that house… oh, Hudson. I’m so happy for you two. It’s going to be perfect.”

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