Page 5 of Baking With A Rockstar

Hannah looks at me as if for confirmation, and I give her a smile in response. I love that about her. She wants to protect Mira just as much as I do, which is the only reason I trust her so much with her. Turning back to her grandson, Hannah points at my baby girl, who’s still happily sitting on one of her hips.

“This is Mirabelle, but we call her Mira.” She tickles her little belly, making her giggle with delight.

They both stare at Mira in fascination, and I completely understand why. This little girl seems to wrap everyone around her little finger in five seconds flat. I have yet to meet someone who’s immune to her charms.

Hudson takes Mirabelle’s little hand in his and shakes it gently. She takes that as an invitation, of course, and halfway leaps into his arms. They gaze adoringly at each other before Mira nestles into his neck.

I can’t believe it.

Hannah suddenly points at me, clearing her throat as she looks in my direction. “And this over here is Charlie Peterson. Well, it’s Charlotte, but she goes by Charlie.”

“Charlie?” There’s undisguised curiosity in his voice as he tilts his head a little to the side and looks at me.

“Yes.” I nod, and for some inexplicable reason, I’m trying to sound as indifferent as possible. Someone like him must be used to women throwing themselves at him, left and right, and I don’t like to be a part of that fan club.

Not in this house.Well, unless you count a baby and a grandma—it seems like they’ve already signed up for the club.

“Charlie is opening her bakery here in a couple months. It’s right on Main Street, and it’s going to be beautiful. They’ve been living with me since they moved here from New York a few weeks ago. And since my kitchen is being renovated at the moment, I just moved them in here with me. I told you about my kitchen renovation and my visitors when we last spoke on the phone, didn’t I?” Hannah taps her chin with her finger as she looks up at the ceiling for a moment.

Hudson shrugs his shoulders. “Not that I remember.”

My stomach plummets at his words because the last thing I want to be is a burden.

“Oops. Sometimes I don’t remember who I tell what anymore. Sorry about that.” Hannah puts one of her hands on his arm. “It’s not a problem though, is it?” Her eyebrows are drawn together as she looks up at her grandson.

Now, I definitely feel like I need to chime in. After all, I’m the intruding non-family member he didn’t even know about. “Hudson, we’ll move out and find another place to stay, no problem at all. I wouldn’t have agreed to stay here had I known you were coming back.”

Hudson throws his head back and laughs so much he has to wipe the corners of his eyes.

What on earth was so funny about what I said?

His whole body is shaking, and the sound of his laughter shoots little bouts of excitement through me. It’s one of those laughs that makes you want to join in, even if you don’t find it funny or don’t know what it’s about.

It’s beautiful and infectious. Just like this man.

Oh goodie.

Hannah chuckles now too, jabbing her grandson in the ribs with her elbow. “I bet that’s a first for you.”

He finally calms down, but a big grin remains on his face. “It sure doesn’t happen often.”

Why am I starting to feel like I’m missing something big?

When Hannah looks at me, she slaps one of her hands over her mouth while her eyes go so wide, I’m afraid they might pop out of her sockets at any moment. “I can’t believe it. You have no clue who he is, do you?”

Her eyes shimmer with glee, making me uneasy with that look alone. I shake my head, deciding it might be best to stay quiet. There really is no need to embarrass myself any further than I already have.

Hudson looks at her and chuckles. “Grandma, have you been keeping us your dirty little secret again?”

Hannah slaps him lightly on the arm. “Stop saying it like that. You know I don’t like talking about what you do when you’re not around.”

They stare at each other for a moment before turning their attention back to me.

After that little exchange, I’m extra nervous.

“Charlie.” Hannah stands up straight and clears her throat almost dramatically. Here we go. “This is my grandson, Hudson Mitchell, the famous rockstar you like to listen to on the radio.”

Well, butter my butt and call me a biscuit.

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