Page 153 of What About Us
Finnley
The barn at Hayesranch has been transformed into a winter wonderland. And although it's a frigid 37 degrees outside, it's toasty warm inside with stand-up electric heaters and the hundred or so people in attendance.
Overhead lights with exposed bulbs crisscross the space, giving the whole scene a serene glow. Pine boughs and dried huckleberry branches twined with red and white roses adorn the tables and flicker in the candlelight that’s dotting every table, including the one for the bride and groom at the end of the barn.
Across the large open space, I catch my husband’s eye. He’s removed his suit jacket and has the sleeves of his shirt rolled to the elbows. He’s also got a couple of days’ worth of scruff on his face, and even though he usually keeps it neatly trimmed, I love the way it looks and the burn it leaves on my thighs after he’s done devouring me.
He’s so different here in Timber Forge, more laid back and more Hudson. He’s still my best friend, but he’s also the sexiest man I've ever met and absolutely the love of my life. He’s currently dancing with Paige, andshe giggles as he twirls her around and around, her dark hair and bright red dress billowing out around her as she spins.
It’s not even my wedding and I still feel like the luckiest woman in the world. Being married to Hudson is all I ever dreamed it could be and more. He’s ridiculously attentive, as well as equal parts sweet and deliciously filthy. He does things to my body and my heart that I never thought possible. And he’s the best dad to Paige, and I can’t wait to see him become a father again.
A soft coo filters up to me and I pull my eyes away from my husband and our daughter to see Miss Amelia is wide awake and sucking her fist in my arms.
“Hey, little one,” I say and let her wrap her tiny, slimy fist around my finger. I can't help but wonder if our baby will look anything like Hank and Wren’s girls. The Hayes genes are strong. “Here comes your mama, daddy, and sister.”
Wrenley beams at me as she approaches. Her long, blond hair is swept up, curls twined with baby’s breath, and even without a veil, she looks every part the bride. Her dress is like something out of a fairy-tale, with spaghetti straps and a heart-shaped neckline. The bodice is simple, with a pearlescent beading that catches the light. But it’s the layers and layers of tulle falling in tiers and cascading to the floor that make her look like a princess. The prettiest princess bride, as Paige put it.
Her face is flushed from dancing, and she looks incredibly happy. “Do you want me to take her?” she asks, running a hand over her daughter’s hair before pressing a soft kiss there.
“Not unless you want to,” I say, smiling up at her from where I’m seated at a round table.
Hank follows shortly behind Wren, cradling their other twin daughter, Hazel, against his chest. He’s discarded his jacket somewhere and looks perfectly content and head over heels as he gently bounces her in his arms.I love seeing them so happy—a perfect little family. The twins are almost four months old, and they both have a crop of fuzzy dark hair and big brown eyes.
“Well, if you can keep her just a touch longer,” she says through a grimace, “I really have to pee.”
“I’ve got her,” I say, smiling down at Amelia, who has gone back to sucking her fist in earnest.
“Do you need help, Wrennie Girl?” Hank asks, running a hand over her back.
“I can get Ginger, if I can find her,” she says, looking around. She’ll need help holding up all those layers of her dress.
I scan the crowd of people, as well, but only see Hales, Nat, Norah, and their parents. “I can hand this one off to someone and help,” I say, moving to scoot up out of my seat.
“No. No, it’s ok. I’ll find Ginger. You just enjoy the baby snuggles,” she says with a wink.
Hudson comes striding over with a beaming and breathless Paige. “Anyone seen Hutch?” he asks, twirling Paige under his arm. “He promised this one the next dance.”
“Pop sent him out for more chairs. He should be back in a minute,” Hank offers.
“Oh, shit…” Wren starts before she trails off.
“What’s the matter?” I ask, tipping my head back to look up at her.
“I’m hoping they're not together,” she says, looking around with a crease to her brows.
I guffaw. “Hopefully not. She’ll likely kill him.”
She huffs out an amused sigh, while Hudson and Hank chuckle. “Absolutely, she will. I swear, they’re worse than you and Hudson.”
“Hey,” Hudson feigns offense, and I laugh.
“Wewere friends, though. Ginger would sooner poke her eyes out than keep company with Hutch,” I remark with a soft smile at my husband.
“That’s what I’m worried about,” she says, but her face holds no real worry.
Ever since Hutch and Ginger met last summer, and both times they’ve seen each other since, all he does is give her shit, and all she does is bitch and moan at him. It’d actually be quite funny if Ginger didn't look like she wanted to kill him half of the time.
Just then, Hales appears, a grin stretching her face. “Can I steal that baby away from you?” she asks me.
