Page 37 of Waiting for Forever
“You were mean to her in school,” the judge finally said.
Air slowly seeped out of Hudson’s lungs, his determination wavering. No matter how many times Paige said she forgave him for the past, he was still struggling to forgive himself. Obviously, she’d filled in her dad on how he’d tormented her day in and day out when she was younger. “I was. And knowing Paige, she probably didn’t tell you justhowcruel.”
Judge Sparks shook his head. “She didn’t tell me anything. Ever.”
“But…” Hudson was confused. Paige had never confided in her father, even when she was a kid? She seemed to believe she’d been weak back in school, but the more he learned about her, the more he could see she’d always been strong, capable, the type of woman who liked handling things on her own.
While he respected the hell out of that, he hoped somewhere along the line, she’d let him shoulder some of her load, just as he hoped she’d carry some of his. He’d already begun to rely on her advice regarding work concerns—she was smart as a whip—and he wanted to be able to offer her the same, to become a sounding board for her.
“There were phone calls from the school,” Judge Sparks explained. “The teacher called to let us know she had to cut gum out of Paige’s hair. Gum that you put there. The librarian called about damaged books. Paige paid to replace them with her allowance, even though the librarian had a very strong suspicion you’d been the one who’d ruined them. Paige refused to tell on you, so the librarian couldn’t prove it. I believe teachers see more than their students give them credit for.”
Those two acts weren’t even the worst of the ways he’d tormented her. “I bullied her,” Hudson confessed. “I wish I could take all of that back, but I can’t. I’ve apologized to her. Even though I know that’s not enough.”
“My daughter is an independent, strong, intelligent woman. She is also kind, with a forgiving nature.”
“She is,” Hudson agreed. “She’s all that and more.”
“You’re not good enough for her, Mr. Ryan. And you don’t deserve her.”
Hudson’s back went up, his temper flashing, even though he knew the man was right. He felt the need to defend himself…but how?
Judge Sparks continued without giving him a chance. “Which, as far as I can see, leaves you with only one choice.”
Hudson would die before he gave up Paige. The man was right. He didn’t deserve her. He knew that. But dear God, there was no way he could live without her. Panic crept in, and he worried. What would happen if the judge forced her to decide between her family and him?
“What choice?” Hudson asked, his voice raspy and thin, because he really didn’t want to ask that question.
Judge Sparks leaned closer, her voice low and forceful as he pierced him with a look rife with emotion—determination, warning, maybe even respect. “To prove me wrong.”
Hudson reared back, shocked, watching as the judge walked out of the courtroom without speaking another word.
His head reeled as he considered the man’s words. They were as close to a blessing as he’d ever hoped to receive from Paige’s father.
Then he smiled. All those years ago, Judge Sparks had unwittingly put his feet on his career path, guiding him toward something worthwhile.
Now, he’d just offered his next challenge.
Hudson was going to rise to it.
And then some.
“Paige?” Hudson called out as he walked into her house. His first day at the courthouse had gone off without a hitch, he and his crew settling in slowly but surely.
She didn’t reply. Probably because she couldn’t hear him.
He followed the sound of the loud music until he was standing just outside the door to the room that was going to serve as her home office.
She had her back turned to him, painting the far wall with a roller. In addition to the painting, she was rocking out to Pat Benatar’s “Hit Me with Your Best Shot,” shaking her ass as she danced in place, while singing loudly and somewhat off-key.
The two of them were big fans of listening to music because it made the work more enjoyable. Plus, it gave them a chance to introduce each other to their favorite artists and genres. He’d exposed her to The Grateful Dead, Metallica, and Pink Floyd, while she’d forced him to endure Taylor Swift and Billie Eilish. Hudson grinned as he thought about the word “endure,” because while he’d acted like it was a big hardship listening to her music, he’d actually liked some of it. Not that he’d ever admit it. It was more fun to tease her.
He grinned when he saw her in her paint-splattered jeans and ripped T-shirt, her work clothes, she called them.
“Damn,” he said, taking in her work, impressed.
Paige jolted, spinning quickly and slapping one hand over her heart. “Holy shit! You scared the hell out of me.”
“I’m sorry, Princess. I was just admiring your work…and your performance.”
