Page 20 of Worth the Risk

Hudson smiles with pride. “Perfect in every way. I didn’t really get a chance to chat with April and subtly investigate you, I was too busy with father of the groom duties and talking with guests.”

I love how he gushes over his responsibilities. “Tell me about your son.”

“Drew is the best.”

Hudson grabs his phone that was lying on the counter, and he comes to stand next to me, which causes our arms to graze and a spark to sizzle inside of me. Looking at the screen, I see a man who looks similar to Hudson with a woman who is clearly a bride in an embrace beside a haystack. He swipes his screen, then I see a photo of Hudson with Drew, and it melts my heart, as they are clearly happy and, by their looks, related.

“It seems like a lovely wedding. Very rustic, yet chic.”

“The wine was top-notch too since Lucy, my daughter-in-law, her brothers own the Olive Owl label. Anyways, they’re heading off on their honeymoon tomorrow. It was my gift to them, a trip around Europe.” Hudson locks his phone screen and slides the device back into his pocket.

“I’m jealous. Italy is my favorite place, just sitting in a café drinking cappuccino, watching the world go by,” I comment.

Hudson nudges my arm. “For coffee, we have a good spot in town.”

“Wonderful.” My smile fades, and I hesitate. “Can I ask, well, you mentioned that Drew is new to your life?”

His lips quirk then press together. “Yes. I found out a little over a year ago. An old friend of Drew’s mother was dying and had a list of things she wanted to do before she died. One of those things was to tell me that Drew is mine. I had no idea. I was a teenager at the time, not from her area. We met at a party, and I never knew. After a little digging, it seemed that Drew was indeed mine. His mother didn’t stay long in his life. He was raised by his stepdad who didn’t stick around once he turned eighteen. Drew didn’t get the life that I would have wanted for him.”

I can sense a lot of feelings stir inside of Hudson about that. Instinct causes me to reach out and touch his arm to comfort him. “And now?”

“Couldn’t be happier to have my son in my life. Just missed all the young years when he was growing up. He is the opposite of me in some ways, maybe a bit more introverted and not much for sports. He plays guitar and is good at carpentry, even made some of the shelves in my living room.”

I squeeze his arm. “Makes his father proud too, I can see it with every word you say.”

Hudson smiles to himself. “True. Now how about a tour?” he suggests.

“Sounds good.”

For the next few minutes, he shows me around downstairs, the at-home gym, and outside where there is a giant patio and an in-ground hot tub in the corner. It will be nice to sit out there in the morning with coffee and my design book. Color-wise, everything in the house screams bachelor, with neutral colors, except for a beautiful Native American rug hanging on the wall in Hudson’s office—oh, and his hallway is decorated with a few of his old jerseys. We kept conversation to the point, Hudson mostly explaining where things were.

But as we walk up each step leading upstairs, that feeling in my stomach returns. A swirl of anticipation and nerves. Maybe he picks up on it or perhaps he just doesn’t want to make a big deal about it, but he doesn’t show me his room. I thought for sure he would make a joke about it at least. Instead, he points out two guestrooms, and at the third room, he opens the door.

“This can be you.” I follow him in, and he sets my bag on the bed. “Towels are in the bathroom over there behind the door in the corner. I guess maybe you want a few moments to freshen up before we head into town or go for a walk, whatever you want.”

I notice he’s avoiding eye contact. “Thanks. It’s a beautiful room.” I look around, and I do love the look of the white blankets with deep blue pillows. “I noticed you have a few rooms, so why this one?”

A droll smirk forms on his mouth, and his head lolls to the side as his eyes meet mine. “It’s the farthest from my bedroom.”

I feel my cheeks heat, and I try to hide my grin but fail, before I swallow and breathe in some composure. “You know, how about we just stay here tonight and open some wine and cook—or I watch you cook so I don’t burn the house down.”

“Sure. I’ll meet you downstairs.” Hudson turns to leave and makes it to the door where he stops, with his hand on the pane of the door, then turns back to me. “You know this is crazy for me too.”

“So I make you do things you normally wouldn’t do too?” I wonder, and I’m relieved that he also seems unsure about what’s going to transpire.

He doesn’t answer but instead scoffs, a hint of a smirk on his lips, before leaving me there to catch my breath.

* * *

After checkingmyself in the mirror, I return downstairs to find Hudson arranging cheese and crackers on a plate.

He glances up, and gosh, I don’t think I will ever tire of his smile when he’s happy to see me.

“White or red?”

I find a spot on the kitchen island. “Anything is okay, you decide.”

Investigating the snack plate, and wow, the man knows how to prepare a charcuterie board.

---