“That was Dallas.”
We exchange nervous looks. She knows but isn’t going to insinuate anything.
“What did he say?”
“Lucy is gone.” My voice sounds almost lifeless.
Her hand flies up to her mouth. Even though she suspected it, it’s still a shock. “Oh my God. I’m so sorry.”
I run a hand through my hair. “I hate to do this since Willow is gone, but I have to find someone to cover for me. I’m sorry, Stella, but I need to go home.”
She nods. “I understand. There’s no way I’d let you stay.”
“Do you have any idea how fast we can get a replacement? Is there an agency or something we can go through?” I grab my pants when I spot them on the other side of the room and have no trouble getting dressed this time.
“There’s no need for that. I’m coming with you.”
I stop mid-zip of my fly. “I’m sorry, what?”
“I’m coming with you to Iowa.”
I’m staring at her, my mouth gaping.
“Dallas is my friend. I want to be there for the both of you.” She shyly looks down and studies her hands. “I mean … if that’s okay with you.”
“I’m always okay with having you around, but are you sure it’s a good idea? Won’t Tillie have your ass?”
“I don’t give a shit what she thinks is a good idea at the moment. I’ll get my bags packed and ask Willow to book us a flight.”
“Thank you for this.” It’s big step for her … for us. She’s coming to Blue Beech as a support system for me … for my family.
“You don’t have to thank me for being there for you, Hudson. You’ve been doing it for me since the moment you walked into my home.”
Twenty-Seven
Stella
Willow booked us the first private flight she could, and I threw everything I needed in my suitcase before rushing to the airport with Hudson.
Our flight won’t take us straight to Blue Beech since it’s in the middle of bum-fuck-Egypt, so we’ll take a car the rest of the way.
“Willow wanted me to tell you that she’s sorry for your loss,” I say after the pilot informs us that he’s ready for takeoff.
Devastation has taken over Hudson. It’s everywhere—on his face, the way he moves, how he’s barely spoken ten words since we left the house. And those words were only telling me how grateful he was that I’m doing this for him.
He gives me an artificial smile. “Tell her thank you.”
Dallas told me stories about Lucy. They started dating in the days of recess, and his family saw her as their family.
“Have you ever been to Iowa?” he asks.
My stomach settles at his push for conversation. I’ve never lost anyone close to me, so I can’t connect with him in that way. The only loss I’ve ever dealt with is a relationship, and that’s not shit compared to death.
“No,” I answer. “But Dallas has described it pretty well. He said it’s one of those small towns where people are in their own little world. Ones people think only exists on TV shows. You borrow sugar and milk from each other and leave your doors unlocked.”
I shudder. That shit would never happen in LA.
Robbers. Rapists. Fucking psychopaths.
It’d be a cold day in hell before I left my bedroom unlocked, let alone my front door.
“That’s Blue Beech,” he says with a hint of a smile. “Living in a small town has its ups and downs, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. There’s always something that feels good about going home.”
“You would never move away or live anywhere else?” I ask the question casually but am dying to hear his answer.
He shakes his head. “All I need in life is family and a good place to come home to. That’s Blue Beech for me.”
His answer is sweet, but that doesn’t stop it from plunging pain through me. My naïve dream that Hudson would pack up and move into my house is nothing but that—a dream. He’ll never be mine because I can’t be that girl for him. There aren’t career opportunities in Blue Beech.
The career or the man.
Which one would be harder to lose?
My phone beeps with a text.
“Willow wants to know where to book my room,” I read out loud.
I want to stay with Hudson but can’t assume that’s an option.
“This will make me sound like a bum, but my ex kept the place we were renting. I haven’t had a chance to look for anything else. You have three options: We can crash at Dallas or my parents’ house, you can stay at the bed and breakfast in town, or there’s a hotel an hour away from town, but trust me, it’s not anywhere you’d want to stay.”
That’s somewhat of an invite to stay with him, right?
Unfortunately, he laid the decision at my feet. Inviting myself into someone else’s home feels uncomfortable, especially since I’ve already invited myself to Iowa in the first place.
“I can stay at the bed and breakfast. I’ll have Willow book it for me. Do you know the name of it?”
He cups his hand over my knee and squeezes it. “I do, but I was hoping that wasn’t the decision you’d make.”
I suck in a breath. “You want me to stay with you?”
His face softens, like he’s now more at ease. “Of course, I do.”
I stare down at his hand—something about it screams ownership. “Do you think Dallas will be okay with that? Having me there while he’s grieving?”
Maybe I can convince him to stay at the bed and breakfast with me.
“I think he might enjoy the company, but if you don’t feel comfortable, it’s okay. You’ll have to stay at the bed and breakfast by yourself, though.”
I’m caught off guard. “What? Why?”
“If I sleep there with you, people will know something is going on between us, and we can’t let your dirty little secret out, can we?”
His voice changes with those last words.
The mood shifts.
My decision to fake date Eli haunts me again.
Hudson’s sister, Lauren, is picking us up from the airport. To say I’m a nervous wreck to meet his family is an understatement. The entire flight was spent debating with myself on whether I made the right decision in coming.
Willow never questioned me when I asked her to book us a flight. No one has told Tillie, but I have a feeling she’ll throw something when she finds out. Hopefully, she’s too busy making someone else’s life miserable than to worry about mine right now.
Hudson carries our bags when we land as I follow him through an airport that’s definitely no LAX. A petite, dark-haired woman wearing scrubs is leaning against a pink Mustang. I recognize her from Dallas’s Instagram.
“Flying private, huh?” she asks, pushing herself off the car. “Small town boy is turning into Mr. Big Shot.”
“Nice to see you too, baby sister,” Hudson replies, giving her a hug. “I told you not to drive the Pink Panther and take mom’s car. It’s too small for three people.”
She squints at him. “First off, her name isn’t Pink Panther, and had I driven mom’s car, I would have been late picking your ungrateful ass up. My work hours are nuts, and I couldn’t even get off early when I found about Lucy.”
We all flinch at her last statement.
Hudson’s hand tightens around the handle of my Louis Vuitton luggage. “You need to quit that fucking job then. That’s bullshit.”
Color rises in her cheeks. She looks almost sleep deprived.
“I can’t quit my job because I have bills and an ass-load of student loans to pay off for the half mom and dad aren’t paying.” She walks to the back of the car and pops the trunk. “Unless you hit the lottery and want to pay them?”
“We both wish,” he mutters, placing our bags in the trunk.
Her face is blank when she shoves her hand my way. “I’m Lauren.”
I shake it. “Stella. Thank you for picking us up.”
Her lips tilt up into a fake smile.
Is she upset about Lucy or mad I tagged along?
Hudson slams the trunk closed. “I’ll take the backseat. Stella, you can have the front.”
“No,” I rush out. “I’ll take the back. You two probably have a lot to talk about.”
“We’re going to be in the same vehicle. I can talk to her from the back.”
The next five minutes is spent arguing about who will take what seat until Lauren threatens to leave us at the airport.
I lose.
“FYI, you look like shit, Hudson,” she says.
Hudson smacks the back of her seat. “You’re so sweet. How are you holding up?”
I look over at her as a tear slips down her cheek.
She wipes it away like it never happened. “As good as I can be. Lucy was so young. It’s unfair.”
I nod in agreement but don’t feel comfortable enough to join the conversation.
“And Dallas?” Hudson asks.
“Not good. He’s holding in the hurt to be strong for Maven, but it won’t help him in the long run. You need to talk to him.”
“You know how Dallas is. Us Barnes boys don’t like talking about feelings. We feel like pussies.”
“Don’t undermine pussies. They’re very powerful,” Lauren argues. “If he’ll open up to anyone, it will be you.”
Hudson runs his hand over his puffy face. “I’ll try.”
Lauren looks over at me. “Did you ever meet Lucy?”
I nod. “She was very sweet.”
She smiles at my answer.
Lauren’s attention goes to the road, but I can tell she’s skeptical at my being here.
The ride is long, and I yawn when I see the welcome sign to Blue Beech.
“Holy shit, you weren’t joking about it being in the middle of nowhere,” I comment.
“Welcome to Blue Beech,” Lauren replies. “Where there’s no fancy coffee shops or malls to buy designer handbags.”
Definitely skeptical.
Perfect.
“Lauren,” Hudson scolds.
She rolls her eyes and goes silent.
Hudson’s attention turns to me. “There’s not much when you first get to town, but it gets better. The circle is where people hang out and the excitement happens.”
Lauren scoffs. “It sounds like you’re trying to sell Blue Beech to her.”
Hudson ignores her while I keep my thoughts to myself and stare out the window. Buildings come into view. People are walking around downtown and sitting on benches. Quaint shops and restaurants line the streets. We drive out of town and onto country roads until she pulls into the drive of a ranch home. The landscaping is filled with bright flowers, and dozens of gnomes are arranged between them.
“This is my parents’ house,” Hudson tells me.
"Mom and dad, this is Stella,” Hudson introduces.
Their house is as adorable inside as it is out.
It’s cozy. Family pictures are everywhere. The furniture is worn but still cared for.
“And Stella, these are my parents,” he goes on. “Rory and John.”
I give them a shy wave.
Me shy?
That’s unusual.
“It’s nice to meet you,” I say. “I’m sorry for your loss.”
Rory gives me a small smile. I have a feeling I’ll be seeing a lot of those here. They don’t want to be rude but are mourning.
“Thank you,” Rory says. “We appreciate you coming and giving Dallas time off so he could be with Lucy.”
You can tell Rory is a nice woman by just looking at her. Her brown hair is pulled back into a chignon, and she’s wearing a purple tunic and black leggings.
John resembles an older version of Dallas and Hudson. He’s tall, his hair similar to his sons, with speckles of grey throughout the strands. I have no doubt he was as handsome as them growing up.
“You’re welcome. I was happy to help,” I answer.
My financial advisor suggested against me covering Lucy’s medical bills. I make good money, but I’m not loaded. Maybe to other people I am, but in the world I live in, I’m just comfortable. You decide what you want to spend your money on, and I decided I wanted to help the guy who looked out for me for years. I didn’t want him worrying about finances during this difficult time.
“What’s happening with sleeping arrangements?” Rory asks.
Hudson and I exchange a look.
“We’re staying at Dallas’s,” he answers.
“Both of you?” Lauren questions.
“Yes, both of us. She’s comfortable with us.” Hudson arches a brow. “Unless you want to give up your bed? I wouldn’t mind sleeping in your apartment.”
“You can have the couch,” she fires back.
“It will be good for Dallas to have company,” John cuts in. Wrinkles crease his forehead when he frowns. “I hope he doesn’t take it as hard as I think he will. There’s no coming back from losing the woman you love. I pray to God I go before your mother does.”
Rory reaches down and grabs his hand.
Oh, hell. I’m witnessing a love story.
People really act like this in real life?
Twenty-Eight
Hudson
Dallas’s front door is unlocked.
Stella stayed at my parents’ while I took the eight-minute drive to his house. I want to see where he’s at in his head before anything else.
He’s sitting on the leather couch with his head bowed when I walk into the living room. He doesn’t look up until I beat my boots against the wood floor. He stares at me blankly with loose shoulders. His eyes are red and underlined with dark circles. He’s been waiting for this moment. The moment to release his pain in privacy.
I feel like shit for interrupting.
“Where’s Maven?” I ask.
He rubs one eye and then the other. “Taking a nap.”
“Have you told her?”
He nods. “This morning. We’ve been in here all day watching her favorite movies.” He squeezes his eyes shut. “The ones her and Lucy watched all the time. It seems to be helping her take her mind off it temporarily, but I know it won’t fix it.” His voice breaks. “My girl lost her mother, and I don’t know how I’m going to raise her alone.”
“You know all of us will be here to help you every step of the way. You’re an amazing father.” I sit next to him and wrap my arm around his shoulder. “Lucy will never be replaceable to Maven, but Mom and Lauren will do everything they can to help.”
“You don’t understand,” his voice falls into a sob. “I thought I prepared myself to lose her, but I was so damn wrong. I was never ready for this. Nothing can stop this pain. I loved her more than I loved my own life.”
I fight back tears. “None of us were ready to lose her.”
“Lauren was working at the hospital when it happened.”
“Were you there?”
He nods. “I’ve been there every minute of the day. Mom has been watching Maven for me. Without my family, I couldn’t have even made it this far.”
“We’ll always be here for you. You call, I’ll come running.”
He glances over at me with his shoulders still slumped. “You staying here while you’re home?”
“You know I am,” I pause. “Is it okay if Stella does too?”
He flinches. “She couldn’t find someone to cover your job?”
“We didn’t bother trying. She asked to come with me.”
He tilts his head to the side. “That’s nice of her. I know Lucy appreciated everything she did for us.”
“I can have her stay at mom and dad’s if you want.”
He raises a brow. “Does she want to stay here with you?”
I shrug. “She’ll probably feel more comfortable here with us, but if you want privacy, mom and dad won’t mind her crashing in my old bedroom.”
“She can stay here. Maven likes her. She thinks she’s a big shot for hanging out with someone on TV, so maybe it’ll get her mind on som
ething else. She can have the guest room, so you can either sleep on the couch up here or on the one in the basement.”
“You know I’m a gentleman.”
He scoffs. “That’s not what Grady has been going around saying after your little alley-talk.”
I flinch hearing that bastard’s name. “He deserved that and more.”
“I hear ya.”
Dallas was right about Stella helping Maven.
Maven has spent the evening showing Stella her bedroom and doll collection. They then watched TV until Maven crashed out on the couch, and Dallas carried his daughter to her bed.
“Everything good?” I ask Stella, guiding her down the stairs that leads to the basement.
She sighs. “Yes, I just hate how bad I am with people who are sad. I feel shy around your family, like an outsider, and I don’t want them to think I’m bitchy.”
“Don’t think like that. It takes a lot for my family not to like someone, let alone call them bitchy. They appreciate everything you’ve done for our family and liked you before you even got here.”
“Your mom asked me to help bake for the reception. I’ve never baked anything in my life and will definitely be the joke of the town when she tells people I don’t know the difference between flour and sugar. They’ll tell you to kick me to the curb.”
I grab her waist and pull her to me. “My ex couldn’t cook for shit. As long as you make me happy, and definitely as long as you keep riding my dick like you do, I could give two fucks if you know how to bake a pie. You don’t have to be anyone else to get the approval of me or my family.”
“What about your sister? She’s not my biggest fan.”
Looks like I wasn’t the only one to notice Lauren’s apprehension toward Stella. I make a note to talk to her.
“Lauren means well, she just doesn’t want to see me get hurt again.”
“I won’t hurt you,” she whispers. “So please do the same for me.”
I grab her chin with the tip of my finger and drag it up. “Stella, I have no idea what the fuck is going on between us, or where it will go, but I’ll do everything in my power to never hurt you.”
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