“Sounds right. You know them?” Hudson wiped his hands on a handkerchief and shoved it back in his pocket before he took the tickets from Ronnie.
“They’re only the most popular, up-and-coming country blues band in the country right now! You’ve seriously never heard of them?” Reese had been tempted earlier to skip the concert so they could keep working on the fence. But now, there wasn’t a chance she’d miss it.
“I tried to tell him,” Ronnie said with a jesting eyeroll, “but you know how men are.”
“You coming out tonight, too?” Reese asked.
“Oh no. Too much work to do with my marketing girl on her way out the door. But you kids have fun.” Ronnie turned back to her car, but stopped before taking a single step. “If you want a job, Reese, I’m filling a spot.”
Reese studied her friend closely, unsure whether her offer was a joke or serious. Baby hormones made everything more complicated. “I, uh—”
“I’m joking.” Ronnie let out a laugh. “But not really. If you wanted it, I’d hire you in a heartbeat.” With that, Ronnie turned and waddled back to her car.
Reese was thankful for Hudson’s silence now, because she needed time to think as Ronnie drove away. She’d been offered that position once before, three years ago when Ronnie first opened her business in Starlight and signed a TV contract. But the offer came too late. Reese had already started a new job, for the same company that wanted her as their marketing director now.
“Those wheels turn any faster, you’re going to spin out in there,” Hudson said, bumping her gently with his elbow. “You’re thinking about it, aren’t you?”
“No. I mean, yes. Maybe.” Itwouldbe nice to have a job lined up if she did something crazy like turn down that promotion and move to Starlight. At least her parents wouldn’t freak out completely. But that was fantasy talk.
“What would you do?” Hudson asked. “If money and other people’s opinions didn’t matter? Would you still climb that corporate ladder?”
Reese bit down on her bottom lip, relieved when she heard the four-wheeler approaching. She had no idea how to answer that question, because she’d never entertained it before. She was always sure of everything, and she didn’t care for how unsettled she felt.
“How much more do you want to get done?” Jed asked Hudson, handing out bottles of water.
Hudson’s gaze lingered on Reese, warning him he wouldn’t settle for silence as an answer forever. “Let’s get this section finished up and we’ll call it. Don’t want to keep anyone from prettying up for theirdatetonight.”
Jed’s cheeks flashed pink.
* * *
Reese hadn’t been to The Watering Hole in at least a year, maybe two. She’d never seen it this crowded. Despite them being an hour early, they had to park two and a half blocks down the street. When Hudson slipped his hand into hers, she threaded her fingers through his.
She could think tomorrow.
Tonight, she wanted to enjoy their time together, no matter what the future held.
“What were you going to tell me about Jed?” Hudson asked as they strolled down the sidewalk.
“He’s in love with a local rancher’s granddaughter. She just moved here a few weeks ago, apparently. She’s seventeen, a senior in high school this coming school year.”
“Ah, so I was right.”
“Maybe,” Reese said carefully. “I tried to bring up college, but he wasn’t eager to talk about it. I’m not sure why. He’s a tougher egg to crack than I expected.”
They found the last empty table for two on the deck and slid their chairs close together as they watched the band set up the stage.
“It’s not the Chicago music scene,” Hudson said low against her ear, “but it’s not half bad.”
The only times in her life Reese ever truly felt at peace were those spent in Starlight. With Hudson. Most of the time, she kept too busy to think about such things. But ever since she’d embraced slowing down, her perspective was shifting. Here tonight, sitting close by his side, she wondered if her future really was here. The thought certainly thrilled her more than any promotion.
“Penny for your thoughts?”
“They don’t come that cheap,” she teased.
“Then, how about a dance?”
Swaying together on the dance floor song after song with music playing, people laughing and happy, and the stars above, Reese knew it for sure. She was in love with Hudson Ross. There was no more denying it. No more running from her feelings.
