“Sorry, he’s shy.”
“Don’t apologize, honey.” Mama takes the diaper bag from the passenger seat. “I’m sure he’s had a rough time the last few months, and it was a long drive from Nevada. Come inside, and we can see if he warms up to us a bit.”
I grab his stuffed horse before we head inside the house.
Hudson starts fussing, wriggling in Briar’s arms, murmuring something that sounds like a mumbled ‘drink.’
“Mama, do you have some apple juice?” Briar asks. “Huddy’s tired of my bottled water.”
“You’re in luck, we just bought some for the ribs we’re having on Sunday for the farewell cookout. Where’s his bottle?”
Briar fishes out a bright orange sippy cup and hands it to Mama. “Make sure you?—”
“Cut it with water, I know. This isn’t my first rodeo.”
My sister sits down on the plush leather sofa, and the little boy on her chest sits up and looks around. He takes in the pictures on the walls, lingering on the ones with horses in them, then shyly looks at Daddy and me. He shies away when his gaze catches Daddy’s default analyzing face: a scowl.
I nudge him with my elbow. “You’re scaring the poor kid.”
Daddy frowns but tries his best to fix his face into something more comforting. “I’m sorry, Hudson. We weren’t expecting to meet you today.”
At the sound of his name, Hudson burrows back into Briar’s neck. Mama comes back with the sippy cup and hands it to her.
“Here, buddy, apple juice,” Briar says. “Nice and cold for you.”
Hudson takes the cup and starts drinking while she talks.
“I know my showing up out of the blue must be stressful. I’m sorry if it throws a wrench in your plans.”
“Briar, don’t you dare apologize for showing up again. We’re family. We’re here for you when you need us. How long are you staying?” Mama asks.
“I… I don’t know. After Taylor and Danielle’s funeral, I took some time off to figure out care for Hudson while I worked. I interviewed some nannies, but none of them felt right. My friends helped where they could, but they have their own lives, and I don’t want Huddy to keep bouncing around to a different person every day. He needs stability, and…” Her voice cracks. “I need my Mama.”
Mama’s eyes shimmer as she sits next to her and wraps her in a hug. Hudson doesn’t seem to mind much that Mama’s smothering him. “You can stay here as long as you need to, honey. This sweet boy will warm up to us in no time, and we’ll help you figure out the next steps.”
“We’re here for you, for whatever you need,” Daddy says. “You and Hudson will have to share Juniper’s old room until Oakley can move out of yours, unless you’d rather stay in one of the cabins.”
“Who’s Oakley?” Briar asks.
“She’s our new chef,” I explain. “Landry’s retiring.”
Briar blows out a long breath and shakes her head. “Everything’s changed so much, I feel like I barely recognize this place. We’ll be fine sharing a room for a bit, as long as it won’t bother Oakley?”
“Oakley won’t mind, I’m sure. It’s a good thing Addison moved into Juni’s place after all, isn’t it?” Mama teases, causing my face to heat.
Briar raises a dark eyebrow in question, and I shake my head. I’ll tell her later.
All of our heads turn when the back door opens and we hear footsteps approaching.
Addison pokes her head into the living room, her eyes going wide when she sees our two new guests. “Oh, um, I’m sorry. I was looking for Juniper, but I can see you’re busy.”
Daddy stands, motioning to his spot on the couch. “Nonsense. Have a seat. Addison, this is our oldest, Briar, and that little fella is Hudson. Briar, Hudson, this is Addison. She’s our wrangler for the summer.”
Chapter 26
I give Briar a wave,feeling like an intruder. The Calhouns are clearly having a family meeting, and knowing the situation, I can’t imagine her being here is a great sign.
It would be rude to leave after Sullivan invited me to stay, so I gingerly sit on the couch next to Juniper, far enough away that we’re not touching. She looks one minute away from bursting into tears, and my fingers itch to hold her hand. Her parents already know, but I’m not sure if her sister does.
