“Not all of us can snag Green River’s golden boy.”She elbowed me playfully.
“I did luck out.”I smiled, warmth spreading through me.“But there are other fish in the sea.”
“Oh my God.That reference!How old are you?”She laughed.“And I’m seriously good on my own for now.After all those years in school, I’ve got the job I always wanted, but my schedule is nuts.I don’t see how a man fits into that.And I’m not sure I even want to make the effort right now.”
I nodded in understanding.Hell, that had been my plan before Hudson turned everything upside down—in the very best way.
“What can I bring to this dinner party?”she asked, steering the conversation elsewhere.
I’d been touched when Hudson had insisted on inviting Katie and Greta, saying they were part of our extended family.
“Just yourself.”I smiled as we started down the hill.“Greta insisted on bringing dessert, but we should be set otherwise.”
“That girl never stops working.Talk about someone who should get on the dating apps.”She shook her head.
“True.I’ll go after her next.”I grinned mischievously.
“Anything to get the fish analogy off me.”Katie snorted.“Speaking of our girl, should we stop in for a coffee after our run?”
“I’d love to, but I need to get the dogs home.”I couldn’t picture the three of them waiting all that patiently in my SUV.
“Yeah, you probably wouldn’t have any upholstery left.”
We lapsed into comfortable silence, the chorus of birds, wind filtering through the trees, and panting dogs forming our soundtrack.By the time I was back at my SUV and lifted the hatch for the dogs, my sweat-soaked shirt was already making me shiver in the cool air.
I eyed the dogs, amazed they’d avoided most of the mud—save for Ranger, who was in desperate need of a bath.
Katie and I said our goodbyes, and I got behind the wheel, heading for home.
I drove past my old cottage, nodding toward it with affection and marveling at the memories I’d created there in such a short period of time.
My landlord had graciously let me out of my lease, and the home had already been rented to a young couple.
I wondered if they’d kept the remaining mallard paintings on the walls or, like sane people, taken them down in a bid to redecorate.Somehow, I hoped they hadn’t.
When my phone rang and Goodie’s name flashed on the screen, I answered with a smile.“Hi, Goodie.”
“Hey, Lulu.”Her voice sounded hoarse.“I’ve come down with a goddamned cold.”
I winced.Daphne had already warned me that there was no worse patient than my aunt when she got sick.Thankfully, it didn’t happen often.
“What can I do to help?”
“There’s some paperwork at the restaurant I need.Would you be willing to swing by and grab it for me?”
“Of course.”Despite the inconvenience, I celebrated this small victory—she was asking me for help without reservation, which had been my goal all along.
After ending the call, I turned the car around and dialed Hudson’s number.
“Baby.”His deep voice never failed to send a delighted shiver through me.
“Hi, honey.You still in town?”
He’d been with Riley and their dad at a jobsite.
“I am, but I was just about to head home.”
“Would you mind meeting me at Goodie’s and grabbing the dogs from me?I just got done with my run, but Goodie needs me to pick up some paperwork and take it to her house.She’s sick.I might spend a little time with her, see if she needs anything else.”
