Page 49 of Hudson
“Most Saturdays I’m working around the barn anyway. Sundays I stay lazy until dinner at my father’s.” He shrugged. “And even if I’m out on a case, you’re still welcome to take a horse out. I’d just want you to carry a walkie-talkie.”
“In case a bear shows up,” she said.
He smiled. “Among other things.”
They finished their meals and Connie cleared the plates, then looked at Blair expectantly.
“Pie?”
“One slice,” Hud said, glancing across the table. “Apple?”
“With ice cream,” Blair agreed.
When Connie walked away Blair leaned back in the booth and looked at him. “I had a really good time today.”
“So did I.” He smiled. “Best Saturday I’ve had in a while.”
“Even with the storm chasing us in?”
“Especially that part.”
Connie returned with one generous slice of apple pie, a scoop of vanilla melting down the side, and two forks. Blair took the first bite and closed her eyes.
“That is ridiculous.”
Hud laughed. “The best.”
They lingered over the pie longer than necessary, talking easily, in no hurry to move on. Blair realized she couldn’t remember the last time she’d sat acrossfrom someone and felt this comfortable this soon, especially given how rocky their start had been. It was a good feeling. She didn’t want to examine it too closely. Just let it be what it was.
Chapter Eight
Hud pulled out his wallet and left enough cash at the register to cover the bill and then some. “Keep the change, Connie.”
She smiled. “You two have fun tonight.”
He held Blair’s sweater while she slipped into it and they stepped outside to find the rain had finally quit, leaving the air clean and cool and smelling like wet pavement.
“Dewey’s is just down the block,” he said. “Want to walk?”
“Let’s walk.”
They headed down the sidewalk, stepping around the larger puddles. He took her hand without overthinking it. She didn’t pull away.
Dewey’s was already jumping when they pushed through the door. Music loud, dance floor crowded, every stool at the bar taken. Hud scanned the room out of habit, as he always did, and spotted a table near the dance floor just opening up.
“Come on.” He steered her toward it before someone else could claim it.
“I’ll grab drinks,” he said once she was settled. “What do you want?”
“Surprise me.”
He made his way to the bar and flagged down the bartender. While he waited he glanced back at Blair. She was taking in the room with a small smile on her face, relaxed and easy, and he thought she looked like she belonged here.
Then he saw Gina two stools down.
“Shit,” he muttered, watching her slide off the stooland push through the crowd toward him.
“Hello, Hud.” She smiled like she’d been expecting him.
