Chapter 5

I stepped out of Hudson’s arms. I’d spent too many nights lying awake beside him, trying to make what he said fit what he did. I wasn’t going to spend another one there.

I slipped my ID into my coat pocket, retrieved my suitcase from the corner, and headed for the door.

Hudson grabbed my wrist.

“Tabitha, what the hell do you want from me? You wanted a wedding. I gave you the wedding I promised.”

“You left before the vows were over.”

“And when Jean asked me to marry her yesterday, I didn’t say yes.” His grip tightened. “You stood in front of the captains and my crew and announced you were marrying somebody else. You made me look like a fool in front of my own men, and somehow you’re angry at me?”

I looked down at his hand until he let go. Blood had started to dry across the back of mine.

“I’m going home, Hudson.”

“Home?” He pointed at the door. “You’re an orphan nobody wanted. Where are you going to go the second you walk out of here?”

He knew exactly what those words would have done to me a year ago. I would have stayed to argue. I would have told him what it cost me to hear that from the man who’d once promised me I’d never have to wonder where I belonged again.

This time I just looked at him.

He looked away. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it like that.”

I waited.

“But you were out of line yesterday, Tabitha. Nelson saw those messages. What am I supposed to say when my guys start asking who you’re marrying?”

I turned back to the door and took hold of the suitcase handle.

“I wasn’t joking. Every word I said was true.”

The doorbell rang before he could answer.

Hudson went past me and opened the door. Jean stood on the front step with a suitcase of her own. She had both hands around the handle, and her eyes were wet.

“Hudson, I’m sorry. My landlord told me to get out.” She glanced down at her bag. “I don’t have anywhere else to go. Could I stay here for a little while?”

“Of course you can.” He took the suitcase from her and stepped aside. “Come in. Stay as long as you need.”

He put her bag down where mine had been before he shoved it into the corner. Then he asked if she’d had breakfast.

Jean looked over his shoulder at me. Her gaze traveled from my coat to my suitcase.

“Tabitha, are you going somewhere?”

I drew breath to answer.

“She’s taking a few days away,” Hudson said. “She needs to clear her head. Don’t worry. She won’t mind you staying here.”

I let out a little laugh. He could tell his captains I was on vacation, too. It would save him the trouble of telling them I’d meant what I said.

Jean thanked him again. He told her to stop apologizing and went to put the coffee on. I could hear her following him into the kitchen, asking where he kept the mugs.

I wheeled my suitcase over the threshold and turned back just long enough to pull the door shut.

He’d just told Jean she could stay as long as she liked. I’d spent eight years waiting to feel that sure I could stay.