You Make Me Weak (The Blackwells of Crystal Lake Book 1) Page 11

  Jesus. Did she really just say that? Rebecca didn’t do casual. Hell, she didn’t do anything these days.

  “You and me and casual are three things that don’t go together,” Hudson said softly. Dangerously.

  Rebecca came to her senses and stepped around him. She walked back inside and leaned against the door. She had started something, and that probably wasn’t a smart move. But damned if she wasn’t going to own it.

  She arched an eyebrow. “Who said anything about you and me? Ethan Burke has a lot going for him.”

  That was the truth. And contrary to what she’d told Kimberly, Ethan was interested. He’d asked her to dinner; she just hadn’t given him his answer yet. Maybe it was time she did. Maybe it was time she lived a little.

  But Hudson Blackwell was never the guy to underestimate. He didn’t hesitate. All it took was one step and he was in her face, his lips close to her ear.

  “You’ve forgotten a few things, Becs. I don’t like games, and I don’t like to lose.” He licked her lobe, and she gripped the edge of the door as he stepped back, eyes so intense, they made her knees weak. “But…” His gaze dropped to her mouth.

  Keep it together.

  “If you want to do this.”

  God, it’s hot.

  “If you want to play this game, I’m in.”

  So hot.

  “But I want you to remember something.”

  Okay. Calm the hell down.

  “What’s that?” she managed to croak.

  “I play to win.”

  Chapter 15

  It was still raining the next morning when Hudson headed to town. He’d slept like shit, was out of cream, and hated black coffee. The bitter taste was still on his tongue, and he grimaced as he drove through the downtown core and headed to the hospital.

  He’d spent most of the previous day with Sam Waters, and by the time he’d gotten to the hospital, his father was asleep. He’d waited for nearly an hour, but when the nurse told him that John was most likely down for the night, he’d gone to Rebecca’s.

  His scowl darkened as he slipped from the truck and headed inside the hospital. Ethan Burke? The guy had no business being anywhere near Rebecca. And maybe it was a prick move on his part, but Hudson would make sure Burke took a step back.

  “Jesus, Hudson. Who crapped in your cornflakes this morning?” Regan Thorne was at the nurses station, a bemused look on her face as she watched him get off the elevator. “Coffee?” she asked when he reached her.

  “No. I’m good.”

  She tossed her own cup into the bin. “You look like shit.”

  “Is that your professional opinion?”

  “Pretty sure anyone who crosses your path is going to say the same thing.” She flashed a smile. “Cheer up, though. Your father is doing much better.”

  “Yeah?” Hudson glanced over to John’s room.

  “See for yourself. I just finished rounds and have some patients to check in on, but if you have any questions, ask the nurse on duty, or you can reach me later.” She pursed her lips. “You have my cell number?”

  At his nod, she grabbed her iPad and headed down the hall.

  Hudson peeked through the window into his father’s room. Regan hadn’t been kidding. His father was sitting up in bed, looked as if he’d made good progress with the breakfast tray, and there was color in his cheeks.

  Slowly, Hudson pushed open the door and slipped inside, so far undetected. John Blackwell was leafing through a book, a thick volume that looked much too large for his frail hands. A small smile swept across the older man’s face, and Hudson sucked in a sharp breath. In that moment, the glimpse of the man he’d been, the father he’d been, was undeniable.

  It was both bittersweet and painful.

  He watched his father for several more seconds, and then, feeling like a voyeur, cleared his throat. Almost instantly, John looked up from the book, though the smile on his face never left. In fact, it widened. Hell, it even reached his eyes.

  “There you are,” John said, closing the book and setting it on his lap. “I hear I missed you last night.”

  Hudson strode forward until he reached the edge of the bed. “You were sleeping.”

  “Apparently, I slept the night away. Missed The Bachelorette.”

  “The Bachelorette?” Hudson couldn’t be hearing right.

  “Damn straight,” John replied a little sheepishly. “Don’t look at me like that. It’s Darlene’s fault. She watches all those damn reality shows. After a while, I kind of got sucked in.” His eyebrows rose. “You ever watch it?”

  “No. Can’t say that I’ve ever been tempted.”

  “Stay strong, son. Or you’ll end up like me. Usually Darlene and I discuss what happened. But I have no idea if that there bachelor, Brad, I think his name is, gave Tiffany a rose or not.”

  “Sorry,” Hudson said, trying to hide a chuckle. “I can’t help you there.”

  “No. I suppose you can’t. I guess I could google it.”

  Hudson studied the man closely. “You’re looking good, Dad.”

  “I feel pretty damn good today. Don’t even need extra oxygen.” He shrugged. “Not sure why, but I’ll take it.” He paused and settled back on his bed. “You get in to see Waters yesterday?”

  “I did.” Hudson pulled up a chair and sat down.

  “And?”

  “And things are running the way they’re supposed to be. We’ve got a bid going in for roadwork in the next county, and I was told that phase three of the development across the lake is a go.” Hudson paused, watching his father closely. “Sam told me you sold off the financial branch.”

  “I did. My heart wasn’t in it anymore, and I knew you boys would never come around.” There was no bitterness in his father’s words. No blame. Just quiet acceptance. “I had Sam invest most of the profits into your individual portfolios.” His father offered a weak smile. “Did it damn near a year ago. I see none of you boys check after your financials.”

  That was an understatement. Sure, Hudson saw the statements when they arrived in the mail, but years ago, he’d stopped opening them and shoved them into the bottom drawer of his desk. It was as if hiding them meant he didn’t have to acknowledge a life that he’d given up. A name and a legacy he had no interest in. A community he was no longer a part of.

  And yet…

  Yet an idea had begun to percolate. One that he couldn’t stop thinking about.

  “Can I talk to you about something?”

  John nodded. “Fire away.”

  “I ran into Harry Anderson yesterday.”

  “Ah.” John’s mouth tightened. “Damn shame what happened to that boy. Nearly broke his father’s heart.”

  “I bet.” Hudson splayed his hands over the tops of his thighs. Up until this moment, he hadn’t been exactly sure what he was going to say or do. “Remember when Myrtle Winger’s diner caught fire and all her kitchen equipment was ruined?”

  “I do. She’d just closed up for the night. Thank God she wasn’t inside with the children. That could have been a real tragedy.”

  “They lost everything. She had no insurance, no money, and they would probably have declared bankruptcy if not for the anonymous person who donated the funds to get her up and running again.” He looked at his father pointedly.

  John glanced away. “Anonymous means that no one knows who the donor was. It means no one can take credit. It means everyone can take credit. No one knows who that was.”

  “I do,” Hudson said, leaning forward. His chest puffed up a bit, and he clenched his hands together. “I heard you on the phone with a company from out of state. Heard you ordering the equipment. All commercial. All the best of the best.”

  His father remained quiet.

  “It’s no different from James Denton. You payed his hockey and football fees for years. Everybody knew it.”

  John laid his head back and sighed. “His father was killed overseas. He served this country and gave the ultimate sacrifice
. I did what I could. What any man of means would do. A man should help his fellow man when he can. It’s good for the soul. Sometimes it was the only thing that soothed my pain.”

  A knot formed in Hudson’s throat, and he had to work hard to clear it. “The money in my portfolio, the money from the sale of the financial branch of the business. It’s a lot, and I don’t need it. I’d like to use the money and reinvest it into this community. I want the money to matter. To make a difference.”

  John turned to his son and nodded slowly. “Go on.”

  “Do we still own that land along the river? By the old mill?”

  “We do.”

  “I’d like to buy it. I’d like to buy it and build housing specifically for people like Harry. People who under normal circumstances couldn’t afford their own home. Families who can’t afford to buy but are putting money into their landlord’s coffers instead of their own. I’d like to help them build a better life and not feel like they’re being given charity in order to get it. I’d like them to help build their own community, in any way they can. People like Harry? He can be productive. He can work. He can build his life.”

  Hudson got to his feet and shoved his hands into his pants. He strolled over to the window and pretended to be interested in the view. But his mind was on the man behind him. Did his father think he was crazy?

  “Nothing would make me more proud than if you did this, son.”

  Hudson turned back to his father. “There’s a lot I haven’t considered, and I know a project like this won’t be a walk in the park, but I really feel we can make a difference.”

  “Well, you’re right about that. If you take this on, Hudson, it’s a commitment. What about your job? What about DC?”

  Hudson frowned. “I’m on leave, Dad. Eventually, I have to go back to DC. But I have time to get things up and running. Time to get things organized. And once I’m back in Washington, I’ll find a way to balance my life there and this project.”

  His father seemed to be considering Hudson’s words. He slowly picked up the book and set it on the table beside his bed, his long fingers caressing the cover as he did so.

  “This isn’t a book I thought I’d enjoy.”

  Hudson took a few steps closer to the bed so that he could see the hardcover. “The Bronze Horseman?”

  His father nodded. “A gift. From a young woman who’s come to mean a lot to me.” John looked up suddenly. “You’ve seen Rebecca?”

  Startled, Hudson nodded. “Yeah. I’ve seen her.”

  “You never told her about that night. Or if you did, she never said anything to me.”

  Hudson sure as hell didn’t want to talk about that night. He shrugged and looked away, his reply clipped and to the point. “No. It never came up.”

  A long, painful silence fell between them before John broke it. “She’s an amazing young woman. Reminds me a lot of your mother.”

  Hudson’s good mood vanished, and he glared at his father, not bothering to hide the cold hint of frost that touched his words. “We’re not talking about Mom. I can’t do that with you. Not now. Maybe never.”

  John looked weary and sank farther into his mattress. “I’ll donate the land. Contact Mackenzie Draper. He’s the best architect around. Talented. Hardworking. Comes highly recommended. I know the Edwards have used him for several projects, including the development across the lake.”

  Hudson nodded. “I’d planned on giving him a call.”

  “Good.” John attempted a smile. “Better watch out, son. You’re in danger.”

  “Danger?” Hudson asked.

  “Danger of falling in love with Crystal Lake all over again.”

  Chapter 16

  By Saturday night, Rebecca was more than annoyed. And the sad part? It was because Hudson Blackwell had once again managed to screw with her head, and then he’d pretty much disappeared.

  Didn’t matter that it was, in fact, what she wanted. What mattered was that he’d basically thrown down the gauntlet and then…

  Then nothing.

  She glanced down at her cell phone, finger running over the number that glowed in the dark. She hadn’t picked up when Ethan called. But she should have. She should damn well have gone out with Ethan Burke when he’d asked her. Except, contrary to what Hudson had inferred, she wasn’t into games either. No way would she go out with Ethan when she knew there was no point.

  She’d never been that girl and wasn’t about to start now. Though, truthfully, it would have been nice to have a plus one for dinner. Being the only single at a get-together hadn’t bothered her before. But now? Now she felt like the odd girl out, and she didn’t like it.

  Rebecca grimaced as she pulled in behind her brother’s truck.

  She didn’t like it one bit.

  The dinner party had been on the books for several weeks, and she had no real excuse to back out except for the fact that she was dog-ass tired. She’d spent the day mudding the drywall seams in her front room. Her shoulders and back killed, and the thought of soaking in a hot tub had been enticing. But the thought of spending the night alone was not. She’d grabbed a quick shower and now here she was.

  Rebecca scooped up the bottle of red wine from the passenger side and slid from the car, shaking out her long hair and shivering in the cold air because it was still wet. Out here, along the lake, the air was definitely cooler.

  Her brother and Lily had never moved out of the quaint home they’d first shared together. A former carriage house for a much larger estate, the stone building was charming, with loads of character, and the lot was to die for. Situated on the lake, with plenty of forest on either side, it was private—the perfect spot to raise a family—and only ten minutes from town.

  There were several cars in the driveway, and she recognized a few of them, her brother’s, his wife’s, and the Edwards’. Hoping the “quiet” dinner party she’d been invited to was indeed quiet, Rebecca made her way up the steps onto the porch and let herself inside.

  Voices echoed from the back of the home, and she peeked into the kitchen, which was just off to her left, but there was no one there. The smells, however, were wonderful, and her stomach growled as she got a whiff of lemon chicken and roasted potatoes.

  Rebecca shrugged out of her coat and hung it up, then smoothed out the black silk top she wore. She considered doing up one more button but promptly forgot about it, tightening her leather belt one more notch. Her jeans were soft and old and comfortable. This was about as dressed up as she got on a Saturday night.

  Her brother suddenly appeared, a small bundle of blonde curls and giggles in his arms. Hannah Rose Draper was the light of her father’s eyes, and who could blame him? The little girl, just over a year old, was gorgeous.

  “Thought I heard the door,” Mackenzie said.

  “Hey,” Rebecca said, a big smile on her face as she bent down to kiss her niece. Chubby hands rose up, grabbing at her, and, with a chuckle, Rebecca handed the wine to Mackenzie and scooped up the little girl so that she could hug her tightly.

  “I’ve missed you, pumpkin.”

  Hannah Rose snuggled into her neck, and Rebecca’s heart melted a little more. She gazed up at her brother. “Who’s here? I saw Jake and Raine’s car, but didn’t recognize the others.”

  Mackenzie’s smile faltered a bit. “About that. I meant to call you but got busy at work, and then I had to run to the grocery store for Lily because we ran out of diapers and milk. And ah, well, I just sort of lost track of time.”

  Okay. Rebecca wasn’t feeling the warm fuzzies any longer. Her brother actually looked guilty. Well, this wasn’t good.

  “Mackenzie, please tell me you didn’t invite Ethan Burke to dinner.”

  “What?” Mackenzie looked surprised. “No. I…why? Would you have wanted him here?”

  “No. Forget it. What did you want to tell me?” Hannah Rose was squirming, and Rebecca propped her on her hip.

  “Nash is here.”

  “Oh.” She frowned. “T
hat’s great. I haven’t had a chance to catch up with him since he’s been back.” She studied her brother in the dim light. Okay. Something was up. And the longer the two of them stared at each other, the more suspicious she became. She knew who was in the family room before he opened his mouth.

  “Hudson.” Mackenzie spoke quietly.

  “Okay. Have we just slipped into an alternate reality? What the hell? You don’t like Hudson Blackwell. At all.”

  Hannah Rose started to whimper, most likely sensing the tension between the two adults, and Rebecca shot daggers at her brother, all the while whispering sweetly into her niece’s ear.

  “I don’t have to like him to work with him. Besides, I didn’t invite him. Lily did.”

  “What the…” She was confused. “I don’t understand. What kind of project would you and Hudson work on?”

  “It’s complicated.”

  “I bet.” Her voice rose. She sounded like a shrew but didn’t care.

  “Look. You told me the other day you didn’t care that he was back. If I’d known him being here would make you this uncomfortable, I would have happily told Lily to un-invite him. Trust me. I was looking for an excuse.” Mackenzie’s eyes narrowed. “You want me to tell him to leave? Because I have no problem doing that.”

  “No.” Feeling like an idiot, she was silent for a few seconds. “I’m fine. I just wasn’t expecting to see him is all.”

  Mackenzie gave her a quick hug and motioned to the back room. “Let’s go. We’ll fill you in. But Becs, if he makes you uncomfortable in any way, let me know.”

  Her brother headed down the hall, and once Rebecca got her heartbeat under control, she followed in his steps, cradling Hannah against her chest. The great room boasted nearly an entire wall of windows that looked out over the lake. To the right, a large stone fireplace was the focal point of the room, and the furniture was both functional, and comfortable. The space was leather and wood and stone, softened by pale gray walls and cream-colored accents.

  Her eyes found Hudson right away, and her breath hitched in her chest. Painfully so. She forced herself to swallow. Seriously. Did the man not have a bad hair day? Did his jeans have to fit him like a damn glove? Did the color blue have to be his color?