for months, that the past mattered, that it was important to hold on to the things that brought a person both pleasure and warm memories. And now she was going to lose her school.
As he climbed into his truck he realized he could give her something. He could give her back her land. That might help ease the pain she’d feel at losing the school. She’d told him from the start she knew it was a losing battle, but he’d hoped she’d win it. Unfortunately, not everything a person fought for ended in victory.
He needed to see her, and he needed to rip off the bandage. He’d tell her he’d help her fight for the next place, that the next time she wanted to save something he’d be at her side.
He didn’t call first, and he was relieved to see her car when he pulled up to the farm. He was also relieved her grandfather wasn’t there. He truly liked Bubby, but right now he needed to convince Daisy he loved her, understood her, and that there was nothing he wouldn’t do for her. He could do it.
The door opened as soon as Hudson knocked. She looked absolutely beautiful with a bright smile on her face, her cheeks flushed, and her eyes sparkling.
“I’ve missed you,” he said, wondering if she was happy because he’d been gone. Had he completely misjudged their relationship? He’d been miserable without her and she seemed to be absolutely glowing.
“I’ve missed you too. I’m glad you’re back. I don’t want to fight anymore,” she said, opening the door wide and inviting him inside.
Once the door was shut, she launched herself at him, throwing her arms around his neck and holding on tight. He wrapped his arms around her and held on with the conviction he was never letting her go again. When she finally pulled back he looked at her face again, wondering what was making her so happy.
“You’re glowing,” he said. He reached up and brushed her hair from her face then cupped her cheek.
“I’m happy, Hudson. I’m figuring out who I am and what I want to do,” she said.
“And who are you?” he asked. He wanted to kiss her badly, but he knew they needed to talk. He was afraid if he kissed her that’s all they’d do. They needed to have a relationship built on trust, love, and understanding. The sex was great, and he needed it to be great, but the meat of a relationship was about so much more.
“I’m a girl who’s been lost for a very long time, but I think I’ve found myself. You pointing out that I live in the past was one hundred percent correct. I don’t want to live in the past anymore. I want to appreciate it and preserve it, but I want to be fully in the present, and I want to do it with you if you want that.”
He was shocked at her words. He hadn’t been expecting that at all. He thought he’d have to beg her to take him back, that he’d have to promise her that he was a changed man. But they’d only argued, not had a knockdown, drag-out fight. Couples argued, which Finn had pointed out. They argued and they made up.
“I came here to beg you to be with me,” he said. “Of course, I want us to be together.”
“Then I guess we’re together,” she said with a laugh, her face radiating joy.
“I have to tell you something. I don’t want to dampen this great mood you’re in, but it will hang over me if I don’t tell you,” he said.
Her smile fell. “What is it?”
“I wanted to buy the school for you. I was going to surprise you, get the deed and hand it over. I wanted to help you save it. But someone has it in escrow right now. Before you get upset, that doesn’t mean it’s over. As soon as I find out who’s purchased it, I’ll offer them whatever they want for the property. We can still save it. And if for some reason they won’t play ball, we can tie them up in court forever, or we can move on to something else. I want to help you save the past. I want to give you everything you’ve ever wanted.”
The smile she’d been wearing came back with so much brilliance it nearly blinded him. He hadn’t expected that with the news he was sharing. She’d surprised him a lot in the