Hudson (Anderson Billionaires #4) - Melody Anne Page 0,28

a quality product never got old.

“I think if anyone can live that long, it’ll be you,” Hudson said. He couldn’t imagine the devastation to their family, or to the world, when Joseph passed. It would be worse than Elvis or Princess Diana.

“What has you looking so foul tonight? I was watching you inside,” Joseph said, not embarrassed at all about spying on his nephew. Being with his uncle was improving Hudson’s mood. The man had a way of bringing light into any situation.

Hudson didn’t know what to say. There was no way he’d share his personal problems. He knew Joseph was a matchmaker, and men didn’t share that sort of thing — at least not in his world.

“Nothing’s making me grumpy,” Hudson finally said. “I’m just not a big fan of these fundraisers.”

“I used to feel that way until I realized how much good these events do for the community. Not only do they raise a lot of funds, but they bring people together who might be stuck at home otherwise. Depression is real for many of the wealthy. They are often the loneliest people because they’re afraid to make friends. Others can’t help but want a piece of what they have. So they isolate themselves. It’s truly sad. These events are a safe place for them to come and give back where they might not otherwise.”

“I’ve never looked at it like that before,” Hudson said.

“Don’t get me wrong. There are a lot of jerks out there, rich or poor,” Joseph said with a chuckle. “But the world would be boring if everyone was the same. If all people were nice we’d have nothing to gossip about.”

“It always amazes me at some of the things that come from your mouth,” Hudson said with a laugh.

“I hear that a lot,” Joseph said, not in the least offended.

Their conversation grew lighter as they finished their cigars. Hudson decided he’d had enough for the night. His money was donated, and he’d socialized long enough.

He said goodbye to his uncle then went to find his vehicle. It was time to drive home — time to get back to peace and quiet and to leave the city behind for a while. Once he was home he was sure he’d forget all about Daisy Green.

He knew nothing about her anyway. It wasn’t as if he could find her. Well, if he really wanted to find her, of course he could. But he wasn’t going to do that. No way, no how. She’d walked out of his room and out of his life — and he was glad about that. Good riddance. He hated messy morning-afters.

He’d keep telling himself that until he believed it.

Chapter Eleven

One Month Later

Joseph, his wife, and his family had put much love, money, and time into the veteran’s center where he was now walking the same path his wife had walked the night she’d been attacked. Ever since that day, some of the solace he’d felt there was gone.

He’d beefed up security so something like that would never happen again, but being in the place someone had dared to lay a menacing hand on Katherine sent a shiver through him.

His stress eased as he spotted his family up ahead, sitting at one of the many tables on the back deck of the main hall in the center of the property. They had food and drinks before them, and two empty chairs waited.

He joined them, nodding his hello as each of his nephews greeted him. He couldn’t help but smile. His family, his and Katherine’s family, continued to grow, bringing him so much joy.

Finn, the oldest of the brothers, had been forced into taking medical leave from the military. It hadn’t been easy for a man who was born to lead, but he’d found a new purpose in life and a beautiful wife and amazing twin daughters who loved and challenged him on a daily basis.

Noah was next in line. He was the one who’d drawn the plans for this incredible facility. He’d met his wife while doing that, and he and Sarah had many more plans ahead for creating buildings all around the United States that would be admired for many years after they left this world.

Joseph had worried about Brandon for a while. He was the comedian of the family, and Joseph had wondered if he’d use that as an excuse to play his way through life. But Brandon had fallen hard for Chloe while doing all of the electrical work on