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I nodded, letting her lead me out onto the porch. The morning air was cool for now, although another hot day had been predicted.

“I was jealous when I saw you at the engagement party,” she admitted. “Seeing you next to Carson stirred up old insecurities. I didn’t handle it well. I kept him busy, made excuses so he couldn’t be away from me, because I didn’t want him running into you again.”

“I get it,” I said softly. “And I’m sorry I didn’t give you a chance back in high school. I was young, but people change. I’d like to try again with you. As friends.”

She looked surprised, but then smiled. “I’d like that too.”

“Thanks for the clothes and thinking of me at this difficult time.”

She reached out and squeezed my hand. It might take a while, but I’d try to be a friend to her and get to know her better.

Mama stood with me on her porch, watching them go, a soft smile on her face.

“They mean well,” she said, slipping her arm around my shoulders. “Oh, this old small town… We may love our drama, but when the dust settles, we prove we still have heart.”

I nodded, emotion thickening in my chest. Exhausted, hungry, and worried, I leaned into Mama as the perfect support I needed right now.

16

RISK AND REWARD

HUDSON

I cameto in the hospital and rubbed my eyes, only to find a figure at my bedside—broad-shouldered, arms crossed, lips twitching like he’d been waiting for me to wake up so he could pester me.

“Carson, what the hell? Been watching me sleep?” I grumbled.

“Morning, Sleeping Beauty,” he said, voice low. “Hope you’re feeling better?”

“About as good as can be expected for running into a burning building,” I croaked, my throat like sandpaper.

“Good. Water?”

“Yes.” He held up a cup and straw to my lips. I took a long thirst-quenching draw from it.

“Need an extra pillow?” He asked.

“No.”

“Blanket?”

“No.” He began to annoy me.

He knew it and grinned. “Do you have feelings for Lacey?”

“Yes—” The word popped out automatically. I fell for it, just like when we were kids. He tricked me into answering threeharmless questions before sliding in the zinger. My brain finally caught up. “Aw, hell.”

“Still works.” Carson smirked. “Knew it.”

“So what if I do?” I shifted in the bed. My chest burned, but Doc said I’d be fine. “She’s beautiful, smart, tougher than she thinks, and she’s been dealt a rough hand. Only one problem—I don’t think she sees me as anything more than a friend.”

He scratched his jaw. “When I left her at Mama’s last night, she was pretty shook up about things. Tears me up inside. She’s one of my oldest friends, Hud. But dammit, I can’t be there for her the way she needs right now. I’ve got Java, and I’ve got Emme glued to my side, worried I’m going to leave her, but I wouldn’t. We’re about to be married, and she means everything to me. But you?” He lightly slugged me. “Lacey needs a friend, and I think you’re exactly who she needs. Start there, and if it turns into more, all the better.”

I gaped, needing clarification. “Are you saying you’d be fine if I go after her as more than a friend?”

“No better man in the county I’d rather see her with.” He shrugged like it was the most natural thing, me longing for his ex. “Besides, I’ve seen the way you’ve looked at her over the years whenever she’s come back for a visit, even if she never noticed.”

“Oh yeah? And what exactly do you think you see?”