Page 5 of One Boiling Summer (Texas Summer #15)
COFFEE AND COMPLICATIONS
LACEY
I stepped into Goodson’s Java Co., and the scent of coffee beans nearly bowled me over like a tornado.
The farmhouse interior fit well in this ranching community—old green tractor parts decorated the walls, surrounded by barnwood planks, dried floral arrangements, and black-and-white photos from around the region.
Yellow-checked tablecloths under plastic brightened the dark wood tables, each anchored by honeycomb candles in mason jars.
Cute but not overdone. Just right—and surprising that Carson had put this together. He had help, I assumed… from Emme?
It had always been his dream to do something like this. And now here I was, stepping into it.
After last night’s fiasco, I’d hoped we could talk. I simply wanted to catch up on life with my old friend—and thank him for everything he’d done at Mom’s house.
Although, while I showered this morning, the towel bar pulled clean off the wall. Then I discovered a leak beneath the kitchen sink. And in the daylight, the pretty blue paint Mom had once used on the porch appeared worn and tired.
I didn’t have a plan. But with a growing list of things to fix, I figured I could at least take care of them while I figured out my life. Maybe sell the place?
No. My stomach lurched at the thought.
As I cried myself to sleep last night, I came to terms with one thing: Carson had moved on. While I stayed away, he’d built a life here. Or maybe he’d never really been mine in the first place.
I still didn’t know what the hell I was doing, but I could use a friend. Someone to talk to. I thought maybe Carson could still be that—assuming Emme didn’t mind.
Or maybe I could befriend her too.
Yep. That’d be me—becoming their third wheel. The single friend they’d invite along on outings or try to fix up with others out of pity. Just great.
For a Saturday morning, the café buzzed. Half the dozen tables were filled. I spotted a few familiar faces from high school, but I definitely stood out in my New York style—black linen pants, heels, pin-tuck blouse, a sweater draped around my shoulders, silk scarf tying up my ponytail.
I slipped off my designer sunglasses—a bargain find I’d hunted for like buried treasure at a designer warehouse—and scanned the tables, hoping to spot Carson.
No luck.
I stepped to the counter and smiled at the young woman working there. Her name tag read Hailey , and I vaguely remembered her from high school choir—maybe a year or two behind me.
“Morning. Is Carson around?” I asked.
She smiled apologetically. “He took the day off. He and Emme went out to the lake after the engagement party last night.”
Of course they did. The Goodson property bordered Poppy Lake—one of the most scenic spots in the county.
I forced a smile. “Good for them.”
The ache was sharp but brief. I wasn’t here to pine. Might as well get coffee.
“You’re Lacey, right? The whole town is abuzz about you showing up.”
“Oh?”
She lowered her voice, leaning closer. “Some say you’re here to take Carson back. Is that true?”
“Uh, no. Absolutely not.” I snorted, cheeks burning. I glanced at the menu to avoid tearing up. Before I could decide what to order, a deep voice rumbled behind me.
“She’s here to have coffee with me.”
I turned—and sucked in a breath.
Hudson.
He stood close. Solid. Calm. Dressed in his PVFD tee and camo pants, hands in his pockets, hair slightly mussed as if he’d skipped a comb this morning.
Some men just had that kind of hair and all the more handsome for it. That was Hudson.
“How are you feeling today, after last night?” he asked.
If I were into firemen… well, he’d do it for me. But then I remembered—Dad had been one too. He’d served this town and lost his life for it. I was young when it happened, but I’d grown up with the hole it left behind.
“I’m fine,” I said, summoning a smile. “Thanks again for helping me get home.”
“Anytime.”
I turned back to Hailey and the menu. Her brows were lifted, watching our exchange with interest.
“The caramel cinnamon latte is calling my name, I think,” I ordered, and reached into my bag, searching for cash.
“Iced?” she asked.
“No, hot is fine. And to-go, please.”
“I’ll take the same. Here, this’ll cover both,” Hudson said, pulling out a bill before I could stop him.
“You don’t have to?—”
“I got it.” He cut me off with a sly grin, brushing past me to hand her the cash.
The feel of him so close, the warmth, the scent of clean soap—it hit me unexpectedly.
“The man’s got it,” Hailey said with a giggle, disappearing behind the counter.
I shook my head, fighting a smile. “What are the odds we’d order the same thing?”
“We have good taste.” He winked.
“Are you on shift today?” I asked, trying not to blatantly stare at the curve of his bicep.
“Yep. Twenty-four hours. Done tomorrow morning, then three days off.”
“I remember that schedule. My dad’s was the same.”
He nodded. “Not much has changed at the firehouse—except Buxley’s cooking. He passed last year. New cook now. Younger guy who tries to make us eat healthy.” His lips twitched with humor, softening his whole face.
Hudson had nice eyes. Hazel. Warm.
“I’m sorry to hear about Bux. He was always so kind. After Dad died, he used to stop by and check on Mom.”
Hudson cleared his throat, sheepish. “Word around the firehouse was he had a thing for her.”
“A what?” I choked.
He chuckled and shrugged. “Just what we heard. Probably nothing to it.”
I blinked, stunned. But maybe I shouldn’t be. Mom had been lonely. She once told me she’d never remarry while I lived at home. Had I kept her from being happy?
Great. More guilt.
“Here we are—two lattes to go,” Hailey said cheerfully. “Now you two go on and enjoy your day together.”
The implication in her tone was clear. The gossips would have us paired off by dinner.
“Thanks.” Hudson took both drinks and nodded toward the door. He held it open with one arm, and I stepped through, brushing past him again.
My stomach fluttered, but I chalked it up to hunger.
Surely it couldn’t be anything more.
He was Carson’s brother.
Carson was my ex long ago.
Anything more than friendship with Hudson would be…
Well, that would be just plain complicated.