“Do you think I should bring out more chairs from the dining room? I don’t want it to seem too crowded, but I also want everyone to have a seat.”

I eyed the deck through the sliding glass windows of my living room. Beyond it was a rock-strewn path that led to stairs going straight down to the lake and private dock, where Hudson’s bowrider bobbed in the water.

Hudson and I had invited friends and family over for the first time to celebrate our move into a new house, and I wanted everything to go perfectly.

My cousin Beck came up behind me. “Stop worrying. That deck is huge.”

“That’s what he said,” Wes, his husband, said with a snicker.

The two of them had come to Swallow Cove for a late fall vacation, which made it the perfect time for a little family reunion. That family included my parents, Hudson’s mom, and my other cousin Brooks, but also my whole group of friends, which Hudson had taken to calling “the kids.” 

Declan, the grumpy B&B owner, had been invited too, but he’d declined. Hudson said he wasn’t a fan of people or parties, which was ironic, because he invited strangers into his home every day.

Wes slid a hand up Beck’s back as he joined us at the sliding doors. He was touchy-feely, always reaching out for his husband. It was adorable. The first time I’d visited after they got together, I’d been envious. Hudson had been in his resistance era, as my friends liked to call it. At the time, I hadn’t been sure I’d ever find a connection similar to theirs.

Hudson emerged from the kitchen, looking scrumptious in jeans and a flannel. As summer turned to fall, the temperatures on the lake fell, and Hudson’s look shifted from scruffy boat captain to lumberjack bear—and I was there for it.

And every other look for every season.

“I should get these on the grill.” He held up a plate with burger patties and hot dogs. “Everyone will be arriving soon.”

I opened the door for him and followed him onto the deck.

The wind was chilly, but the sun shone brightly. It was a perfect day for eating outdoors. 

“Do you think I should have—”

Hudson silenced me with a kiss. “Everything looks perfect. Why are you so nervous? I should—”

He stopped and cleared his throat.

“You should what?” I asked.

“Nothing.” He shook his head. “I was just going to say, I’m the one who has to deal with Boone’s evil eye.”

I grinned. “My dad is totally warming up to you, and you know it.”

“Maybe,” he grumbled. “But still doesn’t tell me why you’re nervous today?” He narrowed his gaze. “Your friends haven’t been whispering things in your ear, have they?”

“What? No. I just haven’t had a place of my own before, you know? Today, we’re celebrating a big milestone.”

“You lived with me on the houseboat for months before we got this place.”

I nodded. “But that was yours. I mean, I know it was my home too, but…”

He smiled, understanding in his eyes. “I’m glad we could find a new home together. One that belongs to both of us.” He brushed a kiss to my forehead. “And everything looks great, so stop worrying.”

“What he said.” Beck handed me a beer, then held a second out to Hudson. “You done good, grasshopper.”

“Yep.” Wes said. “You got your man and your happy ending. Good thing Garrett was taken, huh?”

Hudson paused with his beer in mid-air. “Who’s Garrett?”

Beck snorted a laugh. “Uh-oh. Now you’re in trouble, Fish.”

I rolled my eyes. “Garrett was just a guy in Granville.”

“A guy that Fisher was drooling over,” Wes added, the shit-stirrer.

Hudson set down his beer next to the place of meat on the little table attached to the side of the grill. “Get this cooking. Fisher and I need a minute.”

He grabbed my wrist and tugged me through the open door.

“It was just a harmless crush,” I said. “I didn’t think you’d ever be interested.”

Hudson didn’t answer.

Behind us, Beck said, “Why do you do things like this, Wes?”

Wes sounded unrepentant. “They’ll thank me later.”

I was confused by that statement until Hudson hauled me into the bedroom, pressed me against the door, and kissed the daylights out of me. I slid my arms around his neck and parted my lips, letting him stake his claim.

When he pulled back, my head spun.

“You’re not angry?” I asked.

“No,” he said gruffly. “But it reminded me of just how damn stupid I was.” He bent his head to nibble at my neck. “That Garrett guy better not think he can steal you away.”

I laughed. “He doesn’t even know I exist.”

“Good. You’re mine.” 

I grinned up at him. “That’s very possessive of you. Why don’t you show me?”

He kissed me again, this time taking it deeper, before dropping to his knees and taking me apart with his mouth and tongue, not to mention the scruff he’d let turn into a beard, the soft hair caressing my thighs while he worshipped my cock.

By the time we made ourselves decent and emerged, some of our guests had arrived.

Cash wiggled his eyebrows as soon as he saw us. “I know we’re celebrating your new home life together with this house-warming, but I didn’t think the honeymoon was supposed to start yet.”

Sawyer elbowed Cash in the ribs, making him grunt. “Don’t listen to him.”

“I never do,” I said with a laugh. “Besides, you have to get married before you have a honeymoon.”

“Ah, right, my bad,” Cash said.

Poppy shook her head, red ringlets swaying. “We can’t take him anywhere.”

“There’s a cooler of beers out on the deck,” Hudson said.

Cash eagerly headed that way. Sawyer grimaced. “We’ll keep him in check. Don’t worry.”

He seemed to be speaking to Hudson rather than me, which was a little weird. Oh, well. Maybe he worried Hudson would be more annoyed by Cash’s juvenile ways. 

“I’m going to get the salad ready. Let me know when our parents get here.”

Hudson nodded. “Sure thing, sweetheart. Bring everything out to the deck when you’re ready. I better make sure Wes can handle my meat.”

“You better not let him handle your meat,” I teased. “That’s mine.”

“Now who’s possessive?” he said with a laugh.

I went into the kitchen and assembled a garden salad at the small marble island. Though Hudson and I had were fortunate to have our pick of houses thanks to a hefty payday he’d gotten from some old stocks, we’d opted for cozy with an amazing deck and private dock so we could come and go by boat. 

I’d made baked beans in the crockpot, and Mom would undoubtedly bring potato salad and coleslaw. Hudson’s mom, Judy, was famous for her caramel cheesecake. Along with the burgers and dogs, we’d have more than enough food.

“Hey, Fisher?” Brooks leaned in through the doorway. “Hudson sent me to get you.”

“Oh, is everyone here then?”

“Yep. Uncle Boone brought some more beer.” Brooks lifted the twelve-pack of Ozark lager. “The cooler is full, so I thought I’d stash it in here.”

“Go ahead. Can you give me a hand bringing out the food?”

Brooks opened the refrigerator and slid the beer inside. “Actually, uh, you might want to wait on that.”

“Why?”

“Hudson said there was something he forgot to put out before the party. He wants your help.”

Huh. That was weird. He’d specifically assured me everything was perfect when we were on the deck earlier. Maybe he’d decided we needed more chairs after all.

I headed through the living room.

Everyone was apparently outside already. They were standing in clusters, talking quietly—until I stepped out onto the wooden planks. Then everyone went silent, looking my way. 

“What’s up? What did we forget?” By the delicious scents perfuming the air, the meat was nearly ready to eat. “Cutlery?” I guessed. “Napkins? An extra chair?”

“You didn’t forget anything,” Hudson said. “But there was one more decoration I wanted to put up.”

I squinted at him, confused. “Okay…”

He nodded toward the side of the deck, and I glanced over. Cash stood at one end, and Sawyer at the other. When Hudson nodded, they lifted a banner with dangling letters, hooking each of their ends on a nail that held it in place.

It took a solid minute before my brain processed what was happening enough to read the foil letters dangling from our deck ceiling.

WILL YOU TIE THE KNOT WITH ME?

I whipped my head back to Hudson so fast a pain shot through it, but I hardly noticed because Hudson was on one knee.

He held up a shiny ring, gold inlaid with a blue-green stone that made me think of the lake.

“Hudson?” I said, my voice shaking.

“Fisher, I never thought I’d find a person who made me so incredibly happy. When we met, I was sure I was too damaged for you, but you opened my eyes and made me see the world in a new way. Made me see myself in a new way. You brought joy and optimism and an unwavering love into my life, and I want nothing less than forever with you. Will you—”

“Yes!” I pounced on him, unable to wait a second longer, and placed kisses all over his face while laughter and applause broke out.

“Oh my god, you’re such a tease! I thought I really forgot something!”

He chuckled. “Sorry. I felt kinda bad about the plan once I realized you were worried about that.”

“Don’t feel bad. You proposed! In front of everyone!” I exclaimed. “Even my dad. Wow.”

Hudson laughed as we got to our feet. “I gave him a heads-up. Couldn’t risk him cutting off my balls in front of the whole family.”

Boone clapped a hand on his shoulder. “Just make sure you don’t fuck it up.”

“Yes, sir.”

“You get to call him Dad now,” Cash joked.

Boone glared. “Don’t you dare.”

Melinda smiled. “Well, you can call me Mom.”

“That won’t be weird at all,” Boone muttered.

Dad was his usual grumbly self, but there was a smile on his face. He’d known about this proposal and he’d approved. It wouldn’t have changed my answer if he hadn’t, but I was glad we’d gotten to a better place where he respected my choices.

I turned on Cash. “Is this why you made that honeymoon joke? You knew?”

Cash grimaced. “Almost let the cat out of the bag. Sorry.”

Hudson wrapped his arm around me and placed a kiss to the top of my head. “Couldn’t ask you to marry me without involving the kids, now, could I? They’re my family too now.”

“Aw, that’s so sweet.” Cash spread his arms. “Give me a hug, big guy!”

Hudson surprised me by stepping forward to embrace him. Then he lifted Cash off his feet in a bear hug, making him squeak, “Okay! My ribs, my ribs!”

Brooks and Skylar laughed as they watched Cash squirm like a worm on a hook until Hudson set him down. Sawyer stood alongside them shaking his head like a disapproving parent.

“Damn, Fish,” Wes said. “Your man is strong. That must be fun for you.”

“Jesus, Wes,” Beck groaned. “Must you?”

Wes grinned and slipped his arm around Beck’s waist, tugging him close. “Oh, I must.”

“All right, let’s eat before I starve!” Boone ordered.

I turned to Hudson. “Aren’t you glad you’re marrying into this tactful family of misfits?”

“Yeah,” Hudson said, his voice warm and sincere. “I really am.” 

He lifted my hand and placed a kiss to the ring on my finger. “I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life just like this.”

“I’ll take over the grill,” Brooks offered. “Gotta feed these savages before they go feral.”

“And I’ll grab the food from the kitchen for you,” Skylar said.

He was still soft-spoken, with a sweetness to him the rest of my friends lacked, but he’d come a long way since we met. Skylar had stepped up to lead the resort project, and we were lucky to have him.

Behind us, Poppy called out, “Cash, stop trying to swallow that hotdog whole! No one is impressed.”

Without missing a beat, Hudson called, “Kids, behave, or you’re all going straight to bed without dinner!”

My dad busted a gut laughing, and I knew then that his old grudge was really gone.

Everyone told me that Hudson Nash wasn’t for me, but I was damn glad I hadn’t listened. Because in the end, my heart knew best.

THE END