Georgia-Blue & Hudson (Stoney Creek #5)

Chapter 31

31

Georgia

Four weeks later….

The cheering and hooting of the crowd do everything to spur me on as I get ready for my moose-riding debut in the packed bar tonight.

Little does Hudson know, I’ve been practicing these past few weeks when the bar is closed, getting my moves down pat. Wanting to challenge him on the moose all started before I fell in love with him of course, but there’s no harm in following through. And it sure is going to be fun for a laugh.

I was so happy the day Hudson was finally allowed home from the hospital. Everyone has pitched in with help and support to get Huds back to where he was. His recovery is going well, and it just goes to show how tough he really is.

“You’re about as crazy as I am,” Easton tells me as I don my white cowboy hat to match my boots. I even wore a pink and white striped shirt with tassels jangling off the pockets and tight jeans. “If anyone has got the determination to beat Hudson, it’s gonna be either you or me.”

I throw my head back and laugh. “How do you feel about getting beaten by a girl, East?”

He gives me a cocky smirk and shakes his head. “I said beating Hudson, not beating me.”

“Challenge accepted.”

“Where is Hudson, anyway?”

I nod over toward the bar where he’s sitting nursing a beer. He hasn’t taken his eyes off me all night as he perches next to Gray.The two of them made up, like a couple of brothers who had a disagreement, it all blew over. I’m so glad that they made amends.

“How’s he doin’?”

“So much better, he’s healing way quicker than they thought.”

“That’s good. And I’m sure he’s been happy about you nursing him back to life. You two kept that one pretty quiet.”

I laugh, feeling a little blush escape me. Hudson still manages to do that, even when I’m not looking at him. I can feel his eyes on me and I’m sure they’re roaming all over my body.

I’ve been nursing him alright, and he’s had to listen to every damned thing I’ve hammered home to him about taking things easy. Which means I’ve taken control everywhere, including in the bedroom, and I’m enjoying it while it lasts. “And to think he was right under my nose all along.”

“They say that’s how it happens.” His grin prompts me to ask him the burning question I’ve been meaning to ask because Trudy is certainly keeping quiet about everything with the Easton vibes.

“So, what’s going on with you and Trudes?”

He side eyes me. “What?”

“Don’t play dumb with me, Mister. I saw you last time we were here, charming her socks off. You know what Callan will do if he finds out you’re messing around with her.”

He shrugs it off. “No idea what you’re talking about.”

“I’m just giving you the tip; in case you have any ideas.”

“Well, thanks for the tip.” He bends his hat toward me. “I like her, she’s sweet. But I’m not messin’ around with her. For one she’s an employee, and I’ve got a record to smash, little lady, don’t mind if I do.”

Sounds like he too is saving face and changing the subject.

While he enters the fenced in area to the moose arena, and gets ready to mount it, revving the crowd up as he goes, I quickly walk over to Hudson and Gray.

“You’ve really gone all out tonight, sis.” Gray scans my attire, shaking his head.

“Hey, you have to look the part.” I offer with a shrug, leaning into Hudson as he wraps his arms around me. “Bet you never thought you’d all see the day when I wipe both Easton and Hudson off the leaderboard at the same time.”

Hudson chuckles in my arms. I breathe into his heady scent of the woods and spice. My core immediately heats up, but I don’t want to get lusty in front of my brother. Plus, I have to get my mind in the game for my ride after Easton has finished tantalizing the crowd, so I settle for a quick peck on his lips.

I hear Gray sigh next to me. “It’s still gonna take some time for me to get used to seeing you two together,” he says as we both turn and look at him.

“You know I’ll never do her wrong,” Hudson says.

Yes, they had the talk when Huds was recovering, and everything is all good now, no matter how much sighing Gray does over seeing us together. He gave us his blessing in the end.

Mom and Dad are in the crowd with Uncle Jack and Aunt Patti. They hardly ever venture down to Moose’s, but I convinced them to come along and have some fun with the rest of us.

“I know it,” Gray says just as Hartley walks back from the ladies’ room. He wraps his arm around her, his spare hand settling on her tummy.

I feel Hudson’s mouth at my ear while Gray and Hart have a cuddle, his breath warm on my skin, sending a shiver up my spine. “I’d love to put a bun in your oven someday,” he whispers. Then nibbles on my ear which does nothing for my wavering distraction or my throbbing center.

My head lifts to look at him, my heart soaring. “I’d love that, too,” I whisper back.

“Barefoot and pregnant, just for me.”

I giggle as we kiss again, then I step back and place my hands on my hips. “Now wait a minute, GP, I don’t know what game you think you’re playing here. But distracting me like this isn’t going to win you any favors when I’m riding the moose.”

He smirks. “I wasn’t saying it to distract you, I’m saying it cos it’s true. Go do your worst.”

“I’ll ride it just for you,” I say, leaning into his ear, hardly able to resist not grabbing his wrist and discreetly leading him out of here so I can have my way with him. But I have a moose to ride, after all.

It still blows my mind that we can even be like this, and my family is cool.

I mean, Dad is fine about things and pretty much was from the start, Mom is gunning for babies already and my other brothers seemed to see it coming with me and Huds. It’s the most that I could even hope for, and I know things can only get better from here. Of course, Huck has had no reservations with us being together either, and he’s told me numerous times that Doris would have been our number one supporter.

“You better,” he grunts. “And you better only be thinking of me when you’re up there jostling around.”

“Only you,” I promise.

“Go get em’, tiger. And for fuck’s sake, please knock Easton off his perch.”

I giggle as I shake my tooshie and he gives it a little smack as I toddle off back to the moose ring where Easton is saddling up.

“Good luck,” I hear Gray the roar of the crowd now a dull roar. White noise. I even grab my hat before it falls with my left hand out for balance. So, I’m inadvertently waving it around.

“Georgia-Blue Bassett, can she set the new Stoney Creek record tonight…” The voice echoes over the PA.

It seems to last a lifetime despite being only a few seconds, but everything flashes by my mind in an instant. These past few weeks have been a blissful blur.

And as I’m jerked back and forth by this monster mechanical moose, I can’t help but feel the happiest I’ve ever been. I have Hudson and everything is working out perfectly.

No sooner am I thinking that, with the faces of most of Stoney Creek on the sidelines flashing by as I’m thrust around, that I feel my grip get wrenched from me. Several things hit me at once, including the distinct feeling of being jerked off the moose. Then I’m flying through the air.

I land with a thud onto the soft floor underneath me as the crowd goes nuts.

I twist my neck to look at the timer… 9.6 seconds.

I jump up from my ass and immediately run over to the gate with my arms in the air, jumping up and down in celebration. Holy shit. I did it!

I beat Hudson’s trusty record? What the hell!

Hudson is leaning against the rail, clapping his hands over his head in amused defeat.

I beat his record by point one of a second.

The noise is deafening as everyone cheers me through the gate.

“Nice going, Princess .” Hudson’s lips find mine in an instant and I jump up and wrap my arms and legs around him as he lifts me, dropping his cane. I know everyone is watching, including my family, but I don’t care. Beating him at this silly moose riding thing has been something I’ve stirred him for over the years, and I’m going to revel in my moment.

I know it won’t last because he’ll probably defend his title when he’s all better again, but that won’t be today.

“How do you like those apples!” I giggle.

“I like them a whole lot. Not so sure I like everyone seeing you jostling on the moose like that though.”

“Jealous?”

“Very.”

“Let me have my moment before you jump back on there and wipe the floor with me.”

He laughs and it rumbles deep in his chest. “It might be a while before you see me do that.” I grab onto my hat as he sets me back on the ground but I cling to him.

“So I’ll revel in the moment.”

“While it lasts.”

“Is that a challenge?”

He doesn’t answer, instead he swoops me up again, one arm coming under my legs and the other around my back as he cradles me.

“Huds!” I chastise, because I don’t want him to hurt himself while he’s still in recovery. “Be careful!”

“You’re light as a feather,” he whispers into my neck.

Everyone jumps around us, and he goes one more by spinning me around and around in circles.

“I love you, Hudson Nash!” I wail as I close my eyes and let the world whoosh around me. I’m looking forward to taking that trophy home tonight, that’s if none of the contenders behind me pip me the post.

It’s highly doubtful since Hudson has been top of the ladder for years. But in this moment, I don’t even care. I’m in Hudson’s arms and all is well in my world.

“I love you, too, Blue Belle Bassett. Don’t ever forget it.”