Outside, the air had cooled. Gray clouds gathered in the distance, promising rain. At least it wasn’t as hot as earlier.
We walked together in silence toward the parking lot, the sound of our footsteps mingling with the crinkle of grocery bags and the hum of distant engines.
“I want cweam now, Daddee,” Ivy said, her voice soft and sweet against my ear.
Hudson didn’t answer, but I saw the slight hitch in his step before he spoke.
“Another time, Bug. You already had cake and candy, so no more sweets. We have to get some of these groceries into the freezer.”
“But youpwomised,” she whined.
“I know, sweetheart. Just… not today. I’m sorry. I’ll make it up to you.” His voice was rough. Like it hurt to say no to her.
She didn’t throw a tantrum. Didn’t cry or kick. But her bottom lip trembled, and when I adjusted her higher on my hip, she laid her head on my shoulder like the world had betrayed her.
God, it felt awful.
I wanted to take her for ice cream, but knowing Hudson, he would say no. That he’d allowed me to pay for his groceries spoke volumes. He’d been backed into a corner, and Ivy’s well-being was more important than his pride, but ice cream wasn’t a necessity.
Hudson walked ahead, fumbling for his keys with one hand while the bags rustled in the other. He opened the passenger door of his truck and stepped aside so I could load her into her car seat.
I hesitated, brushing her hair from her face.
“Come.” She beckoned me inside the vehicle with her.
“I can’t, Ivy. Not today. Your daddy needs to take you home now, but I’ll see you soon.”
“Maah.” She fisted my shirt, and her face turned red. Tears filled her eyes and spilled down her cheeks.
“Bug.” Hudson hurried over to us. “Hey, it’s okay. You’ll feel better once we get home and you take a nap.” He turned to me. “She hasn’t napped at all today, and she gets cranky when she doesn’t.”
Oh. So much for missing me already, then.
Hudson kissed her temple. “Ivy, I promise you’ll see Matt tomorrow when you stay with Ozzie at the ranch.”
I leaned into the door. “That’s right. Do you like horses, Ivy?”
Her sobs hiccuped to a stop, and she rubbed at her eyes. “Hawses?”
“Yes, you go with Daddy, and tomorrow I’ll show you the horses. How about that?”
She gave her head a hard nod. “Wanna see hawses.”
“Great, then it’s a date.”
I stepped back, rubbing my palms on my jeans. The world suddenly felt too quiet. Too sharp. Too lonely.
Hudson double-checked I’d buckled her in carefully, the lines of his body curled in tight.
Then he looked up.
He looked exhausted. Circles framed his eyes, which were bloodshot. Maybe I should follow to ensure they got home safely.
“Listen, thanks?—”
“Don’t mention it,” I said, my voice gravelly as I shoved my hands into my pockets. “She’s a lovely child, Hudson. I can tell she means the world to you.”
For a few seconds, he stared at me, searching my face as though there was a hidden meaning in my words. But I truly meant it. His lips twitched but didn’t quite form a smile.
