Greer’s boyfriend, Hudson Higgins, was a bestselling author who had fallen in love with Boggy Creek and Greer. He’d bought the house outside of town after deciding to stay in Boggy Creek, and he had asked Greer to move in with him. I was so happy for my friend. She truly deserved the happiness she’d found with Hudson.
I parked and grabbed my overnight bag and made my way up the steps to the large front porch. Rocking chairs sat on both sides of the front door, and, on the left, a porch swing swayed softly in the wind. It was so charming, and I couldn’t wait to see what flowers Greer put on this porch next spring. My head was already swimming with ideas for her.
The front door of the house opened and Greer came rushing out onto the front porch. “Eeeepp! I’m so excited!”
I barely made it up the steps before she wrapped me in her arms and hugged me tightly. When she finally let me take a step back, she gave me a once-over.
“How are you doing? I heard you and Bishop had breakfast together this morning.”
My mouth fell open. “Who told you that?”
“Tess told Maggie, who then told Renee, Willa’s mom, who told Maddie Brooks, who announced it to everyone when she was in Annie James buying a new dress for her anniversary.”
I blinked a few times. Before I could say anything, Greer went on.
“Arabella happened to be in Annie James looking for PJs, because she said the only ones she owns are from high school.” Greer laughed. “By the way, she knows Brighton will be here.” My head swam as Greer hooked her arm with mine and led me to the door. “Of course, Arabella called me as soon as she left the boutique. So?”
I stopped and looked at her. “Soooo…what?”
“Breakfast! You and Bishop—how did that happen?”
“Oh, right. Um, I went in, and he showed up. He sat down and ordered breakfast and…yeah…” My voice trailed off.
Her eyes narrowed as she tilted her head and repeated my words. “Yeah? Yeah, what, Abby? Did you guys talk?”
“Not really. I mean, we talked about talking, and I told him I would meet him Thursday.” I wasn’t about to tell her that I’d chased after him when he left and had made an absolute fool of myself.
Greer scrunched up her nose. “Thanksgiving? Like, when we’re all cutting down trees? Doesn’t he want it to be a bit more private?”
I looked down and forced a smile before I spoke. “Not then. I don’t think I’m invited to that. He was talking about that afternoon, after I eat with my folks.”
“Not invited? Did that jackass say that? If he said you’re not invited, I’m going to kick his ass and take down some of his precious trees in the process!”
A male throat cleared, and we both turned to see whom I was guessing was Hudson, standing in the open doorframe.
“Crap, we’ll talk about that jackass Bishop later. I want to introduce you to Hudson, and it’s freezing out here.”
We stepped into the large foyer, where I took off my jacket and hung it up on one of the coat hooks on the wall.
Greer turned and beamed as she said, “Abby, I’d like you to meet Hudson Higgins.”
I reached for his outstretched hand. Hudson was a very handsome man. He had short brown hair and eyes so dark, they almost looked black. He wasn’t as tall as Bishop, but he wasn’t that much shorter. He had a similar build, and I could tell he was a fitness buff simply from the outline of his muscles. It was hard not to gawk at the man. He and Greer made an adorable couple.
“Hudson, this is one of my dearest friends, Abby Harris— Er…Boyer. Abby Boyer.”
Hudson squeezed my hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Abby. Greer has told me a lot about you.”
Smiling, I replied, “It’s a pleasure meeting you, Hudson. Any man who makes this girl glow like that is a friend of mine.”
With a grin, he glanced at Greer, and a heaviness built in my chest and limbs. What I wouldn’t give to have Bishop look at me with such love.
“Abby? Are you okay?” Greer asked.
I worked to swallow away the soreness in my throat and lungs as I forced a smile. “Of course. I’m fine.”
She gave me a look that said she didn’t believe a single word that came out of my mouth, but she let it go.
Greer walked through a set of open French doors that led into a long hallway. Through the doors, to my immediate left, was a large library. I gasped when I saw it. “Greer! Oh. My. Goodness. This library!”
A big, goofy smile appeared on her face. “Isn’t it amazing? Come look.”
We walked into the huge space, and all I saw were bookcases from floor to ceiling on every wall, including flanking all the windows.
“I’m speechless.”
“It’s beautiful, isn’t it? We just finished it a few days ago. It was the first project Hudson and I started when we moved in. This whole area used to be the family room. We didn’t need one this big, so we converted it into the library, and that side is also Hudson’s office. He loves having his desk by the fireplace.”
On the library side, there was a settee in the middle of the space with an antique coffee table in front of it. Two large chairs sat across from the settee. The window at the front of the house had a built-in seat. I could already see Greer bundled up there reading a book as the snow fell outside.
Over on the opposite side of the room was the fireplace. A large wooden desk filled the space, along with another chair and another window with a matching seat.
We walked farther into the house, and I was stunned by the amount of beautiful woodwork, as well as the wood floors that I could tell were original.
“My goodness. Look at all the stained glass in this house! I don’t remember that.”
Greer smiled. “I know. It’s always been here, though—it’s original to the house. There’s really more room than we both know what to do with. Three floors, eight bedrooms, three full baths, three quarter baths and three half baths.”
“Better to have more room than not enough,” I said as Hudson walked up to us.
“I’d better get going,” Hudson said. “Aiden is having poker night at his house.” He picked up a bag and slung it over his shoulder. “I just got off the phone with Bishop. I’m staying at his house tonight, so I can pick his brain about Christmas trees.”
As soon as Hudson mentioned Bishop, he had my attention.
“Hudson’s writing a new book, and the protagonist owns a Christmas tree farm,” Greer explained.
“Oh,” I said with a lighthearted laugh. “You’re going to the right guy for that information.”
Hudson nodded. “You ladies enjoy your evening. Don’t have too much fun.” He kissed Greer on the lips, told her he loved her, and then headed out.
“Come on, let me show you to your room,” Greer said.
“I have my own room?” I asked with a chuckle.
“The party is for you! The guest of honor should have her own room. Plus, we have so many damn bedrooms!” We headed toward the steps. “There are two sets of stairs. The other is off the kitchen.”
“I love old houses,” I mused as we made our way up the solid wood staircase.
“The second floor has five rooms. Two of the bedrooms have a connecting bath. Then there’s one with a half and another with a full. I thought I’d put you in the full, so you can have your own bathroom. I’ll put Candace in the room with the attached half bath, then Willa and Brighton can have the two that are connected. That leaves the last room for Arabella.”