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“You’ve barely been here four days, and you’ve already managed to acquire a library.”
“Three books hardly constitute a library. They’re a modest beginning.” I zipped the bag and came out of the bedroom. “Besides, I like to have choices. One never knows when a sudden craving for literary essays might strike.”
He smiled at me over the top of the mystery novel he’d picked up.
“I’ll keep that in mind. You ready?”
We agreed that I’d drive my own car and follow him to his house. That way, I could return to the cottage whenever I needed to without depending on his schedule.
Hudson’s home stood on a wooded property a short drive from town, with a broad gravel driveway and a detached workshop visible beyond the house. The building itself was sturdy and inviting, with warm-toned siding, a covered front porch, and large windows overlooking the surrounding trees.
It wasn’t an extravagant mountain estate. It looked like a home where someone lived comfortably, worked hard, and took pride in keeping things in good condition.
The porch had a wooden bench beside the front door, and a pair of heavy work boots rested on a mat beneath the railing. The yard was tidy without being manicured, with a stack of neatly split firewood under a shelter near the workshop.
Hudson parked his pickup beside the house and waited while I pulled in behind him.
He carried my bag to the front door and unlocked it.
“Welcome to my humble establishment.”
I stepped inside and immediately felt at ease.
The living room had comfortable furniture, a thick rug, and several pieces of wooden furniture that caught my attention. A sturdy bookshelf stood against one wall, filled with books, framed photographs, and a small collection of practical objects. The wood had a warm honey-colored finish, and its shelves fit neatly into the space beside the window.
“You weren’t exaggerating about the woodworking,” I said, walking closer to examine the piece.
Hudson looked pleased. “Made that shelf a few years ago. The first version wasn’t quite right, so I rebuilt it. I wanted something that would fit that wall without blocking the light.”
“It’s beautiful. The proportions are lovely, and I can see how much care you put into it.”
“Thanks. I’ll show you the workshop sometime, if you’re interested. Most of the things I make aren’t particularly fancy, but I enjoy the work.”
“I’d love that. I think it’s wonderful that you spend so much time creating things when you aren’t working.”
He led me through the house, showing me the kitchen, the bedroom, and the attached bathroom. Everything was clean and comfortable without appearing arranged for company. A pair of work gloves rested near the back door, and a flannel shirt hung over a chair beside the bedroom dresser.
I liked those details. I liked knowing that he came home to this place after long days in the woods and spent his evenings making furniture, cooking, and enjoying a quiet life.
The kitchen was especially inviting, with wooden cupboards, a generous counter beside the stove, and a large table near windows overlooking the trees. Copper-bottomed pans hung from a rack on one wall, and several mugs stood on an open shelf beside the coffee maker. An ordinary assortment of magnets and notes covered one side of the refrigerator, including a handwritten reminder about a lumber delivery.
Hudson set my overnight bag beside the bedroom dresser and turned toward me.
“Hope it’s all right. I don’t have much in the way of fancy guest accommodations, but there’s plenty of room, and the kitchen’s stocked.”
“It’s wonderful. You have a lovely home.” I looked back toward the living room. “And I can already tell I’m going to want a much longer tour of your furniture.”
He laughed and offered me his hand.
“Then we’ll have to make time for it. Right now, though, I’m getting hungry, and I promised you dinner.”
His kitchen was spacious enough for both of us to work comfortably, with a large wooden table near the windows. Hudson had already set out the ingredients for pork chops, potatoes, apples, and onions.
He washed his hands, turned on the oven, and began explaining his plan.
“I’ll handle the meat. You want to help with the potatoes? We can get those roasting while I work on everything else.”
“Certainly. Although I should warn you that I’m accustomed to taking detailed instructions, particularly when sharp implements are involved.”
