Playing with Words (Boggy Creek Valley 2)

Greer smiled and walked up the path to the door. Before we even made it up the three steps to the stoop, the front door flew open and a woman who looked to be in her mid-fifties came out. She looked like an older version of Greer. Very attractive, with her light brown hair cut above her shoulders. Her eyes were the same color as Greer’s, and when she smiled, I saw a bit of Kyle there as well.

“You must be Hudson!” she said as she brushed right by Greer and greeted me with a hug. With a roll of her eyes, Greer walked into the house, turned, and waited for her mother to release me.

“Hudson, this is my mother, Karen Larson. Mom, this is Hudson Higgins.”

Karen took my hand and pulled me into the house, straight past her daughter again. “Hello, Greer, sweetheart,” Karen tossed over her shoulder while Greer shut the door and followed us.

I glanced back at Greer and winked before I focused on her mother. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Larson.”

“Please, call me Karen. And the pleasure is all ours! I’m told you’re an author, and you’re here in Boggy Creek to write a book. How exciting is that? What type of books do you write? Would I have read them, I wonder? I’m a lover of books, and so is my husband, Lance. Well, that’s when he actually finds time to read, which isn’t often. Lance! Lance, they’re here!”

I was positive I had opened my mouth at least three times to answer, only to shut it again when Karen started right back in with more questions. I took a quick glance at the formal living room to the right of us and what I guessed was a family room. The staircase was directly in front of the door, with a long hallway to the left that had a beautiful antique table at the end. Two doors led off to the left and the right. The large-plank wood floors seemed to run throughout the entire house. It was no wonder Greer wanted to live here. The place was stunning.

“For Pete’s sake, Mom. Give the guy a chance to process one question before you rapidly fire off twenty more,” Kyle said with a laugh, making his way out of the family room. He reached out his hand to shake mine. “Good seeing you again, Hudson.”

“Good to see you, too, Kyle.”

Karen looked between the two of us. “You didn’t tell me you’d already met Greer’s boyfriend.”

Greer’s mouth dropped open, and a look of surprise crossed her face.

Kyle kissed his mother on the cheek. “Contrary to what you believe, Mom, I don’t tell you everything.”

Karen playfully swatted at him. I turned to see another guy our age stand up from where he had been sitting on the sofa.

“Hey, Bishop, it’s good seeing you,” Greer said as she hugged him and kissed him on the cheek. An instant rush of jealousy washed over me, but I quickly pushed it away.

“Good seeing you, too, Greer. Happy birthday.” Bishop turned to me and smiled. He was a good-looking guy. Taller than me, maybe six foot. Dark blond hair and eyes so blue they almost looked like ice. He was built, just like Greer’s brother. I couldn’t help but wonder if he was also a police officer.

“Bishop Harris, it’s good to meet you.” He stretched his hand out and we shook.

“Hudson Higgins, same here. Are you a police officer as well?” I glanced at Kyle and then back at Bishop when he started to laugh.

“Hell no. I own Wonderland Tree Farm right outside of town.”

“Bishop grows Christmas trees,” Greer said. “His farm has been picked to provide the Christmas tree for the state capitol this year.”

I raised my brows. “Wow, that’s cool.”

Bishop smiled. “Yeah, it was a nice honor.”

“I’d love to come visit your place sometime, if that’s okay with you,” I said. “I actually had an idea for a new book, and I want the protagonist to own a Christmas tree farm.”

His eyes lit up. “Sounds cool. Yeah, you’re more than welcome to come on up anytime you’d like.” He pulled out his wallet and handed me a business card. “My cell phone is on there. Just give me a shout, and we’ll set up a tour for you.”

“Thank you, I really appreciate that.”

He smiled and then returned to the sofa and sat back down. “Not that I don’t enjoy talking, but the Patriots are playing.”

I laughed and let Karen lead me through the living room. “Let’s find Lance!” she said.

“Mom, wait!” Greer called out as she trailed after us.

Karen finally found Lance in the library, doing exactly what Bishop was: watching football. Except three TVs sat in front of him with three different games on.

“There you are, Lance! Look who’s here. Greer and Hudson.”