Playing with Words (Boggy Creek Valley 2)

“The question should be, why not self-publish? I’ve got the reader base. It’ll give me a chance to explore different genres—like I said, I’ve got a great romance story floating around in my head. Think ‘Christmas tree farmer’.”

He rolled his eyes. “Dear God, no.”

I laughed. “Russ, I’m the happiest I’ve ever been, and Greer Larson and Boggy Creek Valley are the reasons.”

Finally, the man smiled. “You do have a certain…air about you.”

“Am I glowing?” I asked, touching both of my cheeks.

“Shut up, dickhead. When are you thinking of moving?”

“I’ve already given notice on my apartment, informed my folks I’m moving to Boggy Creek, and I have a realtor helping me find a place to buy.”

Russ slowly shook his head and let out a disbelieving laugh. “Wow, you’re really serious about this.”

“I am. Very much so.”

He steepled his index fingers and rested his chin on them. “What do you need from me?”

“Just your support as a friend.”

A wide grin appeared on his face. “You’ve got that. I guess I’m going to have to plan a trip up to this magical place called Boggy Creek to see what it’s all about.”

I laughed as I stood to leave. I needed to finish up a few more things before I was ready to say goodbye to New York. “You’re too much of a city guy, Russ. You’d hate it there. The air is too clean, the people want to stop and talk to you when you’re walking down the street, and the townsfolk know your business even before you do.”

He shuddered. “Christ, that sounds horrible.”

I tossed my head back as I let out a bark of laughter. “It’s Heaven on Earth, Russ. Heaven. On. Earth.

I put the last box into the back of my new Lexus SUV and hit the button to close it. I turned to my former girlfriend and my agent and smiled.

Melissa sighed. “I still cannot believe you’re leaving the city.”

I glanced over to see Russ leaning against the old brick building where I’d rented an apartment in West Village for the last few years.

He smiled. “Just think of the money you’ll save by not renting.”

Laughing, I walked over and reached my hand out for his. “I won’t miss that part of living in New York.”

“Did you need me to take care of anything for you?” Melissa asked.

“No,” I replied with a smile. “I donated most of my stuff, found someone to sublet my place for the rest of my lease, and now that my manuscript is done, I’m going to take some much-needed time off.”

They both looked at me and grinned.

Russ pushed off the building. “It’s time off well deserved. The book is good, Hudson. Probably some of the best writing from you I’ve seen yet. It was a smart call to head out of town to finish it.”

Melissa playfully scoffed. “I highly doubt that had anything to do with it. Being in love seems to agree with you, Hud.”

I leaned over and kissed her cheek. “You too.”

Taking a step back, I looked at them both and then clapped my hands. “Okay, I guess I’m going to head on out. I’m not sure when I’ll have a mailing address, but once I get settled, I’ll be sure to send it to you, Melissa.”

“Keep us updated on how things are going,” she said.

Russ cleared his throat. “If you need anything, Hudson, don’t hesitate to ask.”

“I won’t, Russ. Thanks for everything.”

I walked around the SUV and climbed inside before taking one last look at the place I had called home for the last few years. “It’s been fun, New York, but I’ve got better things waiting for me in New Hampshire.”

I pulled away and never once looked back.

Not even an hour into my drive, my cell rang.

“Hey, Mom.”

“How does it feel to be starting a whole new chapter of your life?”

A sense of peace I’d never really felt before came over me. “It feels good. I should be there in a few hours. Did you get my text with my arrival time?”

“I did. And I just heard from Everly.”

“She still going to Alaska?”

My mother sighed. “Yes. I’m not sure how that girl can stand all the cold weather. She said she’ll be there through the winter most likely. I’ll be so glad when she’s done with all of these trips and can simply settle down somewhere. I do hope she’ll give the teaching job in Boston some thought.”

“She loves her job, Mom.”

“I know—I just miss her, that’s all. Did you notice how well she and Kyle seemed to get along?”

Oh Lord, my mother was definitely getting her hopes up. “Don’t even go there, Mom. They live two completely different lives, and I highly doubt either of them would be willing to move.”

“I’m not saying that. I simply noticed that for the first time in a long time, Everly seemed…I don’t know. Relaxed. Happy.”