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Henry didn’t see Hudson anywhere when he went downstairs or outside. He might have already gone out to work and that would mean touching base with him when they came in at lunch. Then again, if Sam agreed to it, Henry didn’t plan on being home at lunch. For some reason unknown to even him, he really wanted to take her out to get a few things of her own.
Already, he could tell she would be a hard nut to crack. She’d said exactly one word to anyone since he’d come in contact with her. For whatever reason, she held her cards close to her chest. But he’d figure her out.
The hours dragged on as he got the rest of his morning duties completed. Every so often he’d look toward the house as if he expected to see Sam make a run for it. But each time he did, there wasn’t anything.
It probably took him slightly longer than usual to get his work done just for that fact alone. As it neared lunchtime, he finally tossed aside his work gloves and headed for the house, only to have the door slam open. Birds shot out from the nearby trees and Sam scurried from the house, followed by an angry Hudson.
Henry charged forward quickly enough to have Sam collide with his chest when she took a moment to look behind her. She gasped as her head whipped around and her green eyes met his. She blinked, then all at once dug her face into his chest.
His arms came out to his sides as his brain tried to make sense of how she was treating him.
“What is that homeless chick doing in my bedroom, Henry?” Hudson demanded.
Sam flinched, and Henry shot a dirty look at his brother. “It’s not your room. Up until yesterday, it was Mason’s.”
Hudson shook his head. “Everyone knows that I called dibs. I get to have my own space now.”
Henry snorted. “Seriously? You want to make this about getting your own space? All of us had a roommate since the very beginning. That’s what happens in big families.”
“And now that I’ve paid my dues, I get to have that room,” he insisted.
“Stop being ridiculous. There’s plenty of space for us to help her out.”
Hudson glowered. This had been the loudest he’d been that Henry could ever remember. His sour mood had only continued to increase since the family had grown. He nodded to Sam, who was still burying her face in Henry’s chest. “You didn’t ask for permission. I bet if I tell Wade, he’s gonna tell you to find some other place to put her. In fact, I bet he’s gonna tell you this was all a bad idea. We don’t know anything about her.”
“Not if I get to Brielle first.”
Hudson’s brows lifted. He knew exactly what Henry was referring to. Brielle wouldn’t allow anyone, least of all someone in need like Sam, to get kicked to the curb. Hudson’s shoulders slumped and he groaned. “Come on, man. I just want to have my own room.”
“Then trade with Caleb. I’m sure he’s bummed out with Carter gone.”
Hudson grew quiet. He glanced toward the house, then the barn and back to Henry. “Actually, that might work.”
“I know it will. Twins are notorious for wanting to have company, right?”
“I don’t know about any of that, but I bet I could convince our baby brother that he needs to move out and let me have his room.” Hudson spun around and headed for the house, leaving Henry alone with Sam.
The second Hudson was gone, Sam pulled away from Henry. She wrapped her arms around herself, not looking directly at him. Then she lifted her accusatory gaze.
Henry chuckled, lifting a shoulder as he did. “Sorry about that. Hudson is usually so tame. I didn’t think he’d chase you out of the house.”
Her lip curled and she glanced over her shoulder to where Hudson had gone. Then she shook her head and marched toward the road.
“Where are you going?” Henry chased after her. His heart hammered a little harder. “You’re not just gonna leave like that, are you?” He reached for her wrist, but she ripped it out of his grasp. “Come on, that was just a hiccup.” Henry came around to stand in front of her. “Let me make it up to you.”
Sam eyed him with that familiar disdain mingled with distrust.
Henry laughed. “What kind of girl says no to a shopping spree? You have to admit it sounds fun, right?”
Her eyes narrowed, then she looked away. “Why are you doing this?” she whispered.
He blinked with surprise. Then he moved closer. “Did you just ask me a question?”
Her arms flew down at her sides and she scowled at him. “What is wrong with you? Are you broken up here?” She tapped her temple. “You don’t know me. I could be a serial killer.”
Henry let his gaze sweep over her small frame. “Yeah, and I’m the prince of England.”
