Autumn Falls (Seasons of Love)

Chapter Three

Autumn

“So, are we going to talk about how you couldn’t keep your eyes off the sniper dudes? Don’t get me wrong, from what I could see, they were buff, but damn.”

“Um…I met one of them in the café.” I turned pinker than my jacket, which was easy because the cool fifty-two degrees out was already getting to me. I should have already known since it’s November twenty-third. I love the Harvest Fest currently, but it doesn’t mean it isn’t this early in the day. In about an hour, I’ll be removing my coat and setting it in the car, or we’ll be heading home.

My sister must be feeling the same way too, because she tightens up her scarf and whips out her gloves. “Girl, it’s freezing. I think they lied about the weather.”

“No, Elle. We’ve just been standing in one place too long. We need to get the blood flowing and find some hot goodies to snack on.”

“While we do, why don’t you tell me about the hot sniper dude?”

“Um…there’s not much to tell. Well, I guess a lot happened in a short time, including me running into the fucking harpy from hell, CG.”

“Oh my God. No. Of all the people.”

“Yes, and she tried to make me look terrible in front of him, which I don’t think worked, but he left shortly after that, so who knows?”

“Well, if he let her sway his decision on you, then he’s a fucking cunt.”

“Who’s a fucking cunt?” I close my eyes.

“I’m assuming that would be you, but I might take that back.” My sister is bold as hell and never holds back.

“I hope so. Autumn, I’m sorry I cut our morning short, but duty calls and all. I’m Owen, by the way.”

“This is my sister Elle.”

“I’d say it’s a pleasure, but I’m sure we’d both know I was lying,” he says, sticking his hand out to shake hers.

She lets out a laugh and I’m actually getting a bit jealous of the way they’re getting along. “I think I like you, Owen. So I’ve never seen you in town before; what brings you here?”

“Business, of course, but I’m planning on making Meadow Falls my home,” he says, never taking his eyes off me. I recalled what he said in the café about the fact that I didn’t like it. Was that what he was referring to?

“Would you like to walk with us, or are you still on duty?” my sister asks, doing the work for me. I could give her a high five.

“Walking with Autumn was my plan all along. I can do both since I’m only here in a voluntary capacity.”

“Interesting.”

“Yes, I’m not a tactical officer, but rather a former military specialist.” My sister’s brows raise, but I don’t like the way her eyes linger on him. Is she interested or checking up on him?

“Well, I’m going to get the pie for Dad. Go look around.” It’s the latter. Thank you, Elle.

“Okay. See you soon.” She nods and walks toward Griselda’s booth.

“She seems extremely protective of you. I appreciate it. How much older is she than you?”

“She’s twenty-three. I’m twenty.” He frowns. “So, are you thinking you flirted with the wrong sister?”

“No. Not one bit. I’m just glad you have someone to look after you when I’m working, but it bothers me that your sister has to. She said the pie is for your dad, not your parents.”

“My mother ran off with another man when I was fifteen and my sister helped take care of both my dad and me when she was just starting college.”

“You’re sincerely honest.”

“There’s no reason not to be. Everyone in this town gossips. I’m surprised the other officer didn’t tell you all the details.”

“Officer Ryder didn’t say anything.”

I think I’m going to be sick. “Officer Ryder? As in Carter Ryder?”

“Is that a problem?”

“He’s the man who wasn’t the right man.”

“Oh.” There’s a new tension in his body that sends him standing straight up.

“I get it if you don’t want to see me again.”

“What the fuck for? You were dating a piece of shit who happens to be a cop.”

“You grew really irritated.”

“I’ll be honest with you. I spent time with a man that has gotten to know you in ways I want to and up until this moment, I liked the fucker. Now I want to pancake his ass.”

“Pancake him?” I questioned. I’ve heard the phrase before, but I’ve never really known what it meant or cared to learn it.

He swipes his finger under my chin and says, “Lay his ass flat on the ground.”

“Oh.” I tried to hide my smile, but it was a hard time after Carter cheated on me with Caroline and the town didn’t let me live it down. The soft yet firm touch sends a shiver down my spine.

“Autumn, I’d like to take you on a date. Would that be okay if I came to get you tonight?”

“I’d like that a lot.”

“Good,” he answers, looking handsome with his brown eyes and sculpted jawline. Shit, I’m getting carried away with myself. Carter was gorgeous and a buff man in a uniform too, and look what that got me. A crushed spirit and a lot of ridicule, and there’s no way I could leave town if it happened again.

“Actually, I just thought of it. I can’t tonight. We have a family engagement.”

“I understand. How about you give me your number? I’ll call to set up a date.”

“I’d like that.” We exchange numbers and then we part ways. I feel that he left early because he was too angry to speak with me anymore.

“What happened to the hot man in uniform?”

“You don’t want to know.”

“I want to know. God, girl. Please don’t tell me the piece of shit is married.”

“Actually, I don’t think so, but he’s not too happy right now because apparently, the other officer up there was Carter.”

“What?”

“Yeah, and Owen asked me out on a date.”

“Well, what did you say? Please tell me you didn’t say no.”

“Not at first. I agreed, but then I changed my mind. I didn’t want to get involved with a man in uniform.”

She shakes her head and says, “I got the pie. Are you ready to go, or do you want to look around?”

“I’m not feeling it anymore.”

“Then let’s go.”

As we get to the car, I have to ask her opinion.

“I know you have something to say. Do you think I made a mistake saying no?”

“I love you, Autumn, but if we all did things on precedent, then no man would ever want to be with us because our mother abandoned us.”

“Maybe I’ll call him and tell him that my plans have been canceled.”

“Okay. Give it an hour.”

“Sounds smart. Thanks.” We drove home and then saw my father’s nurse’s car parked there. When we enter the house, it’s filled with laughter.

“We’re back,” we call out.

“We’re in the living room,” he says.

We enter and see them having a cup of tea. “I hope that’s decaf,” my sister says.

“Of course it is.”

“I’ll set this in the kitchen,” I say.

“Bring it on over. I can’t thank you girls enough. I wouldn’t have been able to survive these past three years without you.”

“We’re all just glad that you’re alive to spend another day together,” I say.

“What is this?” Jacqueline asks, breathing it in.

“It’s apple pie from Griselda Gonzalez’s bakery. Her pies are phenomenal.”

“Oh my goodness. I love apple pie,” she cheered, smiling brightly. It made me happy because she’s done so much for my father and us. Without her, my father wouldn’t have been doing so well.

I called him as soon as we finished the pie. “Um…Hi. This is Autumn.”

“Hi, beautiful. I’m so glad you called me. I didn’t think I’d hear from you so soon.”

“I’m calling because my plans were canceled, and I wanted to see if you were still up for dinner.”

“Unfortunately, I have plans with a friend of mine. Can I have a raincheck for tomorrow? We can do dinner then?”

“That sounds good.”

“Great. I look forward to it. I have to go, but can I call you tonight?”

“I’d like that.”

“Thanks.”

I ended the call and pressed the phone to my chest.

“Hey, if you’re all not busy, why don’t we go have dinner in town,” my dad offers.

“I like the sound of that.”

We get ready and head into town an hour later. When I step into Dino’s my mouth drops because sitting at the table is Owen with Caroline and they are dressed nice, and I just can’t look at them. I’m about to turn around, but I can’t because I have to explain it to my father, who seems so happy to be out.