Autumn Falls (Seasons of Love)

Chapter Eight

Owen

It’s Thanksgiving and the women are in the kitchen preparing dinner while Gordon and I have a glass of whiskey in his den. He’d been giving me strange looks since I arrived, so I knew he had something to say. The second he handed me the glass, he let it out.

“My daughter is an adult so I can’t say much but I can’t pretend I don’t know what’s going on between you two. The small-town talks and it won’t be long until rumors start flying again. I don’t want my little girl’s heart broken.”

I smiled and tried to give my future father-in-law a little peace of mind. “It won’t be sir. Let’s just say this Orchard is staying in the family.”

“How can you be so sure?” he asked me. After his bitter divorce, I suppose it had to be hard, but Autumn’s a way better person than her mother ever was, and that’s not just my opinion. Every single person I’ve spoken to has mentioned how sweet of a girl she is.

“Like I said before I’m a man who makes up his mind and doesn’t change it. I love your daughter. You might not believe it, but I’ve always believed in love at first sight. My family does as well and as soon as I saw Autumn I knew she would be the woman I’d marry.” I pulled the ring out of my pocket and showed it to him. “I made a show of purchasing it in town yesterday.”

“So we will be getting married. That’s good news, my boy.” A massive grin spread across his face, reminding me a bit of Autumn. She definitely got her spite from him. Not that I blamed either of them because the town could be a bit much.

“Fellas, it’s time to eat,” Noelle calls out from the hall.

“So is there anything going on between you and the little nurse?”

“No, Jacqueline is just a good woman who is helping me by doing her job.” Was he intentionally lying to me or did he not see the tension between them?

I shook my head and opened the door, holding it for him to lead the way to the dining room. Tonight Jacqueline would be joining us because her family didn’t live in Illinois and she really didn’t have anyone to spend it with. It was Autumn’s idea to add her to this growing party of ours. Frankly, I’m loving it.

“It smells amazing,” I say, taking in all the delicious food.

“Thank you,” Autumn says. “We worked really hard.”

“You did most of the work,” Noelle adds.

“It doesn’t matter.” The more I learn, the more I realize how incredibly kind she is. That’s the thing that hurts her most. She’s done nothing to garner the animosity that she got from Caroline, but I reminded her that some people are just miserable, and they love other people’s pain, especially good people.

We’re midway through dinner when the doorbell rings. “Are you expecting anyone?” I asked, hoping it wasn’t someone unwelcome.

“No.” Noelle stood up and hurried to the door. I walked behind her just to be safe. Frankly, I didn’t trust Caroline.

“Talk about a lot to be grateful for,” a voice I recognize says from the doorway.

“Excuse me, but you must be lost,” Noelle retorts with her typical attitude.

“I thought I was, but I suppose I’m not.”

“Uncle Nick,” I say, stepping up beside her. “Come in.” I look to the side of him and realize the weather has shifted and we have heavy rain and wind.

“Thanks.”

“This is Uncle Nick?” My uncle could pass for an older brother.

“Yes.”

Her expression turns soft, but I don’t buy it, and she says, “Well, we’re sitting down to Thanksgiving dinner. You’re more than welcome to join us.”

“Absolutely.”

“Watch it, she’s a tough one.”

“She’s not the one you’re losing it over, is she?”

“What’s going on?” Autumn says.

“Hey, beautiful.” I lean in and kiss Autumn’s cheek. “Everyone, I’d like to introduce you to my Uncle Nick. He apparently is stalking me and ended up here earlier than expected.”

“Yeah, I decided to ditch the family, thinking you could use some family, but I guess you have it covered.” He winks at me.

“Excuse me,” Autumn utters before leaving the dining room. A moment later she’s back with another place setting. “Please, take a seat and make yourself at home.”

“Thank you, sweet thing.” A frown forms on Noelle’s face. “Don’t be upset, gorgeous. I’m just giving my future niece a compliment.” This family dynamic just got a little too weird for me and I can’t wait for dinner to be over.

As soon as it is, my woman gives me a brief tour of her bedroom. We kept our hands to ourselves, but I just needed a moment alone. “Autumn, yesterday, I asked you to marry me, but…”

“You changed your mind?”

“Babe, relax. You need to calm down. I just didn’t have this. Autumn, will you do me the great pleasure of making a life together and marrying me?”

“Yes.” I slid the ring on her tiny finger and then brought her hand to my lips.

We hugged tightly before kissing ever so softly. Slowly we tumbled to the bed and before we knew it. I have her sitting in my lap, straddling me with my thick length deep inside her. Every bounce on my thighs rattles the bed, but I don’t care because her fat tits are in my face, hypnotizing me. My hand grips the back of her thighs as I pump upward and fuck my cum inside, unable to hold off, luckily my woman is following me over, and shaking out her orgasm, damn near convulsing on me. After she comes, she drops her head to my shoulder, panting and sighing.

A moment or two later, the soft sounds of sleep come from her lips and I do my best to fight the laughter. Pulling her off my thick, still semi-hard cock, I lay her on the bed and cover her with a blanket. Then I tuck myself up and head out of her bedroom and into the bathroom down the hall.

Afterward, I walk downstairs where the rest of the party are in the middle of watching the late night football game.

“Where is my sister?”

“She’s sleeping.”

“All that turkey knock her out?” Noelle teased.

“Yeah, I’m sure it was the turkey,” Uncle Nick adds.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about. My fiancé was just exhausted after a long, hard day of cooking.”

“Hard cocking,” I muttered to myself.

“I’m just glad there’s going to be a wedding soon.”

“I’m sure that your parents will be excited to hear the news. You better tell them soon.”

“I’m planning on calling them tomorrow before all the gossip is spread out throughout the town. Now, if you’ll excuse me, can I see you in the kitchen for a minute?” I ask my uncle.

We head in the kitchen and I ask him. “What are you really doing here?”

“You’re a smart bastard. Your dad was worried because you were distracted and then he told me about Matthew having a sister.”

“Oh hell no. That shrew could never be on my radar.”

“Yeah, we know that now.”

“We?”

“Yeah, I’ve already sent the recon back to your parents and mine who have been panicking.”

“Seriously? Since when did you become the little errand boy bitch?”

“Watch your mouth before I treat you to a good old-fashioned ass whooping. Did you forget who taught you how to fight?”

“No, but seriously, what gives?”

“I’ve got my reasons.” He turns his head toward the door that leads back to the living room. Does this have to do with Noelle?

“Interesting.”

“Mind your business. Anyway, I’m going to be around for a little while. Just let me know what you’ll need.”

“We can talk about it tomorrow. I just want you to know that Caroline’s out on bail for trespassing and hates Autumn and myself. Frankly, I don’t think she’ll be a problem. She just got a taste of humble pie when Matt cut her off.

“Good. I hope so, but let me know if you need anything.” He pulls me in for a hug and then adds, “If you’ll excuse me, I’ve got to head back to my hotel room in town. I’m tired and bound to stick my foot in my mouth at least one more time.”

I’m about to head out when the doorbell rings again. “Did St. Nick forget something?” Noelle teases, mocking his gray coming in.

Autumn goes for the handle and says, “I don’t know.” It’s Caroline. She’s swinging a bat and I move Autumn just in time to take the blow myself. It strikes me on the forearm, but it’s not enough to do serious damage. “You bitch.” I’m quick to grab it from her before she can swing again. She starts to run, but then Nick comes from behind and catches her. She fights him.

“Whoa,” he growls. “Calm down you fucking nutcase.”

“Call the police,” I say, but Autumn comes up and walks past us and pulls back, clocking Caroline in the face. She drops in Nick’s arms.

“I called the cops,” Jacqueline says.

“Thank you.”

“Beautiful, how is your hand?”

“How are you? She hit you with the bat.”

“Fuck, Owen. I knew you were an asshole, but I didn’t realize you were that big of a prick,” my Uncle Nick chuckled. The police came up about ten minutes later, took our statements and then arrested her

Just as they were loading her into the vehicle Matthew arrived, but he waved off her pleas and walked our way. I could see the worn out look on his face. He’d already had a marking on his chin.

“Damn, what happened to you?”

“She lost it and threw a book at me,” Matt muttered. “Carter called her out on the fake pregnancy and said he was going to sue her if she was lying, and he was going to tell everyone.”

“Do you need a drink?” Mr. Sager asks.

“I could really use one.” The night lasted longer as we iced our wounds.

“I’m sorry about your sister,” Autumn says. “This is all my fault.”

“No, her petty jealousy and competition that our parents created in us pushed her into a spiral. She wanted what others had. You became her obsession. Carter was just one of the many things she tried to steal from you. Hell, she tried to take your job at the diner just because she wanted to make you lose something else.”

“Are you serious?”

“Yes, I just learned it.”

“She needs help.”

“Yeah, I’m having her committed. I guess this is the end of my political career.”

“Who knows? You’re a young guy and we all have at least one looney bin relative.” I give him a wink and then look right at my uncle.

“That’s right.”