Page 93 of Perfect Pitch

She begins to ask me a question, but I want to tell her more about the Freeman farm before we go inside since the moment we do, she’s going to be swept away by the hosts. She just doesn’t know it yet. “The family had to use the original foundations—that was the town’s stipulation. So, their homes are based on the footprints of smaller barns, carriage houses, and servant’s quarters.”

Her eyes widen marginally as I deliver the spiel. Then she starts scanning the homes in view from where we’re parked. “I love the design.”

“This place is magical.” At her look of confusion, I clarify, “The leaves.”

The confusion melts away, and she confesses, “I’ve never seen a true fall. It’s remarkable.”

“You do realize right after comes a true winter?”

“I will admit, I’m less enthusiastic about that.”

I laugh before reaching for the handle of my door. Austyn makes to do the same before I lay a hand on her arm. “I’ll come around for you.”

“How chivalrous.”

“I’m trying to show you I can be a gentleman,” I explain.

“Not bad, so far,” she grades me.

I slam the door on her laughter before going to let her out the other side. Her blue orchid eyes dance at me as if they’re waving in the breeze. Without thinking, I lift her from her seat and let her slide down the front of my body.

Slowly.

Excruciatingly.

Each moment her body brushes against mine sets off sparks between us. Her hands fly up to brace on my chest. We stand there for long moments, staring into one another’s eyes.

Then the moment is ruined by the belligerent demands of my uncle. “Boy, you’re already late. Kiss the girl later. Food’s up.”

Austyn’s head whips to the side, causing her long braids to slap against my chest. She’s snickering.

I lean down and whisper, “Busted,” which sets her off even more.

Throwing an arm around her shoulders—in part to hold her upright while she enjoys her moment of hilarity—I face us toward Charlie. As we move closer, Austyn whispers, “Who owns this place?”

Since we’re in hearing distance of the old badger, he hoots, “You didn’t tell her?”

“I thought it would be a fun surprise.”

Austyn makes a face. “For you maybe.”

Charlie opens the door. The second he does, the sounds of chaos spill out. We walk down a hall just darkened enough to hide the photos I know line it. After stepping into the great room, Austyn comes up short. I take in her riveted expression. Her eyes ping back and forth wildly as the occupants of the room undulate as unholy as the name of the song indicates they should. Finally, her shock recedes, and she declares, “They’re better than the dancers at Redemption.”

A snort of laughter comes from Austyn’s other side. I meet familiar eyes I rarely see so relaxed. Normally, he’s ripping into one of the agents of Hudson Investigations for some transgression or another. One of the perks of being family friends, I think. I introduce them, “Colby, Austyn Kensington. Austyn, one of my bosses, Colby Hunt.”

She holds out her hand. “Nice to meet you.”

“You as well.” His eyes narrow at something behind her. “Excuse me, I need to head off catastrophe.”

My face mirrors Austyn’s confusion until Colby bellows, “Nicole, that table is not strong enough for you to join your mother up there!”

His words cause us to whip around to where we spy a girl in her late teens guiltily lowering her leg from where she was about to dance on a table with none other than Corinna Freeman.

My lips twitch as Austyn’s jaw drops. Then I’m astounded as a smile as big as Texas breaks across her face before she asks, “Remember me asking you how far we would be from Greenwich?”

I nod.

Her grin splits her face. “This wasn’t what I expected when I said I wanted to drop in and say hi to the Freemans.”

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