Page 26 of Falling for Autumn Again

“And—” Don begins, but Dessie cuts him off.

“Andbecause.”

“We all need help sometimes, Ez.” Don doesn’t look at me. He rinses the plates in the sink until they’re as clean as Dessie likes them, then sets them in the dishwasher rack. “You know that better than anyone.”

My gut tightens. I do know that.

“She’s had—” Don starts, but Dessie smacks the back of his hand with the tips of her fingers, cutting him off before he can say anything helpful.

“Hush now,” Dessie says. “That’s Autumn’s business.”

Why is everyone so close-lipped about Autumn? I’m starting to think she murdered someone, buried them on the land, and plans to build a bistro over the grounds to cover up any trace of evidence.

What have I missed?

Dessie’s hushing Don withherbusiness.

Meg won’t say a word but told me tofindout.

“You’re right.” I clap my hands together. “We all need help every once in a while. And you all could use a little help on the farm. I think I remember what I’m doing.”

“You?” Dessie giggles, wrinkles forming around her pretty smile.

“Yes, me. I can help.”

“I’ll get you back on the payroll,” Don says.

I shake my head. “No need.”

“Then room and board, at the very least.” Don nods—he won’t let me go without something. They’re already giving me a deal on the house. But I’ll take it—for the sake of Don’s pride and my bank account.

Dessie walks around to where I sit and folds an arm around my shoulders. “You were always a good one, Ezra. We’ve missed you.”

“Yeah,” I say. “I’ve missed you too.”

“Autumn’s missed you most of all,” Don says.

My insides stir. Has she really? That’s not the impression I get from that seething, teeth-grinding girl.

"Hush, Donald. That's Autumn's business." Dessie's watery blue eyes find me. She's staring as if trying to speak without words. But then, she was never very good at keeping her opinion to herself. "And we know you've missed our Autumn Pie."

“Oh, um…”

“I can see it all over your face. You two were always so good together.”

“I’m not sure Autumn would agree with you.”

“That’s not true. There’s more to it than that, Ezra. Now, hush. That’s her business.” Did she just hush herself? Because I didn’t say anything incriminating. I have no idea whatbusinessof Autumn’s everyone keeps hinting at and hushing about.

“Let me get you some work boots,” Don says, breaking the silence and shuffling off down the hallway.

Dessie sits beside me and pats my knee. “You been by to see your daddy?”

Mav Bennett has never been adaddy. I clear my throat. “No,” Isay, and then, because it seems too harsh to sweet Dessie, I add, “Not yet.”

She nods. “Some wounds take more time than others to heal.”

“And some never close,” I say.

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