Page 5 of Falling for Autumn Again

“You’re clenching.”

“I am not,” I say, though she’s right. I am.

“You need something fun, Autumn. If Kal has taught me anything, it’s that you need to do something for yourself every now and then.”

“Awesome,” I say. Because when in the world would I make time for a massage or a weekend away? Besides, this new project with the Linus’s is fun forme. Sure, it’s work—more work. But it’s also the only thing resembling my dream from all those years ago.

“I’m serious,” Meg says.

“I know. And I love you. But we’re different. This bistro is going to be my fun.”

Her eyes narrow. “Fun and a whole lot of hard labor.”

“I like work,” I say. But Meg knows I have bills to pay. She may not know everything. It’s kind of nice having a bestie who doesn’t know my whole messy past. But she does know that after five years of cancer treatment for Dad, I am not lacking in the medical bills department.

“Just alittlefun. I understand you have responsibilities. But a little fun wouldn’t hurt. It might even help.”

I roll my eyes up to the ceiling. “The sapling guy should be here any minute. I need to get the shipment signed for and unloaded before my interview. I’ll be back.”

“Autumn,” she moans, trailing behind me.

I pull up the collar on my plaid shirt, feeling in my bones that the season has turned and it’s going to be a chilly fall day. That’s how it is in Love. One day it’s sunny, the next you’re using hand warmers and wearing wool socks.

I charge out the door of my little green house, right onto the grounds of the Linus’s Christmas tree farm. I even live where I work… okay, Meg may have a small point about my all-work and no-play life.

The sapling truck is already here, and my interviewee will besoon after. So, it's a good thing my commute is so darn short—as in walking distance.

I pull in a nice crisp breath of air and start toward the truck hauling my saplings.

“Hey…” I wave to the driver.

“It’s Kip,” the new guy replies. He’s been here once or twice before, but I’m grateful for the reminder.

“Kip,” I say and offer him a smile. I’ll call him whatever he wants as long as he’s delivered my bare roots whole and well.

“He’s cute,” Meg says, her stupidly long legs making it easy to catch up to me and stride right beside me.

"Who?" I spare her a glance, then round to the back of the truck.

“Twenty-two boxes,” Kip says. He smiles, peering over at me. Has Kip ever smiled at me before? Does he always look like that? Or is Meg putting ridiculous thoughts into my head?

“Perfect. Do you mind loading them into my truck?” I ask, ignoring that gawky grin. It’s blaring at me now. I point to my green 1970s Ford—Dad’s old truck. He loved it. And now, I do. I don’t care how loud or old the thing is.

Kip shrugs and smiles... again with the really loud smiling. “Whatever you want, Autumn.”

I nod my thanks and go to turn away—but Kip clears his throat. I hear it. It's a sound that asks me to turn back. I do because maybe he just needs to know if I've paid up or when I want the next shipment. Or—something else completely logical and sapling-related. That's the only logical answer. Right?

Meg elbows me. For a reason that I haven’t figured out yet.

“So, Autumn—” Kip’s eyes trail from me to Meg like he’s unsure he should be discussing work things in front of her.

“Oh. Um.Kip, this is Meg. Meg, this is Kip. Meg’s my best friend. And Kip is the new truck driver for our roots guy.” My jaw aches as I grind my teeth together. Why are we having this conversation again? Is this introduction necessary? I have aninterview to prepare for while figuring out exactly which plaid shirt to wear.

“Well, Iwasthe best friend until I got married and moved away.” Meg laughs—it’s not a normal laugh for my bestie. It’s a nervous laugh. Why are we nervous?

Kip laughs too.

Meg sends me one quick glance, then holds a hand out toward Kip. “It’s so nice to meet you. Autumn has told me all about you.”

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