Page 11 of Autumn Falls

“Great. When?”

“In about a week. I’m working on the ranch, so I’m not ready to leave and they want me here for Thanksgiving, so I’ll be down the day after.”

“Okay. See you then.” I ended the call and then walked over to the table where our drinks were placed, and the server was waiting to take my order.

I give it to her and then Autumn asks, “Everything okay?”

“Great. My uncle is coming to help with the apple orchard and to help me with the house. Apparently, my family wants to gather for Christmas.”

“Really? Do you have a big family?”

“Yes, I have nine aunts and uncles and then there is my dad. I have about forty cousins; I’m the youngest of my parents’ four kids.”

Mouths fall open around the table. “What?”

“Wow.”

“There is just us two,” Noelle says.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve seen such a large family like that.”

“Yeah, they weren’t playing. Now my parents are anxious for some grandbabies as if we don’t have plenty of family running around like crazy.”

“You don’t want babies?” the nurse lady said.

“Um…yes, I do, but I need a wife first, so it’s not like I had a plan to start a family without one.” I smiled at Autumn and watched her expression, hoping she understood where my mind and heart were headed with this relationship.

“Well, just so you know, if you keep pursuing my daughter, I won’t stop nagging either. I’m not getting any younger.”

“Oh, Dad.”

“Don’t worry, sir. I’m planning on dating for marriage, Mr. Sager.” I make sure she knows exactly what I mean.

The food comes and we start talking about the orchard. The family shares their tales and I’m feeling welcome by them and it’s perfect. They laugh and then it gets a little dark as the heartache of the mother’s departure comes into play. As we’re about to call it a night, my father calls and my night just got shitty.

“Can we get the check?” I ask. “I’m sorry to do this, but I’m going to be out of town for two days. My father needs me on a merger deal. The talks require a majority shareholder to be present and I’m one of the four owners. My other brothers are overseas and therefore it’s on me to be at the meeting.”

“It’s a shame that you have to leave, but I look forward to seeing you soon.”

“I do too, Autumn.”

We parted ways, and I wanted to keep our date as promised, but I was swamped with work, so I pushed it back two days, flying out of the small airport and into Chicago. It’s hectic and I hate it because I’m leaving my woman.

Even though I doubt Carter’s a threat because he burned that damn bridge, he might try to win her back when he sees there’s competition for her. Men like him are as common as theycome. Wanting the toy they tossed aside because someone else wanted to play with it. Well, Autumn is a treasure and I’m never letting her go. I’ll go to war for her and I’ve never lost a fight.

****

She’s going to be my wife and the mother of my children that’s for sure and I won’t let anyone stop me. As soon as I woke up, I headed into town and met with the lawyer for the property. There were a lot of things to go over, and I still had to manage the orchard. Thankfully because the harvesting was coming to an end, I had just a brief moment to learn some things. As winter approached, I’d have a little more time before I’d have to get everything in order.

I entered the diner to pick up lunch and came face to face with Carter.

“Hey, Owen. What’s up? I didn’t expect to see you so fancy, man. Is this the everyday getup?”

“I had a meeting with my lawyers. Anyway, there seems to be a great deal we don’t know about each other,” I snarled, stepping closer to him, each move growing more and more menacing.

He flinches and takes a step back. “Oh shit. Who told you?”

“Autumn did.”

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