Page 5 of Autumn Falls

“I hopefully don’t need that long. The shop doesn’t look too busy.”

“Hurry before it does.”

“She’s single, as far as I know. Unfortunately, she’s only twenty, so I’m not sure how she’ll feel about the big age gap.” Fuck, he has a point. I’m almost thirty. I hadn’t even thought of that when I spotted her. She looked well over twenty. Hell, she appeared to be twenty-four at least.

“Damn it.”

“Hey, you never know. She tried dating someone her age, and it didn’t work out.” I growl at the thought of her with someone else. The idea instantly makes me want to hunt down the lucky fucker who blew his shot with the gorgeous woman that captured my attention. “Well, what are you doing? You’re wasting time. It looks like she’s off to the coffee shop.”

I rush down the escape route to make it fast, and luckily, I’m just a foot from her before she enters it. With quick feet, I scooted in behind her before anyone else could get in the way. I take a moment to observe her and breathe in the light floral scent mixed with the fresh fall air. God, I’m getting hard, and it isn’t the right time for it.

She mutters to herself, and I do my best to ignore it, but it is my perfect way in, so I interrupt her spoken thoughts. When she turns around, I’m floored by how more potent the attraction is. I’d never had this reaction before and it’s unnerving.

The little flirting is working, or so I hope it is until we’re bothered by the woman who obviously has a problem with my interesting beauty. I wanted to tell her to fuck off, but I promised the mayor I would behave. When I hear her name, I knowimmediately that the redheaded bitch is actually my buddy’s sister, so I limit my insults and focus on the reason I came here.

Ryder calls me on the walkie and lets me know my time is almost up and foot traffic is getting wilder, so he could use me. I pay for her drink just because I want her to remember me. I’ll find her again after the parade.

Grabbing my cup, I make a mad dash to the rooftop and start my job, scoping out the citizens of Meadow Falls. It’s a small farming community in southern Illinois that is the perfect quaint village that would be great to raise a family. I’ve lived in Chicago for my entire life except for when I was on a mission. Moving to a beautiful quiet town like this and finding the perfect life was all I could think about. In less than a month, I’ve found both.

“Is the coffee good?”

“Sure.”

“You haven’t touched it,” he chuckles.

“We’re busy,” I reminded him.

“Yeah, okay,” he laughs again and then focuses on the crowd again.

“How come you don’t drink any coffee?”

“My girl is pregnant, so I’m doing a solidarity thing with her.”

“Damn, that sucks about the coffee, but congratulations on the family.”

“Yeah, thanks.” He doesn’t sound so enthusiastic about it. Granted, he is only twenty-one, so I’m sure that it’s not exactly what he had planned, but life is just like that sometimes.

For the next hour plus, we keep our post and I do my best to act professional because I’d hate myself if something shouldhappen, especially to her. God forbid, I’d been so focused on her that someone took a shot at her.

Still, it doesn’t mean that I haven’t stolen several glances her way since it was my job. I hadn’t missed the many times her eyes were lifted my way. In fact, every time I gave her a peek, she’d raise her pretty face my way.

“We have to wait about ten more minutes and then we’ll head down.”

“Of course. After the crowds dissipate, we can go.”

“Yes, do you want to patrol the harvest with me?”

“Yes, I’ll be around for the day before going back to my normal life. It’s great for them to be unaware.”

“So, you didn’t have the balls to actually speak to her?”

“I did, but I was interrupted, so we couldn’t get any real conversation in. I hope to run into her soon.”

“I’m sure you will.” He winks. We monitor the scene, and everything runs smoothly as it comes to an end and the crowds leave. It’s then that my girl takes one final look and heads to a shop down the street with the chairs. About ten minutes later, we pack up and leave. When we make it down, she’s nowhere in sight.

“Damn, bro. If I were you, I’d go patrolling because that’s where she’ll be. I’ll take the perimeter.”

“Thanks.” I head out and make my way to the Harvest on the hunt for Autumn.

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