Page 4 of Autumn Falls

I smile, letting out the quickest laugh. “Are you flirting with me, sir?”

“Perhaps I am.” His lips turn up in a crooked smile with a devilish look in his eyes.

“Autumn, I’m surprised you made it today,” a voice I recognize says from over my shoulder. I close my eyes and try to control my temper because she’s the last person I want to see or hear from.

“I’m surprised you could find your way out of bed this morning, Caroline.” She’s the perfect woman and my ex-boyfriend fell for her ways while we were still dating.

“Well, that’s because there’s no point being in it when my man isn’t in it,” she purrs, then she presses her hand on my shoulder. “But you wouldn’t know, would you?”

I wrench my shoulder out of the way. “Don’t put your filthy hands on me. Now I’m going to need a flea bath.”

“Don’t be a bitch because you can’t keep a man,” she hisses.

“I don’t believe she has a problem with keeping the right man,” the handsome, well-built man in uniform says. “Especially when he leaves for a girl not worth half of her.”

“Ouch. Now, if you’re done holding up the line, can you excuse us, Caroline? I need to get the coffee orders.” I wave her off and walk to the front, since we are next.

Lou Ann smiles at me and the handsome officer who hasn’t introduced himself to me yet. “Autumn, the usual?”

“Yes, make it a double. I’ll get my head bitten off if I don’t bring her cup back.”

“Or she’ll steal yours,” she says with a laugh.

“For real.”

His radio goes off while I’m talking and it sounds like garble, and he responds about returning now.

“I’ll take a large hot coffee with two sugars please,” he says behind me, dropping down the twenty bucks.

“Sorry, I’m sure you’re in a hurry.”

“It’s okay, beautiful. I’ll be seeing you around.” She makes his first and then he walks out before I get to say anything else.

I sigh and take my cups from Lou Ann. “He’s totally into you, you know?”

“Yeah, well, we might not ever meet again.”

“Who knows?”

“I’ll see you around.” I can’t wait to see him again. In fact, I’m going to be scoping him out.

Chapter Two

Owen

I’d just been setting up the scope with rookie Officer Carter Ryder when I spotted the two young females who came up to the chairs that were reserved for Autumn Sager and a friend. The name rang a bell in my head, but I didn’t know where. Still, I couldn’t believe when my eyes landed on them, I lost it. She’s the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen and for the first time in my life, I wanted more than making my existence all about my career.

“Is the sight lined up and focused?” he asked me.

“Yes,” I grunted, my attention focused on her as she spoke to the other girl. Frankly, I don’t give two shits about anything right now except the honey-blonde-haired woman in the pale pink coat with matching gloves and scarf. Her smile is wide and her lips are plump. I focus my gaze on her eyes and they’re giving the girl next to her a glare that turns into a cheeky grin. They’re a hazel color, and I want to see more of her, but I’m forced to work up here until the parade is over.

Why did I take this assignment? It’s not what I do anymore. Hell, I was never an officer. I worked in the Special Forces while my father ran our company. It was only when I took over and purchased an apple orchard in town that I got asked about the position. Of course, my friend happens to be the mayor, and he conned me into the onetime deal.

Suddenly, my distraction moves away from her spot, so I tell Officer Ryder, “Hey, before we get going, I’m going to hit up the coffee spot.”

“Go ahead, we have about thirty minutes before the kickoff and the crowd is still thin.”

“Okay.” He nods and then takes the scope to look out at the crowd.

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