Page 23 of All Autumn
“Can’t say I did much,” Jed said. “In fact, I’d say Macon won the case for you. After he finished questioning Brian, the smartest thing I could do was rest my case.”
That was true, and it had confirmed my suspicion that Macon didn’t think much of Brian’s insistence on charging us with breaking and entering. Still, I gave Jed credit for recognizing that.
As for Judge Padgett, he was a cunning old coot. Without leaving the bench to think it over, he found us guilty of trespassing, a misdemeanor offense, then said to Brian, “You happy now, Mr. Stratton?”
“No, I am not,” Brian said.
At that, the judge immediately reversed his own decision, finding us not guilty of anything, saying, “Well, if you’re not going to be happy with my decision, might as well go all out.” Then he shook his finger at Brian. “You brought this turn of events onto yourself, Mr. Stratton, and now you’re wasting my time and the court’s with this foolishness.”
I had no idea if it was legal for Judge Padgett to reverse his own decision like that, but I wasn’t about to question it. As for Brian, I got a death glare as he stormed out of the courtroom. I somehow managed not to give him the finger.
“I thought I was going to die when Granny started talking about titties,” Jenn said.
“You and everyone else in the courtroom.” I grinned at Autumn. “We’re notorious now.”
“Oh, yay. Always wanted to be a legend.”
“How’s Beauregard?” Dylan asked.
Autumn’s eyes lit up. “He’s so adorable. I’ll bring him to visit his mama and brothers and sisters.”
I watched her as she talked dogs with Dylan and Jenn, and as I’d often done since the day I’d rescued her, I wondered why it had taken me so long to see how special she was. It bugged me that my attraction to her had begun with her flashing her lady parts, but like it or not, that had been the catalyst in seeing her in a whole new light. Trust me, I wasn’t sorry for that. Not at all. Still, I’d like to be able to say I was attracted to her before she flashed me.
Feeling my twin’s eyes on me, I glanced at Adam, who was drilling a hole right through my head, plucking out the secrets I’d been trying to hide, like this new thing I had for Autumn.
He didn’t look happy.
“I need to head out,” Jed said. “I’ll take care of the tab.”
“Let me get ours.” Dylan pulled out his wallet.
Jed shook his head. “This one’s on me. You can get it next time.”
“Thanks, man.” Dylan pushed his chair back. “Jenn and I are going to take off, too.”
“You need a ride home?” Adam asked Autumn.
The hell? “I’ll run her home.” My brother wasn’t trying to make a play for Autumn, but he was trying to keep me away from her. Or more accurately, trying to protect her from me.
He gave me a we’ll-talk-later look. “Take care, Autumn,” he said, squeezing her shoulder, then walked out with Dylan and Jenn.
“And then there were two.” I poured the last of the champagne from the bottle our waiter had left on the table into our glasses. “Happy you’re not going to be wearing orange for the next six months or whatever?”
“You have no idea.” She drained her champagne glass. “I need to get home and let Beau out. He’s been in his crate all afternoon.”
I stood and held out my arm. “Your chariot awaits, my lady.”
“Iwentto Asheville a few days ago and talked to a divorce attorney,” Autumn said.
“Oh?” I perked up at hearing that. “What did he say?” After returning from Fusions, we were taking Beau for a walk. I enjoyed these evening strolls with Autumn. Sometimes we talked and other times we walked in comfortable silence.
“She. That I can be divorced in forty-five days if Brian doesn’t contest it.”
“That’s fast.” It was great, too.
“Yeah, well, that’s the good news. The bad is that in North Carolina you have to live apart for a year before you can file. We’re on day thirteen, so only three hundred and fifty-two days to go, and then I’ll file.”
“That sucks.” I wanted her to be back to Autumn Archer right now.
