Page 76 of All Autumn
I hadn’t done anything and felt uncomfortable that she was crediting me with something that momentous for her.
Lucas walked in then, phone in hand, stilling when he saw Taren holding the photo. “Taren?” He glanced at me and frowned. “She doesn’t like to look at their pictures.”
My cheeks heated. “I . . . um, I . . .” I didn’t know what to say.
“Oh, I asked her to bring it to me.” She smiled at her brother. “I can look at them now, Lucas, without losing my shit. Isn’t that wonderful?”
His stern expression softened. “Yes, it is.” He walked to her, kneeling in front of her. “And it’s wonderful to see you smile. Mother’s on the phone. She wants to know what time you’ll arrive tomorrow. While you talk to her, I’m going to steal Autumn away to discuss some business.” He handed her the phone.
“Thank you, Autumn.” She touched my arm. “You’ll never know how much I’ve enjoyed your visit.”
“I wish you the very best, Taren,” I said, then followed Lucas out of the room.
A short walk took us to a study. A massive mahogany desk held center stage, and matching cabinets lined the wall behind the desk, filled with what looked like law books. The drapes were a deep blue, the throw pillows on the dark blue sofa were gold, and the cushioned chairs in front of his desk were upholstered in a blue and gold print pattern. Everything spoke of money, lots of it.
Lucas gestured to a chair and then went behind his desk. “I don’t know what you said or did, but that is the first time I’ve seen her smile since losing her husband and daughter. Thank you. My family owes both you and Connor in ways that we’ll never be able to repay.”
“I think she was ready to smile, and you don’t owe Connor or me anything.” I wished they would stop thanking me. It was embarrassing. Taren would probably never tell him what she’d planned to do at that waterfall, and it felt like a heavy burden to know her secret.
“Maybe she was, but it didn’t happen until she spent time with you.”
“What did you want to talk to me about?” I asked to avoid getting another thank-you. He had a way of looking at me that said I had his undivided attention when, as a senator, I knew he must have a thousand things on his mind.
“All business then.” His mouth lifted in an amused smile as he opened a folder, pulling out two sheets of paper. “Before I explain, I need you to sign a nondisclosure agreement. It only means that you can’t talk about what we discuss to anyone, but it doesn’t bind you to accept what I’m going to offer you. There are two copies here, one for me to keep and one for you.”
He handed me both pages. It was exactly what he said, an agreement that I wouldn’t speak of anything he told me. “Can I ask what this is about?”
“After you sign.”
I couldn’t really see any reason not to, and he was giving me a copy signed by him, so he couldn’t add anything to the agreement later. Besides, he had me really curious. After I signed, I handed him one of the copies, then folded the other one and stuck it in my purse.
“Okay, I’m all ears.”
He sat back in his leather desk chair. “I bought the Humphrey land and building in Blue Ridge Valley.”
“Really? That place has been for sale for a long time. What are you going to do with it?”
“I have a mystery dinner theater in Charlotte that’s doing extremely well. With all the tourists you get coming to the valley, I think it’s the perfect place to expand, so I’m going to open a second one.”
“That will be an awesome thing for the town.” And it would. It was exciting. “What does that have to do with me?”
“I want you to design the interior.”
That left me speechless.
He chuckled. “Surprised you, huh?” I nodded. “I’ve seen some of your work—the country club, along with the Matthews’ home. They’re friends of mine. You’re very good at what you do, Autumn.”
My mind was already spinning with ideas. And what a fantastic opportunity.
“I’d like you to go see the one in Charlotte, but I want something completely different from that one. Are you interested?”
“Heck, yes!” Well, that didn’t sound very professional. “Yes, I am interested. I’ll make arrangements to go to Charlotte.” I mentally reviewed my calendar. “Either this weekend or the next.”
“Good, but first, I’d like to walk you through the building, give you an idea what I’m thinking. I have to return to Raleigh tomorrow night, so could you meet me there in the morning?”
“I have an appointment at eleven, but before that, yes.”
“Nine sound good?”
