Page 56 of All Autumn
Either he’d intentionally let me know that Autumn was his focus, or I had simply been an afterthought for the senator. I took the card Jason gave me, folded it in half, and then stuffed it down my jeans’ pocket without looking at it. Something like humor flashed in Senator Blanton’s eyes. As much as I hated admitting it, the man was sharp.
“Please call and let me know when you can come see her, hopefully sometime next week, since she might wish to relocate to our main home in Raleigh soon.”
“We will,” I said before Autumn could respond, reminding him that Autumn and I were awe. After last night I wasn’t going to stand by and watch him make a play for her. Autumn had called me a player—and I can’t tell you how much I hated hearing that word on her lips—and sure, I’d had more than my share of bed partners, but none of them, not one had me wanting to come back for more the way Autumn did. It might be weeks, months before this thing between us sizzled out, which was both worrisome and intriguing.
“The parade starts in twenty minutes,” Mary said, pushing between us. “We need to review the agenda for the day.” She peered adoringly up at Blanton. “Senator, you, Autumn, and Beau will be in the first car.” She darted a glance at me. “Connor, you will be in the second car with the mayor.”
Sneaky little woman. Autumn had nixed that plan, and Mary knew it, but to protest in front of the senator would make me look like a poor loser.
Autumn frowned. “Connor’s supposed to be with me.”
A warm feeling traveled through me, and I shot her a smile.
“Here’s the mayor now,” Mary said, ignoring Autumn to plop off in her dog feet toward Mayor Jenkins, who was shaking hands with one of the clowns.
“We can probably squeeze Mr. Hunter into our car if that’s what you want, Autumn.”
Yep. Very gracious of him. I had no doubt the man knew what I’d say to that before the words left my mouth. Nor would we have to squeeze me in. The convertible would hold the three of us, Beau, and the driver just fine.
“No problem,” I said through gritted teeth. “I have some things to discuss with Mayor Jenkins, so riding with him will give me the opportunity.”
“But—”
Impulsively I brushed my lips over Autumn’s, cutting her off. “It’s okay, beautiful.” I hated the thought of her riding with Blanton, but I refused to get in a pissing battle. It would only take about twenty minutes to get from one end of town to the other, and so what if the man made a play? I knew Autumn. She was not a woman who jumped from one man’s bed to another’s. All of Senator Blanton’s dazzle and multiple homes wouldn’t faze her. I hoped.
Mary got everyone lined up and then blew the whistle hanging around her neck. The high school band led us off, followed by the convertible carrying Autumn, Blanton, and Beau. They had perched themselves on the top of the back seat, Beau in the middle. Next came the mayor and I, and I followed Mayor Jenkins’s lead by actually sitting on the seat. The clowns were running all over the place, tossing candy to the crowds lining both sides of the street. It looked like every resident of Blue Ridge Valley had turned out.
As we rolled out of the festival grounds, I glanced back. Directly behind my car was the Pets for Life float, the barking dogs almost drowning out the band marching in front of us. Mary stood at the front of the float, her dog ears flapping in the breeze. Behind the float about a dozen tractors followed along, and then came the 4-H Club members, some waving their club flags, some with cows on leads, and—I squinted—yes, that was a pig trotting alongside one of the boys. Bringing up the rear were eight girls on horses, their glittery western shirts sparkling in the sun.
I turned my gaze back on the car ahead of us, scowling at seeing Blanton leaning his head next to Autumn’s as he talked with his mouth next to her ear. I should have put a bug on her so I’d know what he was saying.
31
~ Autumn ~
“You’re almostas pretty as Beau, but I’m sorry to say that his bandanna gives him the edge,” Senator Blanton said, his dimples showing when he smiled. “But forgive me, Autumn, that wasn’t something a man should say to a woman, that her dog is prettier than her.”
I laughed. “Too late, Senator. You’ve already put your foot in it.” The man was amusing and clever. And that dimpled smile would make any girl’s heart go pitter-patter. Or it should. It wasn’t working on me. Connor was the only man on my radar right now.
For however long it lasted between us, I reminded myself. I was still rattled by the intense longing I’d experienced after Connor and I had made love on his deck. I wasn’t sure why or exactly what I longed for, and honestly I thought I would be better off not trying to figure it out.
“Lucas,” he said as he waved to the crowd.
“Right. Lucas.” I lifted one of Beau’s paws, waving it at the people we passed.
“Beau! Beau! Beau!” The chant rose in the air, causing him to bark in answer.
Lucas chuckled. “Maybe I could borrow him when I go out on the campaign trail. Pretty sure he could get me votes.”
“Probably, but I’d miss him too much.” Lucas was easy to talk to, I’d give him that. On TV senators always seemed so stuffy and opinionated.
The right side of his mouth quirked, bringing one dimple along with it. “That’s an easy fix. You could come, too.”
“Ha! That would make a great headline. Who’s the mystery woman following Senator Blanton around like a stalker?” He had a nice laugh, a genuine one.
“Well, there is that.” He glanced at me, seemed to hesitate, then said, “So, you and Connor Hunter?”
“That would be a yes.” I almost addedfor nowbut decided that wasn’t information he needed to know. Nor did I want to encourage him by admitting that Connor and I were a temporary thing. I couldn’t help liking the man, but he still didn’t make my stomach twitchy the way Connor did.
