Page 91 of All Autumn
“I know, but see, they really, really wanted it, and they’re local boys, you know?”
“That’s all very nice but not a good enough reason.”
He was right, and the only chance I had in getting him to agree was being honest with him. Encouraged that he was still listening instead of showing me the door, I lowered my gaze and wrapped my hands around my glass of tea. “Okay. This is something I should be telling Connor and not you, but . . .” I lifted my eyes to his. “I’m in love with him, but I screwed up really bad.”
“And how did you mess up?” He reached over and pried my fingers off the glass. “You squeeze that any harder and you’re going to break it and cut your hands.”
I dropped my hands onto my lap, clasping them together. This was so awkward. Lucas was a nice guy, and I shouldn’t be dumping my problems on him. I was sure he had much more important issues to deal with than my broken heart. But he sat there, patiently waiting for me to explain myself, as if he had all the time in the world.
“I panicked,” I said. “When Connor fell down the mountain and ended up in the hospital, I realized that I cared for him, and that wasn’t supposed to happen.”
“Cared for him or loved him?”
“That I was in love with him,” I whispered. Lucas lifted a brow, signaling for me to continue. “So I stopped seeing him, but I didn’t tell him or explain. I just avoided him.”
“What are you afraid of, Autumn?”
“Turning into my mother.” But I was so not going there with him. “Listen, I wasn’t expecting you to agree, but I had to try. For Connor.” I stood. “I’ve taken up enough of your time. Thanks for seeing me.” I picked up my purse, then remembered that I needed to tell him that I wouldn’t be working with him on his mystery dinner theater. As much as I would have loved that job, it would be a betrayal to Connor.
He studied me for a moment. “My family owes you and Connor a debt that we’ll never be able to repay, and I don’t know what you said to her, but Taren is smiling again. Because of those things, I’ll withdraw my offer on the property on three conditions,” he said before I could resign from his project.
Taken by surprise, I plopped my butt back into the chair. “Really?” His smile should have melted my heart, but apparently I only melted for Connor’s smiles.
“Don’t get excited until you hear my conditions.”
“Okay, I’m not excited.” I totally was.
He held up a finger. “One, you help me find another suitable property for my dinner theater in Blue Ridge Valley.”
When I opened my mouth to agree, he shook his head. “Don’t comment until I’m done.” He lifted a second finger. “Two, you stay on as my interior designer.” Another finger joined the first two. “And three, you talk Connor and Adam into finding me a site with beautiful views where they can build me one of their log homes.”
Stunned, I stared at him. Had I really gotten him to agree to let Connor and Adam have Humphrey’s property? Every single one of those things was doable.
When I continued to stare at him, he said, “During the few times I’ve spent in your town, I’ve grown to love it. I’d like a place where I could get away now and then where no one would bother me.”
“Mary might bother you. I can see her talking you into accepting the position of Blue Ridge Valley’s Hot Guy and then plastering your picture all over her Facebook page.”
He laughed deep and long. “She’s one of the many reasons why I’ve fallen in love with your town, Autumn. Also I was lucky enough to get a jar of Hamburger Harry’s lemonade with cherries and mint moonshine. I would live there just for the opportunity to get more of that.”
“You do know he’s making moonshine illegally?”
“Are you worried about your state’s senator getting arrested?”
“A little.” The more I was around Lucas, the more I liked him. He’d be a totally cool friend, so I hoped that was what would happen between us.
“I like you, Autumn, and I’ll admit that I’m jealous of Connor. So, what’s your answer?”
“How soon do you want your log home built?”
“Good answer,” he said, then lifted his palm.
I high-fived him. Elated with how the afternoon had progressed, I told him I’d let him know when I found some properties for him to look at. The trick now would be convincing Connor to help me find Lucas some land. Maybe I should talk to Adam first, get him on board.
He walked me to the door. “Everything will be okay, Autumn. You and Connor will figure things out.”
“There is no me and Connor.”
He just smiled. “Forgive me if I don’t take bets on that.”
