Page 163 of Swept for Forever
“Fishing shop,” I said. “Selling worms and shattered dreams.”
Susan snorted. “Failed cowboy to failed fisherman.”
“Appreciate the support, Nolan.”
Otter was right beside me, soaking it all in. Susan caught the look between us, and her grin tapered.
“Take care of her, Powell,” she said. “You screw this up, and even your fancy coin won’t buy you a second chance.”
Then she was off, cutting across the lot.
“I like her,” Autumn said, bumping my shoulder.
“It’s not easy to like her,” I muttered. “You must be special.”
She grinned. “You realize I’m still gonna roast you about her, right?”
I narrowed my eyes at her, but all I could do was pull her into a hug.
As we sauntered toward my truck, I reached into my pocket and pulled out the coin. It was scuffed, battered, and still with me.
I rolled it over my knuckles, letting it catch the light.
“You’re doing the thing again,” Autumn said.
“Can’t help it.”
“Did you do that before and after every case?”
“Every important one.”
“This one got under your skin, huh?” she nudged.
I flicked the coin into the air, caught it, and tucked it back into my pocket. “This one was everything.”
My eyes stayed on her. Yeah, it was. Becauseshewas.
49
DOM
The smell of venison stew filled the kitchen, hearty and rustic. I gave the pot a slow stir, making sure the meat stayed covered, then turned to find Autumn hunched over the counter, chopping carrots.
Between us, Lulu sat with perfect posture, her head tilted and tracking every move like a sous-chef, or the most dignified beggar in Montana.
“You know you don’t have to maim the vegetables, right?” I told Autumn.
She gave me a look. “You’re the one who trusted me with a knife.”
God, I love this woman. Even when she was battling a produce aisle.
I crossed to her, took the knife from her hand, and kissed her temple. “Listen, after everything you’ve done for me,cookingranks dead last on my list of relationship must-haves.”
She leaned into me, mock-insulted. “I’m excellent at…eating.”
“Perfect,” I said. “I’m excellent at feeding.”
Just then, the doorbell rang.
