Page 75 of Protective Cowboy

Autumn chewed and swallowed her mouthful of pot pie. Despite Matt’s praises of her version, Brock’s were still the best she’d ever had.

“It’s a good idea,” she admitted, “but Karla told me that Lisa Maiffret likes face-time with her direct reports, and that relocation was non-negotiable for this position.”

“They always say that.” Winnie’s tone was cynical. “But if they want you badly enough, pretty much everything is negotiable.”

And that was the sticking point.

“But I’m not sure how badly they want me,” Autumn said. “What if I play hardball with Karla and Lisa, and they withdraw the job offer? If I refuse to relocate to Seattle, they might think I’m not committed enough to my career. Or that I don’t really want the job.”

“I get it, sis.” Summer reached over and patted Autumn’s hand. “But you know what? Sometimes you have to take big risks for the things that really matter. The real question is: is your relationship with Matt—and staying in Snowberry Springs with all of us—worth the risk of losing out on this job?”

“Exactly,” agreed Winnie. “You can’t let fear dictate your decisions. Think about what would make you the happiest, and use that as your starting point in the negotiation.”

Autumn caught her breath. What do I really want? And if I go to Seattle, will it be because I’m running towards something, or running away from my problems here?

“Maybe you can find a middle ground for the job.” Winnie added, “If you show them you’re passionate about the job but need to stay close to your family, maybe you can offer to fly to headquarters for weekly or monthly meetings. Or maybe video conferencing is the way to go.”

Autumn mulled over their words, her mind racing with possibilities.

But she couldn’t help worrying. If she tried to negotiate the job terms, would Karla and Lisa think she was some kind of high-maintenance diva and pull the plug?

“Listen,” Summer said gently, leaning in. “I won’t lie to you, Autumn. I think you’d be making a huge mistake if you moved away. But I’ll support whatever decision you make. No questions asked.”

“Right,” Winnie said. “Because that’s what sisters do. We’ll be here for you, Autumn, no matter what you decide.” She smiled at Autumn. “If you end up going to Seattle, I can recommend some great neighborhoods to live in.”

“Thanks, guys,” Autumn whispered, choking back tears that threatened to spill over. Her sisters’ support felt like a warm cashmere shawl on a snowy night. “I just don’t want to mess this up. ”

“Give yourself some credit, Autumn,” Winnie encouraged, her eyes shining with pride. “I can’t remember the last time you messed up anything.” She raised an admonitory finger when Autumn tried to protest. “And before you say it, marrying Phillip doesn’t count. He tricked you into thinking he was a decent guy.”

“He gave me Jayden,” Autumn said, smiling across the table at her little boy. “The best thing that’s ever happened to me.”

Jayden stopped coloring and grinned up at her.

“And you’re not nineteen and naïve anymore,” Winnie continued. “You’re a smart, tough woman now and you’ll be a huge success at whatever you choose to do next.”

“Remember,” Summer added. “Sometimes the hardest decisions are the ones that lead us to where we truly belong.” Her smile was wry as her gaze moved to the diner’s kitchen door. “Been there, done that.”

And sometimes we have to make tough decisions, even if our hearts don’t agree with them, Autumn thought.

“But why can’t Matt be my new dad?” Jayden asked suddenly. “Why don’t you marry him, Mommy? Then he’ll have to come to Seattle with us!”

He sat back with a triumphant look, as if he’d just solved a difficult puzzle.

Winnie and Summer stared at her. Crap.

I knew it! Summer mouthed at her over Jayden’s head.

“Jayden,” Autumn choked out. “It’s not that simple. Matt has been an amazing friend to us, but we can’t expect him to drop everything and follow us to a new city.”

“Did I do something wrong? Is that why he doesn’t want to be my dad?” Jayden’s eyes filled with renewed tears.

“Of course not, honey,” she reassured him, longing to give him a hug. “It’s just a complicated situation. Matt really likes being a deputy sheriff here. And he loves his new house. Moving away with us is a lot to ask of him. He’s done so much for us already. I don’t want to pressure him like that.”

“But you haven’t even asked him!”

As Jayden stared at her accusingly, Autumn silently cursed herself for the mess she’d created.

She desperately wished she had better answers for both herself and her son. The idea of turning down a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity left her feeling trapped and uncertain.

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