Page 22 of Protective Cowboy

Autumn cringed inside at the thought of trying to explain the situation to a judge. Well, your honor, he’s never hit me or threatened me with violence. But I didn’t like that he sent me flowers. And chocolates. And a heart-shaped gold-and-diamond pendant.

She figured the judge would laugh her out of court. And Phillip probably knew that.

He knew exactly how far he could push without breaking the law.

“I’ll think about it,” she promised.

Winnie patted her arm. “It sucks, I know. But things will get better. And there’s Mom’s fried chicken to look forward to tonight.” She grinned. “And a special guest.”

“Who?” Autumn asked, glad to change the subject away from her ex-husband.

Winnie’s grin widened. “You’ll just have to wait and see.”

Chapter Six

Table Talk

Snowberry Springs Ranch

Later that day

“I invited Matt to join us for dinner tonight,” Mom said.

Autumn stopped peeling potatoes. “Why?”

Mom laughed. “I know you and Matt wanted to keep things under wraps, but I talked to Susie yesterday, and she told me all about how you and Matt got back together again while planning the railroad festival.” She beamed at Autumn. “You know your dad and I always liked him. We were sorry things didn’t work out for you back then.”

Autumn grimaced. “Not as sorry as I am now.”

Susie was Matt’s mom. She and Matt’s dad, Will, owned Parker Farms, located just down the road from the Snowberry Springs Ranch.

“Well, we’re all glad you’re giving Matt a second chance.” Mom’s knife thwacked into the plucked chicken carcass on her cutting board, neatly separating a plump thigh from the body. “Susie is so excited and hoping things work out for you two this time.”

Autumn’s cheeks heated in consternation. Why Matt hadn’t cleared up the rumors by telling his parents the truth?

“Um…” She wasn’t sure how to tell her mom that there wasn’t actually a relationship. “Look, there’s something I need to tell you about Matt and me,” she began. “We’re not really dating—”

“What do you mean?”

“Hey, Autumn, Matt’s here!” Winnie called from the living room.

Relieved at the excuse to escape the increasingly uncomfortable conversation with her mom, Autumn set down her peeler and a half-peeled potato.

“I’ll explain everything later,” she promised, and fled the kitchen.

She followed the sounds of laughter and conversation to the ranch house’s big, comfortable living room.

When she entered, she found Matt, dressed in a clean Vintage Railroad Days Festival t-shirt and comfortably worn jeans, leaning against the fireplace. His normally serious features were relaxed and smiling as he casually chatted with Spring and Dad.

He looked good, fit and muscled in all the right places.

Autumn’s breath caught as his hazel eyes met hers.

“Hey there, Autumn. Your mom lured me over with the promise of her famous fried chicken.”

“We heard that you and Autumn were dating again, so I thought it was high time we caught up.” Dad beamed at them both, clearly pleased with himself.

Autumn felt a blush heat her cheeks. She couldn’t believe how Matt’s little white lie had taken on a life of its own.

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