Page 56 of Protective Cowboy

Autumn hoisted herself onto a dark-green metal stool at the breakfast counter and greeted the diner’s manager, Marlene Wittmeyer. Then she ordered the fried chicken lunch special with a slice of huckleberry pie for dessert.

“Hey, sis. How’s it going?” Summer asked a few minutes later.

Autumn turned to see her sister settling onto the stool next to her.

“What’s got you looking so worried?” Summer asked. Before Autumn could reply, she said, “No, let me guess. More Phillip shenanigans?”

“No, thank God. Uh, Matt asked me out on an actual date,” Autumn replied, toying with her coffee mug. “I want to say yes, but with all this drama going on with Philip and Jayden, I’m not sure it’s a good idea. The last thing I need is another relationship going south.”

“I don’t know,” Summer said, surprising her. “I mean, what happened with you and Philip was awful, but you can’t let it hold you back from something potentially great with Matt.”

Autumn took a sip of coffee. “But what if things don’t work out between us? I don’t want to put Jayden through another failed relationship.” She blew out a breath. “Maybe it’s better if I stay single for a while. A long while. Like, until Jayden is eighteen.”

That last part was only half-joking.

“Autumn, you can’t predict the future,” Summer said, her tone compassionate. “Don’t you deserve some happiness? Maybe staying single for a while is a good idea, but until Jayden is old enough to vote?” She scoffed. “C’mon. That’s extreme. Even for you.”

That made Autumn smile despite her gloom. “I just wish there was a way to protect Jayden from any more pain. Thanks to Phillip using him to get at me, my little boy is pretty anxious right now. He really looks up to Matt as a role model, and I don’t want to do anything to ruin that.”

“Matt’s always been a stand-up guy, even back when you two were dating in high school,” Summer reminded her. “Watching you guys together, it’s clear he truly cares about you and Jayden.”

“I know. He’s been a good friend and my rock this past week,” Autumn acknowledged. “It’s just hard to trust my judgment right now. I mean, I thought Philip was the most wonderful man alive when we started dating. And look how that turned out.” She grimaced. “Argh! I don’t know what to do!”

“Be brave,” Summer said firmly. “Go on that date with Matt. Take it slow. And if things don’t work out, hey, no judgment from any of us.”

Autumn hesitated, considering her sister’s advice.

“All right,” she said finally. She reached for her phone. “I’m going to text Matt right now and tell him we’re on for tonight.”

Decision made, she felt the gray cloud of sadness and gloom finally lifting.

“Good for you!” Summer leaned over and enveloped Autumn in a tight hug. “And I’m sure Mom and Dad won’t mind keeping Jayden for a sleepover. In case you get lucky, right?”

Autumn wasn’t ready to tell her sister that she’d been getting lucky with Matt since Monday. “You never know.”

“That’s the spirit!” Summer gave her a playful wink.

A bell dinged from inside the diner’s kitchen. “Oh, hey, your order’s up. I’ll go get it.” She slid off the stool. “Have fun tonight—and don’t forget to ask Mom and Dad if they’ll keep Jayden until tomorrow.” Then she stopped. “Hey, what’s Matt’s favorite dish? I want to feature it as tonight’s dinner special.”

Autumn chuckled. “Subtle, Summer. Real subtle.”

Her sister spread her hands. “Hey, I do what I can.”

∞∞∞

Six hours later, Autumn took a deep breath. Excitement churned in her stomach. She smoothed her hands over her floral skirt and checked her lipstick one last time before she left her bedroom.

It had been so long since she’d been on a romantic date.

Years of marriage to Phillip had drained any sense of romance or fun from their evenings out.

But being with Matt was usually fun, whether they were bantering over breakfast or having heart-to-heart talks on the porch after dark.

When she emerged from her bedroom, he was waiting for her.

To her delight, he held out a Mason jar filled with a bouquet of heirloom pink and red roses from his garden. “These aren’t fancy from a florist or anything, but I remember you saying you loved how they smelled.”

“Oh, Matt.” Touched that he’d remembered her casual remark, she accepted the roses. She bent over the bouquet, breathing in the delicate perfume. “They’re beautiful. Thank you.”

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