Page 64 of Protective Cowboy

“Yes. And I don’t believe a word of that nasty article,” Grandma Abigail said firmly. “Your ex-husband is a snake and always has been.”

Autumn’s eyes welled with tears at the fierce protectiveness in her grandmother’s tone. “Oh, Grandma. My life is falling apart. I just want to run away and hide for a while.”

“Nonsense. You’re not a coward, Autumn. And you’ve got your family standing behind you. We know the truth.”

Autumn drew a shaky breath, clinging to her grandmother’s certainty. “You honestly don’t believe what he said? About me being a terrible mother, and sleeping with Matt before the divorce?”

“Not for one second,” Grandma Abigail interrupted. “And neither does anyone else who knows you. Don’t you worry about that stupid interview. No one is going to remember anything about it in six months.”

A watery chuckle escaped Autumn, some of the heaviness in her chest easing. “I love you, Grandma.”

“I love you too, Autumn. Now you go on and keep doing a great job for our town and your sister’s show.”

After the call ended, Autumn wiped her eyes. Matt smiled down at her, his eyes warm with affection. “See? It’s gonna be okay.”

Autumn let out a long breath.

She knew that the battle wasn’t over yet—not by a long shot. But at least she hadn’t disappointed Grandma Abigail.

∞∞∞

Tuesday, August 25 (Three days later)

“Autumn?” Matt’s voice came from the hallway outside her bedroom, concern lacing his words. “You okay in there?”

“Fine. Just struggling with wardrobe choices,” she lied.

She stared at the closed bedroom door, her stomach twisting into knots. She knew she couldn’t hide in here forever.

I have to go to work. It’s the Miss Huckleberry Queen parade today. Grandma’s counting on me to do my job.

But she couldn’t make herself move.

Yesterday had been beyond awful. A barrage of reporters had ambushed her at the Snowberry Springs Tourism Information Office. They hadn’t been interested in her side of the story. All they’d wanted to do was goad her for soundbites they could use to make her look even worse online.

Thank goodness she had a lot of experience dealing with media outlets. Even so, answering even the most maddening questions and wildest accusations with a calm “no comment” had been one of the hardest things she’d ever done.

And she really needed the Tourism Board job to pay the rent, especially since she’d probably lost her biggest client, Reviving Snowberry Springs.

Over the past few days, Karla had left her several more messages, but Autumn hadn’t had the courage to read the texts or listen to her voicemail. She hadn’t been to the Craftsman, either.

She already knew what Karla wanted to say to her. Autumn had become an overnight liability to the show, which depended on its wholesome image to attract viewers and followers. Her services were no longer needed, nothing personal.

“I brought you coffee,” Matt announced. “Come out, if you’re decent.”

“Thanks!”

What would I do without him? He had truly been her pillar of strength since this nightmare started.

But that thought triggered a fresh wave of guilt. Is leaning on him like this fair? Or am I only dragging him into the mess my life has become?

With a sigh, she forced herself to shuffle to the mirrored closet door. Her reflection stared back at her, pale and drawn, shadows bruising the skin under her eyes after a sleepless night.

Even Matt’s tender lovemaking these last three nights hadn’t been able to relieve the shame and stress of her ordeal.

“Come on, Autumn,” she muttered, forcing herself to reach for a blouse in her closet. “Time to go to work. You’ve got a job to do.”

The thought of stepping outside the house filled her with dread, like a thousand tiny needles prickling her skin.

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