All Autumn

by Sandra Owens

  Alert brown eyes narrowed onto Connor. “Unless you want to share with the court what you’re whispering into her ear, Connor Hunter, you will be quiet unless told to speak.”

  “Yes, sir,” Connor said.

  Seriously? Not even a minute into the trial that could ruin my life, we were already being reprimanded? Then the judge winked at me. I had no idea how to interpret that.

  Judge Padgett surveyed his courtroom, his gaze stopping on someone behind me. “Glad to see you in the peanut gallery for a change instead of at the defense table, Hamburger.”

  “Not half’in glad as me, Judge,” Hamburger said, causing a ripple of laughter, including from the judge.

  Judge Padgett’s gaze landed back on Connor and me. “Seems like you two are the entertainment of the day.”

  Oh joy. I didn’t want to be anyone’s entertainment.

  “Last time I had a courtroom packed this full was back in ’82 when Ruben Crane sued his own self for letting himself get drunk, which resulted in his falling from the bar stool, flattening his nose.” Judge Padgett’s eyes scanned the courtroom. “Y’all remember that?”

  A chorus of, “Yes, Your Honor,” sounded behind me, and I think that was Granny cackling and slapping her knee.

  “Well, let’s get this show on the road.” He banged on his gavel again, but I was ready for it this time. Connor and I had talked it over with our attorney and had decided to forgo a jury trial. In this town that could have turned into a three-ring circus, and Jed trusted Judge Padgett to do the right thing.

  After opening statements, Brian was called to the stand and sworn in. “Your Honor,” Macon Prescott said. “Before I question Mr. Stratton, I would like to show the court the video taken from Mr. Stratton’s dealership’s security camera on the night in question.”

  Connor and I had seen it in our attorney’s office after it was entered as evidence. It hadn’t seemed so bad then, but now, watching it along with practically the entire town of Blue Ridge Valley, it was embarrassing. Connor had been right. I did look like a cat burglar’s poor cousin, and I looked guilty as hell. I picked up my pen and, at the bottom of my grocery list, added, Buy a jailhouse piller pillow.

  Honestly I could barely stand to look at Brian as he sat on the witness stand, a smug expression on his face. I was beginning to wonder what I’d ever seen in him. But that was good, right? It meant I was over him.

  “What’s that Mr. Hunter just tossed over the fence?” Judge Padgett asked, drawing my attention back to what was going on.

  “My wife’s sample case,” Brian answered.

  “Objection,” I said, the word shooting out of my mouth before I could stop it. Judge Padgett looked at me; Connor looked at me; our attorney looked at me, as well as the prosecutor and Brian. Most likely the entire audience behind me was staring a hole through the back of my head.

  If I had one wish in my life—just one—I’d use it right now and have the floor open up and swallow me whole.

  “And what are you objecting to?” Judge Padgett said.

  “Um . . .”

  “Stand up, young lady.”

  Oh God, I wasn’t sure my legs would hold me up. I stood, putting my hands on the table for support. “My . . . ah, my objection is to him calling me his wife. Could you make him stop doing that?”

  12

  ~ Connor ~

  “Well, she is my wife, so I don’t see why I can’t say she is,” Brian said.

  “Then you shouldn’t have cheated on her,” Mary said. A chorus of agreements rumbled through the room.

  Judge Padgett banged his gavel. “Order in the court! Order in the court!”

  I tuned out the noise, focusing my attention on Autumn as she sank into her seat. “Well, that was fun.”

  She giggled. “Tell me I didn’t do that.”

  “Nope, you did it, all right.”

  “Next time you want to make an objection,” Jed whispered, “might be best to let me do it.”

  “That’s my first and last time doing that,” Autumn assured him.

  Judge Padgett banged his gavel again, getting a quiet courtroom. He turned in his seat to face Brian. “Mr. Stratton, the court orders you not to refer to Mrs. Stratton as your wife from here on out.”

  “Can I object to that, Judge?” Brian said.

  I rolled my eyes. What an idiot.

  “No, you cannot.” He nodded at Macon Prescott. “You may continue.”

  Macon glanced over at our table, and I was pretty sure his heart wasn’t in this case. Adam and I had built him a log house, and I’d gotten to know him. He was one of the good guys.

  He walked to the witness box, standing to the side, giving everyone a clear view of Brian. “Mr. Stratton, did Mr. Hunter or Mrs. Stratton steal anything that belonged to you?”

  “Well, no, but they—”

  “Did they damage any property?”

  Brian’s eyes narrowed. “What’s your point?”

  “Please answer the question, Mr. Stratton.”

  “No, but—”

  “Would you have given Mrs. Stratton her sample case if she’d asked you for it?”

  Silence.

  “Mr. Stratton?”

  “Why should I have when she kicked me out?”

  “She kicked you out ’cause you’re a cheater,” Mary said, and not in a quiet voice.

  “Cain’t abide cheaters,” Granny hollered. She was half-deaf and tended to yell. “Nary a one of my six husbands cheated.”

  “Paula Sue’s pa used to look at Mirna Lawson’s boobies,” Hamburger said.

  Granny snorted. “Cain’t blame a man for looking when a hussy shows off her ankles and her titties ’bout fall out the top of her dress.” This was, of course, shouted, and giggles and laughter filled the room.

  Paula Sue was Hamburger’s half-sister, long dead now, along with Granny’s six husbands. I had no idea who Mirna Lawson was. I glanced over my shoulder. Dylan was pinching the bridge of his nose, his eyes squeezed shut and his lips quivering. My twin was mimicking him. Next to Dylan, Jenn had her face buried against Dylan’s arm, her shoulders shaking.

  Autumn was doing a head-desk thing, her shoulders also shaking. Jed was as rigid as a stone, staring straight ahead. I got the impression that if he moved an inch, he would lose it.

  Judge Padgett was in the middle of a coughing fit with tears rolling down his cheeks. Macon Prescott, still standing near the witness box, seemed to be attempting to bite off his thumb. The bailiff was bent over, slapping his knee as laughter poured out of him.

  Any Blue Ridge Valley resident not here today would hear about the proceedings within minutes of court being adjourned. That was how small towns worked. Every single person missing this trial, when repeating the story, would swear they were sitting in the courtroom and were telling the tale firsthand.

  I absolutely loved my town. Brian seemed to be the only one not amused. He sat in the witness box, scowling, his attention fixed on Autumn. I wanted to poke out his eyes just for looking at her.

  “To the best attorney in the world,” Autumn said, raising her champagne glass.

  I raised mine, clinking it against Jed’s. “Hear, hear.” We were celebrating in the lounge at Fusions with Jed, Adam, Dylan, and Jenn. Fusions was the only other restaurant in town besides Vincennes with a decent lounge. It was our go-to place for a beer because Jenn worked at Vincennes, so hanging out there felt like going back to work for her.

  “Can’t say I did much,” Jed said. “In fact, I’d say Macon won the case for you. After he finished questioning Brian, the smartest thing I could do was rest my case.”

  That was true, and it had confirmed my suspicion that Macon didn’t think much of Brian’s insistence on charging us with breaking and entering. Still, I gave Jed credit for recognizing that.

  As for Judge Padgett, he was a cunning old coot. Without leaving the bench to think it over, he found us guilty of trespassing, a misdemeanor offense, then said to Brian, “You happy now, Mr.
Stratton?”

  “No, I am not,” Brian said.

  At that, the judge immediately reversed his own decision, finding us not guilty of anything, saying, “Well, if you’re not going to be happy with my decision, might as well go all out.” Then he shook his finger at Brian. “You brought this turn of events onto yourself, Mr. Stratton, and now you’re wasting my time and the court’s with this foolishness.”

  I had no idea if it was legal for Judge Padgett to reverse his own decision like that, but I wasn’t about to question it. As for Brian, I got a death glare as he stormed out of the courtroom. I somehow managed not to give him the finger.

  “I thought I was going to die when Granny started talking about titties,” Jenn said.

  “You and everyone else in the courtroom.” I grinned at Autumn. “We’re notorious now.”

  “Oh, yay. Always wanted to be a legend.”

  “How’s Beauregard?” Dylan asked.

  Autumn’s eyes lit up. “He’s so adorable. I’ll bring him to visit his mama and brothers and sisters.”

  I watched her as she talked dogs with Dylan and Jenn, and as I’d often done since the day I’d rescued her, I wondered why it had taken me so long to see how special she was. It bugged me that my attraction to her had begun with her flashing her lady parts, but like it or not, that had been the catalyst in seeing her in a whole new light. Trust me, I wasn’t sorry for that. Not at all. Still, I’d like to be able to say I was attracted to her before she flashed me.

  Feeling my twin’s eyes on me, I glanced at Adam, who was drilling a hole right through my head, plucking out the secrets I’d been trying to hide, like this new thing I had for Autumn.

  He didn’t look happy.

  “I need to head out,” Jed said. “I’ll take care of the tab.”

  “Let me get ours.” Dylan pulled out his wallet.

  Jed shook his head. “This one’s on me. You can get it next time.”

  “Thanks, man.” Dylan pushed his chair back. “Jenn and I are going to take off, too.”

  “You need a ride home?” Adam asked Autumn.

  The hell? “I’ll run her home.” My brother wasn’t trying to make a play for Autumn, but he was trying to keep me away from her. Or more accurately, trying to protect her from me.

  He gave me a we’ll-talk-later look. “Take care, Autumn,” he said, squeezing her shoulder, then walked out with Dylan and Jenn.

  “And then there were two.” I poured the last of the champagne from the bottle our waiter had left on the table into our glasses. “Happy you’re not going to be wearing orange for the next six months or whatever?”

  “You have no idea.” She drained her champagne glass. “I need to get home and let Beau out. He’s been in his crate all afternoon.”

  I stood and held out my arm. “Your chariot awaits, my lady.”

  “I went to Asheville a few days ago and talked to a divorce attorney,” Autumn said.

  “Oh?” I perked up at hearing that. “What did he say?” After returning from Fusions, we were taking Beau for a walk. I enjoyed these evening strolls with Autumn. Sometimes we talked and other times we walked in comfortable silence.

  “She. That I can be divorced in forty-five days if Brian doesn’t contest it.”

  “That’s fast.” It was great, too.

  “Yeah, well, that’s the good news. The bad is that in North Carolina you have to live apart for a year before you can file. We’re on day thirteen, so only three hundred and fifty-two days to go, and then I’ll file.”

  “That sucks.” I wanted her to be back to Autumn Archer right now.

  She nodded. “What I said.”

  Autumn wrapped her arm around mine, something she liked to do when we walked. It was a beautiful mountain night. She was a pretty woman, but in the moonlight she was breathtaking. We’d been spending a lot of time together, and my interest in her was growing. She was supposed to be off-limits, but I was having a hard time keeping her in that category.

  It seemed that she didn’t think of me as anything more than a friend, except . . . except every once in a while I’d catch her looking at me in a way she never had before. As if she liked what she was seeing.

  Beau found a bush that apparently had the most wonderful smells and was sniffing it from top to bottom. Autumn leaned against a nearby tree, letting him have his fun.

  I stood a few feet in front of her, my hands stuffed into the pockets of my jeans. I was dying inside to touch her, to spread my fingers over her cheek, and with my thumb under her chin, lift her face as I slowly lowered my mouth to hers. What would she taste like? Apples and cinnamon, I guessed. Like fall, all the scents and tastes of my favorite season.

  “Why are you looking at me like that?” she whispered.

  “I want to kiss you.” I hadn’t meant to say that.

  I was forming an apology in my head when she said, “I wouldn’t say no.”

  She should, and I should tell her that, but I didn’t. Instead, like a man entranced by a sorceress, I closed the distance between us, and as I had imagined, I splayed my fingers over her cheek and slid my thumb under her chin, lifting her face.

  “Autumn,” I said and then lowered my mouth to hers. Just a small kiss, I told my brain. My brain went deaf the second my lips touched hers.

  I moved my hands to her hips and pulled her against me, aligning our bodies, then angled my head, deepening the kiss. Our tongues met, caressed, tasted. Autumn moaned, and a bolt of lust shot through me, the power of it so great that I vaguely wondered if a storm had moved in and, somewhere close by, lightning had struck. I’d kissed my fair share of women, but none had almost brought me to my knees, not like this. I was on fire for this woman.

  Somewhere in the back of my mind warning bells were going off, but I didn’t want to hear them. I let go of her hips and slid my hands under her shirt, flattening the palm of one hand over her lower back, while the other hand found a breast.

  When I dipped my finger inside her bra and brushed it across her nipple, she moaned again. It was the most erotic sound I’d ever heard in my life. Her skin was warm and silky, her lips were soft, her mouth delicious. The hand not holding the leash was just as busy as mine, exploring under my shirt.

  I kissed my way across her cheek and then down to her neck, to the soft spot under her ear. Before the night was over, I was going to taste her from head to— A car turned the corner, its headlights lighting us up.

  We both froze as it passed, the driver honking the horn. Beau barked back. Christ, I’d been so far gone that I’d been ready to make love to her next to a public street. I stepped back.

  “Connor?” Her eyes searched mine.

  “I’m sorry.” She was still a married woman. What if a week, or even a month from now, she decided she still wanted Brian after all? Although she was adamant she was done with him, there was always the chance it could happen. I was not going to be her shame. Since I obviously couldn’t be trusted around her, I wouldn’t allow myself to be alone with her again as long as she was still married.

  I should have let Adam take her home.

  13

  ~ Jenn and Dylan’s Wedding ~

  “You look beautiful, Autumn,” Jenn said when I slipped into her hotel room.

  I rolled my eyes. “Stop stealing my compliments. Only the bride is allowed to be beautiful on her wedding day. And my God, you’re insanely beautiful.”

  And she was. Her auburn hair was pulled back from her face by a crystal-studded headband and then fell in a cascade down her back. I’d been with her when she picked out her gown, but I’d forgotten how gorgeous it was.

  The strapless fall of white silk, close fitted down to her waist, and then a swirl of soft-as-a-cloud material below, was exquisite in its simplicity. Diamond stud earrings and the heart-shaped necklace Dylan had given her were her only jewelry. Strappy white heels completed the perfection of a bride about to marry the love of her life.

  Her smile was brilliant. “I never expected to
be this happy again. Not after Natalie died. Do you think she’s looking down on us?”

  “I know she is.” We hugged, our love for and memories of her twin sister never forgotten. I’m not sure another person on the planet, except for Savannah, could understand the tears we both tried to vanquish thinking of Natalie missing Jenn’s wedding day. And thinking of Savannah, I pulled away, needing to tell Jenn something she wasn’t going to like.

  “I just ran into Jackson. He said he and Savannah are leaving right after your wedding.” I hadn’t liked Savannah’s agent boyfriend any more than Jenn had on first meeting him.

  At the rehearsal dinner he’d never left her alone. At one point, frustrated that we hadn’t gotten any time alone with Savannah, we’d tried to pull her away. “We just want some girl time with our best friend,” I’d said when he put an arm around her waist, holding her in place.

  “Savannah doesn’t like leaving my side,” he’d replied. “Do you, doll baby?”

  Doll baby? Seriously? I’d wanted to stick a fork in his eyes. I’d glanced at Jenn, seeing the same worry on her face. When I tried to capture Savannah’s attention to let her know Jenn and I would tackle her ass of a boyfriend to the ground if that was what she wanted, her gaze was glued to the floor. What was so damn interesting about a damn floor?

  “No, I don’t like leaving you, Jackson,” she’d said, sounding like a freaking robot.

  Then we’d tried to get her to have lunch with us the following day, and he’d nixed that, too. After the rehearsal dinner we hadn’t seen her. They weren’t even staying in the valley. Jackson had booked them a room in Asheville. I guess we should feel lucky that she had even shown up.

  “I hate him,” Jenn said.

  “I do, too, but today is for you. We’ll worry about her tomorrow.” I stepped back and ran my gaze over her. “Dylan should worry about embarrassing himself when he drools at the sight of you walking down the aisle.” That put a smile back on her face.