by Sandra Owens
Then I narrowed my gaze on Dylan’s chest. “Dude, you’ve been waxed already.”
He gave me a smug grin. “Had Jenny do it before she left for New York. I had a suspicion Mary would pull something like this, and I wasn’t about to sit here and scream like a girl in front of half the town.”
Adam leaned around me. “Could have warned us, Chief.”
“And miss the fun of hearing the Hunter brothers cry like babies?”
“Bastard,” Adam and I said together, which, by his laughter, Dylan found hilarious.
Mary, Renee, and the other stylist spread out, and forty minutes later, everyone except Dylan had been stripped of every hair on his chest. Roger Cummings won the award for loudest screams—still ringing in my ears—with several of us coming in a close second.
“I’ll risk getting shot before I’ll ever do this again,” I said, aiming my words at Sarah and Kim, who had thoroughly enjoyed themselves at our expense. Although Adam and I weren’t all that hairy, it still hurt like a son of a bitch.
Mary clapped her hands to get our attention. “You boys are eye candy. The minute the finished calendar goes up on Facebook, we’re going to be bombarded with orders.” She beamed. “The photographer will begin with Mr. January at nine tomorrow morning. Sarah and Kim will give you an appointment card for your time as you leave. Do not be late for your turn. Also, I expect every single one of you to attend the June Bug Dance Saturday night. The theme is heroes, which means costumes. Any questions?”
Not a one of us had a question. We just wanted our shirts back on and to get out of here. Finally we were dismissed. As I walked out, I slipped my hand under my T-shirt and rubbed my smooth chest. Would Autumn like it? Not that I’d ever get a chance to find out if I didn’t get off my butt and come up with a plan to win her back.
45
~ Autumn ~
I’d called Lucas as soon as I arrived home, asking when he’d be back in Asheville. Turned out he’d returned to Asheville to meet with his contractor one more time. Lucas hadn’t closed on the land yet, and I meant to have a say in whether or not that happened. He’d given me a choice of driving to his Asheville home or waiting until the next day to talk to him when he was in the valley. Since I wanted to get what I had to say over with, I’d elected to see him this afternoon.
On our flight home Jenn had asked me one question. “What makes you happy, Autumn?”
“Connor,” I’d whispered.
She’d smiled. “Thought so. I ran to the other side of the world from Dylan before admitting to myself that I loved him. Don’t do that with Connor, okay?”
I had no intention of going to Greece or any other country, but I was going to Asheville on Connor’s behalf. When I pulled up outside Lucas’s home, instead of the butler greeting me, it was Lucas himself.
“Hello, Autumn. I wasn’t expecting to hear from you so soon, but I’m delighted.” He tucked my arm around his and led me up the steps. “It’s a lovely day, and I thought we could enjoy a glass of iced tea or lemonade out on the veranda.”
I pulled to a stop. “Lucas, this isn’t a social call.”
“No?” He glanced down at me and smiled. “I thought you probably had some questions about our project. But whatever it is, we can still enjoy refreshments.”
He escorted me through the house, then out to a lovely covered porch, where a table was set with pitchers of iced tea and lemonade and assorted cookies. Lucas pulled out a chair, and after I was seated, he sat across from me.
“What’s your pleasure?”
“I’m fine, really.” I just wanted to plead my case and then go home. Although I didn’t have high hopes I’d be successful, I had to try.
He poured an iced tea for himself, studied me for a moment, and then filled my glass. “You don’t have to drink it, but Mother would skin me alive if she got word that I enjoyed a glass of tea in front of a lady and didn’t offer her any.” He glanced behind him with a sneaky look on his face. “Charles—that’s our butler—is her spy, and he tattles on me every chance he gets.”
He smiled and winked, letting me know he was teasing. It was impossible not to like the man. “Heavens, can’t have that.” I took a sip of the tea, getting another smile from him.
“So, Autumn, what is this ‘not a social call’ about?”
I’d practiced what I was going to say, but couldn’t remember a single word I’d planned. “I want you not to buy the Humphrey property,” I blurted.
Lucas leaned back in his chair and steepled his hands, resting his chin on his index fingers. “Because?”
He seemed to have taken that in stride, but maybe because as a senator, he was used to hiding his reactions to absurd statements. “Because Connor and Adam wanted that property. They made an offer, but your offer was higher.”
“That’s business, Autumn,” he said, not unkindly.
“I know, but see, they really, really wanted it, and they’re local boys, you know?”
“That’s all very nice but not a good enough reason.”
He was right, and the only chance I had in getting him to agree was being honest with him. Encouraged that he was still listening instead of showing me the door, I lowered my gaze and wrapped my hands around my glass of tea. “Okay. This is something I should be telling Connor and not you, but . . .” I lifted my eyes to his. “I’m in love with him, but I screwed up really bad.”
“And how did you mess up?” He reached over and pried my fingers off the glass. “You squeeze that any harder and you’re going to break it and cut your hands.”
I dropped my hands onto my lap, clasping them together. This was so awkward. Lucas was a nice guy, and I shouldn’t be dumping my problems on him. I was sure he had much more important issues to deal with than my broken heart. But he sat there, patiently waiting for me to explain myself, as if he had all the time in the world.
“I panicked,” I said. “When Connor fell down the mountain and ended up in the hospital, I realized that I cared for him, and that wasn’t supposed to happen.”
“Cared for him or loved him?”
“That I was in love with him,” I whispered. Lucas lifted a brow, signaling for me to continue. “So I stopped seeing him, but I didn’t tell him or explain. I just avoided him.”
“What are you afraid of, Autumn?”
“Turning into my mother.” But I was so not going there with him. “Listen, I wasn’t expecting you to agree, but I had to try. For Connor.” I stood. “I’ve taken up enough of your time. Thanks for seeing me.” I picked up my purse, then remembered that I needed to tell him that I wouldn’t be working with him on his mystery dinner theater. As much as I would have loved that job, it would be a betrayal to Connor.
He studied me for a moment. “My family owes you and Connor a debt that we’ll never be able to repay, and I don’t know what you said to her, but Taren is smiling again. Because of those things, I’ll withdraw my offer on the property on three conditions,” he said before I could resign from his project.
Taken by surprise, I plopped my butt back into the chair. “Really?” His smile should have melted my heart, but apparently I only melted for Connor’s smiles.
“Don’t get excited until you hear my conditions.”
“Okay, I’m not excited.” I totally was.
He held up a finger. “One, you help me find another suitable property for my dinner theater in Blue Ridge Valley.”
When I opened my mouth to agree, he shook his head. “Don’t comment until I’m done.” He lifted a second finger. “Two, you stay on as my interior designer.” Another finger joined the first two. “And three, you talk Connor and Adam into finding me a site with beautiful views where they can build me one of their log homes.”
Stunned, I stared at him. Had I really gotten him to agree to let Connor and Adam have Humphrey’s property? Every single one of those things was doable.
When I continued to stare at him, he said, “During the few times I’ve spent in your town, I’ve
grown to love it. I’d like a place where I could get away now and then where no one would bother me.”
“Mary might bother you. I can see her talking you into accepting the position of Blue Ridge Valley’s Hot Guy and then plastering your picture all over her Facebook page.”
He laughed deep and long. “She’s one of the many reasons why I’ve fallen in love with your town, Autumn. Also I was lucky enough to get a jar of Hamburger Harry’s lemonade with cherries and mint moonshine. I would live there just for the opportunity to get more of that.”
“You do know he’s making moonshine illegally?”
“Are you worried about your state’s senator getting arrested?”
“A little.” The more I was around Lucas, the more I liked him. He’d be a totally cool friend, so I hoped that was what would happen between us.
“I like you, Autumn, and I’ll admit that I’m jealous of Connor. So, what’s your answer?”
“How soon do you want your log home built?”
“Good answer,” he said, then lifted his palm.
I high-fived him. Elated with how the afternoon had progressed, I told him I’d let him know when I found some properties for him to look at. The trick now would be convincing Connor to help me find Lucas some land. Maybe I should talk to Adam first, get him on board.
He walked me to the door. “Everything will be okay, Autumn. You and Connor will figure things out.”
“There is no me and Connor.”
He just smiled. “Forgive me if I don’t take bets on that.”
As I drove by Mary’s Bread Company, I made an impulsive decision to stop and get something decadent. A poor-little-me slice of her chocolate fudge cake. When I walked inside, I came to a dead stop at seeing the back of Connor. I guess I was so wrapped up in my misery that I hadn’t realized the Jeep I’d parked next to was his. Deciding to make a hasty retreat, I took a step back.
“You leaving already, Autumn?” Mary said.
“Um… no.” If I walked out now, it would cause all kinds of speculation, and God forbid Mary getting involved in my troubles.
Connor’s back stiffened, but he didn’t turn around. “The guys will appreciate this, Mary, but it’s the least you can do after that trick you pulled yesterday.”
Mary laughed. “It was the only way to get you boys all pretty.”
He let out a snort as he picked up the large box sitting on the counter, and then he turned and headed for the door.
“Hi.” I forced my mouth to smile as he passed. He nodded, barely glancing at me, and kept going. It was as if we were mere acquaintances now, and that made me sad. Sadder than I already was.
“Uh-oh,” Mary said as the door closed behind Connor. “Trouble in paradise?”
I pasted on a blank face. “Have no idea what you mean. So what trick did you pull on the guys?”
She beamed. “Tricked them into getting their chests waxed. Couldn’t have hairy chests for our Heroes of Blue Ridge Valley Calendar, now could we?”
“Of course not.” Connor was manscaped? “I’ll take a slice of that chocolate cake.” And I wouldn’t get to see his chest? “On second thought, I’ll take the whole thing.”
46
~ Connor ~
“Let’s see some sexy smiles,” said the photographer Mary had hired to shoot the photos for the calendar.
“I thought our smiles were naturally sexy,” Adam muttered.
“Guess not.”
Wearing only hiking boots and camo pants, our chests and backs slicked up with some kind of oil, we were hanging from ropes halfway down the outside wall of the firehouse. Apparently the photographer was going to Photoshop us scaling the side of a mountain. The truth? I’d rather be scaling the side of a mountain right now over hanging here without my shirt on while half the town hooted and hollered. And was that Mary wolf whistling? I glanced toward the direction the whistles were coming from. Nope. It was Granny, Hamburger’s ma.
“Pull hard on those ropes as you climb so your muscles expand and flex,” the photographer instructed. “And look at me over your shoulders.” He snapped his fingers. “You both look like you’re sucking on sour lemons. Where are those sexy smiles?”
“Just shoot me now,” I said as I smiled through gritted teeth.
“And leave me alone to do this? Not happening, bro.”
Careful not to put too much weight on my injured ankle, I pushed my good foot against the wall, flexed my arms to show off my muscles, looked over my shoulder, and bared my teeth in what I hoped was a smile sexy enough to satisfy the photographer. My doctor had released me from the crutches, which had made me enormously happy. I still had to wear the medical boot, but for the photo shoot I’d wrapped my ankle and eased my foot into my hiking boot, leaving it unlaced.
Another twenty minutes of torture as the photographer took pictures of us in ridiculous positions and we were finally done. Thank you, God.
“Loving me some eye candy,” Granny hollered, giving Adam and me a toothless grin.
I couldn’t get my shirt on fast enough. And how did Granny even know the words eye candy? It seemed that the only town resident missing was Autumn. Even Jenn was here and had done her share of hooting. Dylan was up next, and Adam decided to stick around. I just wanted to be gone.
Seeing Autumn at Mary’s when I’d stopped to pick up the box of pastries to bring to the shoot had left me in a foul mood. To keep from causing a scene in front of Mary, I’d walked out. If I’d even looked at Autumn, I would have done something stupid, like kiss her until she admitted we meant something to each other. Then minutes later a video of me attacking her would pop up on Mary’s Happenings in the Valley Facebook page.
Autumn and I needed to have a long talk but not in front of witnesses. Not knowing where else to go, I went home. I used to love my log home, but Autumn had ruined that. Too often the past few days I’d wandered through the rooms, seeing all the places she had sat or ate or watched a movie with me. I especially hated my bed, where I could still catch her scent on the pillow. Or maybe that was just my imagination. I didn’t know anything anymore.
I was sitting on my back deck, a beer bottle dangling from my fingers, watching the sun set, and considering how to tell Autumn I was in love with her. I should have talked to her when she’d walked into Mary’s, but I’d panicked. It wasn’t a good feeling to realize that I really was the idiot my brother claimed.
Adam had called earlier, asking if I wanted to meet him at Fusions for a beer, but I’d blown him off. Apparently when you were in love and the woman didn’t love you back, you preferred to wallow in your misery. Who knew?
My phone buzzed again, reminding me I had a new e-mail. I set my beer on the table and picked up my cell. After reading the e-mail twice to make sure my eyes weren’t deceiving me, I called Adam.
“We got the land,” I said when he answered.
“What land?”
“Humphrey’s land. Apparently Blanton withdrew his offer.”
“Seriously?”
I nodded, then realized that he couldn’t see me. “Yeah, weird, right?” Blanton had the money to outbid us, so I knew that wasn’t an issue. It made no sense. “Maybe his plans fell through. Who cares? All that matters is the property is ours.”
After hanging up with Adam, I stared at my phone, wanting to call Autumn and tell her. No matter what was wrong between us, I was sure she’d be happy to hear our news. Or maybe not. She was now out of a job.
The June Bug Dance was tomorrow night, and she would be there. Come hell or high water, we were going to settle this thing between us, even if I had to kidnap her and take her somewhere private so we could talk.
My date to the dance was Adam. “Am I really the best you could scrounge up for tonight?” I asked him as we walked up to City Hall.
“Pathetic, isn’t it?”
I put my hand on my brother’s shoulder and squeezed it. “We both are.” But if nothing else, we had each other, and that was the one thing, the only thin
g we could always count on.
We were fashionably late, both of us not wanting to be here. At least I had the excuse of my ankle to not dance. The party was in full swing, the dance floor crowded with couples. This year’s theme was, unsurprisingly, heroes and heroines. Everyone was supposed to dress as their favorite hero or heroine, and I saw several Supermen, Batmen, Wonder Women, and so on. Some, like Adam and me, wore their regular clothing.
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Adam said.
I followed his line of sight, groaning when my gaze landed on twelve huge posters on one of the walls. I scanned each poster, stopping when I came to the one of Adam and me hanging from the side of the firehouse. They weren’t the finished product that would go in the calendars but ones probably taken by someone’s cell phone and then enlarged. Our calendar months were scrawled across the tops of each one in black magic marker.
“Mary did this.”
Adam nodded. “No doubt. And speak of the little devil.”
Even though I wasn’t happy with Mary at the moment, it was impossible to maintain my scowl at seeing the tiniest Ms. Marvel in the universe aiming for us. Beauregard trotted alongside her as if he wore a cape and eye mask every day.
“Where in the world did she find a dog cape and mask?” Adam said.
I didn’t care about the answer to that. If Beau was here, then so was Autumn, and I did care about that. Not that it would matter, but there was this yearning inside to find her and get her to admit she loved me. I really was pathetic.
“Why aren’t you boys in costume?” Mary said when she reached us. She swiped at the bangs of the long-haired red wig she wore.
“Ah . . .” Adam looked at me.
“We are. We’re the Superhero Twins.” I smirked at Adam. “He’s the girl twin.” My gaze settled on one of the posters. “Why did Dylan get to keep his shirt on?” Granted it was unbuttoned and open, but still.