“Always a pleasure, Summer.” Jared hugged her.
“I have a feeling this is going to be a great story.” Bo flashed a sly, knowing smile and patted Jared on the back. “I’ll get the bags.”
“I’ll help,” Jared replied.
The two men were barely a few feet away when Summer pinched her on the arm.
“Ouch!” Autumn rubbed the spot.
“That’s right ouch. Why didn’t you call and tell me Jared was on the island and that you two finally met?”
Autumn gave her a knowing look. “I figured you already knew.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Summer furrowed her eyebrows.
“Go ahead and play coy. I know the Blakes and the Jamisons had something to do with our chance meeting. But I’m not mad. I’m actually pleased about it. We got to know each other.” Autumn tried to reel back the smile she was sporting, but she couldn’t hide how happy she was, especially from her twin sister.
“I’d love to take the credit for that smile on your face, but it wasn’t me. How well did you get to know each other?”
“Let’s just say he can do better things with his hands than design buildings.” Autumn linked arms with her sister and walked toward the SUV where Jared and Bo were waiting.
“I want all the juicy X-rated details later.”
“We’ll have a popcorn night when Bo and Jared have their poker night at the ranch and I’ll tell you all about it.”
* * *
The past couple of months had flown by in a manic frenzy, but Jared didn’t care. He enjoyed spending time with Autumn. The announcement to the family that they were dating was met with a lot of cheering and congratulations. Autumn and Jared threw out a stern disclaimer that, as much as they loved everyone, they needed space for the relationship to blossom at its own pace. The hardest sell on the relationship was to the little Blake boys who loved their Aunt Autumn. She spent more time with them than he realized. After explaining to them over cookies and milk that she’d still have time for them, all was well.
It was a magical time indeed. He often found himself smiling for no reason and he’d even cut back on working all the time. He felt like that couple he’d seen that day in the supermarket. He’d pinned down a start date for the renovation on Derek’s bar, and he’d even taken a few business trips with J.J., who was scouting land for a new corporate park development project. Charisma was proving to be pretty good at her job. She was an awesome office manager, and the clients loved her. She even seemed happier these days. The change in the family’s attitude toward her had done wonders for her self-esteem. She still had a long way to go, but he was confident she on the way to making the life she wanted without all the drama of dating bad boys. Luckily Sydney was a shoulder for her to lean on when she needed it.
He still had to deal with the unresolved issue with Taylor. They’d played phone tag for over a week when he’d returned from vacation. Then she suddenly dropped off the face of the earth but reemerged and left him a message one day saying she was consulting on a complex case and didn’t have the time to talk. It didn’t surprise him that she switched gears when work arose. He remembered how she got that way when they were married. He never said no to her in the marriage, which is why it ended in divorce. Everything else would have to wait. He kicked himself for delaying the inevitable, but an equally cavalier voice mail wasn’t the answer.
Now he was back in Texas for the week for work and of course to see Autumn. They had plans for dinner, so he thought he’d spend the day catching up on family gossip with Morgan and paying a visit to his niece Avery at her school. The boys normally stormed over at the crack of dawn and roused him from sleep when he was in town, but they hadn’t today and he missed it. Jared walked to Morgan and Seth’s to see why they hadn’t come and found the family gearing up for a bike ride.
“Hi, Uncle Jared!” the boys yelled as they put on knee pads and adjusted their helmet straps.
“Hello, my merry band of troublemakers. What gives? I didn’t get my morning wake-up call.” He scratched at his beard.
“Mom says we have to give you privacy because you have a girlfriend now,” Jake said.
“Oh. Well, thank you for being so considerate.”
“Care to join us?” Seth asked as he fastened Mackenzie’s pink baby bike trailer to the back of his mountain bike. “We’re going to ride down to the creek and back.”
“I would love to, but I thought I’d go to the university and pop in on Avery.”
“Avery called Morgan an hour ago. She’s on her way to the ranch.”
“Oh. I guess I’ll work on Mackenzie’s dollhouse design until she gets here.” Jared looked at Seth. He looked so content. “Retirement looks good on you. Have any idea of what’s next for you?”
“The boys and I are playing a few rounds of mini golf tomorrow.” Seth grinned.
“I hear you.” He laughed. The former quarterback was determined to spend quality time with his kids, and Jared couldn’t blame him.
Morgan came out of the house with Mackenzie, who was dressed in the cutest little jumper and a pair of pink sneakers. “Mackenzie’s ready to be chauffeured around by dad.”
“Hello, ladies.” Jared pinched Mackenzie’s cheek.
Mackenzie made baby noises and bounced away in Morgan’s arms and reached for him.
“Did you say my name?” Jared pulled her into his arms. “See, I told you she was going to be a genius.”
“You should see her, Jared. She can also name all fifty states and their capitols,” Seth said.
“Pay him no attention. They share some secret language, and he gets pretty colorful when he translates for her.” Morgan took Mackenzie back and fastened her into the stroller.
“Thanks, babe.” Seth kissed Morgan. “Let’s ride boys!”
“Be careful!” Morgan shouted after them.
Jared smiled. “I never thought I’d see the day when my neurotic little sister would let any of her children go off in a contraption like that.”
She shrugged and sat at the workbench to take a look at one of the boy’s broken toys. “She likes it and its safe. Seth takes her jogging with him sometimes. Besides, I let the boys pull her around in a red wagon in the backyard.”
“Are you feeling OK?” He pressed his hand against her forehead. “I must be in some hellish nightmare where my baby sister is under some strange spell that renders her dangerously mellow.”
“Hey, she needs to learn how to survive in this male-dominated house. Seth may be gentle with her, but the boys see her as a human hockey puck.”
“They’re not that bad.” Jared laughed, but he knew it was true. Jake was pretty serious about that diagram he drew to hoist his sister into the tree house.
“I thought you’d be out with Autumn.”
“She had some wedding planning stuff to do, so I thought I’d go visit Avery, but Seth told me she’s coming here.”
Morgan glanced at her watch. “She should be here any minute. Isn’t it nice that your niece is visiting? Now you don’t have to do one of your surprise inspections for Robert.”
“Ha ha.” He opened the mini fridge in the corner and got out a bottle of juice.
“Is Charisma working out?”
“Surprisingly, yes. She’s a dynamo.”
“That’s good news. I talked to Charles this morning. He got the job with the FBI. I’m so excited for him. So it looks like he will be staying on the East Coast. He’s coming down next month for a visit with Lisa and the kids when Dad and Sydney come to look for a place.” Morgan held up a toy truck wheel.
“Sweet. The entire family is on the same continent again.”
“But not in Philadelphia, right?”
“I have to admit it’s not the same because you’re not there, but living in Texas does have its merits too.” He grinned.
“Oh my gosh, you’re just saying that because your girlfriend lives here.” She threw a work glove at him. “So how are things g
oing with you and Autumn?”
“Things are great. In fact they’re better than great. You know I’m surprised that you haven’t kicked into any high-gear nosiness. What gives?”
“I lobbied for this union for so long the least I could do is give you breathing room.” She laughed. “I don’t want to run your life. I just want you to be blissfully happy.”
“Thanks, Sis. I am.”
The sound of car doors closing and lively voices coming from the front of the house caught their attention. Jared and Morgan went around to the front of the house. It was Avery and Wyatt.
“Avery.” Jared gave his niece a big bear hug and rustled her bangs. “How’s my favorite college student?”
“Fine, Uncle Jared.” She tried to move away, embarrassed by the attention.
“How are my two favorite college students?” Morgan made eyes at Jared for ignoring Wyatt and gave them both a hug.
Avery glared at Wyatt. “Mr. Bossy wanted to listen to college sports talk all the way here.”
“Excuse me for wanting to catch up with the games I missed because I was helping you with your fundraising drive,” Wyatt replied.
“It was for a good cause. We need to raise awareness about a clean environment for sea lions.” Avery narrowed her eyes.
“It sounds like you two can barely stand each other. Why did you drive here together?” Jared looked at Wyatt.
“Uncle Jared, that’s environmentally irresponsible. Burning unnecessary fuel when we’re going to the same destination.” Now Avery scowled at him.
Jared held his hands up. “I was just asking a question.”
Morgan interrupted. “Wyatt, how are your studies going?”
“Pretty good,” he said. “I think I’m going to make the dean’s list this semester.”
“That’s fantastic!” Morgan hugged him again. “I knew you just needed a change of environment.”
“I guess I did more partying than studying with my friends at my old school.” He gave her a boyish smile.
Avery put her hand on her hip. “And he’s working on a new reputation at this one with partying and girls.”
“Tattletale,” Wyatt bit back.
Jared nodded. “Wyatt’s young, and that’s what college life is all about.”
“Telling the truth is not tattling, right Aunt Morgan?”
“That’s always been a rule in the Reed family for generations. Of course I sang like a bird every change I got.” Morgan chuckled.
“She was quite good at it.” Jared looked toward the sky.
“I have to get going,” Wyatt said. “I’m late for a lunch date with my mom and Bo Sr. Princess, I’ll catch you later.” He winked at Avery.
“I thought I asked you not to call me that?” Avery pouted.
“You sure did.” He gave her a wide, toothy grin and walked back down the path to his car.
“Don’t forget to drop my bags at John Jacob and Teri-Lyn’s house. And you’re picking me up around one on Sunday?” she yelled.
“Of course. If you’re not doing anything, maybe we can go for a trail ride.”
“OK,” Avery said.
Jared looked at his niece. She seemed peeved yet sad to see him go. “You two have certainly developed a rapport.”
“I don’t know. He’s been moody lately.” Avery rolled her eyes.
“Really? How so?” Morgan tried to suppress a grin as she led her niece to the kitchen.
“One second he’s acting like he’s too cool to be seen with me, the next he’s walking me home from a night class. He forbade me to go to a party because too many older guys would be there. I went anyway with my friends, so he followed me around all night to make sure no one would talk to me. The next day he came over and asked me to a movie at the student center like nothing ever happened.”
“Did you go?” Jared said.
“Where?” Avery gave him a quizzical look.
“To the movie.”
“Oh. Yes. We had fun.”
Jared and Morgan both smiled at that one. He had to admit Wyatt did sound like he was going above and beyond to keep her out of trouble. Now Jared felt like a jerk for ignoring the boy. “It sounds like he’s just looking out for you.”
“Listen, I know it sounds like he’s been a wet blanket, but would you expect anything less from Uncle Bo’s brother?” Morgan asked.
“No.” Avery let out an exaggerated sigh. “Of course not. I’m sure he’d be in more trouble if something were to happen to me.”
Morgan smiled. “Exactly. You know how this family operates.”
“Now I have to be good so Wyatt doesn’t get scrutinized too? I wanted to go to school in Texas because I’d be away from certain people’s incessant stalking.” Avery motioned her head to Jared.
He hated when any of the women in his life were mad at him. Avery just wanted to enjoy her college experience. He and his brothers had done the same thing to Morgan when she went away to college. He trusted Avery. He just wanted her to be safe.
Jared sighed. “I could talk to the family about cutting down on the surprise visits.”
“Thanks, Uncle Jared! Aunt Morgan was right. All you needed was a good woman in your life to loosen up.” She hugged him and dove into the fridge.
“What just happened?” He looked at his sister.
Morgan laughed. “You just became an ally in your niece’s battle to be independent.”
CHAPTER EIGHT
Jared couldn’t help but feel like the fix was in as, for the fifth time in a row, Autumn and Summer won at Pictionary. He knew something was amiss when, instead of pairing up with the mates, they opted to team up. He’d played with Bo before and they were a pretty good duo, but they weren’t a match for two women who looked alike and thought alike. It was her and Summer’s turn at the dry erase board. Her twin guessed the answer to the clue “bridge over troubled waters” after Autumn drew just a squiggly line and a circle. The men yelled foul. Certain they weren’t going to win a single game, the men finally admitted defeat.
Jared loved hanging out with Bo and Summer, but he wasn’t sad when they finally said goodnight and went across the hall. He and Autumn had been making the most of their time together lately, doing everything from going to see Isabelle’s symphony, to a night out at the Bight Star. Even when the ladies busted in on their poker game, he didn’t mind because he missed being away from her for the few hours they’d been apart. The guys teased him about it, but he took his lumps with grace and an appreciation for having these tingly feelings for Autumn. Tonight, Autumn looked especially beautiful in a black lace cocktail dress, her light brown hair cascading over her shoulders.
“I am tired.” Autumn put her arms around his waist and rested her chin his chest.
“Well, cheating will do that to you.” He kissed her nose.
“Don’t get mad at me because you stink at Pictionary. Surprising for a person who draws for a living.”
“Hey, my drawings were fine. Bo was off his game tonight.”
“Excuses. Excuses.” She chuckled. “How good was the food at that hibachi restaurant?”
“It was very good. It was nice of them to let Bo cook.”
“Who knew Bo was so good with a knife? I almost died when he threw it in the air and caught it behind his back.”
“Bo Sr. and John Jacob took them all camping and taught them survival training when they were young. I think they can wrestle bears too.” Jared caressed her cheek. “I never get tired of staring into your eyes.”
“Oh yeah. What do you see?”
He’d been feeling it for weeks now but was afraid she’d run for the hills if he uttered the words. He loved her. “Forever.”
“I have a surprise for you.” She took his hand in hers and led him to the bedroom.
There were lit candles scattered about the room, soft music playing, and rose petals all over the bed and the floor. A bottle of champagne and two fluted glasses were on the dresser beside a bowl of strawberries and whippe
d cream.
Jared stood perfectly still as Autumn stroked his body while she undid the buttons on his shirt with her teeth. There was something about the way she touched him that conveyed the words she’d been reluctant to say to him. The wall she’d built up around her heart was slowly coming down. He could feel it. Lately she’d gaze into his eyes a little longer before breaking contact or would give him a hug for no reason. He wanted her to feel comfortable in her pursuit of getting over the fears that kept her jumping from relationship to relationship. He knew the baseball player had called her a few times, but she’d told him to get lost. It brought joy to his heart to hear her say she was in the kind of relationship she’d always been looking for, but that didn’t stop the jock from sending her some expensive emerald necklace that she promptly sent back.
He knew she just needed time. She was dealing with so much right now. Not only was she dealing with losing a sister, but she was trying to be intimate on a level she’d never experienced before. He finally figured out why she singlehandedly wanted to plan her sister’s wedding. It was her way of processing that she would soon need to let her sister go so Summer could get on with her life with Bo. She was afraid of losing the person she shared her world with. The Pictionary game tonight was a great example of how much they thought alike. It was that twin thing. They barely had to speak to one another. He’d seen the same behavior in Connor and Colby and it was amazing to watch.
When Autumn dropped to her knees and unzipped him, his breath hitched. She wasted no time taking him in her mouth. He groaned at the movements she made with her tongue. He ran his fingers through her hair as she gripped his thighs and sucked until he could barely take it anymore. He yanked her up and unzipped her dress, his hands slowly moving over her body. He unhooked her bra and took one of her breasts in his mouth while gently running his thumb over her nipple. When he moved closer to the bed, she tried to step out of her strappy black heels but he stopped her.
“Leave them on,” he said in a ragged whisper.
He opened her nightstand drawer and retrieved a condom. Autumn took the packet from him and sheathed him, taking her sweet time rolling it down his shaft. He pushed her gently onto the bed and tugged on her panties. When the fancy satin was down around her foot, he lifted her legs and kissed her ankles. She giggled and reached out and stroked him, trying to get him to hurry along. He put her ankles on his shoulders and lunged into her. He moved closer to her and kissed her. They picked up a manic rhythm immediately as they clung to each other. Sweat began to pour from his body onto her as he worked every muscle he had, giving his all to this woman who had captured his heart. Autumn opened her eyes and stared back at him. He quickened the pace, and when they climaxed together, he fell on top of her. He didn’t have to ask this time for her to look at him. She was getting closer to love too.
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