Autumn Bliss

by Stacey Joy Netzel

  His eyes warmed at her touch. He started to lean in, but she quickly withdrew and yanked the door open.

  “Goodnight, Levi. I’ll see you around.”

  Again with the wounded look in his eyes. She fled across the porch, thankful when the pair of huskies jumped up to trot ahead of her. Even though she resisted the powerful urge to look back, she knew he watched her. Felt his gaze until she rounded the corner.

  The night was fittingly chilly for the end of October, making her breath plume out as she followed the dogs along the lane. Moonlight glinted off the dark surface of the lake, sparkling on the ripples made by the slight evening breeze.

  With Levi at her side, it would’ve been romantic. He’d have held her hand, they’d have talked and laughed, and he’d have kissed her goodnight on her porch. Or maybe she’d have invited him in to finish what they’d started earlier.

  It scared her how much she wanted that—how much she wanted to take a chance on love and being happy with him here. But just as much, she feared losing herself. For the life of her, she couldn’t get her mother’s voice out of her head.

  The dogs paused at the end of the paved lane, and she took a moment to pet each soft, gray head before sending them back to the lodge. It was darker here with the tree branches overhead breaking up the moonlight, and she increased her pace.

  Almost to her cabin, she pulled her cell phone from her pocket and dialed her brother. He answered by the third ring, but the noise in the background made it hard to hear him.

  “Hey, Mal.”

  “Where are you?”

  “Club in Green Bay. What do ya need?”

  “Nothing.” Her throat tightened as she turned around and sat on the cabin’s porch step. “Just wanted to say hi.”

  “Hi.”

  “Hi. And bye—it’s too loud there. Have a good night.”

  He didn’t argue, and after they’d disconnected, she clenched the phone in her hand. Shane probably couldn’t have answered her questions anyway. But she knew someone who might.

  She was about to thumb his name in the contact list when the rumble of an engine filtered through the quiet night.

  Levi.

  Bright headlights cut through the semi-darkness, then his truck slowed out on the lane. Her heart lodged in her throat as she waited to see if he’d turn into her driveway or go past. She held her breath, caught between anticipation and dread.

  Turn.

  Keep going.

  Turn.

  Keep going.

  After a long pause, the engine gave a throaty rumble, and he continued past her place to his own.

  The disappointment was crushing—more so than she expected.

  Raising the phone, she touched the name on her screen and then waited until a low, male voice picked up. “Hello?”

  “Hi, Daddy, it’s Mal.”

  “Hey, pumpkin. What’s wrong?”

  She drew in a shaky breath, hoping it’d calm her nerves. “What makes you think something’s wrong?”

  “It’s the only time you ever call me Daddy.”

  He was right. Tears swelled in her eyes, but she looked at the moon and blinked them away. “I…I wanted to talk to you about mom.”

  There was a beat of silence. “Okay.”

  He sounded cautious, but open, so she forged ahead. “Can I ask, how come you and mom never got divorced? She wasn’t happy. Neither were you.”

  A sigh came across the line. “You’re right, we weren’t.”

  “Then why not end it? Why didn’t one of you leave, for that matter? Why didn’t mom leave?”

  “She didn’t believe in divorce.”

  “Even when she was so obviously miserable?” She heard her words, and cringed. “I’m sorry, Dad, I didn’t mean that the way it sounded.”

  “It’s okay, pumpkin, I understand. Part of it was that she also didn’t want to disrupt things for you kids. Divorce is hard.”

  “And yet staying together wasn’t any better,” she said. “She was so bitter all the time.”

  “I know, and I hate that you knew.”

  She felt bad for the anguish in his voice, but needed the answers now more than ever.

  “I tried to make her happy,” her dad said. “But as the years went on, it didn’t matter what I did. She wanted so much more than I could give. Much more than what our small town had to offer.”

  “Why didn’t we move? You could’ve found another job somewhere, couldn’t you have? Somewhere she could’ve been happy?”

  “I offered. Many times. She always said no.”

  Mallory frowned into the dark. That didn’t make sense. “Why would she say no? She hated it here.”

  Another sigh. “I don’t know. I never understood that myself. The one time, about when Shane was twelve, I started searching for something else without telling her, but she found out. She was furious with me, and I never brought it up again.”

  None of this was helping, so she went on to the next question. “Did you two ever love each other?”

  “Yes. At least I like to think she did at one point.” Now his voice was low, and rough, as if he was choked up, same as her. “As for me, I still loved your mother the day she died, honey. I’d have done anything for her.”

  That is what she was afraid of. Before her throat closed completely, she said, “Thank you, Daddy. I love you.”

  “Anytime, pumpkin. I love you, too.”

  “Tell Cynthia I said hello.” She started to pull the phone down to disconnect.

  “Mallory?”

  She pressed it back to her ear. “Yes?”

  “Why are you bringing this up now? Are you okay?”

  Her muscles were so used to it, her smile didn’t even feel forced. “Yes, Dad, I’m great. Bye.” She disconnected before he could insist she answer his first question.

  Her lips trembled as she lowered her hand, and hidden in the shadows on the porch, she let the tears fall. Unfortunately, he’d confirmed what she’d suspected all along.

  Love wasn’t enough.

  Chapter 19

  I’m just fine on my own.

  See you around.

  Only Levi hadn’t seen Mallory other than at a distance all week.

  At first, he’d tried to tell himself she was busy with the festival, but the constant echo of her words eventually convinced him to face the truth—she was avoiding him. Didn’t want to see or talk to him.

  Anna and her big mouth.

  Better yet, he should’ve listened to those alarm bells in his head the day they first met.

  No…because even though it hurt like hell to think she was done with him, he didn’t regret his feelings one bit. He was starting to live again, and for the first time in almost three years, he looked forward to what the future might bring.

  For now, all energy was focused on the upcoming event. Excitement vibrated in the air as everyone pulled together to get everything set up. Then it had rained two days ago, and yesterday had been cold and cloudy, worrying everyone things wouldn’t clear up for Saturday. If Janelle and Mark were anxious, he could just imagine Mallory’s dismay.

  Thankfully, the weather forecast held up. The morning of Whispering Pines’ Fall Harvest Festival dawned sunny and bright, and promised to stay that way past closing time at six p.m. The predicted high of fifty-eight in early November was a blessing from God above.

  Levi watched for Mallory—watched for his chance. Maybe the Lord would grant another miracle or two for those willing to work for them?

  By seven a.m., he joined Mark at the designated festival area to put the final touches on the booths and begin letting the vendors in to set up in time for the ten a.m. start. He waved to Eric and his family as they drove by to park near the lodge, then turned back to finish adding the last of the yellow and burnt-orange maple leaves to the top header of the main food booth the Wests would occupy.

  Picnic tables with pumpkin centerpieces were set up for those who wanted burgers and brats, as well as a bowl of the bo
oyah from the nearby kettles.

  He finished with the leaves and stepped down from his ladder as Eric arrived and introduced the pretty blond at his side as his wife, Marissa. The two girls with them were Heather and Reese, each one clearly favoring a parent by the contrasting color of their hair. One fair, one dark, and no doubt they’d both be breaking hearts before long.

  “Looks like a great day,” Eric observed, his gaze sweeping the cloudless sky.

  “It is,” Levi agreed. He scanned the still quiet grounds, hoping for himself, it’d get even better.

  “I can’t believe how beautiful the weather is after the past couple days,” Marissa added as he spotted Mallory walking their way, but angled more toward the barns.

  Even as a vice squeezed his chest, he drank her in, stylish as ever in her jeans, boots, sweater, and a red down vest to ward off the morning chill. She had her gaze fixed on the clipboard in her hand, pen moving over the paper.

  With her unaware, he couldn’t have looked away even if he wanted to—and he definitely didn’t want to. He missed her face. Missed her voice. Missed that smile that warmed his heart and revved his pulse.

  Eric’s wife spotted her as well. “Good morning, Mallory!”

  Her head jerked up, and her gaze locked with Levi’s for an electric moment. Then she turned that smile of hers to the blond.

  Was he the only one who recognized it was forced and stiff?

  “Hi, guys.” She lifted her clipboard to wiggle it back and forth. “I hope you’re here to help, because I’ve got plenty for you to do.”

  Eric snapped to attention with a quick salute. “Rileys reporting for duty, Sarge.”

  The girls giggled while his wife rolled her eyes with a grin.

  He relaxed his stance as he said, “But first, check this out.”

  Mallory altered direction and came their way. Levi noticed she was careful to avoid looking at him as she greeted everyone else. With his guard down, the pain surged forward.

  Then her gaze shifted to the booth and her eyes went wide when she saw the painted wooden leaves. Her smile turned genuine. “Oh, wow. Eric, those are great. Did Janelle see them yet?”

  “Not yet.”

  “She’s going to love them—thank you.”

  “Thank, Levi. They were his idea.”

  Now her gaze met his, allowing him to catch a glimpse of raw emotion that set his heart racing. She dropped her attention to her clipboard for a split-second, drew in a breath, then lifted her head once more. “They really are perfect. Thank you.”

  Those brown eyes were effectively shuttered, but he chose to concentrate on that flash of emotion. It awakened hope in his chest as he gave her a smile that, these days, felt completely natural. “You’re welcome.”

  The moment stretched until the dark-haired Reese piped up. “Heather’s gonna babysit Hazel until the festival starts, but what can I help with?”

  Mallory turned to her as if she were an angel sent to rescue her. “How do you feel about helping Judy get the rest of the pumpkins set around the grounds?”

  “Great!”

  She reached out an arm to put around the girl’s shoulders. “Then come with me. Eric, you guys can find Mark or Janelle. They’ll have no problem putting you to work.”

  “Don’t I know it,” he said.

  Everyone split up, leaving Levi to his own list. Before moving on, he cast one last look over his shoulder toward the barns. Mallory happened to glance back at the same moment, and he’d swear she blushed as she whipped back around.

  Oh, yeah, definitely something to work with.

  * * *

  Three hours into the festival, she was still walking around with the clipboard, and he was getting impatient. Everything was going great with attendance beyond what anyone had imagined, yet she seemed determined to sweat the non-existent small stuff.

  Having completed his own self-appointed check of the busy vendor booths to make sure no one needed anything, Levi walked over to where Mark and Janelle were taking a break to eat lunch with their extended family. Eric and Marissa had suddenly produced three more kids—a set of four-year-old twin boys, and a beautiful blond toddler with dark eyes to match her father.

  He briefly wondered if he’d ever have what they had, then put it out of his mind as he was introduced to Lisa Walsh, the younger, very-pregnant Riley sibling, and her husband Derek. Nash Riley, his sister Shea from the coffee shop, and the girl’s boyfriend joined the group as well. Even Butch and Judy had managed to take a breather.

  Mark gestured to a nearby chair. “Go grab something to eat and join us.”

  “Thanks, but I’m good for the moment.” He swept his gaze over the group, caught Santa Butch’s eye for a moment, then decided he didn’t care who heard as he directed his next words at Janelle. “You mind if I steal Mallory’s clipboard?”

  She understood immediately and grinned her approval. “Oh, yes, please. I tried to tell her more than once to put it away and enjoy herself, but she won’t listen.”

  “Figured.”

  He’d last seen her at the sawdust pile for the kids’ scavenger dig. As he approached, she was leaning back against the side of the barn, clipboard hugged against her chest as her gaze swept over the animated crowd. She was beautiful, standing there with a small, satisfied smile tilting the corners of her mouth up.

  Until she saw him. Then she straightened, and suddenly found something very interesting to read.

  He marched right up to her and planted his feet. “Everything is going great.”

  “I know, right?” She barely glanced up as she started to move around him. “Now I just need to—”

  He sidestepped to block her escape. Her head jerked up in surprise, and consternation flashed in her brown eyes.

  “Did you eat?” he asked.

  “I haven’t had time. There’s a lot to do.”

  “Let me see.” He snagged the clipboard from her hand and scanned the top sheet.

  “Hey—give that back.”

  Shaking his head, he said, “I don’t think so. Everything on here is checked off.”

  Her eyebrows drew together and she moved closer, her hand reaching to take her notes away from him. He pulled them back out of reach, but she lunged forward. Swinging his arm in a wide circle, he stopped with the board held above his head.

  Single-minded in her mission, Mallory braced one hand on his defending forearm and went up on her tiptoes in attempt to reach his raised hand.

  “Levi—stop it and give it back.”

  Her breasts pressed against his arm as she leaned into him. Awareness sizzled in his veins, intensified by the clean, outdoor-fresh scent of her.

  “Take a break. Have lunch with me.”

  She stilled at his request, her gaze snapping to his. As if becoming aware of her position, she lowered onto her heels and moved back. “I can’t.”

  “Yes you can.”

  “No—”

  He stepped closer, and she backed up against the barn. His attention snagged on the tip of her tongue wetting her lips. One quick glance to judge the distance, and he tossed her clipboard out of reach on top the overhang over the barn door.

  She followed the movement, her lips parted in surprise. Unable to resist, Levi lifted his hand to tunnel into her hair and pulled her into a kiss. Reining in the crazy excitement coursing through his body, he took the moment to savor and cherish the softness of her mouth, the taste that was unique to her. She offered no resistance—even leaned into the kiss with a soft hum of surrender.

  Aware of the family-friendly event behind him, he lifted his head much sooner than he would’ve liked. Resting his forehead against hers, he said, “Let me buy you some lunch, Mallory, and then I’ll return your precious clipboard.”

  Her turbulent gaze locked with his. “I should be mad at you right now.”

  “You aren’t?”

  She closed her eyes on a sigh of resignation. “No.”

  “Good.” He pressed another kiss to her g
listening lips, then stepped back to grab her hand and drag her with him. “Let’s get us some booyah. I heard it’s going fast.”

  Her fingers tightened on his, and that gorgeous answering smile tilted his world. For now, he’d take what he could get and work on the rest.

  Chapter 20

  The booyah kettles had been set up near the food booth, and both areas were jam-packed with customers. As they waited in line for bowls to eat and containers to take home and freeze, he rubbed his thumb back and forth along the smooth skin on the back of Mallory’s hand.

  It felt right being with her like this. Like they were a regular couple among all the families enjoying the fall event. Young and old alike were having fun, chatting and laughing at the multitude of picnic tables that’d been set up.

  Mallory nodded her head toward the West’s grand-opening promotional sign for the new store. It was partially obscured by a framed photo, and the notice posted beneath it: All food costs and proceeds donated to Whispering Pines in honor of active-duty Sergeant First Class Pete West currently deployed in Afghanistan with the 173rd Airborne Brigade. Thank you to all who have served and sacrificed.

  Some things were more important than advertizing.

  “I love that they did that.”

  “Anna took a picture earlier and emailed it to Pete,” Levi told her. “His whole company thought it was pretty cool, too. She said they posted it to their social media sites already.”

  “Speaking of Anna,” she indicated his sister threading through the crowd, Piper and Colin holding onto her hands. When the kids spotted them, they barreled forward, nearly jerking their mother into a run.

  “Uncle Levi—I petted a reindeer!”

  He released Mallory’s hand and leaned down to scoop them into his arms. “Hey, guys, are you having fun?” They both started talking at once, Piper about the pony rides, Colin about the reindeer, and he laughed. “I’ll take that as a yes.”

  His niece’s sharp gaze zeroed in on him. She reached to plant a hand on both sides of his face and made him look at her. “You’re smiling.”