Autumn Bliss

by Stacey Joy Netzel

  “Yes I am.”

  “I like it,” she declared before planting a loud, wet kiss on his lips.

  “Then I’ll do it more often.” Emotion tightened his chest and deepened his voice. It took a moment to ease as the kids and his sister said hello to Mallory.

  “Great turnout,” Anna commented as she looked around.

  “It’s amazing,” Mallory agreed. “There’s what I expected, what I’d hoped for, and then there’s this. Mark and Janelle are very happy, too.”

  They all took a moment to take in the crowd, colorful balloons and banners, the music, laughter, and overall engaging sense of joy filling the air. It was the first time Levi had attended one of the Lodge’s bigger charity events, and as a veteran, he was humbled by the response from the community. While it was true they’d lucked out with wonderful weather, comments and conversations he’d overheard told him people would’ve come rain or shine.

  “I saw a bunch of guys from the clinic earlier,” Anna said as he wrestled with a suddenly impatient Colin. “Chad Hahn, Mike Beau, Kevin Spencer.”

  “Kevin is the guy I met at the clinic, right?” Mallory asked.

  He set Piper back on her feet, but kept hold of his four-year-old nephew. “Yes. He’s come a long way these last couple weeks.”

  “Good. I hope I get to say hello.”

  A little surge of jealously tightened his hold on the squirming boy in his arms.

  “Down,” Colin whined. “I want down, Uncle Levi.”

  “Oh, no you don’t, buddy. You’re staying right here with us.”

  “Funny you should say that…” Anna gave him a hopeful smile. “Gretchen and Bill haven’t taken a break yet. I’d like to give them each a chance to eat, and was hoping you’d watch the kids for about an hour?”

  Not quite what he’d had in mind for his lunch with Mallory, but he couldn’t really say no when it was for such a great reason. He turned raised eyebrows toward her. “Would you mind?”

  “Of course not. Have they eaten?” she asked Anna.

  Piper bounced up and down as if she were on an invisible pogo-stick. “Ooh—we had some cotton candy. And popcorn.”

  “I had an el-fant ear,” Colin announced.

  Anna cringed. “I swear, I’m usually a better mother, but it’s been crazy since breakfast. I’ll have Gretchen bring over a couple hot dogs when she takes her break. Can you guys save Grandma a seat?”

  The kids agreed, and as she began to back away, she asked Levi and Mallory, “You guys want anything?”

  They both declined, and with one last request to get her a quart of booyah, too, Anna hurried to work.

  After they were done eating, and stored a half-dozen containers of the savory Belgian stew in the coolers behind the West’s booth, the kids dragged them from game to game, emptying out his wallet faster than he ever would’ve thought possible. They spotted Kevin Spencer once, but other than a wave and friendly smile through the crowd, Mallory kept hold of Piper’s hand and stuck with them.

  They ran into her friend Nikki, with her husband Sam, and their cute little baby girl, Ella. As they walked away, she explained Nikki was Eric’s wife’s sister, she and Sam were newlyweds, and the baby was Sam’s niece. He was caring for her until they could locate his sister.

  “And they just got married a month ago?” he verified on the way to the next kids’ game. “That’s a tough situation to begin a marriage with.”

  “Actually, they’re doing pretty good.”

  “What happens when the mother comes back?”

  “Nikki said they’ve talked about it, and they know it’ll be hard to deal with, but both agree they’ll do what’s best for Ella. Whatever that is.”

  At the kids’ putting green, he stooped down to help Colin with his aim. After a couple misses and readjustments from his uncle, the four-year-old managed to get one in the hole.

  Levi held out his hand for a high-five and then stood back while his nephew took a second turn.

  Mallory leaned in and bumped her shoulder against his. “You’re really good with them.”

  “They’re great kids. I’d do what Sam’s doing if I ever needed to.”

  After a slight pause, she asked, “Do you want children of your own?”

  The question jolted hard, and his stomach flipped over more than a few times. Was there a right or wrong way to answer this question?

  Yes, anything other than the truth is wrong.

  “I definitely want kids someday.” He watched Piper take a turn before angling his head slightly toward Mallory. “You?”

  She nodded without a word.

  “Did you see me, Uncle Levi?” Piper called. “I got the ball in!”

  “Good job, sweetie.”

  He couldn’t continue the conversation without it being awkward and obvious, so they moved on to the barn with the petting zoo, where Anna found them shortly after three p.m. “Sorry I’m late—they’re still swamped over there.”

  “Do they need more help?” Mallory asked with concern.

  “Not anymore. The firefighters are down to one kettle of booyah, so a couple of them jumped over to the booth.”

  “Still, we’ve got three more hours to go, so I should probably get my clipboard and make another round to check on everyone.”

  She gave Levi a pointed look, and he replied with an exaggerated sigh of resignation. “Fine. You did keep your end of the bargain. Piper, I’m going to need your help.”

  Over by the barn door overhang, he hoisted the six-year-old up onto his shoulders and a moment later she gave a triumphant squeal. “I got it!”

  Mallory took the board as the girl handed it down. “Thanks, Piper.” She turned to Anna who held Colin in her arms, his head snuggled on her shoulder. “Are you planning to be here a while yet?”

  “I don’t think so, you guys wore them out.”

  Still on Levi’s shoulders, Piper protested, “I’m not tired, Mommy.”

  “Of course you’re not.” In an aside to the adults, she said, “She’ll be sleeping before we get out of the parking lot.”

  “You’re welcome,” Levi said, lifting his niece over his head to lower her to the ground.

  Mallory chuckled. “Well, I’m going to say goodbye now so I can get back to work. I know they’re your in-laws and everything, but thanks for all your help at the food booth.”

  “No problem. And have Levi give you my number. I’d love to volunteer for future events whenever I’m available.”

  Great. Considering he still suspected his sister’s last little chat with Mallory is what triggered her withdrawal, the last thing he wanted was the two of them talking on the phone.

  Anna gave him a look that reassured him she’d behave. Sure she would—unless she thought she was ‘helping’ him. Then she’d toss him under the bus faster than Santa Butch.

  “Janelle is always happy for more volunteers,” Mallory said. “We’ll talk soon.”

  Levi’s stomach tightened, but he ignored it. Anna insisted he come for dinner soon and he promised sometime in the next week. As his sister began backing away with the kids, she swung her gaze to the woman at his side.

  “You should come, too, Mallory.”

  See—’helping.’

  While he glared at Anna, Mallory called back, “Sounds like fun.”

  He released the breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding. After the past week, he’d expected an outright no, thank you. Progress.

  Ignoring his sister’s way too satisfied grin, he turned to Mallory. “Can we talk for a moment before you get back into all this?” He gestured widely toward the festival.

  Caution entered her eyes, but she replied, “Okay.”

  He tugged her through the barn, weaving around children and their parents in the petting zoo, hoping outside the back entrance would afford them some privacy.

  “Levi,” she half-heartedly protested. “Where are we going?”

  “You’ll see.”

  When he glanced over
his shoulder, he saw Janelle, Mark, and another couple enter the far side door, but he ignored them and hurried Mallory outside.

  His heart practically bruised his ribs as he rehearsed the jumble of words swirling in his head.

  I’m crazy about you. Whatever this is between us, it just keeps getting stronger every day. I know you want to go, but would you stay instead? Stay and give me a chance to make you happy.

  It was the second time he could recall being nauseous about speaking his feelings out loud. The first had been when he faced his shrink across an ugly chrome and glass coffee table. He’d come out on the other side of that and continued going through the motions.

  Now, he wanted so much more, all because of her, and even though he wasn’t sure if he could get the words out without screwing everything up, he knew he had to try. Because something else was tearing at his gut besides nervousness—the certainty that if he didn’t take a chance now, he’d regret it for the rest of his life.

  They were alone once they stepped through the door. After he closed it and turned to face her, the multitude of emotions vying for dominance in her expressive eyes struck him speechless.

  Apprehension…hope…regret…anticipation.

  She didn’t say one word as the link between them drew him closer with inescapable force. Her breath hitched, his gaze dropped to her lips, and suddenly all he could think about was kissing her.

  So he did. It was easier than trying to give voice to the tornado inside him. Easier, safer, and much more enjoyable.

  Until a loud knock jerked her from his arms. The hand she lifted to her mouth shook as her gaze skittered from him to the opening door.

  Janelle stepped halfway through, her expression almost comical with its contrite grimace. “I’m so sorry to interrupt, but there’s a couple here from Minnesota, and they really want to talk to Mallory before they go.”

  She frowned as she quickly smoothed her hair. “About what?”

  “That’s their place to say. But I wouldn’t have bothered you two if it wasn’t important.”

  Her gaze had switched to Levi with the last bit, and her eyes practically begged for his forgiveness. Why?

  Unease swirled in his stomach as Mallory finished checking her appearance, then hurried through the open door.

  “I’m sorry,” Janelle whispered to him before disappearing back into the barn.

  He blew out a breath, then drew in another just as fast to loosen the irrational apprehension gripping his chest. So someone wanted to talk to Mallory. Big deal.

  His tension did not ease, though, and he wondered, what does Janelle know?

  He stepped inside, remaining in the background to listen as the fear that’d been growing since the night he’d shared meatloaf dinner with her became a reality.

  She was going to leave. Now.

  Technically it was a week, but that was close enough to now.

  The couple from Minnesota, the Scotts, were so impressed with the work she’d done on the festival in one short month, they’d offered her a job with their company, a furnished apartment, and a salary that boggled the mind.

  With the initial offer, Mallory had cast him a glance that made his heart soar. She was torn—he wouldn’t automatically lose her. He still had a chance.

  But as the couple continued talking about their company, and the events they wanted her to plan, the light that brightened her eyes nearly seared his soul and broke his heart.

  He didn’t want her to go. But want was a whole other matter—one he couldn’t think about now. She needed this far more than he needed her.

  She deserved this chance to leave and make something of herself outside the small town that had kept her mother suppressed for so many years. Mallory would be the one to get out and do all she was meant to do. Along the way, he prayed she’d figure out she was not the nothing her mother had drummed into her subconscious.

  For that reason alone, he knew he could never ask her to stay. Because although she was standing right in front of him, the truth was, she was already gone.

  Chapter 21

  Everything was packed. The lodge had bought her couch, bed, and other large furniture pieces for the cabin since she wouldn’t need them in Minneapolis. The rest of her things were in the brand new car Shane had helped her purchase, ready to go first thing in the morning.

  She should be happy. She was getting all she’d wanted with a great new job in a city that would offer opportunities galore. Mom would be so proud.

  And yet, her eyes burned, and she couldn’t even summon a ghost of a smile. Instead, she sat on the couch thinking how depressingly ironic it was that she’d spent a week avoiding Levi before the festival, and now, when she most wanted to see him, he was avoiding her.

  When she finally worked up the courage to ask where he was, Mark had averted his gaze and told her he’d taken vacation. Vacation.

  The sonofabitch made her fall in love with him and then left without so much as a goodbye.

  She thought about confiding in Nikki, or Josie, or even Janelle. She could’ve used the support only true friends would provide, but she knew exactly what each one would say—they’d tell her to stay. Not only because they’d all stated they didn’t want her go, but because they all believed love was enough—even Josie, who hadn’t had a truly serious relationship since Nash left town eight years ago.

  Hell, she wanted to believe it was, too. With all her heart, she wanted to.

  But right now, as she sat by herself, her love alone wasn’t enough. Just as it wasn’t enough for her friends to ask her to stay, because the one person she really wanted—no needed—to voice that request had gone AWOL on her.

  Levi had to be the one. She’d give everything up for him, if only he’d ask.

  The thought of leaving him, of never seeing him again, put an ache in her chest that not only refused to go away, but grew worse every day. Until she wasn’t sure she’d ever draw another breath without her heart hurting.

  She’d said her goodbyes to all her friends a couple nights ago, and had dinner with Shane last night.

  Earlier today, after finishing her last day at the gift shop and thanking Mark and Janelle for everything they’d done for her, and for being so understanding about this opportunity, she’d taken a walk past Levi’s place. He still wasn’t home. And though she’d given up hope he’d come back before she left, for the past two hours, she’d been sitting in her living room watching for the telltale shine of his headlights to flash by the window.

  Nothing.

  It was almost ten o’clock. Time to face facts and pretend to get some sleep for the five hour drive in the morning. A last glance at the jar on the coffee table had her reaching inside to dig out the one that meant the most.

  Levi finally smiled today.

  She lightly brushed her finger over the ink. That one she’d take with her because the memory of that moment in the woods would always live in her heart. The rest she’d leave, hopefully to inspire the guests that came after her.

  A loud rap on the door nearly made her jump out of her skin. She surged to her feet, whirling to face the door. There’d been no lights, meaning whomever was on her porch had walked.

  God, please, let it be him.

  Pocketing the slip of paper, she hurried across the room, barely able to catch her breath as her heart hammered high up in her throat. She opened the door—

  And there he was.

  Stubble-darkened jaw, messed hair, and the most turbulent pair of green eyes she’d ever seen.

  “Hey,” he said softly.

  Suddenly, she could breathe again. Without giving him a chance to say anything more, she threw her arms around his neck and held on tight. Joy soared as his arms closed tight around her.

  Willing away happy tears, she whispered into his neck, “I didn’t think you were coming back.”

  “I didn’t want to,” he admitted, his voice rough as he walked her inside and kicked the door shut. “I tried not to, but I couldn’t stay aw
ay. I wanted to—”

  She silenced him with a kiss that quickly blazed out of control. She didn’t care if he hadn’t wanted to—she only cared that he had. Within minutes, his jacket lay on the floor, her shirt was half-unbuttoned, and she was desperate to feel his hot skin against hers.

  Fisting her hand in his T-shirt, she backed toward the bedroom, pulling him with her.

  The dimple that accompanied his grin about undid her. “Maybe we should talk first.”

  “Later.”

  The lamp beside the bed cast a soft glow out into the hall. As she passed through the door, he caught the frame with a hand on either side. When his shirt stretched but he wouldn’t budge, she arched her eyebrows in disbelief.

  “Seriously?”

  His smoldering gaze shifted to the bed. Indecision flickered across his face. “Kinda.”

  Okay, that gave her some wiggle room. She released the material in her hand, backed up, and stripped her own shirt over her head. The fire in his eyes flared high as she tossed it aside, but he didn’t move.

  She reached up for the front clasp on her light blue bra, paused, and met his gaze.

  “That’s not fair,” he accused.

  “And what are you going to do about it?” she taunted. “Other than make me do this by myself.”

  He rocked backward in the doorway before he let go and strode into the room. The predatory gleam in his eyes backed her up until her knees buckled against the edge of the bed and she lost her balance.

  Levi caught her, then laid her down in one smooth motion. He followed her descent to capture her lips in a deep, tender kiss that touched her soul. When he nibbled and licked his way down her neck, she arched her back, offering herself without reservation.

  Quick and nimble, his fingers unclasped her bra, and the whiskers on his jaw scraped her skin. Anticipation tightened her nipples until they ached. The flick of his tongue on one sensitive bud drew a soft gasp, then the warmth of his mouth closing over her breast shot sensation straight to her core.

  He cupped and massaged her other breast with his hand, rubbing her nipple with his thumb to heighten the pleasure as he sucked on the first. When he switched sides to give each one equal attention, she whimpered, desperate for his touch in other places, yet not wanting him to stop.