by Delia Latham
Russ caught it, popped the top, and downed a long swig. Finally, he met his friend’s openly curious gaze. “Autumn is the most amazing woman I’ve ever known. Dalynn’s crazy about her, and it scares me so bad I can’t sleep at night. I don’t want to see her lose someone else she loves.”
“Hmm.” Dec nodded, but his eyes narrowed as he studied Russ. “I can understand that. I watched the devastation in your life when Linda left. But I’m thinking it isn’t just Dalynn’s fragile heart you’re worried about, Russ. Yours took a pretty good beating back then, as well.”
He should’ve known he couldn’t fool Dec. They’d been friends way too long for that. “Yeah, well…like the song says, I will survive. But I won’t chance Dalynn getting hurt again. I can’t.”
Dec didn’t laugh, but his lips curved up on one side in a crooked grin that Russ knew all too well. That sideways smile came out when he wanted to laugh, but politeness dictated otherwise. “I hate to break it to you, old friend, but I think it’s a little late to be putting the skids on this relationship. Even if that sweet little girl of yours weren’t a part of the equation, your heart’s already in too deep.”
Russ snorted. “So who died and made you Dr. Love?”
This time Dec did laugh. “It doesn’t take any kind of love guru to see that you’re crazy about that pretty redhead. And speaking of Autumn…” He stood up a little straighter and cocked his head toward the house. “Here come two of the most beautiful women on this coast.”
Russ turned in time to see Autumn follow Raine onto the back deck, each of them carrying small bowls of condiments. Raine said something he didn’t hear. Autumn no longer showed any signs of discomfort or unease. Her laughter spilled over his entire world. Beautiful. Magical. Musical.
He cleared his throat, and beside him, Dec chuckled.
“Told’ja so.”
Russ shot him a glare meant to be threatening. But his lips curved into a smile without his permission, and he sighed. Already, Autumn was making him soft. He couldn’t even issue a proper, icy-eyed warning anymore.
She caught his eye across the small space. Her slow smile nearly dropped him to his knees.
Dec’s right. I love that woman!
17
He tapped his fingers on the kitchen counter top, listening to the phone ring in his ear. “Pick up, pick up,” he growled. Where was she?
“Hello.”
Russ huffed out a relieved breath. “I thought you’d forgotten me.”
“Now, now. You really should work on your self-confidence. I don’t think many women would easily forget you, Russ.”
He rolled his eyes. “Right. Sure. Whatever you say.”
A little trill of laughter made him smile, even though he was nervous. “OK, that’s enough. You can laugh at me when I’m not listening. Is everything set?”
“All is well, Mr. Amundsen. My sidekick and I will be at your place in…” She paused, and Russ could almost see violet eyes peering at some timepiece or other. “Two hours, give or take a minute or so.”
“Whew!” He huffed out a breath. “I can’t tell you how much I appreciate this.” A horrid thought caught him by surprise. “What if she says no? I mean, this is really last-minute. Oh, man, why didn’t I call her ahead of time?”
Another burst of laughter made his lips twitch.
“Would you relax? Autumn will not say no. In fact, she will be dressed fit to kill, and all set to go out…somewhere…before I leave the lodge, or my name is not Cecily Adams.” She chuckled, soft and low. “And I can assure you, Mr. Amundsen, it is. At least, for another six months or so, when it will become Mrs. Gabriel Brett. Lovely, isn’t it?”
“It has a real nice ring to it, Ceci. Congratulations, by the way.”
“Why, thank you. Now go get yourself all studded out and be ready to take my friend’s breath away.”
“OK. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Anything for Autie.”
She hung up, and Russ stood there, leaning against the counter and grinning like a fool, until a little hand slid into his and tugged. “What’cha doin’, Daddy? Was you talking to Autumn?”
He picked her up, and she wrapped legs and arms around him.
“Were you talking to Autumn,” he said.
She reared back to give him a puzzled frown. “Nope. I weren’t talkin’ to nobody.”
Russ burst out laughing and—to his own surprise—let it drop. There’d be plenty of time for correcting Dalynn’s English. She wasn’t even six yet.
“Well, I wasn’t talking to Autumn either. I was talking to Ceci.”
“Autumn’s other friend.”
“Yes.” He chuckled. “Her other friend. How would you feel about Ceci coming over to sit with you tonight?”
Her brows took a dive. “Where are you going? Why can’t Autumn stay with me?”
He grinned. “Because Autumn’s going with me.”
“All by yourself?”
He nodded and waited for her to protest.
“You mean, like…” She scrunched her nose. “A date?”
He swallowed hard. She had to use that word. And where had she heard it anyway? He nodded again, choosing to let that one slide.
A huge smile lit up her face and brightened her rosy cheeks. “Yes!” She gave him a huge squeeze. “Yes! Yes! Yes!”
~*~
Autumn swept the lip gloss wand over her lips, and then stepped back from the cheval mirror. Ceci would approve—if she ever returned from East Village, where she’d gone on an “emergency” run to find perfect earrings for the gown she “simply had” to wear tonight.
Ceci had decided they needed a night on the town. Despite Autumn’s protests that she enjoyed the peace and quiet at the lodge, her friend insisted.
“We haven’t done anything really ritzy since we arrived. That changes, here and now—we’re doing something. Let’s get all gussied up and drive into Atascadero. I’ve done a little research online, and guess what? The place boasts a few fancy-schmancy restaurants and several night spots. Tonight’s the night we paint the town red, girlfriend!”
Autumn tried to seem excited at the prospect. She had dragged her best friend to Cambria so they could spend time together before Ceci moved away. They’d spent far less time together than she’d anticipated and done little sightseeing or exploring of the area. She owed it to Ceci to enjoy the evening. She’d half hoped Russ might call and want to do something special—it was Saturday night, after all— but she’d heard nothing from him.
She hiked her chin at the mirror. “This gal has never once sat at home staring at a telephone and waiting for some guy to make it ring, and I refuse to start now. Ceci’s right. We’ll have a girl’s night out that we’ll still be talking about when we’re ninety-three and the only rockin’ we can do is in the chairs on our front porches.”
Getting her waist-length hair up into a chignon at the nape of her neck had taken some effort, but Autumn rather liked the result. The style made her think of Miss Angie, a lady who epitomized “class.” Autumn had never particularly liked that word, but when it came to their lovely hostess, it fit.
She’d never worn the gown. The day before she and Ceci left Bakersfield, she’d decided there was an off-chance she might need to get fancied up sometime during their fall getaway…so she’d bought the dress right off the rack in Ceci’s boutique. Her only concession to “fitting” was standing in front of a mirror with the garment held against her.
A thin layer of foundation, a touch of natural-toned eye shadow and blush, a skim of the mascara brush and that quick swipe of lip gloss had worked wonders. Why didn’t she go the extra mile more often? She slipped into a pair of silver heels that lent an extra three inches in stature. A bare inch over five feet, Autumn often envied tall, slim, willowy women.
Love does not envy.
The thought came out of nowhere. Autumn’s first reaction was to place both hands on her hips and open her mouth to throw back a verbal volley, but
something stopped her—something sweet and gentle that touched her lips and then wrapped her in an invisible hug. She gasped and covered her mouth with her fingertips. Easing out the breath she’d hauled in, she closed her eyes.
“Thank You, Father,” she whispered. “I have a lot to learn about being a Christian. Any help You can give will be most appreciated. I’ll work on that envy thing, I promise.” Picking up a silver clutch, she left the room.
Where was Ceci? A quick glance at the clock set off a clamor of alarm bells in her mind. She checked her cell phone, in case she’d missed a message, but she had none, and no missed calls. Autumn paced the living room, dread building up inside her. If something had happened to Ceci…
The doorbell rang and she jumped. She hadn’t even heard footsteps on the stairs. She rushed to the door, heart pounding in double-time, and then paused with her hand on the handle. “Oh, God, please…please don’t let this be bad news.”
Pulling in a deep breath, she opened the door.
~*~
Russ gaped. He’d never for a moment considered Autumn unattractive. Quite the opposite. But tonight she’d turned herself into a stunning, breathtaking, mind-jolting, heartbreaking creature that surely hailed from somewhere not of this Earth.
She glowed. Her skin held a radiant undertone that lent a bit of an ethereal appearance. Those slightly up-tilted eyes never failed to fascinate. Tonight, paired with the green of a knock-your-socks-off dress that accentuated every curve without being overly provocative, they shone like polished amber and sparkled in the porch light.
Her eyes widened. She clearly hadn’t expected him, but her lips curved upward in the smile that always left him breathless. “Russ! What are you doing h—?” She broke off. “Wow! You look—oh my! So suave and debonair. What’s the occasion?”
He cleared his throat, but his voice still held a raspy edge when he replied. “Well, I couldn’t very well take you out on our first date without cleaning up a bit, could I?”
“Take me—? Oh, Russ.”
Disappointment clouded her features, and he shared the emotion when the heart-stopping smile melted right off her face. He missed it before it was really gone.
“I can’t. Not tonight. I’m going out with—”
“Me. You’re going out with me, and I have a definite feeling I’ll be the envy of every man we see.”
“Thank you, that’s so sweet. But, Russ, I really can’t go with you tonight. Ceci—”
“Is at my place, along with Shay. The two of them are entertaining Dalynn while you and I have a real date…just the two of us.”
“No, Ceci’s…” Her jaw dropped, and she hastily snapped it shut. “At your place? How did—? I mean, when did you—?” She huffed out a breath and narrowed her gaze. “You two are pretty sneaky!”
He laughed and gave her a quick, careful hug. “We are, aren’t we? So, may I replace Ceci as your date for tonight?”
She glared, but her lips twitched upward. Finally, she laughed outright and leaned in to drop a quick kiss on the corner of his mouth. “I thought you’d never ask,” she murmured, and her warm breath sent sparks racing down his spine.
Lord, have mercy! This woman is downright dangerous.
As they made their way to his car—the one that usually sat parked in the garage while he tooled around in his battered old pickup—her hand on his arm felt right. Or, as Dalynn would say, “really, really, really right.” He’d face any danger he had to, head-on and without a second thought, to keep this brown-eyed goddess by his side.
He took her hand the moment they got on the highway and didn’t release it for the entire half-hour drive. They chatted about music and books and politics. They laughed a great deal. They stole a hundred glances at each other. Just before they reached their destination, he noticed Autumn nibbling at her lip, a slight frown knitting her normally smooth brow. “You OK?” He tilted his head and narrowed his eyes. “You look…troubled. A little uncertain. Something I said?”
“No, no. I have something to tell you, and I’m trying to figure out the best way to do it.”
His heart gave a scary lurch. “You’re not going home early, are you? Because I don’t think that’s a good idea at all.”
Her low chuckle vibrated his spine. “Nothing like that. It’s good news. Nothing to be worried about.”
“Oh, but I am, now. So what is it?”
She sat for a moment, one eye squinted, her nose wrinkled—as if seriously considering his question. Then she shook her head. “Nope. When you take me home.”
“Seriously? You’re going to make me wait?”
“Yes.” She gave a regal little lift of her chin, and then favored him with a radiant smile. “And relax and enjoy the evening in the meantime. It’s a good thing. You’ll want to hear it, but I want to tell you at the Lodge.”
“Why the Lodge?” No matter how exquisite and delightful, women thought along a whole different track than men. If she had something to say, couldn’t it be said anywhere?
“Because…” She hesitated and then lifted her chin again. “Because I think there are angels around the Lodge, and what I want to tell you deserves to be said where angels walk.”
Angels. The last possible reason he could have ever dreamed up for waiting until later to deliver good news. But he wouldn’t argue with the Paradise Pines angel guard.
Russ had made reservations at Salle Céleste, an upscale French restaurant on the outskirts of Atascadero. Autumn’s appreciative gasp when they entered pleased him, although the reaction wasn’t uncommon in first-time visitors. Whomever was responsible for the décor at Salle Céleste knew how to create atmosphere. Soft lighting and classical, slow-dance tunes performed live by local musicians lent a romantic ambiance, as did the candlelit, white-linen covered tables.
“This is gorgeous!” The moment their hostess seated them and walked away, Autumn spoke up. “I’ve never seen a French restaurant with this kind of set-up. We have several in Bakersfield, and they’re all quite good but more casual.” The recessed lighting from overhead created a sunset glow in her hair and lent a jewel-bright glimmer to her eyes. “This is perfect, Russ.”
“Perfect is the perfect word.” He wasn’t talking about their surroundings. She was perfect, and she was completely captivating.
Her cheeks pinked and she lowered her lashes. With a half-embarrassed smile, she closed her menu. “Would you mind ordering for me?”
“Do you not care for French cuisine? We can eat somewhere else.”
“Absolutely not. I love French food, but…surprise me, OK? I’d rather take in this beautiful dining room…do a little people watching maybe, instead of making a decision about what to order.”
“Then we’re good.” He closed his own menu and then opened his hand on the table. She placed hers in it without hesitation and he closed his fingers around hers. “I have to say it. You are always lovely, Autumn. Always. But tonight you literally take my breath away. You’re beautiful. Gorgeous. Stunning. Perfectly perfect.”
Her cheeks flamed, and her lips parted. She shook her head before squeezing his hand. “Thank you.” Her voice was raspy, and she laughed—soft and low. Utterly unlike her usual open, hearty merriment. “I don’t know what to say. You told me you didn’t know how to play the dating game, but…Russ, I’m the one who doesn’t know how to date. To be honest, despite my advanced age…” She laughed again, and he chuckled too. “I’ve only dated a few men, and I wasn’t interested in any of them in a serious way. They knew that. I knew that. So I’m not sure they could even legitimately be called dates.”
“Why?” That she didn’t have a line of men waiting for her was unimaginable. “You’re amazing. You could have your choice of men.”
“Well, maybe that’s the problem. I’ve never chosen to be with anyone. I don’t believe in playing with another person’s heart, so I won’t date a man unless there’s some kind of spark. Something that says…I don’t know. That maybe there’s a possibility of somet
hing developing?”
“Well, I’d take that as a huge compliment if I hadn’t kidnapped you and forced you to come with me tonight.”
“No. No, Russ.” She lifted her chin.
“No?”
“This was not a kidnapping. The whole time I was getting ready for an evening with Ceci, I wondered why you hadn’t called, and wished I was going somewhere with you.”
He frowned and started to speak, but she wasn’t finished.
“This…tonight, being here with you…I’m here because I want to be here. And I want to be here because you’re here. Russ, I want to be with you.” She shrugged one smooth shoulder. “It’s all I want.”
18
For an instant, Russ’s entire universe existed in the open, honest, golden brown eyes across the table. He stood and took the one step necessary to bring him to her side. When she accepted the hand he offered, he pulled her up and into his arms. “That’s good.” He cleared his throat. “Real good, sweetheart. Because there’s no place in the whole world I’d rather be than right here, with you.”
Before they’d even placed their orders, in the middle of Salle Céleste, before God and anyone else who cared to watch, he lowered his head and brushed her lips with his. Once, and then again, a little longer, a little deeper…a lot less politely.
The applause from surrounding tables didn’t bother him. He seated Autumn once again, and then sat across from her. Judging by the glow on her face and the shine in her eyes—to say nothing of the beautiful blush on her slightly puffy lips—he thought it safe to assume the attention didn’t bother her either.
Then again, his stellar kissing skills might not be totally responsible for the “blush” on her lips. He pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and leaned across the table. “I think I might have damaged your paint job.” He dabbed at her mouth. Laughing, she took the handkerchief from his fingers and slipped a fancy compact out of a little silver bag. Within seconds, she’d wiped off the last trace of misplaced lipstick. “It’s probably a good time to powder my nose.” She grinned as she stood, and then trailed her fingers over his cheek as she passed his chair. “Don’t you go anywhere while I’m gone.”