Autumn's Dance (Season Named Series Book 1)

by Sarah Gai

  “Goodbye Dad," she whispered to herself.

  As the bus rolled down the highway toward home, Autumn fell into a deep, relaxed sleep for the first time in her life.

  Autumn

  When she stepped off the bus, Autumn found herself unsure of where to go. It had been such a long length of time since she saw anyone—what if they were angry with her for staying away and never being in contact? Would they even want her there?

  She walked through the town, getting a feel for the changes that took place since she left. There were a few new stores and restaurants and some of the houses had been renovated, but all-in-all, it was the same town Autumn fell in love with all those years ago. The sense of belonging and knowing it was where she belonged warmed her heart. No matter how she felt about just stumbling back into town, she was home.

  She made her way into the center of town that held the town stage for performances and gatherings. She climbed up on the stage, sitting on the edge to view the familiar surroundings and muster up the courage to head to Ava’s place. Not a day passed in all the time she was away in which she didn’t think about Ava and Sharon.

  As she looked about her surroundings, one thing in particular caught Autumn’s attention; standing tall next to the stage was a sculpture made completely of wire, its intricate design expressed a man holding a woman. It was beautiful and Autumn could not help but stare at it, unable to look away from the familiarity of its subjects.

  Autumn stood up and walked over to it, weaving her fingers throughout the parts, examining every detail. Making her way down to the stone slab the sculpture was secured to, she gasped; etched in the base was the two-word title—Autumn’s Dance.

  Did Eric create such a magnificent piece—and dedicate it to her? Unshed tears begged to be released as Autumn fell to her knees in front of the sculpture, remembering their last night together as if had just happened.

  After hours of sitting in the center of town, Autumn was starving and had barely slept throughout her journey home. Reaching up, she touched the sculpture once more before standing. She felt free, yet, unsure of herself. She had always been with her father, even though he wasn’t much of a parent; Ava was the one person who offered her whatever she needed for so long.

  Placing her hands on her hips, she nodded to herself, knowing it was time to pull her big girl pants on and make the short journey to the place that was always filled with love and happiness.

  Autumn walked nervously toward Ava’s, finding it was exactly the same as the last time she was there. She swelled with joy as she hopped up the steps onto the porch, opening the front door.

  The moment she walked in, the comforting aroma of homemade pancakes greeted her. The sound of the bell ringing over the door brought Ava out of the kitchen; pausing for a moment as she entered, both women stood motionless as they stared at one another. No words were needed as their eyes told stories of longing, relief, joy, confusion, and love.

  “Autumn!” Ava yelled, breaking the silence. Rushing forward with her arms wide open, she wrapped Autumn tightly in her embrace. “I tried to put out a Missing Persons on you, but nothing ever came of it.” Ava cried, her lips planting sweet butterfly kisses all over the side of Autumn’s face.

  “He never wanted to return,” Autumn explained.

  “Is he here?” Ava asked, pulling away and searching the room apprehensively.

  “No,” Autumn replied, her voice laced with disgust. “He tried to sell me in exchange for his gambling debts, so I got on a bus and took off. He won’t follow, I can promise you that.”

  Ava looked relieved. “Well, you are staying here with Sharon and me, where you belong,” she announced.

  “I can pay. I don’t want to take a room away from your B&B,” Autumn insisted.

  “That’s not necessary; you will be staying with us in the house out back,” Ava confirmed, placing a hand on Autumn’s cheek. “I am just so glad you’re okay.” She looked like a concerned mother and was close to tears again.

  Just then, Sharon cautiously peered around the kitchen door; Autumn had matured and changed, she appeared to be a stranger to the child-like woman after several years.

  “Ava? Is it okay?” Sharon asked hesitantly.

  “Yes,” Ava assured through tears. “Everything is fine, sweetheart. Come and say hi to Autumn. You remember Autumn, don’t you?”

  Sharon skipped in, standing before Autumn shyly. She reached out a finger and touched a strand of Autumn’s blond hair. “Can I braid your hair? I missed you Autumn,” she said, hugging Autumn around the middle.

  Ava and Autumn burst into tears, a fresh set of emotions running high in the moment. In all the years Autumn came back to town, this was the first time Sharon had ever shown physical affection for her. It was beautiful and much needed, solidifying Autumn’s decision to return to Ligonier.

  “Sure,” Autumn replied.

  “Sharon, how about we get Autumn something to eat and then you can braid her hair. She’s going to be staying with us.”

  Sharon nodded her head in agreement. “Do you like pancakes, Autumn?” she asked, running ahead to the kitchen.

  “I love them!” Autumn shouted back to her.

  “Pancakes it is,” Ava declared, walking into the kitchen after her sister. “I’m going to call the twins and Pastor Graham to let them know you’re finally back.”

  Autumn noted the lack of Eric’s name in the sentence and her heart dropped for a second. She figured when Pastor Graham arrived she would, in a roundabout way, ask him about his grandson. She at least needed to know if he was happy.

  Autumn

  Ava quickly got to work on a batch of pancake batter and then let it sit to thicken as she led Autumn out towards her house.

  The home was sweet and quaint; a small, white two-story cottage, yet to Autumn it was enormous, at least three times the size of the apartment she had just vacated. The surrounding garden boasted an assortment of vibrant blue bells, daffodils, and snapdragons as jasmine sprouted up the gutters; it was an intoxicating and tranquil environment.

  Entering through the front door, Ava quickly showed Autumn the kitchen, laundry room, and bathroom. Taking the staircase to the second floor and entering the first door on the right, Autumn was overwhelmed. The pastel pink room was the type of room she longed and dreamed for as a child; lace curtains draped the windows while above the double bed a mosquito net hung, barely touching the ruffled fuchsia bedspread adorned with decorative pillows. In the corner of the room sat a white desk and wooden chair next to a tall bookcase chockfull of books.

  “I know I was being presumptuous, but I always hoped as a little girl you would come and live with us,” Ava quietly admitted.

  “Are you saying you decorated this…for me?” Autumn asked, stunned.

  “Yes, that’s exactly what I’m saying. This room has always been yours.” Ava took Autumn’s hand as they walked over to the closet and slid open the doors. “I don’t know if any of these will fit, but every year I buy some clothes and stock the closet, just in case by some miracle you came back here.”

  If Autumn had ever doubted God never sent her a sign, now was the time to ask for forgiveness. Autumn finally had a home, a family, a bedroom, and a closet full of clothes—more than she ever had in her twenty-three years with Liam. It was all too overwhelming; Autumn took a few steps towards the bed to sit down before she collapsed.

  Ava rushed to her side, pulling her into a side hug as she sat down beside her. “I’m sorry sweetie, I didn’t mean to scare you. I…I just wanted you to be with Sharon and me so much, but I may have gone a little crazy,” she let out a small unsure laugh.

  Autumn turned to look Ava directly in the eyes. “Please don’t say you’re sorry. This is amazing. I never let myself dream someone could care so much. It’s a lot to take in.”

  “So you’re not upset?”

  “Heavens, no. I’m just overwhelmed. I don’t know how to thank you for your kindness Ava. I mean, where do I start?
”

  “You start by living with us and building the life you deserve. All we want is for you to be happy. That is payment enough sweetheart.”

  Autumn reached over to hug Ava, promising to make the most of her new opportunity.

  After settling in and changing into a new pair of boot-cut jeans and a flowing, yellow cheesecloth shirt from her new wardrobe, Autumn returned to the B&B kitchen with Ava and began a new batch of pancakes. Within half an hour, Autumn’s day had gotten even better.

  Meg was the first to appear, thrusting the door open with gusto. Her belly was round, being several months pregnant. “Autumn!” she yelled. “I’m so relieved!” she started crying, waddling her way over to her returned friend.

  “Oh my God. You’re pregnant!” Autumn was shocked, not expecting her friend’s life to have advanced to almost motherhood.

  “Yes,” Meg placed a hand on her stomach, “and married, to boot.” She smiled with flair and happiness.

  “It’s so good to see you. When is the baby due?”

  “Oh, in a few weeks. I feel like I’m about to pop, though.” The two old friends giggled and then stood in silence for a moment looking at one another.

  “We were so worried about you,” Meg whispered. “Why didn’t you call?”

  “I figured you would be angry I left without saying goodbye,” Autumn shrugged. “Plus, my father didn’t want me to be in contact.” Autumn wasn’t in the right frame of mind to tell the God’s honest truth about how her father threatened to hurt everyone she loved if she contacted any of them.

  “We would never be angry with you,” Meg looked Autumn in the eye. “Not for that at least.”

  The door swung open again, admitting a much older version of Aiden. Dressed in blue cover-alls with the name of the local mechanic’s shop, Colin’s, embroidered on the front with dark blotches of oil and grease stains all over him. Autumn pried her eyes away from Meg to stare at the boy who was no longer a boy. While she was gone, Aiden grew from the gangly, awkward teenager she knew into a good-looking man; he had definite tone from the work he did and the red scruff of his beard accentuated his sharp jawline. It was hard for her to get her head around.

  “Autumn! We thought you were dead!” he exclaimed, going to hug her but stopping a foot away and raising his hands. “Oh, I’m gross.”

  “Oh, come here!” Autumn demanded, holding out her arms and not caring a bit about his mucked-up ensemble.

  Taking the extra step, Aiden enveloped her and swung her around. Autumn squealed in delight from the ensuing head rush.

  Placing Autumn safely back on the ground, Aiden was hesitant to release her from his grasp until a voice from behind interrupted him.

  “I think the young lady owes me a long, overdue hug, young Aiden.”

  Pastor Graham was smiling and waiting patiently as she extracted herself from Aiden’s hold and rushed to embrace the aging man whose face had more lines and was more careworn than when they last met.

  He beamed brightly as he squeezed her tightly. “I’m glad you’re safe,” he said sincerely. “Eric will be so pleased to hear you have returned here.”

  Autumn could not explain why, but all of a sudden she was not ready to see Eric. Out of all of them, he was the one she felt she hurt the most with her quick disappearance; after all, she promised to see him the following day. The fact she never tried to contact him or anyone else, leaving them all to worry for her, would have pained Eric to his core.

  “Where is he?”

  “In Peru. He will be home again in about two months,” Pastor Graham replied. “He’s working as a missionary these days. He’s been living with me for the past four years, though. He finished school and has made a name for himself selling sculptures all over the world. Smart boy, but we knew that, didn’t we my sweet girl?” he winked.

  Autumn always knew he would make something of himself, even if she thought he was amazing before. “Did he make that wire sculpture in town?” her question burst free.

  “Ah, you saw that? Yes, he made it last year. I wonder why he did that…” Pastor Graham winked at her again.

  A sudden fear gripped Autumn; she wasn’t quite ready for Eric to see her until after she decided what to do with her life. She needed time to allow her to transform into a better version of herself for the next time they met again.

  “Could you…maybe…not tell him just yet?”

  Pastor Graham seemed taken back. “Why, Autumn?” his voice was heavy-hearted.

  “Trust me, Pastor. I just need a little time to adjust and get myself on my feet.”

  Graham nodded his head, though his brow furrowed with confusion.

  “Is he seeing anyone? Married?” Autumn asked, unsure of whether she wanted to hear the answer.

  Graham smiled, “No he isn’t, to both of your questions.”

  Just then, Ava entered with a large tray of pancakes and Sharon right behind her carrying a smaller tray of butter, syrup, and cutlery.

  “All right, everyone,” Ava asserted, “pull up a seat.”

  They all sat down as Ava placed a plate of pancakes before each person, including herself as well. Meg ducked into the kitchen, bringing out a pot of coffee and a jug of freshly squeezed orange juice. Finally, after so many years apart, they were all gathered together.

  Ava held up her mug of coffee. “To Autumn,” she toasted.

  “To Autumn,” everyone replied, clinking his or her glass or mug together.

  Autumn looked around at each beloved person, her heart full. “It’s good to be home,” she stated happily.

  “It’s good to have you back,” Aiden announced, “for keeps this time.”

  They all laughed until Ava announced,

  “Okay, dig in everybody before it gets cold!”

  The food was, of course, great and they talked for hours, until the tourists began gathering for the dinner rush. After clearing away their plates, Ava began prepping the dinner for the evening as Autumn stood out on the porch with the twins.

  “Well, the husband will be getting home soon,” Meg said, a hand on her belly.

  “Yeah, I have to get back to the shop to get some things done,” Aiden stated, combing his hair with one of his large hands.

  “You’ll have to meet John,” Meg declared. “Dinner at my house this week?”

  “Absolutely.”

  “I’m going to assume I’m invited,” Aiden declared.

  “Then you invited yourself,” Meg shot back as she started to walk towards the door.

  Autumn chuckled at the twins’ easy manner of bickering. Aiden stood beside Autumn for a moment, his hands in his pockets; he seemed to want to say something. Autumn waited in silence, letting him find the right time.

  “Well,” he began, “I’m glad you’re back.”

  “I’m glad to be back.”

  Aiden placed a hand on her shoulder, still seeming to make up his mind about something, but deciding against it, squeezed her shoulder before turning away.

  As the day came to an end, Autumn realized it was the first time she felt true peace and belonging in her life; it was the first day of the rest of her life.

  Autumn

  Autumn showed up at Meg’s a few days later, her hair having been expertly braided by Sharon. She had to admit, Sharon was quite a talent; her tiny fingers deftly weaving Autumn’s hair into a neat, tight, elegant braid.

  Autumn brought a bottle of wine with her, even though she didn’t drink, but she knew it was something one brought to an “adult” dinner party. She would have to get used to the fact that she, Meg, and Aiden were no longer the kids they once were.

  Autumn knocked on the door one time and Meg immediately opened it. “You’re here!” They hugged and Meg ushered Autumn inside.

  “I brought you some wine,” Autumn announced.

  “Thank you,” Meg replied. Gesturing toward her stomach, she stated, “I can’t drink, but…everyone else can.”

  “I don’t drink, either,” Autumn says,
realizing her faux pas a little too late.

  Meg laughed. “For the guys, then. We ladies can have spritzers.” She led Autumn down the hall toward the kitchen where she poured Sprite and cranberry juice into two tall glasses.

  “Your house is lovely,” Autumn complimented.

  “Thank you,” Meg replied politely before yelling out into the other room where the television could be heard. “John! Aiden! Autumn’s here.”

  Aiden rounded the corner with a beer in hand. She wasn’t surprised to see Aiden there, as he invited himself to dinner the other day. He had also visited Autumn every day since her return.

  Autumn found herself enjoying the time they spent together; Aiden filled her in on what he and Meg had been doing the last few years and she opened up about her travels since the last time she and her father had been in town. She left out the beatings and death threats though; he didn’t need to know the darkest parts of her past.

  “Hey, Autumn,” he said, hugging her as he entered the kitchen.

  Following Aiden in was a man in round, wire-framed glasses, wearing a green and blue plaid shirt and khakis; he appeared to be a few years older than Meg. He smiled at Autumn warmly, holding out a hand for her to shake. “It’s wonderful to finally meet you. I have heard so much about you from these two.”

  “Ah,” Autumn shyly said, looking at the twins. “Only good things, I hope.”

  “Only good things,” John assured her.

  “Dinner smells good,” Aiden stated. “What are we having?”

  “Roasted chicken,” Meg replied. “Should be done any minute.”

  “So what do you do for work?” John asked Autumn.

  “I was working at a small grocery store before I left Nevada. I was going to start looking for something here in Ligonier soon.”

  “Ah. I could help you there,” he offered. “Any interest in books, by chance?”