by Meg Maxwell
“Because Mr. Autry is magic,” Kiera said. “Remember, that’s what Kaylee said when she first told him about us. He did magic tricks.”
Autry smiled. He was magic for this family. It was a good reminder that this wasn’t real—this being-the-family-man thing. Yeah, he was here. Doing it. But it was temporary. And while this might be everyday life for the Fuller girls, this was magic to him. This house, this dinner, this conversation with these children. Magic.
After dinner they settled back in the family room to watch the third episode of The Great Roundup, which he was recording so Marissa could watch it later or tomorrow. He wanted to shield three sets of little eyes when Summer Knight, rodeo star, rode into the canteen in a push-up bra and a very low-cut tank top. She flirted with Travis, who had an aw-shucks type of response to her, which had Brenna leaping into action to keep her man away from “that woman.”
Autry glanced over at Kaylee and realized she’d fallen asleep on her beanbag chair just twenty minutes in. Ten minutes later, Kiera was out. Autry covered them with throws.
“Just us left,” he said to Abby, who was curled up on her own beanbag and munching on the popcorn he’d made in the hot-air popper.
Abby grinned, then her smile faded. “Autry?”
“Yup,” he said.
“Are you and my mom a couple?”
It was a good thing he wasn’t eating popcorn right then because he would have choked.
He didn’t know if he should be saying anything. This seemed a subject Marissa should handle, to answer Abby’s questions as she saw fit.
“I adore your mom. And the three of you. But I’m leaving for Paris this Saturday. And I’ll be there for at least a year, maybe longer. My company will be buying a big corporation there and I’ll be running it and looking into other businesses in Paris to add to our company’s holdings.”
“Can’t you start a company here?” she asked. “Janie said she heard her mom talking and that your brother Walker did that. Now he lives here. You could do the same.”
Oh hell. Now he was in trouble. “Well, Walker and I do different things for our family company. I’m the brother that flies all around the world and checks out new businesses we could invest in or buy.”
“Oh,” she said. “That does sound fun, flying all over the world. I was looking at 2LOVEU’s world tour and they’re going everywhere in six months.” Her face lit up. “And just think, I got to see them while they were still in our country!”
“I’m really glad you had a great time, Abby.”
The brightness dimmed a little. “Thanks, Mr. Autry. For everything.”
Dammit, now it sounded like a nine-year-old was saying goodbye. She was too wise for her years.
The show ended, and Autry turned to Abby. “So what’s next? A movie? We can make this a double feature.”
“Ooh, can we watch Brave?” she asked.
“Brave it is,” he said, finding it in their cable lineup.
They settled back to watch, and Autry was surprised to find himself liking the animated film.
“Ooh, this is my favorite part,” Abby said, munching on the popcorn as she turned her attention to the TV and didn’t make a peep for the next hour.
Saved by Brave. The irony wasn’t lost on Autry. He was far from courageous. He didn’t know how much more of the conversation he could handle.
He glanced at Abby’s sisters, sleeping so peacefully on their beanbags, and felt his heart expand.
Which had to be his imagination. He’d seen The Grinch That Stole Christmas every year of his childhood. He wasn’t a grinch, but he had let his heart shrink to barely nothing.
Until he came to Rust Creek Falls and met this family. This family that made him want to be what they needed.
He couldn’t be the dad they needed. That was out of the question. He could handle a few hours here and there, but he was never opening the floodgates again. He’d done that and got slammed against a brick wall, to be left bruised and battered. A little bit of playing house was one thing. Really doing it? Quite another.
That debate settled in his head—and what was left of his heart—Autry sat back and watched the animated movie heroine show a lot more moxie than he’d ever have.
When the movie ended, Abby was yawning like crazy. He carried Kaylee and then Kiera up to bed, tucking them in, his heart boomeranging all over the place. Kaylee curled up on her side and grabbed hold of her stuffed monkey. Kiera’s little pink mouth hung open and one arm was flung dramatically over her head, and she looked so darned cute that he wanted to take a picture for Marissa, but figured the flash would wake her.
Then he walked Abby up to her room. She’d already taped the new 2LOVEU poster on her wall, this one featuring only Lyle.
“Isn’t he just the best?” Abby said as she got into bed, pulling the covers up.
He sat down on the stool beside her bed and glanced up at Lyle with his dimples. “Seems that way.”
Abby sat up. “Actually, I’d say there’s a tie now. You’re both the best with me.” She held out her arms and he hugged her, barely able to breathe. Figuratively.
“That means a lot, Abby,” he said, standing up. “Sweet dreams, kiddo.”
“Autry?”
He turned back. Abby was lying on her side, her eyes closed, her arms around what looked like an ancient Raggedy Ann doll. “Thanks for making me remember what it’s like to have a dad. It sure is nice.”
He froze, unsure what to say, what to do. From Abby’s steady breathing, it was clear she’d already fallen asleep.
He’d barely made it downstairs before he felt his collar tightening around his neck. He needed to get some air, but he couldn’t leave because he was babysitting someone’s children.
Autry Jones babysitting children. Reminding a nine-year-old girl what it was like to have a father.
I can’t handle that kind of responsibility for a kid’s feelings, he thought, something shuttering over his heart.
Abby had said something like that before—to her sisters. But somehow it felt different when she said it to him. As if she had expectations. As if he would hurt her by not fulfilling that role.
Stop it, he ordered himself. She didn’t say you had to be her father. She just said you reminded her what it’s like to have a dad. And that it was nice.
He sure wouldn’t know.
A coldness settled around him, and he sat down in the kitchen with a cup of black coffee. The minute Marissa got home, he’d be out of there.
* * *
Marissa reluctantly left Suzanne’s apartment over the drugstore once her friend’s two sisters had driven in from Kalispell. Poor Suzanne. She’d been with her fiancé, Jared, for two years, and had only recently gotten engaged. They almost hadn’t, because Jared could not and would not say that he wanted children, and Suzanne wanted at least two, though she’d settle for one. Jared didn’t commit to that until Suzanne had said that maybe they wouldn’t be happy together. So he had finally said the magic words: “One child sounds all right. Let’s get married.”
And now he’d admitted he really didn’t mean it and just hadn’t wanted to lose Suzanne. So she was in love with a man who didn’t want something she wanted—a fundamental difference that had torn them apart.
Marissa couldn’t help thinking of herself and Autry. A man who might have strong feelings for her, who might even love her, unless she was reading way too much into the way he looked at her, the way he held her when and after they’d made love in the Seattle hotel. But a man who didn’t want to be a family guy, who didn’t want a family, who’d closed his heart to family. A man who lived to travel and loved to travel.
A man whose life was at odds with hers.
She’d known this three weeks ago when they’d met at the Ace in the Hole. And she’d gone and fal
len for the guy, anyway.
“Marissa!”
Marissa turned around. Helen Ganley, the woman who’d taken on the mama dog and her four puppies as fosters, was crossing the street with the mother dog on a leash.
Oh no. Was Helen going to complain again about the lady who let her dog pee on the edge of her lawn? Marissa had hoped that adopting a dog herself would open the woman’s heart a little.
“Maria here is doing just great,” Helen said, giving the pretty black-and-white dog a pat on the head and a little dog treat from her pocket. “I wanted to thank you, Marissa. You suggested I adopt a dog and you were right. Maria and her puppies changed my life.”
“Aww, I’m so glad, Helen. She’s a beauty.” Marissa scratched Maria behind the ears. She thought Maria was a fine name for a pretty dog.
“And I should thank that big fish you caught,” Helen added. “It’s thanks to him that Maria and her pups got saved at all.”
Huh? What did Autry have to do with it? Her expression must have asked the question because Helen said, “Oh, I’m not surprised he didn’t mention it. The most generous people rarely toot their own horns. Two week ago, Autry Jones donated a small fortune to the Rust Creek Falls Animal Shelter and that’s how the shelter was able to buy more kennels and supplies. They’re going to expand even more now. I also heard he started a fund with the PTO for programs for students with ‘homes in transition,’ meaning those who’ve lost a parent or whose folks are separated or divorced.”
Marissa sucked in a breath. “He did?”
“That’s what I heard. My sister-in-law is the PTO president—that’s how I know. Don’t let him get away, Marissa. I’m a widow myself and I was alone too long. Then my darling Chumley died and turned me grumpy. All it took was something—five new somethings—to love and care for, and I was back in business.”
Marissa smiled. “I’m so happy to hear that, Helen.”
As her neighbor continued down the street with Maria, Marissa couldn’t move. Autry had donated to the animal shelter? He’d started a fund for school programs for students who’d experienced the death of a parent, or divorce? How much more wonderful could Autry be?
She got her legs to move and headed home. When she opened the front door, the house was quiet. Autry was in the kitchen, putting away the clean dishes from the dishwasher, and the room was spotless.
“Hey,” she said. “Mr. Mom.”
He barely smiled.
She bit her lip. “Everything go okay?”
He put the last plate away, then ran a hand through that thick, silky hair of his. “Everything went great. The girls are all asleep in their rooms. Kaylee and Kiera conked out pretty early, but Abby taught me the lyrics to every 2LOVEU song off the new album. Oh, and Kaylee doesn’t like honey-mustard sauce and Kiera doesn’t like sweet potatoes.”
Marissa was so overcome with emotion that she rushed to throw her arms around him. “You’re wonderful. Just wonderful. I’m very thankful I met you, Autry Jones, even though you’re leaving in two days.”
He gave her a quick hug, but then stepped back. “Me, too. It was a honor spending time with you and your girls.” He glanced at his watch. “Well, I’d better get to the Manor. I have some papers to go over before a meeting with Walker in the morning.”
Oh. Disappointment flooded her. She’d thought maybe he’d stay a bit longer and they could have coffee or some wine, talk for a little while. But he clearly wanted to leave. Maybe a few hours with the Fuller girls had shown him exactly what he already knew: that he wouldn’t be up for this full-time.
She wrapped her arms around herself as a chill settled around her. If she was this affected by his leaving for the night, how was she going to feel when he left for good?
Chapter Fourteen
After tossing and turning all night, Autry stayed in bed longer than he normally would, then remembered he had a meeting with Walker at ten. The thought perked him up some; talking business with Walker was standard stuff, regular life—as opposed to his evening of babysitting Marissa’s daughters. He hated how standoffish he’d been with Marissa when she’d gotten home last night. She deserved better treatment than that, but he’d had to get out there, had to breathe.
He got out of bed and took a long, hot shower, then had two strong cups of coffee. By nine forty-five he’d shaken off thoughts of last night and was completely focused on business and the upcoming Thorpe Corp. negotiations.
His phone beeped with a text. It was Walker. Meet me at Just Us Kids instead of home.
Oh hell. Kiddie central again.
He walked over to the day care, reminded of the first day he’d arrived in Rust Creek Falls and had stood in this spot on the sidewalk, practically hyperventilating about having to go inside. Well, at least he could walk in calmly, like a normal person who wasn’t scared spitless of little humans.
This time, Just Us Kids was a lot more crowded. A long table held a bunch of toddlers who were making something out of clay. On the far side of the room, a teacher was reading aloud to a small group, who sat on mats. Autry could see another bunch of kids on playground equipment in the backyard, and in a sitting area, two teachers held babies. Clearly, business was good at Just Us Kids.
“Autry, welcome!” his sister-in-law Bella said, getting up from the reception desk. Though she was the manager of the center, she often filled in when someone else was out for the day. “I’ll lead the way to Walker’s office. He’s waiting for you.”
Autry smiled at Bella and followed her to a small room in the back. Walker sat behind a desk, going over papers in a folder. He nodded at his brother. “Hudson’s got a bad cold, so I’m handling business here today and tomorrow. Got the paperwork?”
Autry was getting used to seeing Walker in this environment, his usual Italian suits replaced by more casual clothes. Plus, the man had different-colored paint splotches on the back of his hands, which suggested he’d joined a few toddlers at their painting session.
Autry handed him the folder. “All signed and ready to go.”
“Flight leaves day after tomorrow, right?” Walker asked.
“Yup. At 6:30 p.m. I have to admit, I’m going to miss this place. Rust Creek Falls, I mean.”
Walker glanced up from the sheaf of papers. “So stay. Move here. Hudson says you’re hot and heavy with Marissa Fuller. You going to walk away from her?”
Stab to the heart. “Yeah, I am. I care about her, but my life is a jet plane, Walker. I like it here, yes. I like Marissa. But I also like global travel. I like my job. I like negotiating deals for Jones Holdings. I like the history of the family business, the generations of Joneses behind it. I’m invested in the company’s future. That means leaving.”
Walker leaned back in his chair and observed his younger brother. “Huh. Guess the water or the punch didn’t work its magic on you. Dad’s influence is too strong.”
Autry pictured his father sitting in his leather desk chair, imperious and impervious, his life about business and mergers and acquisitions. He wasn’t like his dad. He knew people mattered more than business. But another difference between his father and Autry was that Autry hadn’t made any promises to anyone in the form of vows or fatherhood to be there, to be present. He’d been straight up with Marissa from the get-go. No commitment. And she’d been the same. No strings. They’d had a good time. A magical time. But now that time had come to the end they always knew was waiting.
“It’s not about Dad. It’s about who I am. I like this town more than I ever thought I would. But I can’t see myself settled down here, Walker.”
“Maybe because leaving every couple of months is easier than building a life somewhere.”
Autry shrugged. “Okay, Dr. Phil.”
Walker laughed. “It’s been great having you here, Autry. I hope you’ll come visit in between countries.”<
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“I definitely will,” he said.
Walker stood up and the brothers embraced, and then Autry headed back out, stopping to smile at a little boy making faces at him through the sliding glass door to the backyard. Autry waved at the kid, who seemed disappointed that he wasn’t getting chastised by the grown-up. Just then another boy called to him, and the two scamps went to play on a slide. Autry watched them giggle their way back up the ladder a second time, sending pebbles down the slide and chasing after them. Autry smiled; he could remember doing that with his brothers when they were kids. He could watch this kind of thing all day.
Wait. What? He could? The last time he’d been here, his collar had tightened on him to the point he was at risk of being strangled by his own three-hundred-dollar shirt. Now he was buoyed by the sight of an impish kid and a buddy racing around? Eh, maybe it was a good sign. That time really did heal all wounds. Spending these weeks with the Fuller girls had helped him overcome that old ache of seeing babies and toddlers and children, which had been a constant reminder of what he’d lost—little Lulu and who she’d become as she grew up.
Okay, so he could now walk into a day care without feeling the need to race out and find a kid-free zone. That didn’t mean he was anywhere close to being a family kind of guy. Or else he wouldn’t have been so torn up by what Abby had said last night.
Thanks for making me remember what it’s like to have a dad. It sure is nice.
That old ache gripped him by the chest and squeezed. Autry frowned and slid on his sunglasses and left.
So much for change.
His cell phone rang—Marissa’s home phone number.
“Autry, it’s Roberta Rafferty.”
“Roberta, this is a nice surprise. What can I do for you?”
“You could come to a going-away party for yourself tomorrow at five thirty. Ralph is doing the grilling this time. Your responsibility is just to have a good time and a wonderful send-off.”
He didn’t think he could take a whole evening with Marissa, knowing she’d be out of his life the next day, without imploding. “Roberta, that’s very kind of you, but not nec—”