Waiting for Autumn
Page 22
“It’s like she can’t tell me anything bad. Keep up the smile for Brady, he’s got enough to worry about,” he says with mock sweetness. “I’m a happy motherfucker regardless. No need to put on airs for me.”
“Who’s putting on airs? People oughta be who they are, and that’s that. Isn’t that right, Marge?”
Joe elbows Marge in the ribs, and she slaps his arm in retaliation. “Keep your mitts to yourself, old man.” She leans in and kisses my cheek, then pinches them so hard I flinch. “Love you hard, boy, but I see a little girl with brown curls and a tutu I gotta meet.”
While I introduce Joe to my oldest friend, Marge teeters across the yard with a wobble and a cane. The cane is a new addition, and I don’t like it one bit. Lexi runs to Marge’s side, cradling her other elbow to help her to the table.
Parents and children from Aria’s class trickle in, each classmate getting a bigger squeal from Aria than the last. I can’t wait for her to point out Manda and the hot-dog-smelling Henry. I see my chance as she bounds toward me, pink puddle jumper bobbing in her hand.
Splashes fill the air behind us as kids take running jumps into the water. Aria slams into my legs, eyes wild with excitement. She raises her puddle jumper high in the air.
“Can you put it on me? I wanna swim wif my friends!” she yells like we’re across the yard from each other, and I burst out laughing.
“All right, all right.” I chuckle, crouching down in front of her. I hold out each hole, and she shoves her arms inside. I wrap my arms around her and fasten the latch with a click.
She grins, and so do I.
“Fanks, Dad,” she whispers and runs away.
Like she didn’t just blow a hole right through the center of my chest.
The raucous laughter and splashing fade as I blink back tears and fight the urge to fall backward on my ass. Brady clamps a hand on my shoulder and squeezes.
“You okay, man?”
I nod furiously and drop down, knees to elbows.
“First time she’s called me that,” I admit.
“It’s a beautiful thing, the love of a child. Happy as hell you get to experience it, son,” Joe says as he lights his cigarette and draws in a deep drag. “That little girl could charm the tits off a sow, so you’re doubly blessed.”
“I sure am.”
“Deserve it,” he mutters.
I shake my head. “Don’t know about that, but I’ll take it.”
“I know it.” He shoots me a dirty scowl. “Boy, don’t argue with an old man. It’s shit manners, and I won’t stand for it.”
Brady chuckles, and I fight back a grin.
“Yes, sir.”
My eyes land on Autumn as she pulls up a chair for Aunt Dorothy. I watch as Mrs. Norris’s smile goes from tentative to beaming as the other woman takes the chair and sidles right up to her, grabbing both of her hands.
“Give me that spatula before you serve us all charcoal briquettes for lunch.” Joe wrangles the spatula from me as his cigarette dangles precariously from his lips. “Couldn’t barbecue his way out of a paper bag, that one,” he mutters.
When her eyes meet mine, silent words spoken often dance between us.
All this time. We’re finally here.
You and me.
Me and you.
This is all I want from this life. Autumn and Aria at my side and our family surrounding us. Some made by blood, others forged with love. All more important than regret or guilt.
I smile at my future, and she smiles back.
I love you.
Always have.
I know.
THE END
Do you want more of Sebastian, Autumn, and Aria? Click here: I WANT MY BONUS EPILOGUE
About the Author
J.A. DEROUEN RESIDES IN South Louisiana where she lives with her husband, son (aptly nicknamed “The Professor”), and her furry friend, Scout. She has earned bachelor’s degrees in psychology and nursing. When she's not writing or inhaling romance novels by the stack, she works as a women's health nurse. She’s been an avid reader and daydreamer since childhood, and she's never stopped turning the page to get to the next happily ever after.
Where to Find J.A. DeRouen:
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Also by J.A. DeRouen
The Over Series
Hope Over Fear (Book 1)
Wings Over Poppies (Book 2)
Storms Over Secrets (Book 3)
The Over Duet
Low Over High (Book 1)
Ever Over After (Book 2)
Acknowledgments
First and foremost, thank you to my wonderful family for being the most awesome people I know. You’re my most favorite thing. Even when my head is stuck inside my laptop, you’re still my most favorite.
To my wonderful editor, Madison Seidler; proofreader, Mitzi Carroll; and cover designer, Mignon Mykal. I can’t thank you enough for your time and patience.
To my early readers, thank you for your time, and most of all, thank you for your critique. I love all of your red pens the most! When you bleed all over my WIP, you make me better. I appreciate you more than I can express.
To my fellow authors, you know who you are, thank you for your undying friendship and support. But most of all, thank you for being the swift kick in the butt I need a lot of the times.
To all the amazing bloggers who took the time to review and post, thank you from the bottom of my heart for giving me a chance. Your kind words and efforts have meant the world to me.
To all of the wonderful readers out there, I hope you love Sebastian and Autumn as much as I loved writing about them. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.