“I’m so relieved that ceiling fell in,” Jenna adds. “As much of a pain in the ass as it is, it could have saved you from a lot of medical issues. I’m so, so sorry.”
Fallon plucks at her lip, listening and staring at the house. “Should I find another place? Do you have another place for rent, Jenna?”
“It’s summer, and I’m full right now,” Jenna replies. I can see the distress on her face, she truly feels awful about the situation.
I don’t. Fallon can stay with me indefinitely as far as I’m concerned, but I know it’s early days yet, and she’d feel more comfortable in her own space.
“I do have a vacation rental,” Jenna continues. “It will be empty in about two weeks. You’re welcome to take that as soon as it’s free.”
“Rent-free, of course,” Christian adds. “We really feel bad, Fallon.”
“It’s not your fault,” Fallon says and takes a long, deep breath. “I knew it was an older house when I moved in. I’ll take you up on that vacation rental when it’s available.”
“Great,” Jenna replies and turns to me. “Does that work for you?”
“Fine with me,” I say and slip my hand into Fallon’s. “I’m in no hurry to see her go.”
“You’re a cute couple,” Jenna says with a smile. “I like it. A lot. Have you seen Max lately?”
“No, I didn’t know if he and Willa were back from their honeymoon.”
“They got back a few days ago,” Jenna says. “He’d be interested to hear all about the new things happening in your life.”
“We don’t really gossip like women,” I reply, earning a roll of the eyes from Jenna.
“Sure, you don’t. That’s why all you guys used to go to his place to shoot pool. Just to not talk.”
“I’ll call him,” I reply. “Do you need anything from us for now?”
“No.” Jenna turns to Fallon. “I really am sorry, Fallon.”
“Please, don’t worry,” Fallon replies, pulling Jenna in for a hug. “I’m fine. Just let me know when the other place is ready.”
“Will do,” Christian says, and we say our goodbyes, pulling away from the house.
“Well, that sucks,” she mutters. “I guess it’s good that Jenna has another place opening up soon.”
I nod and drive us to the other side of town where my favorite BBQ restaurant is. The Back Room has been a community staple in Cunningham Falls for three generations.
“I’ve never been here,” Fallon says when she looks up.
“Then you’ve never lived.” I wink at her and hop out of the vehicle, escorting her inside. We’re shown to a booth, and once we’ve ordered drinks, perused the menu, and ordered food, I watch Fallon, wondering how to lighten her mood. “Whenever I had a birthday when I was a kid, I asked to come here for dinner.”
“Really?” She smiles and looks around. It’s a rustic, family-owned place. “It smells good.”
“Wait until you try the frybread and honey butter.” I lick my lips. “It’ll change your life.”
“That’s a bold statement.”
I hold up my hands. “I swear it. Life-changing.”
Our food is quickly delivered, and my mouth immediately waters. Baby back ribs, baby red potatoes, baked beans, coleslaw, Fallon’s chicken, and let’s not forget a big slab of frybread with honey butter.
This is heaven on a plate.
“I’ll never eat all of this,” Fallon says in surprise, and I grin at her.
“I’ll eat what you don’t, sweetheart.”
I take a bite of a rib, deliberately leaving the sauce all over my lips. Fallon looks up and breaks out in a giggle.
“You’re a mess,” she says.
“What? Do I have something on my face?”
She laughs now, covering her mouth as she chews her coleslaw. “You’re ridiculous.”
“Delicious,” I say, stuffing more food into my mouth, not bothering to wipe my face clean. “BBQ should be messy.”
“Okay, caveman, grab some napkins.”
I smile and reach for the roll of paper towels on the end of the table, tearing off a handful and wiping my lips. “Better?”
“You’ll need a shower when we get home.”
“Maybe you should take it with me,” I suggest, watching as her green eyes go from full of humor to all-out lust.
“I guess someone has to make sure you get all the sauce off your face.”
“Yeah, and you could probably wash my back.”
“Suck your cock,” she suggests before taking a bite of her bread, and my dick comes to full alert. She’s as casual as you please, as if she suggested she’d pass me the soap. “Mm, you were right. This bread is ridiculously amazing.”
“Maybe we should skip the date and go right for the shower,” I suggest, making her laugh again.
“No way, cowboy. I’m enjoying myself. Thanks, by the way. I know I was a little pissy there for a minute.”
“No one can resist BBQ sauce face,” I reply and take another bite of my ribs. “And don’t sweat it, honey. I’m not in any rush to kick you out, so unless staying at my place is horrible—”
“It’s definitely not.”
“Then I’d say things are fine. I’m glad you got out of that house before it made you sick.”
“Me, too.” She bites into her rotisserie chicken and sighs in happiness. “I just feel bad for Jenna. It has to cost a fortune to fix all of that.”
“She can afford it,” I reply with a shrug. “And it’s something you take on when you’re a landlord. Things can happen, and you have to be ready for it. I know she plans for things with the hopes she won’t have to deal with them.”
“Smart,” Fallon says. “I wonder if Max and Willa had a fun honeymoon?”
“They toured their way through Europe,” I reply with a nod. “I’m sure they had a fantastic time. I didn’t know he was home. I’ll call him later.”
“Willa’s a sweetheart,” Fallon says. “She’s been in my yoga class for at least a year now.”
“She’s the best,” I agree. “I thought Max was an idiot for letting her go when they were in high school.”
“What happened there?”
“They dated in school. Max was a year ahead of her and went away to college, but he broke it off before he left. I guess Willa didn’t want to go away for school. His best friend back then was Cary Monroe, who was the same age as Max, but he stayed here rather than going off to college. He and Willa ended up together.
“But not long after they married, when Willa was a few weeks from having Alex, Cary died in a skiing accident. Max was with him at the time.”
“Oh, that’s horrible,” Fallon says softly.
“It was a rough time,” I agree. “I was away at college, but I came home for the funeral. I felt bad for all of them.”
“But they ended up together anyway.”
“Yeah, almost a decade later, they found their way back. Max should have made his move years ago, but I suppose he was afraid. I pushed him into asking her out.”
“How?” She takes a bite of her beans, watching me avidly. God, I love talking with her.
“I threatened to ask her out myself,” I say with a smile. “He didn’t like that.”
“I’m sure he didn’t,” she replies. “Good thinking.”
“It would have happened eventually. I’m happy for them. It’ll be good to see him.”
“I remember after their first date, Willa came into yoga and told us all about it. I could see it on her face then, she was completely in love with him.”
“Do the women talk about their love lives often in class?”
She laughs and shakes her head. “We’re mostly quiet, but she was excited that day, and Jenna wanted to talk about it. If I remember right, Lo and Jillian were there, too, and a few others. You all know each other, so they wanted the scoop.”
“You always talk about the people you know as if they’re separate from you,” I reply thoughtfully. “‘You a
ll know each other.’ You live here too, Fal. You know them.”
“I guess I hadn’t thought of it like that.” She wipes her mouth clean and throws her napkin on her plate. “I’m done. I can’t shove another bite into my belly.”
“You ate it all.”
“I guess I was hungry.”
I grin. “Good, huh?”
“So good,” she agrees. “Where to now?”
“How about a late outside movie at Cunningham Park?”
“I’ve never done that either,” she says, clapping her hands in excitement. “Did you bring a blanket to lie on and everything?”
“I’m no amateur,” I reply as I hand the waitress my card. “Of course, I did.”
* * * *
“How long have they done this?” Fallon asks after we spread the quilt on the grass and I sit down. She lays her head in my lap, and I brush her dark hair off her cheek, enjoying her.
“I’m not sure,” I reply honestly. “For quite a long time now. I don’t usually come, but I thought it would be something fun to do with you.”
She smiles and presses a kiss to my bare leg, just below the hem of my cargo shorts.
“It’s definitely fun,” she says. “What are we seeing?”
“An action movie. Last summer’s Marvel blockbuster.”
“Nice,” she says, sitting up in excitement. “Anything with Chris Evans is a winner.”
“Chris Evans?” I cock a brow and reach into my backpack for a bag of popcorn that I popped and brought along. “That’s my competition?”
“There’s no competition,” she says, reaching in for a kernel. “He would win.”
I pull the popcorn away, making her laugh. “I don’t share my treats with women who insult me.”
“Come on, don’t be a sore loser,” she says and brushes her fingers through my hair. “I mean, the odds of me actually meeting Chris Evans are slim, so I don’t think you have anything to worry about.”
“That doesn’t make me feel any better,” I inform her, but share the popcorn. The sun has set, but it’s not completely dark yet. The park usually shows a family-friendly movie early, and most of the couples who brought their kids have packed up and gone home, leaving mostly adults in the park.
Fallon cuddles up to my side and lays her head on my arm, too short to reach my shoulder.
I lift my arm and wrap it around her shoulders, inviting her to scoot closer. She happily obliges me, and we spend a good portion of the movie snuggled up together until she gets tired and lies down once again with her head in my lap.
She’s a sweetheart, there’s no doubt about it. And I’ve grown used to having her nearby.
I’ve caught the glances from people I know, curious about us, and I’m sure sending text messages to mutual friends, asking what’s going on.
I don’t care.
Let them wonder. I’m not being coy. I’m touching her, and she’s touching me back. I might as well be wearing a sign that says: Yes, I’m with her.
I don’t like the thought of Fallon being fodder for the rumor mill, but there’s no avoiding it when you live in a small town. It happens.
She shifts, turning onto her back with her head in my lap and gazing up at me, no longer watching the movie. She lifts her arm, burying her fingers in my hair above my neck, and pulling me down for a sweet kiss.
Yeah, there’s going to be talk.
And I don’t care.
Chapter Eight
~Fallon~
I don’t know anyone here.
Actually, that’s not true. I know Lauren, Jillian, and Cara. Oh, and Jeff and Nancy. I’ve now met Noah’s parents, his cousins’ kids, friends who are considered family, and it feels like I’m lost in a sea of people.
The King family is big, loud, and for someone like me who isn’t used to big families, incredibly overwhelming. I’m on sensory overload.
The get-together today at the Lazy K Ranch is unlike anything I’ve ever seen before. There’s a huge bouncy house for the kids, a group of people playing horseshoes on the opposite side of the main house, and still more kids running around.
I’ll never remember all of the names, or who belongs to whom.
It’s a lot.
But Noah is enjoying himself, playing horseshoes with Max, Josh, and Zack. Zack’s son, Seth, is sitting on the wraparound porch with his girlfriend, a cute girl named Eloise. They’re eating and laughing, looking at each other with soft smiles.
“Young love,” Autumn says as she joins me. “I remember looking at boys like that when I was a wee girl.”
Gray’s fiancée is from Scotland, and her accent is hypnotic. From the moment I arrived today, she’s been close by to chat or check in with me as if she knows this family is intimidating as hell and a lot to take in. Or, maybe she’s as overwhelmed as I am, and we’re in this together. Either way, I’m grateful.
“They’re cute,” I agree. “Seth definitely has the King good looks.”
“Aye,” she says with a smile. “They’re hard to resist.”
“When are you getting married?” I ask as we each take a cupcake from a table overflowing with food and walk to a table in the shade.
“Next summer,” she says and grins. “But I’ve already been busy planning. I’m starting an event planning business here in town.”
“Oh, that’s wonderful,” I reply. “You know, I was talking with Nina Wolfe last week. She’s also starting a new business, and I think she could use your skills. Would you like me to introduce you?”
“That would be lovely,” Autumn says, her eyes lighting up. “Thank you for the offer.”
“Of course. I know how hard it is to be self-employed. I think you’ll like Nina, she’s great.”
“That’s right, Gray mentioned you teach yoga. Is that your own business, or do you work for a spa?”
“It’s my own gig, and I contract with the Lodge on the lake for some classes, but mostly, I work out of a studio in the heart of downtown.”
“I’ll have to check it out,” she says thoughtfully.
“I’d love to have you.”
“Well, hello, you two.” Noah’s mom, Susan, joins us with her own cupcake. She’s a pretty woman in her early sixties, with blond hair and a lovely smile. “Do you mind if I join you?”
“Of course, not,” I reply, scooting over to give her room. “Are you having a good day?”
“Oh, it’s always a joy to have the family together,” she says, one of her signature smiles gracing her face. “I don’t miss the winters in Montana, but I do miss being with the people I love the most. My boys tell me you’re both new to town?”
“I’ve been here about two years,” I reply.
“And I just found Cunningham Falls this past winter,” Autumn adds. “Your son literally swept me off my feet. Or rather, I swept him off his.”
She tells us about being up on the mountain and hitting Gray on the slopes. “I was so embarrassed, but it worked out in the end.”
“I’m glad,” Susan says with a laugh. “What about you, Fallon? How did you meet Noah?”
“I found an injured eagle and called for help,” I reply. “Which reminds me, I should go check in on him. The eagle, not Noah.”
“He’s always had a soft spot for animals,” Susan replies. “Even when he was young, he was always rescuing something. A rabbit, a bird. One time, he found an injured skunk and was so mad at me for not allowing it inside.”
“Oh, no,” I say, laughing. “I bet he smelled good after that.”
“It was horrible,” she agrees. “But, he has a kind heart.”
“He does,” I say with a nod and look over to where Noah’s playing horseshoes. Gray has joined them, and they’re all laughing at something. “I’d say you raised two incredible men, Susan.”
“That might be the best compliment a mother can receive,” she says, watching me closely before she turns to Autumn. “Now, let’s talk wedding. I want to hear everything, and please know, dear, if you need me
to, I can come up during the winter to help out. It would be a pleasure.”
I listen for the next thirty minutes about cakes and flowers, dresses and parties. Autumn is intelligent and sweet, and I know her wedding is going to be absolutely beautiful.
“I’m being summoned,” Susan says as she stands from the table and waves at her husband across the yard. “It’s been so nice chatting with you both.”
She hurries away, just as Cara and Jillian join us.
“Are you both overwhelmed?” Cara asks, a smile touching her eyes.
“A little,” Autumn admits. “But in a good way.”
“A lot,” I reply with a laugh. “But everyone is super nice. It’s just—”
“It’s a lot to take in,” Jillian says and nods. “Trust me, Cara and I have known the King family all our lives, and even we feel overwhelmed sometimes.”
“Oh, good,” I say with relief.
“We want to invite you both to go out later this week for a sip and paint,” Cara says. “It’ll be the four of us and Lo.” She looks around. “I don’t know where she went.”
“I think she’s feeding the baby,” Jillian says.
“What’s a sip and paint?” Autumn asks.
“We’ll drink wine and paint pictures with the help of an instructor,” Cara says and smiles. “I’m too old for dancing at the bar, you guys. I hate to admit it, but I am.”
“You’re not too old,” Jillian says with a laugh. “You’re too tired. But we still want a girls’ night out.”
“I think that sounds fun,” I reply and nod. “I’m in.”
“Me, too,” Autumn says. “I’m all for trying new things these days.”
“Perfect,” Cara says. “I’ll text you both with the time and address tomorrow.”
Noah approaches just as Gray reaches Autumn. Noah pulls me to my feet and into his arms for a big hug.
“Are you about ready to get out of here?” he asks.
“Yeah,” I say softly. “But only if you are. I can stay if you’d rather.”
He smiles down at me. “I’m ready.”
It takes us a half hour to say our goodbyes to everyone, but when we’re finally in his SUV driving toward town, I let out a long sigh and lean my head against the window.
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