Total pages in book: 21
Estimated words: 20048 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 100(@200wpm)___ 80(@250wpm)___ 67(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 20048 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 100(@200wpm)___ 80(@250wpm)___ 67(@300wpm)
I entered the diner to pick up lunch and came face to face with Carter.
“Hey, Owen. What’s up? I didn’t expect to see you so fancy, man. Is this the everyday getup?”
“I had a meeting with my lawyers. Anyway, there seems to be a great deal we don’t know about each other,” I snarled, stepping closer to him, each move growing more and more menacing.
He flinches and takes a step back. “Oh shit. Who told you?”
“Autumn did.”
“Well, what the hell did you expect me to say when you’re carrying a gun and we’re three stories above a crowd. It’s not like I’m going to point out my former fucked up relationship with the best girl in town to a guy who looks like he’s found his wife.”
“You still have feelings for her, don’t you?”
He bites his lip and then ducks his head. “Of course I do. It was a drunken mistake to hook up with Caroline.”
“One drunken mistake?”
“Okay, after that, I figured it wouldn’t make a difference if I did it once or a hundred times; my relationship with Autumn was over. I just didn’t know how to tell her.”
“Damn, you need to grow some balls.”
“You’re telling me.”
“That night was the one I’ll regret for the rest of my life even though I’ll treat my kid well.” I wanted to tell him what I knew, and she sure as fuck hadn’t given up coffee for a baby because she’d just finished a cup while we were in the shop, but I couldn’t say shit because frankly, I didn’t trust a man who had a lot to lose and access to weapons.
What I needed to do was talk to Matthew. Caroline was creating trouble for no reason. Unless Matthew had extra women at the house who had their periods, Caroline was lying. I have too many sisters and cousins to know what I saw in the trash can in the bathroom when she was over. She wasn’t pregnant, and she was playing Carter.
“Well, I’m sorry that you fucked up, but I’m warning you to back off of Autumn because nothing will give you a second chance on that front. She’s mine and I won’t let anyone come between us. Understood?”
“Yeah, totally.” He raises his hands and takes a step back. I grab my order and head out of the diner to my truck, only to run straight into the woman of my life.
“Autumn, what are you doing here?” We spoke briefly yesterday, and she did mention working in town, but that it was temporary since she was in school for a business degree before having to drop out due to her dad’s heart attack.
“I work here.” That makes sense why fucking Carter was still lingering around. The bastard wanted to talk to her.
“Yeah, a little detail you forgot to mention.”
“I told you I had a job in town while I was figuring things out. I just didn’t elaborate, and we were interrupted.” I had a meeting to get back into, and my father was summoning me, so I had to end the call earlier than I wanted.
“We’re always interrupted,” I complained. It could easily be rectified, but I doubt she wants that right now.
“Well, I’ve got to get to work. So are we still on for later?”
“Yes, we are. Do you want me to pick you up?”
“That would be perfect. I get out at six.”
“Sounds great, beautiful.” I pull her into my arms and kiss her lips. “God, you’re gorgeous.”
“Thank you, you’re not so bad yourself. Every time I see you, you’re in a different style. I’m not sure who I’m going to get. Tomorrow a lumberjack?”
“If that’s what you want, I’ll pick up an axe.”
“Don’t be cutting down those apple trees, mister,” she says, playfully slapping my chest.
“I wouldn’t dare dream of it. How will we invest in our future?”
“Our future?” she asks.
“Yes, you heard me right, Autumn.” I brush my nose against her and then drop my lips to hers again. “You’re going to be my wife one day.” I catch Carter’s reflection in the large bay window, and I pull her in closer, holding my woman. “Say you’re mine, Autumn.”
“I’m yours, Owen.” My eyes lift up to see the scowl on Carter’s face. He can pretend all he wants, but he still intends to win Autumn back and I’m not letting that happen.
Chapter Five
Autumn
It had been two days since I saw Owen and our relationship was so crazy. It’s new and different. We only spoke on the phone for a few minutes while he was away. He’d been busy, so I used that as an excuse to avoid all conversations because I was scared to confess the way I was feeling. The man had me on edge.
I wanted more, but how do I just throw myself at a stranger and say take me on the unfinished floor? Noelle and I were nosy, so we took a walk over to the unfinished property and it’s freaking huge and impressive. It screams classic elegance. The perfect house to raise a large family and even as we peeked inside, my belly was doing little somersaults thinking of all the little babies I could make with him.